Actress Blake Lively is reportedly gunning to score the lead female role in Alfonso Cuarón’s upcoming 3D sci-fi-thriller “Gravity” starring Robert Downey Jr.
While Scarlett Johansson has (reportedly) already “verbally agreed” to star in the pic, the breakers of the original news, NY Daily News, are alleging that Lively is meeting with Cuarón and trying to dethrone Johansson before any deal is inked. That is even though she’s shooting Martin Campbell’s “Green Lantern” with Johansson’s husband Ryan Reynolds and recently even told MTV that she’d love Johansson to teach her “how to fight.”
Would Lively actually try to undermine the partner of her franchise co-star? Surely not. Another case of the media trying drum up a non-existent catfight? Probably.
That said, until Johansson signs on the dotted line and is officially on board, we guess the role is still somewhat up for grabs. The report adds that Cuarón is “dead set” on having the actress with the role seemingly hers to lose having gained favoritism after original star Angelina Jolie passed.
“Gravity” follows the story of a team of astronauts including a talkative mile-a-minute veteran and a medical engineer who are asked to abandon their fix-it Hubble telescope mission and quickly reboard their ship after a sudden implosion of Russian satellites triggers a debris avalanche in orbit that threatens their immediate safety. What transpires is basically a very high concept sci-fi thriller and a nonstop race for our protagonists to get back to earth.
The film is also reported to feature up to 60% CG feature animation and shot in Cuaron’s trademark fluid style, with an opening shot intended to last at least 20 minutes, although the studio is a bit uneasy about the lack of dialogue in parts of the film. Lensing is slated to begin this fall around with Downey Jr.’s sandwiching “Sherlock Holmes 2” between his work on the film.
Anyone else hate the idea of such beautiful astronauts? I can see Blake Lively fit more comfortably in an astro Jumpsuit than Scarlett. Less curves to screw with the important instruments. I would love to see Kelly McDonald or Rachel Weiz take this on (though equally beautiful i'd believe them more).
I think Cuaron and the producers of this movie are really missing out by not recasting this with the cast of Space Camp. I for one want to see a world weary Tate Donavon and his feisty ex Lea Thompson try make it back to earth.
"Anyone else hate the idea of such beautiful astronauts?" Yes, but how else do you green light a film? You need big stars and generally, they happen to be rather attractive.
I would rather see Rose Byrne, but she's not ugly at all either.
Beautiful, I don't mind. Young, I do.
Astronauts need at least a Bachelor's degree, three years of professional experience, and then another year or two of training before they go up. Sally Ride was 32 when she flew, and she was/is still the youngest NASA astronaut.
Blake Lively is freakin' 22 years old, and Scarlett Johannson is… 25 — and they look their age. Come on.
Such heated competition for a single role by beautiful young women make me think of the infamous casting couch. Of course, I know, that kind of stuff doesn't happen anymore.