Anna Kendrick Says She Wants to Play Marvel's Squirrel Girl



Anna Kendrick wants to join the Marvel universe.

The actress of Trolls and Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates mentioned that she's open to the idea of playing a particular superhero on the big screen.

"My brother sent me a Squirrel Girl comic because he thinks I should [play her]," the actress told Net-a-Porter. "I don’t know what Squirrel Girl does other than be half squirrel, but I could be half squirrel!"

Well, Kendrick, here's the deal: Squirrel Girl, also known as Doreen Green, is the nature-loving L.A. native who defeats Doctor Doom (Iron Man's nemesis) and relocates to New York City to keep Central Park safe. The petite high schooler is equipped with super strength, speed and reflexes — plus a bushy tail, a love of nuts and the ability to communicate with squirrels.

Upon reading Kendrick's comments, the internet reacted accordingly, as one artist even created key art for a potential film:

Doctor Doom (Iron Man's nemesis)

Whut?

Marvel's 'New Warriors,' With Squirrel Girl, Ordered Straight-to-Series at Freeform (Exclusive)

APRIL 05, 2017 6:00am PT by Lesley Goldberg

'Cougar Town' grad Kevin Biegel is near a deal to pen the script and serve as showrunner on what will be Marvel's first live-action scripted comedy.
Marvel is expanding its relationship with Freeform and getting into the comedy space.

In a competitive situation with other cable and streaming outlets bidding, the younger-skewing Disney-owned cable network has handed out a straight-to-series order for New Warriors, the comic book powerhouse's first 30-minute live-action comedy. Cougar Town and Scrubs alum Kevin Biegel is near a deal to pen the script and serve as showrunner on the comedy.

The 10-episode comedy will launch in 2018 and marks Marvel's second straight-to-series order at Freeform. It will join drama Cloak and Dagger at the Tom Ascheim-led cable network. The latter, starring Olivia Holt and Aubrey Joseph, is not expected to premiere until winter 2018. Casting will begin shortly.

Marvel's 'New Warriors' Sets Its Cast — Including Squirrel Girl (Exclusive)

Three months after being picked up straight to series by Freeform, Marvel's New Warriors has found its cast.

Milana Vayntrub (This Is Us) has landed the breakout role of Squirrel Girl, while Baby Daddy grad Derek Theler will stay in business with Freeform after landing the role of Mister Immortal in Marvel's first live-action scripted comedy.

The duo lead the ensemble cast in the 10-episode series about six young people learning to cope with their abilities in a world where bad guys can be as terrifying as bad dates. Joining Vayntrub and Theler are Jeremy Tardy as Night Thrasher, Calum Worthy as Speedball, Matthew Moy as Microbe and Kate Comer as Debrii.

"I am thrilled beyond belief to be working with this incredible group of actors. They are funny, sincere, eager, charming and perfectly embody these characters. It'll be a blast and an honor to create this show with each of them," said showrunner — and longtime Squirrel Girl superfan — Kevin Biegel (Enlisted).

Picked up straight to series in April, New Warriors hails from Marvel Television and ABC Studios' cable arm ABC Signature. Marvel head of TV Jeph Loeb and Jim Chory executive produce alongside Biegel.

"We’re so lucky to have assembled such a diverse and incredibly talented cast," Loeb said. “We can’t wait for the fans to see what’s in store when we unleash these iconic characters into the world!"

The Squirrel Girl casting caps an extensive process that featured a personal campaign from Stranger Things breakout Shannon Purser (Barb) — who sources say was also in the running. Parenthood grad Mae Whitman — another outspoken fan of the character — was also discussed, sources say, but her series regular commitment to NBC's upcoming Good Girls made that conversation short, though sources say the character was written with the actress in mind. Other actresses, including Anna Kendrick, had also expressed interest in taking on the character.

"At Freeform, we are committed to finding distinct and entertaining characters that our audience can enjoy and relate to," said Elizabeth Boykewich, senior vp casting and talent at Freeform. "We are excited to be working with Marvel Television to bring these fiercely average super heroes to life and watch them take on the world."

New Warriors will launch in 2018. It is Freeform's second Marvel series and joins Cloak and Dagger at the Disney-owned network. It is unclear if both series will launch at the same time and whether they will be paired together if so. For more on how the series fits in with the Marvel universe as well as at Freeform, click here to read our interview with exec vp programming and development Karey Burke.

Vayntrub (who recurred on NBC's This Is Us as Kevin's Broadway co-star Sloane) will take on Doreen Green — aka Squirrel Girl. Doreen is a totally empowered fangirl who has the incredible powers of a ... squirrel. Her greatest quality is her optimism and her best friend is a pet squirrel, Tippy Toe. Vayntrub is repped by UTA and Ziffren Brittenham.

Theler, who wrapped his six-season starring role on Freeform's Baby Daddy in May, is Craig Hollis, aka Mister Immortal. Craig can't die ... or so he says. Although Craig’s superpower seems amazing, he hasn’t made use of it at all — he figures if he has all the time in the world to learn how to do anything heroic, what’s the rush? Theler is with Paradigm, Authentic Talent and Literary Management and Sloane Offer.

Tardy (Dear White People) takes on the role of Dwayne Taylor, aka Night Thrasher. Brilliant and noble and maybe a bit full of himself, Dwayne is a shameless self-promoter and entrepreneur who also deeply believes in justice. Tardy is with the Kohner Agency and Generate.

Worthy (Austin & Ally, Cassandra French’s Finishing School) will play Robbie Baldwin, aka Speedball. Robbie is an impulsive people-pleaser with a misplaced sense of confidence who throws kinetic balls of energy that are completely out of control. Worthy is repped by CTM International, Principato Young and Myman Greenspan.

Moy will take on the role of Zack Smith, aka Microbe. Zack is a shy hypochondriac who has the ability to talk to germs, which can tell him where you've been, what you ate and who you hung out with. It's impossible to keep secrets around him. Moy is fresh off his six-season run on CBS' recently canceled 2 Broke Girls, where he played diner owner Han. The actor, who also counts Steven Universe among his credits, is repped by AKA Talent Agency, Management 360 and Lichter Grossman.

Comer (The Comeback) rounds out the cast as Deborah Fields, aka Debrii. Deborah is proud, funny and quick witted. Confidently out as a lesbian, Deborah is a low-level telekinetic — very low. Like, she-can-move-a-paper-cup low. Comer is with Esteemed Artists Talent and CESD.

She's hot.

Wow so there making a New Warriors series, now? OK I'll give it a shot. It was one of my favorite titles as a kid.

I think she's a better choice than Kendrick -- she's got a sweet "everywoman" quality to her.

Marvel's 'New Warriors' Won't Air on Freeform, Series Will Be Shopped Elsewhere (Exclusive)

Sources say the comedy, starring Derek Theler and Milana Vayntrub (as fan-favorite Squirrel Girl), could land on Disney's forthcoming streaming service though that seems like a long shot.

Marvel's highly anticipated take on New Warriors is on the move.

The half-hour scripted comedy, picked up straight to series at Freeform in April, will no longer air on the younger-skewing, Disney-owned cable network. Instead, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that Marvel will shop the live-action comedy to other outlets. Sources say there has been some talk that the 10-episode series from Kevin Biegel (Enlisted) could be taken to Disney's forthcoming subscription streaming service, though insiders stress that's a long shot.

The pilot — which stars Baby Daddy grad Derek Theler as Mister Immortal and This Is Us' Milana Vayntrub as fan-favorite Squirrel Girl — is said to have tested through the roof and caught the attention of high-level Disney executives. Insiders note that Freeform — which is expanding original programming to four nights a week in 2018 — could not find a slot for the show next year as it had originally intended. Marvel then asked for New Warriors back as the comic book powerhouse wants it to premiere in the new year. Freeform obliged.

"We are extremely excited about Marvel’s New Warriors and look forward to finding the perfect partner to launch the series with in 2018,” said Dan Buckley, president of Marvel Entertainment.

Sources suggest Disney-owned Marvel — which has a multiple-show deal at Netflix that includes Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, The Defenders and the upcoming Punisher — is no longer able to sell to outside companies. (Marvel denies that.) If true, that would seemingly limit the potential new homes for New Warriors. That would indicate that New Warriors could wind up on Disney's SVOD service that will be home to the studio's hits like Finding Dory, Marvel features like Captain America and Lucasfilm titles including Star Wars. Disney's streaming service is being eyed to launch in late 2019, which could also eliminate that as a destination unless the platform is jump-started early as Marvel is keen on the show airing in 2018. Sources say New Warriors could also be taken out to other streaming services, with the comic book giant eyeing a two-season pickup. Production is rumored to resume in January should the show find a quick new home.

New Warriors is about six young people learning to cope with their abilities in a world where bad guys can be as terrifying as bad dates. Joining Vayntrub and Theler are Jeremy Tardy as Night Thrasher, Calum Worthy as Speedball, Matthew Moy as Microbe and Kate Comer as Debrii. New Warriors hails from Marvel Television and ABC Studios' cable arm ABC Signature. Marvel head of TV Jeph Loeb and Jim Chory executive produce alongside Biegel, who serves as showrunner. New Warriors, sources say, could be Marvel TV 2.0, with the ability to feature multiple spinoffs similar to the company's Netflix arrangement.

In picking up the series in April, Freeform exec vp programming and development Karey Burke noted the process was "super competitive," and that the cabler had been longtime fans of the franchise and "chased Squirrel Girl" before landing Marvel's Cloak and Dagger with a straight-to-series order. The cable network is shifting to four nights of originals in 2018 — three of them scripted — with an hour of programming Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The Tom Ascheim-led network recently doubled down on forthcoming comedy Alone Together, renewing the Lonely Island-produced series for a second season ahead of its premiere. Its roster also includes Black-ish spinoff Grown-ish, Cloak and Dagger, The Siren, The Bold Type, Shadowhunters, The Fosters, Young & Hungry, Beyond and Famous in Love.

For Marvel, meanwhile, the comic book giant has a large roster of television programming that includes the Netflix roster; ABC's Agents of SHIELD and Inhumans; Hulu's The Runaways; FX's Legion and animated Deadpool; and Fox's The Gifted.