Jena Malone, perhaps best known currently for her role as Johanna Mason in the Hunger Games franchise, is about to step up, Hollywood-style.
She’ll take over one of the most noted roles in one of the biggest film franchises of all time, when she dons Robin’s cape and cowl in the upcoming Batman v. Superman: Dawn Of Justice reboot.
Though the Detroit set is locked down tighter than a Mad Men script read, Michigan reporter Kirk Montgomery of local station WILF 10 let the casting news slip: “The character of Robin[,] as scripted, now is female,” he reported. “Actress Jenna Malone was spotted on set in Detroit.”
There’d been some good, solid speculation that Malone was involved for awhile now: ever since she dyed her hair bright red and speculation mounted that Robin would be played by a woman for the first time.
It’s not the first time the character has been female, though. The character Carrie Kelley has played Robin in Batman comic books–she got her start in Frank Miller’s now-classic The Dark Knight Returns, which Batman v. Superman director Zack Snyder has cited as a major influence.
Malone joins a cast full of already serious star power. In addition to Affleck’s Batman and Henry Cavil’s Superman, Amy Adams will be back as Lois Lane; Lawrence Fishburne reprises his role as Perry White; Jesse Eisenberg will depict Lex Luthor; Diane Lane promises to shine again as Martha Kent; Jeremy Irons will fill Michael Caine’s shoes as Alfred; Holly Hunter’s gonna Senator it up as a yet-unnamed parliamentarian; and Scoot McNairy will be there, too.
Kevin Costner, whose character died in Cavil’s first Superman movie, will not be coming back.
