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Elizabeth Banks talks about casting Kristen

posted 5 years ago by CKid (3816)
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I just read a great article over at The Playlist regarding Elizabeth Banks' decision to cast Kristen in Charlie's Angel's.

Elizabeth Banks Explains Casting Kristen Stewart For 'Charlie's Angels': "I Wanted Her To Surprise People"

Charles Barfield; April 8, 2019

Later this year, fans of the classic TV series and early-00's films based on 'Charlie's Angels' are going to see what filmmaker Elizabeth Banks does with the franchise. Sony is set to release a brand-new take on the 'Angels' with a cast that includes Naomi Scott, Ella Balinska and Kristen Stewart. Banks thinks this version of the franchise is going to be a refreshing departure from previous versions. And she thinks that a lot of the success will be due to Stewart's role.

Speaking at CinemaCon, Banks talked about the upcoming reboot of 'Charlie's Angels' and why she thinks Stewart is the perfect actress to bring on board to headline the new iteration of the franchise. When it was announced that the actress would be leading the new film, many were confused. Stewart had been reluctant to tackle major blockbusters after her stint in the 'Twilight' franchise, and with her outspoken beliefs, 'Charlie's Angels' seemed like a bit of an ... odd choice.

But according to Banks, the director couldn't imagine anyone but Stewart in the film.

"I'm somebody who believes that 90% of the job is casting," said Banks. "I mean, I'm an actor so of course I believe that [laughs]. But I really do believe that is key. I want to see from Robert Downey Jr. play Tony Stark; I don't want to see anyone else do it. I want to see Kristen Stewart be a Charlie's Angel and I didn't want to see [anyone else do it]."

And the director wasn't done after she cast Stewart in the role. To round out the trio of Angels, Banks wanted to make sure whoever she brought on would complement Stewart and make for a dynamic group of kickass ladies.

Banks said, "I wanted her to surprise people and be on a journey. I wanted her to give her other Angels that were not anything like her so that she could pull off energy from and bounce off of and work off of. Because it's the dynamism in the scenes that makes her really fun."

Fans of K-Stew and the 'Charlie's Angels' franchise will get a chance to see what the actor brings to the role when the film hits theaters on November 15.

Well, that's really something. The "perfect actress to bring on board." Man, that is saying a lot.

The entire article is quoted above, but if you want to see it and the photo that's included, click away ...
https://theplaylist.net/elizabeth-banks-kristen-stewart-charlies-angels-20190408/

And now I think I'll close this post with some music ...
Paul Westerberg: Angels Walk - https://youtu.be/vtId16k__4U

Oh yeah, I now believe that how this film does at the boxoffice will greatly influence Disney's decision on whether or not they will release 'Underwater'.

[–] Ron2011 (907) 5 years ago

Interesting and good to hear, because I've been wondering a little bit as to how Kristen would fit the role. By that I mean Kristen has said that she wouldn't want to do an action/fighting role unless the character had more development to it, so I've been thinking that the duality to the role was a part of the draw for Kristen to take the part. It seems that Elizabeth confirms my reasoning and assumption.

[–] LLOwens (983) 5 years ago

By that I mean Kristen has said that she wouldn't want to do an action/fighting role unless the character had more development to it, so I've been thinking that the duality to the role was a part of the draw for Kristen to take the part. It seems that Elizabeth confirms my reasoning and assumption.

This YouTube video entitled: Kristen Stewart Is Tired Of Crappy Girl Power Movies - CONAN on TBS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVeimNmGpvM is the first thing that pops up in my mind every time this topic comes up. She said this in front of a live audience on national TV, so I'm pretty sure this is how she feels about such roles.

[–] Ron2011 (907) 5 years ago

Yeah LL, that and probably other interviews where she's said similar about female action movies and how she'd want a role to be more in depth than just centered around the fights.

[–] LLOwens (983) 5 years ago

But according to Banks, the director couldn't imagine anyone but Stewart in the film.

"I'm somebody who believes that 90% of the job is casting," said Banks. "I mean, I'm an actor so of course I believe that [laughs]. But I really do believe that is key. I want to see from Robert Downey Jr. play Tony Stark; I don't want to see anyone else do it. I want to see Kristen Stewart be a Charlie's Angel and I didn't want to see [anyone else do it]."

If Banks merely stated that Kristen was the "....perfect actress to bring on board..." and left it at that one could take it to mean she might have been exaggerating in order to embellish her talent as an actress to create some buzz for the film she has directed. But then she puts Kristen in the same sentence and on par with the likes of Robert Downey Jr. being perfectly cast as Tony Stark and one then realizes that from Bank's vision as a director, there was no other actress in Hollywood who was a better fit than Kristen. That statement speaks volumes!

This might explain why other beautiful and talented young actresses such as Hailee Steinfeld who costarred with Banks in Pitch Perfect 3 wasn't cast in this reboot--similar to how Naomi Scott was cast to play an angel after she costarred with Banks in Power Rangers. Or why wasn't actresses such as Anna Kendrick or Alexis Knapp whom Banks directed in Pitch Perfect 2, not cast either? I could be wrong, perhaps none of these actresses were really interested in playing an Angel of Charlie's, however, I don't recall reading anything regarding any of these actresses being shortlisted for this film either.

[–] Ron2011 (907) 5 years ago

Good points LL, Liz Banks had a lot of good praise there for Kristen. I was glad to see her speak so well as to why Kristen was so suited for the role.

[–] CKid (3816) 5 years ago

I see that Kristen's character goes by the name of Sabina Wilson.
And in the original TV series, Kate Jackson played Sabrina Duncan.

Sabina; Sabrina. Sabrina; Sabina ... kinda reminds me of a song.
Oh wait, I know ... https://youtu.be/1YxJ52T21jY
[spoiler]And a Kristen connection comes through again as Meg Ryan played Kristen's Mom in ItLoW[/spoiler]

So, anyone else think that Sabina might very well be Sabrina's daughter? Or some other type of relative, perhaps?
I mean, those two names being so similar just can't be a coincidence.

[–] Ron2011 (907) 5 years ago

"So, anyone else think that Sabina might very well be Sabrina's daughter? Or some other type of relative, perhaps?
I mean, those two names being so similar just can't be a coincidence."

Interesting, and it could be possible that Sabrina's daughter learned from her mom and then joined up with the Angles. Makes for continuity of the story, right?