In 2013, there was high anticipation surrounding the collaboration between fan favourite actress Gina Carano and comic book creator Rob Liefeld to bring Liefeld’s creation, Avengelyne, to the big screen. Avengelyne, a character first introduced in 1995, emerged from Rob Liefeld’s imagination, embodying the archetype of a fallen angel tasked with protecting humanity from demonic forces. Gina Carano and Rob Liefeld aimed to re-imagine the character, envisioning a film in the vein of the successful Underworld franchise, known for its blend of action and supernatural elements. Sadly, we will get Margot Robbie instead.
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Avengelyne herself is depicted as a formidable warrior, banished from Heaven after being tricked into questioning God’s love for humanity. Stripped of most of her angelic powers, she relies on her physical strength and the potency of her blood, which holds mystical properties when empowered by biblical verses. The character’s potential for cinematic adaptation seemed promising, given her status among the ranks of recognisable female comic book protagonists, and Gina Carano would have been the perfect fit to portray Avengelyne. Rob Liefeld described the title charachter: “Avengelyne resonated so powerfully with the audience because her story of redemption is one that is so relatable. A fallen angel, sentenced to redeem herself by serving humanity, Earth is a foreign environment to her, she must adapt in order to save herself as well as mankind. Her dilemma provides humor amidst the larger plot engine driving her journey.”
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However, recent developments have seen the departure of Carano from the project, with Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap Entertainment and Simon Kinberg’s Genre Films stepping in to acquire the rights for an Avengelyne adaptation. The news of Margot Robbie’s involvement as the titular character, alongside director Olivia Wilde and screenwriter Tony McNamara, marks a significant shift from the initial collaboration between Carano and Liefeld.
While Margot Robbie brings her own star power to the role, the absence of Gina Carano disappoints fans who believed she would have been a fitting choice for the part. Carano’s background as a mixed martial artist lent credibility to her potential portrayal of Avengelyne as a formidable warrior, a quality that Margot Robbie may not be able to replicate convincingly.
The change in creative direction also raises questions about the tone and interpretation of the character. With Wilde at the helm, known for her directorial work on films like Don’t Worry Darling and Booksmart, there may be a departure from the gritty, action-oriented approach initially envisioned by Carano and Liefeld. Additionally, the involvement of Kinberg, known for producing the Deadpool films, suggests a possible tonal shift towards the irreverent and comedic, which may not align with the darker themes inherent in Avengelyne’s story. The decision to replace Gina Carano with Margot Robbie in the Avengelyne adaptation brings new talent and resources to the project, but raises concerns about the direction and authenticity of the film.
Will Olivia Wilde and Margot Robbie turn Rob Liefeld’s Avengelyne, an angel seeking redemption, into a feminist man hating girl boss with daddy issues? Let us know in the comments what you think.
Olivia Wilde being the director is already a major red flag.
Another woke disaster in the making. I understand Liefeld is regretting selling the movie rights already.