Would better casting in the female lead have saved/greatly improved the movie? She's not a bad actress but I didn't find her charismatic enough, and didn't really want to see her on screen. Yet the movie is pretty strongly focused on her. I wasn't invested in what I guess are supposed to be her light-hearted shenanigans of seducing rich Arab men and breaking their hearts, nor did it seem believable.
The character was poorly written, overpowered, heartless, and portrayed by an uncharismatic actress. She nearly ruins the film, which is otherwise a rather good looking film. If she had been portayed by a really gorgeous actress who couod really, uh, ACT, then this film could have done better.
I would have liked Lea Seydoux in the role. Or if we had a time machine, a young Jennifer Connelly.
The only scene which was heartful was at the end. i won’t spoil it but it was a simple scene with zero special effects and yet one of the best in the film.
trouble with casting anyone 'hot' like a Bond babe or Haylee Atwell (and im pretty sure the movie makers considered this) is it would draw unwanted romantic stuff .. like hes still Harrison Ford/Indiana Jones (and still considered kinda hot even tho hes 80 lol) and a 'hot' dame. so theyd be on the posters etc looking like a couple... which would get social media going like Entrapment Connery/CZJ all over again (even tho there was no sm then) . with PWB there wasnt any of that
They should have just cast an older Short Round in the role. The actor is an Oscar winner now so we know he has the acting chops and would be more convincing physically playing the part compared to a slim, young newly graduated female archeology student who we are simply expected to believe can handle herself like a pro in most situations, and rescue Indy multiple times.
How big a part would he have had? Cause they would surely have given a lead role to a woman. He might have featured as a small part like Salah or Antonio Banderas and regardless of the size of his part, still have kept PWB as the same prominent lead character.
I'm talking about getting rid of her altogether and not featuring a woman as the lead. Possibly just reverse the boy's role into a girl's role if you want to fit a female into it.