Malin Akerman may have just gotten off on the wrong foot with a lot of people. The blond bombshell seemed to be the target of a lot of hate after her sexy turn as the Silk Spectre in Watchmen, and considering her previous roles weren't exactly the stuff of legend she became the focal point every time she was in a subpar film. Which, unfortunately, was more often than not. Over the last couple of years that's started to change, beginning with her vulnerable performance in Josh Radnor's happythankyoumoreplease, which led to her being called up for Adam Shankman's jukebox musical, Rock of Ages, where she'll get to bust out a few tunes. Now it looks like she won't be venturing far from the 80s music scene, as she'll be joining the cast of Randall Miller's punk rock biopic, CBGB.
Akerman will take on the role of kick ass rock music legend, and Blondie frontwoman, Debbie Harry. She'll be joining Alan Rickman and the newly cast Rupert Grint in the film that chronicles the CBGB night club, a fixture in the growing punk rock scene in 1980s New York City. The CBGB and Max's Kansas City were the regular haunts for Blondie and a number of other rising bands back in the day. The club would be closed down in 2006 after a rent dispute. Rickman is set to play Hilly Crystal, the club's owner, while Grint is Cheetah Chrome, the frontman for The Dead Boys. Miller co-wrote the script with Jody Savin, both having worked together with Rickman on Bottle Shock.
After being a film that was only slightly on my radar, the casting has made this one to watch, and the soundtrack should be pretty crazy. This could be a great role for Akerman, who definitely has the look. The question is whether or not she can pull off Harry's ferocity. Filming is set to begin next month. [Variety]
