Murtada here. Big studio franchises are aggressively courting actressexuals. Following in the heels of Laura Dern joining Star Wars, now comes the news that Elizabeth Debicki will be featured in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2.
Debicki is sort of an obsession at The Film Experience. We wrote about her here. And here. She is short listed for Villain of the Year at The Film Bitch Awards. Debicki stole The Man from U.N.C.L.E (2015) and was the most arresting figure in The Great Gatsby (2013). So much so, we thought Gatsby will be remembered mostly for being the first film in her huge career, more than anything else.
Debicki’s Guardians 2 character is being kept secret. The internet though is rife with speculation...
There’s a theory she may be Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel. Let’s take that with a grain of salt. So many actresses have been rumored for that role. From Emily Blunt to her Huntsman co-stars Charlize Theron and Jessica Chastain to Margot Robbie and Rebecca Ferguson. Could Marvel hire someone not that famous for such an iconic part? They have done it before before with Chris Hemsworth for Thor. Still that's probably not true. It’s just Debicki's fandom wishing her part in Guardians 2 to be substantial.
Before all that though Debicki takes a TV turn with April’s AMC and BBC John Le Carre mini series The Night Manager. Directed by Danish Oscar winner Susanne Bier the series tells the story of Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston), a British soldier turned luxury hotel night auditor. Pine is recruited by intelligence operatives (including Olivia Colman) to go undercover as part of a sting operation against Richard Roper (Hugh Laurie), an arms dealer. Debicki plays Roper’s girlfriend, Jed. Pine of course falls for her. Shades of Tequila Sunrise (1988). Will the menage a trois will be as scorching hot as Pfeiffer/Gibson/Russell. Highly doubtful although Hiddleston/Debicki will definitely bring lots of their own heat.
Being a prestige mini series and all, The Night Manager is premiering at the Berlinale this week. Early word is that Debicki steals it. Of course she does, that’s her MO.
Are you looking forward to these projects? Or would you rather see this lanky Australian in Carol: The Early Years?