If WandaVision is any indicator, Marvel Studios’ television division will have plenty of excitement and Easter eggs in store for fans. Upcoming legal comedy She-Hulk is one of the ten series from Marvel Studios’ television branch coming to Disney+, with Tatiana Maslany (Orphan Black) set to star as Jennifer Walters, also known as She-Hulk. According to Deadline, Ginger Gonzaga (Kidding, Togetherness) will join Maslany on She-Hulk as protagonist Jennifer Walters’ “best friend”.
Deadline mentions that Gonzaga’s expired contract to play series regular in Fox drama The Cleaning Lady gave her the freedom to pursue the role in Disney+’s She-Hulk. In December, Disney+ detailed that She-Hulk would be a ten-episode legal comedy. It’s likely that Gonzaga’s improv background and work on comedy series such as Wrecked made her an ideal candidate for the unnamed She-Hulk role as ComicBook reports that the casting call for the part “specified that comedic experience was a must.”
Jennifer Walters, She-Hulk, developed her powers after receiving a blood transfusion from her cousin Bruce Banner. Mark Ruffalo (Spotlight, The Avengers) will reprise his MCU role as Banner in the series, and Gonzaga referenced her excitement to work with the actor on Instagram. Aside from Maslany, Gonzaga and Ruffalo, the only other named member of the show’s cast at the moment is Tim Roth (Pulp Fiction, Lie to Me), who will likewise be reprising his The Incredible Hulk role as Abomination.
The vague description of Gonzaga’s role has already invited plenty of speculation from Marvel Comics fans. A popular consensus is that Gonzaga could play the character Jill Stevens, childhood best friend of Jennifer Walters. While ComicBook conjectures that Stevens is a strong possibility, they worry that this character’s tragic fate in the comics may cut Gonzaga’s time on the show short.
Screen Rant mentions the possibility that Gonzaga could play Patsy Walker, also known by the superhero moniker Hellcat. This character has recently been portrayed by Rachael Taylor (Transformers) on Marvel Television’s Jessica Jones and The Defenders. With Charlie Cox (Casanova), the star of Netflix’s Daredevil, recently included in the upcoming Spider-Man sequel, it seems Marvel Studios intends to fold-in some roles from Marvel Television projects into the greater Marvel Cinematic Universe. If Screen Rant’s speculation proves true, Patsy Walker would be the first role recast from an existing Marvel Television property.
Speculation aside, it’s too early too tell much about Gonzaga’s character other than her position as Walters’ best friend. What’s most important to Gonzaga, according to her Instagram, is that she gets “to look fierce while being funny” on the Disney+ show.