Jena Malone and the Ongoing Mystery of Her ‘Batman v. Superman’ Character
Jena Malone (Photo by Omar Vega/Invision/AP)
Entertainment Weekly has published a huge cover story that explores the making of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice — mega-superhero movie, stars Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill, directed by Zack Snyder, maybe you’ve heard of it? — and its position as key building block in the series of upcoming DC Comics-based films.
There are all kinds of interesting tidbits in the story, and in a second follow-up piece about the R-rated extended special edition of Batman v. Superman that will eventually be released on DVD. But the tidbit that may be most interesting to DC Comic movie obsessives involves Jena Malone and the character she plays in Batman v Superman … or rather, doesn’t play.
Related: Christian Bale Plans to See ‘Batman v Superman’ … Eventually
Malone, best known in recent years for her work in The Hunger Games franchise, was cast in Batman v Superman in a role that was never officially confirmed. It turns out her appearance has been cut entirely from the theatrical release; Snyder doesn’t explain why, though he does say that, generally, he was trying to keep the movie tight. Which is funny since its running time still clocks in at two and a half hours.
In any case, Malone will surface in that aforementioned extended edition, at which time her character’s identity will finally be confirmed. Most fans — in addition to IMDb, apparently — believe she plays Barbara Gordon, who in the comics is the daughter of Gotham Police Commissioner Jim Gordon as well as a character who has assumed two super-heroic alter egos over the years: Batgirl and Oracle.
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When pressed for more intel about who Malone really is, Snyder tells EW, “I think we should keep it private, but it’s nothing that’s been talked about,” adding, “She’s definitely not Robin or Batgirl. I’m happy to say that.”
That “definitely not Batgirl” comment would seem to discount the Barbara Gordon theory … unless of course, she plays Gordon in Oracle mode. Pretty sneaky, Snyder.
For now this will remain a mystery of the Snyderverse, which apparently is the name that DC Comic movie insiders have adopted for all the Justice League-adjacent releases in their pipeline. Snyderverse, Snyderverse, Snyderverse: say it three times and it’s entirely possible that the Man of Steel will appear in your living room. If he does, don’t forget to ask him who Jena Malone plays in Dawn of Justice.
Watch our breakdown of the ‘Batman v Superman’ trailer:
