Kiernan Shipka Shines in Red One, Perfect Fit for Multi-Billion Dollar Movie Franchise

Warning: This article contains MAJOR SPOILERS for Red One!

Kiernan Shipka’s portrayal of Gryla in the upcoming holiday film Red One may serve as a pivotal moment in her career, positioning her for roles in multi-billion dollar franchises. From her early years as a child actor, Shipka has intricately crafted a pathway into leading adult roles, solidifying her status as an A-list talent. The year 2024 is set to be monumental for Shipka as she steps into five significant films, including Dwayne Johnson’s exciting Christmas venture, Red One.

This new festive feature showcases a host of mythical beings, prominently featuring Santa Claus and Krampus, with Shipka’s character Gryla taking center stage as the main antagonist. Rooted in Icelandic folklore, Gryla was originally depicted as a fearsome ogress who cooked mischievous children. However, the narrative in Red One reimagines her as a shapeshifting sorceress with the ambitious goal of punishing those who land on the naughty list, aiming to eradicate evil from the world. Particularly noteworthy is Shipka’s gripping performance, which reinforces her potential to play a fan-favorite character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Kiernan Shipka’s Gryla and Marvel’s Magik: A Compelling Parallel

Two Sorceresses with Dubious Morality

Kiernan Shipka’s performance in Red One underscores her capability to embody morally complex characters, a trait reminiscent of Marvel’s Magik. Gryla exhibits defining traits similar to Magik, such as her striking visual aesthetics symbolized by a black armored costume and her long blonde hair. However, the resemblance extends beyond appearance; both characters wield extensive magical abilities that, while potent, could lead to dire consequences in the wrong hands. While Magik possesses the more formidable powers complemented by her soul sword and stepping discs, Gryla presents a slightly less powerful yet equally intriguing variant.

On a character level, Gryla embodies an anti-hero persona. Despite being cast as the villain, her intentions revolve around a desire to improve the world and restore the spirit of Christmas by punishing the naughty. She believes that imprisoning those on the naughty list will ultimately inspire transformation. Thus, Gryla navigates the fine line between antagonist and protagonist, echoing the nuances found in Magik’s character arc.

Magik similarly grapples with her moral compass, frequently straddling the line of anti-hero roles, especially throughout the New X-Men and Avengers vs. X-Men comic series. Her dark history contributes to a warped sense of morality, allowing her to commit acts of violence and murder if deemed necessary. Much like Gryla, Magik contends with her inner demons, adding depth to her character and choices.

Unlocking the Path for Kiernan Shipka as Magik in the MCU

Exploring The Void: A Key Plot Point

The acquisition of the X-Men franchise by Disney in 2019 opened up exciting opportunities for crossovers within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Characters like Wolverine and Storm emerged as the most obvious candidates for integration. However, one crucial component essential to the character of Magik—a domain known as Limbo—remained absent in the MCU’s narrative landscape until now.

In her comic origins, Magik is closely tied to Limbo, where she was once kidnapped and later ruled. The introduction of Deadpool and Wolverine in the MCU features a realm called The Void, which parallels Limbo effectively, allowing for potential integration of Magik’s character narrative. If Marvel Studios decides to recast Magik—ideally with Kiernan Shipka—The Void could seamlessly serve as the backdrop to her origin story while maintaining her established ties to characters like Colossus.

Kiernan Shipka: A Natural Fit For Magik

A Legacy of Morally Ambiguous Roles

If Kiernan Shipka were to don the mantle of Magik, it would be a logical extension of her established trend of portraying characters that navigate moral ambiguity. This characteristic has defined her acting trajectory, beginning with her breakout role as Sally Draper in Mad Men, where she transformed from a sweet young girl to a rebellious character making questionable choices.

Red One Stats
Theater Release Date	November 15, 2024
Streaming Release Date	December 12, 2024
Budget	$250 million
Box Office	$164.59 million
Tomatometer	31%
Popcornmeter	90%
Scores sourced from Box Office Mojo and Rotten Tomatoes as of 12/9/24.

Shipka’s portrayal of darker, morally complex figures—illustrated vividly in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina—demonstrates her adeptness at embodying multifaceted roles. Her upcoming feature in Red One will only strengthen this reputation, making her an exceptional candidate for the role of Magik.

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