The Merc with a Mouth has scored a mixed martial artist. The Hollywood Reporter today brings word that Gina Carano, the MMA champion-turned-actress, has scored a role in the director Tim Miller’s much-anticipated X-Men spinoff, Deadpool.
We’re big fans of Gina. She is one of our 10 Sexiest Female Athletes.
According to the trade, Carano will play Angel Dust, a little known mutant whose ability allows her to elevate her adrenaline levels to provide her with super strength. A member of the underground band of mutants who call themselves Morlocks, Angel Dust has barely appeared in the comics outside of a 2002 “Morlocks” miniseries written by Geoff Johns (who is now much better known for his work with the Distinguished Competition).
Carano joins Ryan Reynolds, T.J. Miller and Ed Skrein in the film, which is also still trying to lock its female lead. Check out a list of six actresses said to be in contention for that part right here. The trade also confirms that, as has long been rumored, Colossus will play a role in the storyline. Although unconfirmed, it is believed that Daniel Cudmore will reprise the part.
Carano is best known for playing the lead in Steven Soderbergh’s Haywire and has also appeared in films like Furious 6 and In the Blood. Featuring a script from the Zombieland pair of Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, Deadpool is less than a year away from theaters! Production is slated to begin in Vancouver next month with the film coming to the big screen on February 12, 2016!