When it comes to adapting cartoons into live action, nothing is sacred. That lesson's been taught many times over.
So it comes as no surprise that when the producers of the CW's prospective series, Powerpuff, made their latest casting announcements on Friday, they once again messed with the uniqueness of the original series.
Actress Robyn Lively, half-sister of Blake Lively (which makes her a half-sister-in-law to Blake's husband, Ryan Reynolds), has been cast as Sara Bellum, the Mayor's assistant.
Ms. Bellum, right, was easily identifiable by her long red hair, and her face was never shown. In Powerpuff, it's being hinted that she has had a relationship with Professor Utonium (to be played by Donald Faison). As long time fans of the original series recall, it seemed as though series creator Craig McCracken was hinting at something between Utonium and Ms. Keene, the girls' kindergarten teacher, not with Ms. Bellum.
Considering they've already monkeyed with the supporting cast by rebooting Mojo Jojo as having a human son, the producers are subscribing to the axiom that viewers need to see the actors' faces, hence "unmasking" Ms. Bellum. Then again, Ms. Lively, left, is easy on the eyes, and we've wondered about Ms. Bellum for years.
I shudder to think about what they could do with Ms. Keene if she factors into the series.
6 comments:
I heard that Tom Kenny is coming back to reprise his role as the narrator.
That is correct. Doing this on a live-action show like this gives me flashbacks to William Dozier narrating Batman back in the 60's.
So it's a gritty, edgy YA re-imagining of the show, yet they're bringing Tom Kenny back as the wacky narrator? Based on what I've been seeing and reading, this show really doesn't know what it wants to be. You're either Riverdale or you're a silly, fun for all-ages cartoon; you can't be both.
It's starting to smell like a trainwreck in the works.
There was an actual finale to the PPG that aired in 2009 called “The Powerpuff Girls Rule!!!” At one point, Ms. Bellum’s face is shown for a split second just before she turns her back to the camera.
In case you haven’t guessed, Sara Bellum is a play on the word “cerebellum,” cleverly suggesting her ability to think hard and her role as the voice of reason. The show might not be worth it if this variant of Ms. Bellum doesn’t have her smarts.
If Tom Kenny couldn’t object to Powerpuff’s direction, he’s probably beyond help.
Oh, I knew about the wordplay right from the go. Tom Kenny probably doesn't need the money if he's being well paid for SpongeBob.....!
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