Would Jessica Chastain entertain the possibility of playing Poison Ivy for David Ayer’s DC spinoff Gotham City Sirens? In short: yes, but on one condition.
Cinema Blend caught up with the actress in anticipation of The Zookeeper’s Wife, Niki Caro’s powerful period piece in which she plays the heartfelt keeper of Warsaw Zoo during the throes of World War II – look for that one to open opposite Ghost in the Shell this Friday, March 31st. Beyond that, could we see the Oscar-winner make the journey over to the DCEU to portray Pamela Isley? It’s not off the table, according to Chastain, who told the outlet that she’d be game for the coveted part providing Ayer’s vision for Ivy was to create a “strong, dynamic” anti-hero that didn’t succumb to a hackneyed stereotype.
Per Cinema Blend:
“I’m interested in all things where the characters are strong and dynamic, and not stereotypes or objects. I like female characters that are subjects, not objects. And so, if Poison Ivy happens to be that, sure. Throw my hat in the ring.”
That fact that Jessica Chastain is not opposed to Gotham City Sirens is fairly exciting, especially when you consider that the actress has been critical of the superhero genre and its handling of female heroes in the past. A spinoff movie built around some of DC’s finest villainesses may be just the answer, then, but it remains to be seen whether Chastain’s interest in the project will lead to anything official.
Other stars purportedly in the mix for Gotham City Sirens include Lena Headey and Haley Bennett, both of whom have been linked with the role of Selina Kyle/Catwoman, while writer-director David Ayer has been busy teasing Black Mask. A leaked 4chan report recently indicated that Warner Bros. is plotting a February 2019 release date for the spinoff, so we’ll be keeping a close eye on Ayer’s anti-hero offshoot as more information comes to light.