20th Century Fox is allegedly developing a standalone film centered around Kitty Pryde before they have to forfeit their production rights to Disney. While the movie seems to be in production purgatory at the moment, there is no guarantee that it is altogether cancelled, so we could be seeing Shadowcat on the big screen again fairly soon. Ellen Page did a masterful job bringing the character to life in Pryde’s first live-action interpretation, and I think I have a few actresses picked out who could successfully fill her shoes.
1. Hailee Steinfeld
Hailee Steinfeld has long been one of the most promising young stars in Hollywood, and I personally think that she is the ideal choice to play Shadowcat. Steinfeld has already shown that she has impeccable range as an actress, having played a quirky teenager in The Edge of Seventeen and a tough-as-nails little girl in True Grit. I think that a combination of the two would make the perfect Kitty Pryde, and the fact that she looks a bit like a young Ellen Page doesn’t hurt her chances either.
2. Alison Brie
Alison Brie is known mainly as a comedic actress, but she has done several serious projects as well. She has been able to exhibit her prowess for drama during her run on Mad Men, and while it is a comedy series, she has shown a thirst for action on her current show GLOW. Brie has the perfect blend of action star potential and comedy experience to play Shadowcat, and while she is 35 years old, she could easily pass for a much younger woman.
3. Chloë Grace Moretz
When it comes to young action stars, I don’t know if there is anyone more popular than Chloë Grace Moretz. Ever since her time on the Kick-Ass films, Moretz has been in high demand when it comes to female action heroes, so having her play Kitty Pryde would be perfect. This could give Fox’s project some much needed starpower, and if they could convince such a popular actress to sign on to the picture, I know for a fact that it would be a success.
4. Anna Kendrick
Anna Kendrick is widely cut from the same cloth as Alison Brie, as she is mainly a comedic actress, yet she also has experience in drama roles. Kendrick has been a sought after comedy star ever since the first Pitch Perfect, yet she has also shown many wrinkles in her acting method, as she was excellent in both The Accountant and A Simple Favor. Casting Kendrick in a superhero role would be certain to turn a lot of heads, and I think it’s about time for her to join the Marvel universe.
5. Willa Holland
Willa Holland is known primarily as a television star, having gained fame from the CW show Arrow. However, she has shown a great degree of acting range during her run on the show, and has amassed a wealth of experience in action heavy roles. I think that casting someone who isn’t exactly a star as Kitty Pryde could offer a whole new take on the character, and it could turn out to be the best version of her we have seen yet.
6. Jenna Coleman
Jenna Coleman is an extremely talented British actress, but she has slowly started to creep into the mainstream American media. Coleman played the fan favorite character Clara Oswald on Doctor Who, and ever since then fans have fallen in love with her every project. Not only does she look like Kitty Pryde, but I think that she could bring a fresh face to the X-Men franchise, and I would love to see how she handles a superhero role.
7. Lily Collins
Lily Collins has seemed to be a promising young actress ever since she starred in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, yet she has left the limelight a bit in recent years. However, Collins has still shown promise as an action star, and I think that she could excel in a superhero role. She has an accurate look for the character, and if she were to be cast in the role, she would undoubtedly draw a lot younger eyes to the project.
8. Billie Lourd
Billie Lourd is most famous for being the late Carrie Fisher’s daughter, but she has made a name for herself as an actress too. Being featured heavily in the last few seasons of American Horror Story, Lourd has become a fan favorite among the fans of that particular show, and of course every Star Wars fan remembers her acting alongside her mother in The Force Awakens. Lourd is an actress that already has a wealth of experience at such a young age, and I feel as though her look for the character could be what sinches the role for her.
9. Emma Roberts
Speaking of American Horror Story, Emma Roberts is another actress that has made a name for herself through that program. However, she has much more experience in movie roles as opposed to Billie Lourd. While she is a more popular actress, I do think that she could add a little bit of starpower to the role, and I know for a fact that she could put a much needed spin on this X-Men staple.
10. Millie Bobby Brown
Millie Bobby Brown is a much younger actress for Kitty Pryde, but I think that it could work out like that. Not only is Brown one of the fastest rising stars in Hollywood, but having a younger face in a superhero role could keep it alive for many years to come, and could make Shadowcat her own franchise. Whether she has a string of her own movies, or joins the MCU eventually, casting Brown as this character would inevitably put Kitty Pryde on the map.