http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2009/07/discussheigljma.jpg
With this week’s release of The Ugly Truth](http://www.cinematical.com/2009/07/24/review-the-ugly-truth/), it looks as if the publicity people are trying very, very hard to wrap up and deliver Katherine Heigl as the next America’s Sweetheart. Let’s face it: Meg Ryan, Julia Roberts and Sandra Bullock are all in their 40s now and are no longer interested in the title. (Bullock’s latest romcom The Proposal](http://www.cinematical.com/2009/06/18/review-the-proposal/) is a hit, but one gets the feeling that she made it reluctantly, and it’s her first foray into the genre in four years, since Miss Congeniality 2](Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (2005) - Movie | Moviefone).)
Heigl is a fairly good candidate with her combination of all-American blonde goddess looks combined with a goofy, nerdy persona, capable of looking good at a “Star Trek” convention as well as at a beauty pageant. Everyone loved Knocked Up](http://www.cinematical.com/2007/03/13/sxsw-review-knocked-up/), but it was more of a nerderific comedy than a showcase for her, and her first showcase role, 27 Dresses](http://www.cinematical.com/2008/01/18/review-27-dresses/), was a lazy thing that annoyed critics and pleased fans. The Ugly Truth is even worse; it’s so bad that even fans may stay away.
Which leaves the crown still up for grabs. Who else is there?