Joss Whedon

What Kate Beckinsale Is and Isn’t Doing These Days. Even Kate Beckinsale is still hearing that she’s supposed to play Wonder Woman in Joss Whedon’s movie about the leading heroine of DC Comics. Thanks to Mike at Reel Horror for providing us with the latest news on her current projects and non-projects, we can tell you that even though the rumors that she will be the Amazon warrior superheroine have endured for a year, they simply aren’t true, as Beckinsale has constantly had to disappoint her friends by telling them so.

While she has made quips about not wanting to don the underwear required for the role (the feminine version of a common complaint by actors who refuse to play certain male superheroes because of the tights), the truth seems to be that her plate is getting more and more diversified since she’s grown from smaller cornerstones of her career to the dynamic platform on which she stands today. Wonder Woman just doesn’t seem to fit where she wants to go right now.

Beckinsale started coming to the forefront opposite ingenues who shared the spotlight with her. First, she co-starred with the talented indie princess Chloe Sevigny in "The Last Days of Disco" in 1998, and then with Claire Danes in "Brokedown Palace" in 1999. In 2001, she became a leading lady in her own right, starring as the love interest of both Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett in Michael Bay’s big-budget Memorial Day release, "Pearl Harbor." Roles in the distinctive romantic comedy "Serendipity" opposite John Cusack and the offbeat drama "Laurel Canyon" opposite Christian Bale strengthened her list of credits.

Then, "Underworld" came in 2003, putting her name on a very short list of actresses (Milla Jovovich, to name another) who can play truly awesome action heroines. "Underworld" was the ultimate combination of vampire and werewolf lore, making for an enveloping and unique new mythology. The sequel, "Underworld: Evolution," was on par with the first, if not better. Between the two "Underworld" films, Beckinsale embarked on another path centered around vampires and werewolves, "Van Helsing" with Hugh Jackman in the title role. But, that was a large-scale action/adventure flick set wholly apart from "Underworld" and its gothic horror told from the other side of the looking glass in spectacular fashion.

Despite the fact that Beckinsale’s husband, Len Wiseman (director and co-writer of the first two movies), is developing another film for the "Underworld" series, Beckinsale seems to believe she will not be involved. MTV quoted her as saying, "I think it’s a prequel before I’m actually in it, so I think that won’t include me if it happens." As interested as I am in seeing another "Underworld," I have to say that I would miss Beckinsale’s tough and commanding Selene.

If that’s the news about what Kate Beckinsale isn’t doing, what exactly is she doing? Her next movie will be the wacky comedy with Adam Sandler, "Click," about a man who can use his universal remote control on his life as if it were playing on a TiVo. The comedic creativity behind that premise makes me think "Pleasantville" meets "Groundhog Day." There could be very good reason this is Beckinsale’s first real comedy, especially since she’s being very particular about the parts she takes.

As for what lies beyond "Click," she just wrapped up work on "Snow Angels" with Sam Rockwell ("Galaxy Quest" and "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind") and Griffin Dunne ("An American Werewolf in London" and "Stuck On You"). "Snow Angels" is an indie drama, and it just proves how dedicated Beckinsale is to diversifying her roles and exploring her craft. It would be nice to see Selene back in action, especially after the ending of "Underworld: Evolution," and Kate certainly has the beauty and talent to have been a fine Wonder Woman. But, Kate Beckinsale is obviously moving up the ladder and she knows what she wants, so her choice for the next step is likely to be one that’s headed in a good direction.