Kate Beckinsale Offered Total Recall, Eva Mendes and Rosario Dawson Next?

Deadline reported yesterday that Kate Beckinsale has been offered to the play the role that skyrocketed Sharon Stone into fame, Lori, in the remake of Total Recall. The character Lori, in the 1990 film, is the wife of character Douglas Quaid (Arnold Schwarzenegger) who turns out to be an agent sent to moniter Quaid.

The remake, to begin shooting in May, follows the Pillip K. Dick novella, We Can Remember It for You Wholesale, more closely than the 1990 film version. Colin Farrell was originally offered (and later accepted) the role made famous by Schwarzenegger. Len Wiseman, Beckinsale’s husband, is directing.

The mention of Beckinsale in the role is coming to a bit of a shock to most, with her name not being mentioned until now as a possible candidate. Could the fact that her husband is directing the piece have had a strong impact on the decision to offer her the role? I think it’s extremely possible, and highly suspicious given the fact that so many other actresses that weren’t her have been mentioned as other possibilities for the role. Especially when you count for the fact that she is, and has, worked with her husband on the Underworld series. ‘Tis the way of show business, I suppose: it’s all in who you know.

Melina has yet to be cast, but if the casting team continues in this tradition, the role of Melina could be a surprise, and not someone initial expected such as Jessica Biel or Michelle Rodriguez who have both been strongly reported as having a shot at the role. In fact, over at IMDb.com Jessica Biel is still on the list as a rumored credit.

Who do you think would now be the best candidate for Melina if paired against Beckinsale? What do you have to say about actors/actresses given roles because their spouse is also heavily involved in the project?

Beckinsale is currently shooting Underworld 4: New Dawn with Wiseman, due to hit theaters January 20th of next year.