It was recently announced that John Wick 2’s Ruby Rose has been cast in the role of Kate Kane, Batwoman, for the upcoming Arrowverse crossover, with a potential to star in a solo series.
Ruby Rose, also known for Orange Is the New Black and stars in this weekend’s The Meg, recently appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon where she discussed Batwoman.
“I’m so thrilled,” Ruby Rose said. “I get to be Batwoman. I feel like the reason I kept getting emotional is because growing up watching TV, I never saw anyone on TV I could identify with, let alone a superhero.”
Batwoman on the Arrowerse is described as: Armed with a passion for social justice and flair for speaking her mind, soars onto the streets of Gotham as Batwoman, an out lesbian and highly trained street fighter primed to snuff out the failing city’s criminal resurgence. But don’t call her a hero yet—in a city desperate for a savior, Kate must overcome her own demons before embracing the call to be Gotham’s symbol of hope.
In their announcement, DC noted Kate Kane was first introduced in 2006 in the weekly comic series 52 and to this date remains one of DC’s most prominent gay superheroes. Ruby Rose is an apt choice for the role, as she’s both demonstrated a penchant for action and is a member of the LGBTQ community. She also physically fits the part, has shown real breadth in her acting, and if her past roles are any indication, can throw down with the best of them.
With the casting of Batwoman also comes a bit of controversy, as it is the internet we are talking about, and some fans apparently aren’t too thrilled that Ruby Rose is playing Batwoman. The character’s comic book creator, Greg Rucka, chimed in on Twitter and doesn’t have a problem:
Not that anyone asked me, nor does it matter, but I quite like Ruby Rose. Her Kate will be down to what the writers do.
— Greg Rucka (@ruckawriter) August, 8 2018
Her physicality in John Wick 2 was outstanding. She can definitely handle the physical stuff. Dye her hair, give her the wig, and give her some good scripts, and we shall see.
— Greg Rucka (@ruckawriter) August 8, 2018