Fans think they know exactly who will play Joan of Arc in Baz Luhrmann's new film after legendary actress 'coincidentally' said it was her 'dream role' only two days before film was announced

Fans think they know exactly who will play Joan of Arc in Baz Luhrmann's new film after legendary actress 'coincidentally' said it was her 'dream role' only two days before film was announced READ MORE: Inside Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin's unique marriage By A. James For Daily Mail Australia Published: 12:15, 19 September 2024 | Updated: 12:17, 19 September 2024 e-mail 2 View comments Fans are convinced they know who will be cast the lead role in Baz Luhrmann 's planned epic about Joan of Arc. Jenna Ortega appears to have put her hand up for the part after admitting playing the real-life French martyr was her 'dream role'.

The 21-year-old American actress, who rose to fame in the Netflix series Wednesday, made the comments only days before Luhrmann officially announced he was moving ahead to make the blockbuster. The Elvis director, 62, set Hollywood in a spin after sending out an open casting call yesterday which could see a complete unknown star in the new picture which has the working title Jehanne d'Arc. Ortega made her comments about wanting to play Joan of Arc during an interview with the movie social platform Letterboxd.



During the chat, the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice star was full of praise for the 1928 version of the historical saga called The Passion of Joan of Arc. 'Renée Falconetti’s performance in that is absolutely insane,' Ortega said in the video. 'I feel like a dream character for me would be Joan Of Arc.

' Fans are convinced they know who will be cast the lead role in Baz Luhrmann's planned epic about Joan of Arc. Pictured: Baz Luhrmann at the 2024 Met Gala Social media has since gone wild over Ortega's comments after fan site Popcrave shared a famed portrait of Joan of Arc alongside the star. The share has now reached 75,00 likes with many fans appearing to see a resemblance between the one-time teen actress and the image of historic figure.

'She would definitely be a great fit,' gushed one fan on X. 'Anything Jenna Ortega plays in I would be interested in,' added another user. 'She is perfect for any role,' said another fan.

Jenna Ortega (left) appears to have put her hand up for the part after admitting playing the real-life French martyr was her 'dream role' Read More Aussie interviews famous man without realising - as he makes bizarre comment about his marriage However, some fans on the X thread questioned whether it was appropriate for a non-French actor to appear in the role of a national icon. 'Any reason why Joan of Arc couldn't be French anymore?' said one fan. 'Not European, not even French .

.. so no thanks,' added another.

Meanwhile, others questioned whether Ortega's casting as Joan would alter history since the California-born actress has Mexican-Cuban parents. Said one X user: 'As long as it's not to wokify Joan of Arc (beyond changing her race), I can respect any actress wanting to take this role.' The true story of Joan of Arc centres on a peasant girl who led an army against the English in the Hundred Years War during the Middle Ages.

She was later burnt at the stake after claiming she was on a mission from God to 'save' France. Film industry blog Deadline reported on Tuesday that Luhrmann has sent a casting call to agents describing his film as the 'ultimate Coming of Age story'. Joan of Arc will centre on the true story of a peasant girl who led an army against the English in the Hundred Years War during the Middle Ages.

Pictured: Leelee Sobieski in a scene from 1999 mini series Joan of Arc Scholars believe that the historical Joan who died at about age 19 invited the wrath of Church leaders because she wore men's clothes, which was considered 'blasphemous' at that time. Joan of Arc's story has been filmed many times in the last 100-years with actresses including Casablanca star Ingrid Bergman and Americans Milla Jovovich and Leelee Sobieski playing the role of France's patron saint. No budget details have been released for the film but industry reports reveal that Luhrmann has set up the film at Warner Bros.

which produced his 2022 blockbuster Elvis. The musical biopic of Elvis Presley grossed a massive (US) $288,670,284 globally. Jenna Ortega Baz Luhrmann Share or comment on this article: Fans think they know exactly who will play Joan of Arc in Baz Luhrmann's new film after legendary actress 'coincidentally' said it was her 'dream role' only two days before film was announced e-mail Add comment.