Blake Lively in the Running for Cuarón's 'Gravity'

There is still some question about the depth of Blake Lively's abilities. Gossip Girl is a fluffy, fashionable soap opera, and while that alone doesn't mean she can't act, it's not exactly like joining the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She'll have a chance to show something more substantial in Ben Affleck's The Town and Green Lantern will be bodysuitastic, but the female lead in comic book movies is not really where you go for quality acting. So that she has risen to the top of the list for Alfonso Cuarón's sci-fi survivor story, Gravity with Robert Downey, Jr. is worth discussing. The role had been intended for Angelina Jolie, but she backed out. Then after a couple months, Scarlett Johansson emerged as the top prospect. Now it's Lively and Johansson in the running, which tells me Warner Bros. loves Blake's work. See, WB is not just the studio for Lantern, it's also releasing The Town. Additionally, it's a co- owner of the CW, which airs Gossip Girl. And it's also distributing Gravity. See how that works? Now if Lively was dreadful in The Town or if the studio thought Green Lantern wouldn't do anything to increase her visibility, then she might not be in the discussion. Since she is, we'll assume for the moment that she's got some legitimate skills. Again, I don't mean to imply that she doesn't anyway, just that it's not, shall we say, the first thing you think of. This is a role, as The Hollywood Reporter points out, that Marion Cotillard auditioned for and was built for Jolie. But hey, good for her if she gets it. It shows a lot of drive to go after a movie like that when it isn't your chops you're known for.

Comments

[W]

I have made an early prediction and I am sticking to it...she will get an Oscar nomination for "The Town". That role is going to put her into a whole new perspective.

[trissemi]

Jolie was the best choice for Gravity, I don't understand why they wanna downgrade

[Get The Big Picture]

They don't have a choice; Jolie turned it down.

[SEAN]

This is to the commenter W ....... I hope thats a bad joke but if not YOUR INSANE DUDE!!! lol hahah wow!

Blake or Scarlett, who cares, honestly their both pretty bad, Scarlett is okay at best but in the recent years not soooo much

Thanks for the backstory about Blake, I dont think users understand that alot of behind the scenes dealing goes on for names to be tossed around or even considered so I liked how you made those connections regarding Blake Lively

It seems like studios like Blake , but Downey has worked with Scarlett so point for her, I guess its the directors call .....?

[dee]

I think Blake is disgusting, she loves to steal thunder and talks like she has toothpaste in her mouth all the time. she has a typical girl next door look, Scarlett ont he other hand is phenomenal actress and captivating, Natalie has the ability act along with being intelligent. I am shocked blake was even an option.