Carla Gugino

Carla Gugino

After appearing in "Sin City" as Lucille, Carla Gugino is continuing her big-screen graphic novel career.

The actress has joined the ensemble cast of "Watchmen," the Hugo-winning limited comic series, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Already cast in the Warner Bros. movie are Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley, Matthew Goode, Billy Crudup, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Malin Akerman.

Set in an alternate 1985 during the Cold War between America and the Soviet Union, the series focused on a grittier, more human depiction of costumed crime fighters and their various neuroses. When one of them is murdered, the other heroes must work through their differences to solve the mystery.

In this world is burlesque dancer Sally Jupiter (Gugino) who dons the guise of Silk Spectre, a member of the Minutemen, a superhero group that preceded the Watchmen. She has a rather confusing, antagonistic relationship with the equally troubled Edward Blake, aka The Comedian (Morgan) and a daughter, Laurie (Akerman), who becomes the successor to the Silk Spectre persona.

Gugino will play Jupiter in varying ages and eras throughout the movie.

"300" helmer Zack Snyder will direct the project, which is set to start production in the fall in Vancouver.

Gugino's credits include the "Spy Kids" franchise, "Night at the Museum," "The Lookout" and "Our Lady of Victory," a sports drama that she recently wrapped. She next appears in the crime drama "American Gangster," scheduled for a November release. On the small screen, she also appeared on "Entourage," "Chicago Hope," "Spin City" and the short-lived "Karen Sisco" and "Threshold."