Each member of Batman's original rogues gallery has a unique personality and motive that makes them stand apart from each other, and one such rogue is Pamela Isley, better known as Poison Ivy. A former botanist with the ability to control plant life and emit toxins and pheromones from her body, Ivy has always been a staple character in the pages of DC Comics; her look and complexity have inspired fans as well as cosplayers, as well as her alternating between cold supervillain and anti-heroine over time.
While she's made plenty of appearances in animated series as well as live-action shows like Gotham, Ivy is overdue for a live-action appearance in film, one that represents her better than in Batman & Robin. Since Harley Quinn actress Margot Robbie has talked up wanting to see Harley and Ivy's relationship play out on the big screen, we could be seeing Dr. Isley sooner than we think. Question is, who could play her?
10 10. Olivia Wilde
While she's focused her attention on directing lately, we have no doubt that Olivia Wilde would be a great pick for Ivy in an upcoming film.
Her role as physician Remy "Thirteen" Hadley on House wasn't too different from Ivy, in that she was initially aloof, cynical, and secretive in a way that could be darkly alluring, but was equally quick on her feet when the time called for it (which was often). In terms of bouncing off of Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn, Wilde's no slouch when it comes to comedy either, proving her chops in films like Drinking Buddies and The Incredible Burt Wonderstone.
9 9. Natalie Dormer
A fan-favorite for the part, one need only look at Dormer's work as Margaery Tyrell on Game of Thrones for proof that she can play Poison Ivy. Her charisma and seductive nature in that role would only magnify Ivy's presence.
8 8. Antonia Thomas
While she's been playing sweeter characters recently, Thomas made heads turn with her first role on E4's Misfits. There she played snarky juvenile delinquent Alisha Daniels, who had the power to make people lust toward her by making contact with them (or vice-versa), which she often used to her advantage.
It would be fun to see Thomas tap back into that seductive mode for Ivy, and her ability to play more good-natured characters could work as a mask for Ivy's darker intentions, making her much more unpredictable of a character.
7 7. Gugu Mbatha-Raw
While she's come close to being in different superhero movies (she was reportedly up for Domino in Deadpool 2 and got beaten out for Black Canary in this week's Birds of Prey), Poison Ivy might just be the role Mbatha-Raw could inhabit and make her own.
Mbatha-Raw has proved her talent in roles like the title character in Belle and opposite powerhouse Jessica Chastain in Miss Sloane, but it's her charisma-oozing, extroverted turn in the Black Mirror episode "San Junipero" that seals the deal for us. Imagine how a darker version of that character could look like hanging with Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn.
6 6. Alexandra Breckenridge
Many of you American Horror Story fans out there might remember Breckenridge from Murder House as the young Moira O'Hara, and it's her performance there that bears more than a small resemblance to Ivy: her manipulative, coldly seductive attitude, distrust of men, and (of course) red hair.
If given the chance, Breckenridge could make for an accurate Poison Ivy, making her as charismatic and deadly as she is in the comics.
5 5. Allison Williams
This pick is sure to be controversial, but we'd be lying if we said we didn't think Williams had some of Ivy's personality down.
As Rose Armitage in Get Out, her character's kind and likable personality soon gave way to a more ruthless, detached, and commanding one. She was a woman driven by her goal of maintaining order within the system she and her family had created, other human lives be damned (much like Ivy in terms of caring for plant life).
It's that flipping of personalities, the ability to be simultaneously unnerving and charming, that makes Williams a prime candidate for the role. Not only that but she's closer in age to Margot Robbie than some of the other choices on this list, and her previous comedy experience would also give her an edge in keeping up with Harley's manic attitude.
4 4. Portia Doubleday
Doubleday has proven to be an actress worth keeping an eye on in recent years, with her most recent starring role being on USA's Mr. Robot. It's in that role that she has given off a cold, commanding presence at times, but it's also as Chris Hargensen in 2013's underwhelming remake of Carrie that we saw how truly vindictive and despicable she could make a character, all traits which could come in handy for playing Poison Ivy.
3 3. Elizabeth Gillies
A left-field choice, but one that could really pay off; most of you might know Gillies more recently from her role as Fallon Carrington on The CW's Dynasty.
It's in that role that she gives off magnetizing charisma, a fiery sense of purpose and a dry, sarcastic wit, all elements that would make an extremely appealing Pamela Isley, at least to us.
2 2. Blake Lively
While her last experience in a superhero film (2011's Green Lantern ) was panned, it certainly wasn't Lively's fault. In the years since she's built a resume on interesting and three-dimensional characters, including her turn in the survival horror flick The Shallows, as well as her charismatic turns in both The Age of Adaline and A Simple Favor.
It's in those last two films where Lively really shined: her charms were on full display in the former, while her devious and manipulative role in the latter stole the show. If there were ever a role that Lively could make her own in another superhero venture, Poison Ivy would be our pick.
1 1. Stephanie Corneliussen
Another Mr. Robot actress, Corneliussen made our jaws drop (for more than one reason) when she made her debut on the series. As Tyrel Wellick's Lady MacBeth-esque wife Joanna, she proved to be as ruthless and cunning as her husband, not to mention extremely seductive in an eerie yet commanding sort of way when it came to getting what she wanted. She literally embodied Poison Ivy on the series and could truly give a killer performance were she given the chance.
But don't take our word for it; she's expressed interest in the role multiple times. Hopefully Margot Robbie and Warner Bros. have listened.