While audiences may not have flocked to it (their loss), Gina Carano proved in "Haywire" that she could be a compelling on-screen presence and one helluva of an action leading lady, a nice place to be, particularly when the industry has so few women in that role. And while we're unlikely to get any further adventures involving Mallory Kane, Carano has been recruited to crack some more skulls.
The MMA fighter will continue her movie career by starring in the action thriller "In The Blood." Penned by Bennett Yellin and James Robert Johnston (the pair who brought you "Joy Ride 2: Dead Ahead"), the story is said to be in the vein of "Taken" (of course), and will follow a woman who is vacationing in the Caribbean with her husband, when he suddenly disappears. She then goes on the warpath seeking vengeance against the men who she belives kidnapped and killed him.
So yeah, sounds rote, but also the perfect sort of vehicle for Carano, but there is one huge question mark in the director, John Stockwell. The man behind such fare as "Blue Crush," "Cat Run," "Turistas" and the truly atrocious-looking Halle Berry shark movie "Dark Tide" (trailer and boob-tacular poster below) may not be the right guy to play to Carano's strengths. As an actress? Yeah, she's not quite there, but Steven Soderbergh knew exactly how to hone those limitations into a believable character. And while "In The Blood" is being touted as a vehicle to let Carano show off her acting and punching skills, we have serious reservations about Stockwell being the dude to make it happen.
The plan is to shoot the film this spring or summer, with the "Haywire" stunt in talks to return to their duties on this picture. So that's something. Anyway….like we said…"Dark Tide"…. [THR/IWatchStuff/IMPA]
