Jessica Biel is in talks to play Wonder Woman in Warner Bros.' upcoming Justice League of America, with the superhero all-star flick possibly serving to launch Biel's own comic-book movie franchise, according to Variety.The live-action film aims to bring together several of DC Comics biggest stars: Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman, Aquaman and the Flash.
A studio rep declined to comment on Tuesday, saying Warners would rather make one big announcement regarding the ensemble. So far, Biel is the first big-name actor linked to the highly anticipated—at least among fanboys—project.
(London's Guardian newspaper has reported that producers have also done a screen test with up-and-coming Australian actress Victoria Hill.)
If Biel ends up being cast in as Diana, the busty Amazonian princess warrior turned American icon, the 25-year-old actress would also be in line to star in a series of Wonder Woman feature-film spinoffs. Warners is reportedly envisioning JLA as a means to kick start both Wonder Woman and Flash stand-alone features.
A Wonder Woman flick has long been a passion of the studio. At one point, Buffy the Vampire Slayer mastermind Joss Whedon was on board to write and direct, but he pulled out last February, criting creative differences and leaving the project in limbo.
Whedon and the studio had apparently clashed over the casting the lead role. And although former Buffy stars Sarah Michelle Gellar and Charisma Carpenter were among those rumored to be in contention to don the tiara, Whedon said he had not settled on his dream Wonder Woman.
JLA had also been on the drawing board for years, but things began to pick up steam when director George Miller, best known for his Mad Max and Babe franchises as well as last year's Oscar-winning 'toon Happy Feet, had come aboard to direct the superfriends film.
Studio executives are reportedly eager to get JLA before cameras before a potential Hollywood strike by writers and actors next summer.
After breaking out as minister's daughter Mary Camden on the long-running WB series 7th Heaven, Biel transitioned to feature films, including the 2003 remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Blade: Trinity, Stealth with Jamie Foxx and The Illusionist, opposite Edward Norton.
Her most recent credits include the Iraq War drama Home of the Brave, the sci-fi thriller Next with Nicolas Cage and the summer's hit Adam Sandler-Kevin James comedy, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. After Biel wraps Powder Blue with Forrest Whitaker and Ray Liotta, she'll segue to A Woman of No Importance, Bruce Beresford's upcoming film based on the Oscar Wilde play.
If Warner Bros. can get the casting situation resolved quickly, JLA could start shooting by early next year, enough time to beat the strike deadline, and be in theaters by 2009.
But finding the right people to fill the tights has always proven problematic, especially when it comes to the Man of Steel and the Caped Crusader.
Neither Superman Returns star Brandon Routh nor Batman Begins hero Christian Bale will appear in JLA—both have expressed concerns that the new film will dilute their already successful franchises.
Production on the next Superman film is expected to proceed as soon as director Bryan Singer completes work on Valkyrie, his World War II drama starring Tom Cruise.
Meanwhile, Christopher Nolan has been shooting his Batman sequel, The Dark Knight, for a July 18, 2008 release.
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