As I write, Jennifer Garner is this close — hold your thumb and index finger about a centimeter apart — to agreeing to play Elektra, the female lead in the movie "Daredevil," based on the Marvel comic book.

Jennifer Garner

Garner is the star of ABC's new hit TV show, "Alias," which, ironically, is no relation to the comic book of the same name.

Garner is an excellent choice, even if she isn't Greek (Elektra is). She'll look appropriate opposite Ben Affleck, who is playing Matt Murdock, the blind attorney who is secretly the acrobatic crimefighter, Daredevil.

If "Daredevil" is a hit, its producers plan to spin Elektra off into movies of her own.

And speaking of Greek heroines . . .

After years in Development Hell, "Wonder Woman" appears ready to move forward.

The success of "Charlie's Angels" and "Tomb Raider" indicates audiences are ready for butt-kicking heroines (even in bad movies), but not just any actress can play Wonder Woman.

Wonder Woman is an icon whose adventures have appeared monthly since 1941. Only Superman and Batman have longer track records.

Sandra Bullock

Catherine Zeta-Jones

Jennifer Connelly

Monica Bellucci

Unfortunately, the film's producer, Joel Silver, is set on Sandra Bullock playing the Amazing Amazon, and according to some sources, Bullock is close to signing on.

While this wouldn't be a casting faux pas on the level of Tim Burton's ill-fated crusade to cast Nicolas Cage as Superman, Silver could do far better, as most Wonder Woman fans seem to agree.

Nothing against Bullock, but when you think of her, you think "girl next door," not "Amazon princess."

Catherine Zeta-Jones looks the part, and fans have suggested her for the role ever since her breakthrough performance in "The Mask of Zorro."

Another actress the fans like is Jennifer Connelly, who is winning raves for her role in "A Beautiful Mind."

She also is getting ready to star in another comic-book movie, "The Hulk."

Certainly, the prospect of Connelly wearing the classic Wonder Woman costume is enough to guarantee at least a huge opening weekend.

My dark horse candidate is Monica Bellucci, who recently starred in the Oscar-nominated Italian film, "Malena."

With her classical, Mediterranean looks, Bellucci simply is Wonder Woman.

And she is on the verge of mainstream recognition with her upcoming role in "The Matrix Reloaded."

By the time "Wonder Woman" is ready to go before the cameras, Bellucci could be a bankable up-and-comer.

And it wouldn't hurt for someone from a Mediterranean country to play a character who is supposed to be Greek.

(According to one report, the producers of "Daredevil" considered Bellucci for Elektra, but she had a scheduling conflict.)

Of course, the fans have been wrong before. Most thought Michael Keaton would make a terrible Batman, but he proved better than more obvious choices like Val Kilmer and George Clooney. So, maybe we're all wrong, and maybe Bullock will work out.

But if the fans are right and Silver is wrong, in 20 years, when people think of Wonder Woman, they'll still be thinking Lynda Carter.