Yes, you’re justified in being suspicious whenever someone tries to revive an old franchise like this, but at least one of the producers behind NBC’s forthcoming Bionic Woman is David Eick, whose radical and irreverent update of Battlestar Galactica has turned out just fine. Eick tells Variety the show will use the heroine’s technology-enhanced abilities as a metaphor to explore how professional women juggle multiple roles. OK, not exactly a novel idea (”Bionic Housewives!”), but not one without potential.
The big question, of course, is: Who should be cast in the role made famous by Lindsay Wagner (pictured)? My colleague Michael Slezak makes a pitch for Ally Walker, but I think she has about as much chance of landing the part as Valerie Cherish does. I’ll preface my suggestion by noting that a number of TV action heroines in recent years have been perhaps too petite to look credible as buttkickers (think Buffy’s Sarah Michelle Gellar, Dark Angel’s Jessica Alba, and now, Heroes‘ Hayden Panettiere). True, their small stature only lulls foes into a false sense of security, but still, it wouldn’t hurt for Eick to cast someone Amazonian enough to look the part of an action heroine, would it? I’m thinking Aisha Tyler, but I’m sure the PopWatch army can come up with some even better suggestions.
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I agree that Sarah Michelle Gellar would seem too tiny to be a credible butt-kicker, but give the girl a little credit. She really stepped it up for that show and made the slayer fierce when she need to be (her, and some excellent stunt-doubles). Don’t sell SMG short.
Rachel Bilson? She may be too petite though…What about Denise Richards?
On PerezHilton.com, someone suggested Katherine Heigl and I have to say I agree! Tall, blonde, sporty…
Fat chance Shonda Rimes will let her out of Grey’s though considering she won’t let Sandra Oh work on movies even though she has the time…
sarah michelle, amy acker, eliza dushku, kerry washington, jennifer landon.
On the subject of Amazonian women, I just hope they find someone both big enough and feminine enough to play Wonder Woman, like Lucy Lawless.
Mischa Barton…tall and has the same hair colour as Lindsay Wagner…plus her acting is bionically boring.
*sigh*, just another of my fav childhood shows destined for ruin.
Gary you’re missing the point on this casting. The size issue doesn’t come into play here. She’s bionic! Thus size doesn’t matter when it comes to butt kicking believability
Keri Russell?
Amy Acker! Fantastic pick.
How about a different approach like Grace Park (Battlestar Galactica) or The gal (name escapes me) who plays the lead female on Eureka?
Illeana Douglas.
I don’t think they should be casting “another Lindsay Wagner.” Who cares about the hair color? They need a woman with balls. Bionic balls.
Illeana Douglas.
I don’t think they should be casting “another Lindsay Wagner.” Who cares about the hair color? They need a woman with balls. Bionic balls.
Jessica Biel is looking pretty ripped these days!
Well, now that Smith is soon to be defunct, the very talented Amy Smart will be free. She would make a great bionic woman. She has the brains and the look.
If not, my second choice is Rachel McAdams. For the same reasons as above.
Ali Larter. Random, I know, but I’m putting it out there.
Charisma Carpenter would be perfect – had superpowers(almost)on Angel! Amy Acker would be a good choice too.
Some good suggestions – I like Katherine Heigl, Keri Russell, and Jessica Biel. I’d add Gabrielle Union in the mix if we’re updating the look.
Well, you have to remember that Lindsay Wagner received a well-deserved Emmy for the depth she brought to the character of Jaime Sommers. As a result, she raised the bar significantly. Her successor shouldn’t be Katharine McPhee or Jessica Simpson, that’s for sure!
My vote is for Gina Torres (Zoe) from Firefly. She looks like she can give an ass kicking and is still really attractive.
Now, let’s make it happen!
Mia Hamm — hands down!
Acting ability is certainly not necessary — or even appropriate — given the show’s pedigree (Lindsay and Lee Majors).
Why is Aisha Tyler always suggested for a new role? When Starr left The View, you guys were all “Aisha Tyler’s perfect!” Umm…how much is she paying you! Really! I’ll keep it a see-kwet!!
Regan – Gina Torres CAN kick MUCHO booty! She was FABULOUS as Anna Espenosa on Alias. Great suggestion!!
regan,
I’m a Gina Torres fan, too — and agree that she’d be great.
But Gina already has a gig as “Cheryl Carrera” on Fox’s “Standoff.” I think the ratings are pretty good… (Not that the lifespan of such would exceed that of a firefly…)
Anyway, didn’t Gina already play a “bionic woman” for several seasons on Alias?
Jennifer Garner. Come on, you know you can see her in the role perfectly.
ok – just to throw some salt in, what about Katharine McPhee – folks, I’m kidding, I won’t even buy her CD when it comes out
Eick should stick close to home: Lucy Lawless. We know she can kick ass.
Not to Joss-Whedon-ify this whole comments section (I can’t help it if he continually hires intelligent, charismatic, kick-@ss women), but I gotta say that Amy Acker and Gina Torres are both interesting choices. I have to add a third: Morena Baccarin, also of “Firefly”/”Serenity” fame. Although she was mostly poised and polished for the show, I’m betting she can whip out the butt-kicking, too–being, you know, a great actress and all. That might conflict with Whedon’s upcoming “Wonder Woman” though, for which I am absolutely SOLD on Baccarin playing the titular character.
And I gotta agree with you, med: when a woman (or a man) is physically enhanced with bionics, Slayer powers, Amazonian gifts, etc., size just really doesn’t matter. I’ll take acting prowess over height any day.
Jennifer Garner! She’s perfect!
Staring at my Bionic Woman lunch box right now and pondering who could be the next Jaime Sommers. . . my two cents – Jessica Biel fits the mold perfectly.
Katherine Heigl would be a good choice as well as Jennifer Garner and Sandra Oh did a play in NY during the last hiatus,so there is escape from Grey’s!
I am always a wet blanket on these posts. Don’t do to the Bionic Woman what you did to Mrs Peel and Charlie’s Angels.
NO MORE BAD REMAKES.