Moviefone Editorial

Tag: mary-elizabeth-winstead

  • ‘Star Wars: Ahsoka’ Adds Mary Elizabeth Winstead

    Mary Elizabeth Winstead in Netflix's 'Kate' (2021)
    Mary Elizabeth Winstead in Netflix’s ‘Kate’ (2021)

    Though ‘The Book Of Boba Fett’ might be getting the attention of ‘Star Wars’ fans on TV screens via streaming service Disney+ now, plenty are also anticipating another spin-off from ‘The Mandalorian’, ‘Star Wars: Ahsoka’. The series, which will star Rosario Dawson as the skilled Jedi warrior Ahsoka Tano, is adding Mary Elizabeth Winstead to its cast.

    Ahsoka Tano, for anyone unfamiliar with the character, made her debut in the animated series ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’, where she was voiced by Ashley Eckstein. She also appeared in ‘Stars Wars: Rebels’ and then was introduced in live-action form in ‘The Mandalorian’s second season episode ‘Chapter 13: The Jedi,’ played by Dawson. Ahsoka was able to communicate with The Child, long dubbed “Baby Yoda” by fans, before his real name was revealed to be Grogu.

    The actress had lobbied to play the part and the fan reaction was warm, leading to this spin-off series. This being Lucasfilm and Disney, we have no official plot details for the show yet, but it’s rumored that she’ll be hunting down the Imperial character Grand Admiral Thrawn, who has appeared in novels and animated shows. The ‘Ahsoka’ series is set five years after the events of ‘Star Wars: Return of the Jedi’ (1983).

    We do know that Hayden Christensen will be back as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, which makes sense as Anakin was one of Ahsoka’s Jedi tutors in ‘Clone Wars’. It seems likely that Christensen will be playing Skywalker in flashback, rather than Vader (as in the upcoming ‘Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi’, starring Ewan McGregor as the iconic Jedi Master).

    Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka in season 2 of 'The Mandalorian' on Disney+
    Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka in season 2 of ‘The Mandalorian’ on Disney+

    Australian actress Natasha Liu Bordizzo is confirmed as playing Sabine Wren. She’s one of the main characters from ‘Rebels’, voiced by Tiya Sircar. The character is a young Mandalorian warrior and graffiti artist, Imperial Academy dropout and a former bounty hunter with expert knowledge of weapons and explosives. The casting increased speculation that we might see a live-action version of fellow ‘Rebels’ character Ezra Bridger.

    Ivanna Sakhno, seen in ‘Pacific Rim: Uprising’ (2018) and ‘The Spy Who Dumped Me’ (2018), is aboard as a mysterious new character. We can expect more casting to follow as the series gets closer to shooting, but there is no confirmed date yet for it to hit Disney+.

    In addition to ‘Birds Of Prey’, Winstead is known for films such as ‘Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World’ (2010), ‘Smashed’ (2012) and 2007’s ‘Live Free Or Die Hard’. Her role in Ahsoka is currently unknown.

    ‘Star Wars’ TV boss Dave Filoni is overseeing the series, writing this one and executive producing alongside Jon Favreau. Production is set for this spring in California. ‘The Mandalorian’ will launch its third season following the conclusion of ‘Boba Fett’, and other ‘Star Wars’ shows in the works include ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’, ‘Andor’ and ‘The Acolyte’. The Lucasfilm team also has a show based around Lando Calrissian in development.

    Ahsoka from season 5 of 'Star Wars: The Clone Wars'
    Ahsoka from season 5 of ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’
  • Margot Robbie’s ‘Birds of Prey’ Is Considering These Actresses

    Margot Robbie’s ‘Birds of Prey’ Is Considering These Actresses

    Harley Quinn, Margot Robbie
    Warner Bros.

    This “Birds of Prey” shortlist is very encouraging.

    Margot Robbie‘s Harley Quinn will lead an ensemble of DC stars in the spinoff “Birds of Prey.” She previously described the film to Moviefone as an “R-rated girl gang film.” Past reports have noted Robbie’s role behind-the-scenes, including pushing for diversity in casting.

    Now The Hollywood Reporter has revealed the reported frontrunners who have tested or been considered for key roles in the supervillain film.

    Warner Bros. will be making casting decisions within the next two weeks, THR reported, since filming is expected to start in early 2019, with Cathy Yan as director.

    Deadline also added their two cents — seconding that Huntress, Rene Montoya, and Black Canary would be a part of Harley Quinn’s all-girl gang. “They take on Batman villain Black Mask, with the help of Cassandra Cain.”

    https://twitter.com/infamousmargot/status/1043130168330604544

    https://twitter.com/shamblebot/status/1043149596325765120

    According to THR, two of the stars being considered are “Black Mirror” alumni Gugu Mbatha-Raw (“San Junipero”) and Cristin Milioti (“USS Callister”).

    Mbatha-Raw is said to be in the running for Black Canary, along with Jurnee Smolett-Bell (“Underground”) and possibly Janelle Monae.

    Cristin Milioti, also known from “How I Met Your Mother” and “Fargo,” is said to have tested or read for the role of Huntress. She’d be up against Margaret Qualley (“The Leftovers”) and Mary Elizabeth Winstead (“10 Cloverfield Lane,” “Fargo”). Deadline also added Sofia Boutella ( “The Mummy”) to the list of Huntress candidates.

    For the role of Gotham City detective Renee Montoya, THR said Justina Machado (“One Day at a Time,” “Six Feet Under”) and Roberta Colindrez (“Vida,” “I Love Dick”) both tested.

    THR said Warner Bros. is looking to cast Cassandra Cain — who took on the role of Batgirl for a while — as a 12-year-old girl. The character is of Asian decent in the comics, and they are looking to cast a young Asian actress in the role.

    That’s a tough lineup to choose from. No one has asked for our feedback yet, but anytime you can get Mary Elizabeth Winstead in something, do it. Pair her with either Gugu Mbatha-Raw or Janelle Monae (or find a way to add both), plus Justina Machado and Margot Robbie, and we’re ready to go.

    Official casting soon. Reports say filming is scheduled to begin mid-January in Los Angeles.

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