Morena Baccarin Tops List of Potential Actresses To Play Wasp in ‘The Avengers’

Or at least, that’s the role we think they are casting for. In a recent interview with Sam Jackson, who will play Nick Fury in just about every upcoming Marvel film from Captain America: The First Avenger to The Avengers, the actor spilled the beans on the shortlist of actresses the studio is looking at for a potential “sidekick” role for his character. From THR:

Marvel is conducting screen tests Friday for one of the final roles still looking to be cast in The Avengers, the all-star superhero ensemble being directed by Joss Whedon. Last night Samuel L. Jackson revealed on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon it is that of his “sidekick.”

V star Morena Baccarin is on that list. Also said to be vying for the part are Jessica Lucas, Cobie Smulders and Mary Elizabeth Winstead, who are still negotiating their test deals for the part of a key member of the espionage agency run by Nick Fury, played in the Marvel movies by Jackson. Some earlier speculation pegged the role to be that of Avengers team member Janet van Dyne/the Wasp, but Marvel declined to comment.

An eclectic list to say the least. Baccarin and Winstead may have the most amount of geek cred with a resume ranging from Firefly to Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World. But we also know that Whedon getting to use one of his favorite actors may be a bit far fetched.

With the screen tests happening later today, we can expect to hear more about this role, who it’s actually going to play it and more, in the coming weeks.