With the rom-com “Life As We Know It” hitting theaters next weekend, and the high concept private investigator flick “One For The Money” arriving in 2011, Katherine Heigl is considering a shift into some straight fantasy/dramatic fare for her next film.
In an interview with the NY Times, the actress reveals she’s circling the lead role of the film version of Diane Gabaldon‘s “Outlander” saying, “Scotland? 2012? What do you think?” The book, the first in a six novel series, starts in 1945 and follows Claire Beauchamp Randall, an English nurse, who while on honeymoon in the Scottish highlands is transported back in time to 1743, where she finds a series of adventures and romance.
The books were optioned by Essential Pictures back in 2008 with an eye to creating a franchise. Randall Wallace (“Braveheart,” “Pearl Harbor”) was hired to pen the script, with a director being sought for a 2009 start. Obviously that didn’t happen, but if Heigl were to join, we would imagine the pieces would come together quickly. However, judging by her comments, it doesn’t seem likely to shoot until 2012.
I have to say that other than using Katherine Heigl to get attention on this project, real fans will NOT like this choice.
She is too old and too tall for this role.
NO! No Katherine Heigl! She is NOT Claire Fraser. There is no way.
I agree with all other fans of Diana's book, Katherine Heigl playing Claire would just wreck the movie.
Absolutely not. If a movie is made, they almost have to use native Scots and unknowns. Katherine Heigl will drive away the real fans of these books! I doubt I would go see it if she plays Claire.