A year ago, then women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey put herself forward for the role as Marvel’s first female superhero movie, Captain Marvel. Time magazine’s Eliana Dockterman noted what Rousey did and did not bring to the role.
Pros
Captain Marvel is one of the strongest characters in the Marvel universe. Whoever plays her should be powerful too, and who better than the woman who just won Best Fighter at the ESPYs?
Cons
The obvious problem with casting Rousey is that she hasn’t had much experience on the big screen. She played a supporting role in the Entourage movie, and is also set to star in an upcoming biopic about herself. But considering that studio executives are hesitant to greenlight female superhero films — the Sony hacks revealed an email from Marvel Studios CEO Ike Perlmutter warning Sony against creating a female superhero movie for financial reasons, calling past attempts a disaster — a lot is riding on the Captain Marvel film. Perhaps a proven action hero like Mad Max: Fury Road’s Charlize Theron, Battlestar Galactica’s Katee Sackhoff or Edge of Tomorrow’s Emily Blunt would make more sense.
Rousey herself was all pro, as was the Armbar Nation, which contributed images to the effort.
Unfortunately, at San Diego’s Comic Con it was announced that the role would go to Oscar-winning actress Brie Larson.
https://twitter.com/Fandango/status/757035164912398336
Comic book fans seemed enthused at the prospect. The film has a planned debut of March 8, 2019.
In the meantime, Rousey still has a remake of Roadhouse to complete, as well as movie of her life. Her return to the Octagon remains uncertain.
If she does return, the division will be a new one. Rousey lost to Holy Holm, who lost to Miesha Tate, who lost to Amanda Nunes. Then Holm lost to Valentina Shevchenko. All in a year. And the catchweight superfight with Cris Cyborg remains open.
