'The Umbrella Academy' news: Netflix casts Ellen Page to star in comic adaptation
Netflix casts "X-Men" star Ellen Page for its upcoming superhero series "The Umbrella Academy."
The 30-year-old actress is the first to be cast for the adaptation of the Dark Horse Comics novel written by Gerard Way.
"The Umbrella Academy" follows the story of a dysfunctional family of superheroes. Its estranged members — Spaceboy, The Kraken, The Rumor, The Séance, Number Five, The Horror and The White Violin — will be forced to team up to solve the mystery of their adoptive father's (Monocle) mysterious death. However, with their clashing personalities and divergent abilities, a teamwork would be a miracle.
The original comic series was critically acclaimed for its unique take on superheroes, one that does not showcase them as selfless saints.
According to Variety, Page will play the role of Vanya, the only one of Reginald Hargreeves' adopted children who has no supernatural abilities. Meek and insecure, the family's black sheep struggles to find her place in the world.
Page rose to fame in 2007 after playing the role of Juno MacGuff, a young woman who accidentally got pregnant in the titular film "Juno." She is also known for her role as Kitty Pryde/Shadowcat in "X-Men: The Last Stand" and "X-Men: Days of Future Past."
Page also created, produced, and starred the ground-breaking documentary series "Gaycation," which has received two Emmy nominations. In the series, she sets off with her best friend Ian Daniel to explore lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) cultures across continents, featuring destinations like Washington D.C. during Trump's inauguration, Orlando after the tragic Pulse Night Club shooting, Japan, Brazil, South, France and Jamaica. She also recently starred in the sci-fi thriller "Flatliners."
The adaptation of "The Umbrella Academy" was first announced in July. It will be produced by Universal Cable Productions, with executive production from Bluegrass Television, Mike Richardson, Keith Goldberg, and Steve Blackman, who will also be the series' showrunner.
The 10-episode drama will premiere in 2018, with the pilot script adapted by Jeremy Slater.
