Red Sonja (Amber Heard?)

[Cody]

With Barbarella delayed by strikes and rumors of strikes, McRod turn to another franchise revival -

Rodriguez and McGowan Team for Red Sonja (http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=7407)

According to USA Today (http://content.usatoday.com/community/utils/idmap/32061514.story), real-life couple director Robert Rodriguez and Rose McGowan are teaming up to bring Red Sonja back to the big screen.

Neither of them were officially announced before. The only thing that was revealed previously was that Millennium Films had committed to reviving the Robert E. Howard-created property. David N. White was announced as the screenwriter.

This project was originally announced (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117942349.html?categoryid=1238&cs=1&query=%22red+sonja%22) in May '06 -

Millennium Films and Emmett/Furla Films are bringing sword-and-sorcery comicbook heroine "Red Sonja" back to the bigscreen.
Avi Lerner and Danny Dimbort's Millennium will finance and produce the pic with Emmett/Furla. Project's budget is north of $25 million

Millennium and Emmett/Furla picked up the film rights from Red Sonja, home of the comicbook property. Last year, Dynamite Entertainment launched a new Red Sonja series that has gone on to be one of the bestselling indie comicbooks on the market.

Red Sonja, created by sword-and-sorcery legend Robert E. Howard, was introduced into Marvel's "Conan the Barbarian" comics in 1973 and soon was given her own title.

The 1985 "Red Sonja" pic, toplining Brigitte Nielson and Arnold Schwarzenegger, was released by MGM to dismal box office numbers. Because of rights issues, Schwarzenegger's character couldn't be called Conan in the film, which was directed by Richard Fleischer.

"The first movie was not a good one -- all the more reason to remake it. It is a great character and a great brand," said Joe Gatta, head of Millennium Films.

[Jack Bauer]

The hell? Is McGowan the new Helena Bonham Carter?

[Deathscythe]

Haha, I remember hearing that Schwarzenegger thought Red Sonja was his worst film.

[DRE]

Wow, Rose must have some magical cooch to make Robby Rod remake Red Sonja. Come on Robert, don't make every film a vehicle for your girl.

[Deathscythe]

Actually, I don't mind McGowan.

[Jack Bauer]

I don't mind her, but she doesn't have to be the HBC to the Tim Burton of Rodriguez.

Damn it, Rodriguez, where is Sin City 2?!

[Deathscythe]

You guys forgot about the ultimate one, Woody Allen and his former partners.

[nottidelterrore]

Don't think I'll mind this one too much since Robert Rodriguez is involved.

The original Red Sonja wasn't really that good. It's ok & watchable. I need it for my Arnold collection.

[Deathscythe]

my Arnold collection.

So does that mean you will also own Junior and Hercurles in New York? Heh.

[nottidelterrore]

So does that mean you will also own Junior and Hercurles in New York? Heh.

I already own them. Junior came in a pack with Kindergarten Cop & Twins. Got it for like $10. I love Hercules in New York. It is such a terrible movie but so bad it's good.

I still need Batman & Robin, Red Sonja, & The 6th Day.

[Deathscythe]

I already own them. Junior came in a pack with Kindergarten Cop & Twins. Got it for like $10. I love Hercules in New York. It is such a terrible movie but so bad it's good.

I still need Batman & Robin, Red Sonja, & The 6th Day.

So I see you started from the best and pratically worked your way down.

[Alex DeLarge]

I don't mind her, but she doesn't have to be the HBC to the Tim Burton of Rodriguez.

Damn it, Rodriguez, where is Sin City 2?!

Actually, Ava Lord, a character in A Dame to Kill For (one of the Sin City books which'll be in Sin City 2), looks A LOT like McGowan. I wouldn't mind her in that one bit.

[nottidelterrore]

So I see you started from the best and pratically worked your way down.

Haha. Pretty much. :D

[Deathscythe]

Honestley tho, I think I'd rather have McGowan than Nielson again.

[The One and Only]

I was under the impression that Sin City 2 was put on "indefinite hold" by the Wienstiens after Grindhouse had bombed:doh:. Also I thought The 6th Day was one of Schwarzenegger's better flicks, post Last Action Hero. Now Collateral Damage had to be one of his worst, and also proves to me that Ebert&Roper has no taste whatsoever in films.

Anywho, back on topic, this sounds interesting. I probaly one of the few out there that were never that big a fan of Conan or the chainmail sporting She-Devil With A Sword, except for that recent crossover with Spider-Man last year. I could see her in the role if Miss McGowen buffs up a little, and since on Charmed she change hair colors as much as I changed my socks, I already know she looks nice as a redhead.

Also for those of you who doubt McGowen's intellegence, the lovely lady is on Turner Classic Movies discussing film history with some old coot who's name escapes me at the moment that introduces the flicks.

[Cody]

Also for those of you who doubt McGowen's intellegence, the lovely lady is on Turner Classic Movies discussing film history with some old coot who's name escapes me at the moment that introduces the flicks.

How dare you?! Calling Robert Osborne an "old coot". More like "smooth pimp".
ADDED:
Updated article (http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2008-06-26-red-sonja-rodriguez-mcgowan_N.htm) has Rodriguez producing the film, while Douglas Aarniokoski (Highlander: Endgame) directs.

Red Sonja is back.
And Robert Rodriguez has her.

The Grindhouse co-director will produce a new big-screen adventure featuring the flame-haired comic-book vixen. While Brigitte Nielsen wielded Sonja's sword in the poorly received 1985 version, Rodriguez's Planet Terror zombie slayer and real-life leading lady, Rose McGowan, will wiggle into the metal mesh bikini in the 2010 release.

"I was surprised when Rose brought me a script of Red Sonja that she liked," Rodriguez says from his home base of Austin, where he is shooting Shorts, a family film with James Spader and Jon Cryer. "I found it very entertaining. Sonja was strong, smart, cunning — just about everything she'd have to be to survive."

McGowan's initial impulse when offered the part? To laugh.

"When they first came to me with it, I thought it was funny," says the actress, 34. "I do have a body made for sitting on a veranda with mint juleps and a parasol. I don't know why I always have to save the planet."

Rodriguez considers her a perfect fit as the mighty, and mighty voluptuous, avenger. "Rose is a pistol. She's whip-smart, has attitude to burn, is sexy, extremely strong, yet has a vulnerable side that would surprise her closest friends. That description also fits Red Sonja."

Not that his star isn't committed to the whole barbarian babe concept, including the crimson locks.

"I do have a very scrappy-do personality," says McGowan, who will undergo intense training before filming starts in October. "I lean toward physicality. The story has characters trashed by life who fight their way back. That is my theme."

Unlike her one-legged Planet Terror heroine, she assures, "I need all my limbs for this."

McGowan and Rodriguez have not seen Nielsen in the original, and they have no plans to catch up. As the actress explains, "Why put that in my head?"

Instead, the origin story, to be directed by longtime Rodriguez associate Douglas Aarniokoski, will take its cues from the comic books as well as works by pulp novelist Robert E. Howard, father of the original Sonja (then spelled Sonya) and Conan the Barbarian (also undergoing a movie revival).

"Howard's goal was always, first and foremost, to spin a good yarn and to entertain," says Rodriguez, who is hoping his Red Sonja turns into a franchise. "That's our goal."

[Just Jeans]

(Highlander: Endgame)

Yeah. This bodes well.

[Michellemabelle]

I thought Rodriguez was making Barberella with Rose McGowan.

[Cody]

Like the first line in the thread says, Barbarella has been delayed. Rodriguez blames the writers strike and the possible actors strike, others say there are budgetary issues as well. Another possible McRod project is a TV show called Women in Chains! (http://www.f13-community.co.uk/board/showthread.php?t=2814)

[DRE]

I love Rose, I have since Scream. This is not about her acting or her intelligence, it's about Rodriguez making all his future projects about her instead of making movies as he did when he was with Elizabeth. At least Tim Burton picks projects based on material and then finds a role for Helena Bonham Carter, not pick projects solely for her to star in.

[Jack Bauer]

*Crack neck to the side*

Helena Bonham Carter was in Tim's version of Planet of the Apes. Starring role as an ape woman.

HBC was in Tim Burton's Corpse Bride. Starring role.

HBC was in Sweeney Todd. Starring role.

But she was in Big Fish and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in co-starring roles. HBC and Depp are Burton's go too people for roles.

And I do remember when Selma was a Rodriguez go to person.

[DRE]

Those were not picked just for her, those are all Tim Burton flicks that would exist without HBC. Do you think Robby Rod would remake Red Sonja or even Barbarella if it weren't for Rose?

[Jack Bauer]

I don't know, but it is all about the money sometimes.

[Deathscythe]

*Crack neck to the side*

Like I said still doesn't top Woody Allen.

Tim Burton / Helena Bonham Carter
01. Planet of the Apes (2001)
02. Big Fish (2003)
03. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
04. Corpse Bride (2005)
05. Sweeney Todd (2007)

Woody Allen / Mia Farrow
01. A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy (1982)
02. Zelig (1983)
03. Broadway Danny Rose (1984)
04. The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)
05. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
06. September (1987)
07. Radio Days (1987)
08. Another Woman (1988)
09. Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)
10. New York Stories (1989)
11. Alice (1990)
12. Husbands and Wives (1992)
13. Shadows and Fog (1992)

[Jack Bauer]

Holy shit!

Now that's a case of Nepotism. Then again it can't beat Francis putting Sofia in Godfather 3.

[Deathscythe]

Holy shit!

Now that's a case of Nepotism. Then again it can't beat Francis putting Sofia in Godfather 3.

Well you have to consider Francis only put Sofia in the film because Winona Ryder dropped out at the last second. :(

Anyway, the Allen/Farrow thing would have probably gone futhur if Woody Allen didn't leave Farrow for her daughter. And yes the daughter thing is true.

[Jack Bauer]

Fuck, Woody is a strange one indeed.

Back to business:

With Robby Rod as DRE calls as producer maybe the film should be great since Rodriguez has an interesting touch for the fantasy genre.

[Deathscythe]

Yeah but lets just hope it isn't like Spy Kids/Sharkboy and Lava girl (long ass story, but I was actually dragged to Spy Kids 3).

[Jack Bauer]

Well, I was actually to the good old days of From Dusk till Dawn or The Faculty.

[The One and Only]

There is also Joe Dante and always having a role for Robert Picardo and Dick Miller in his flicks as well. Then Richard Donnor ,and Steve Kahan(the Captain from the Lethal Weapon series) showing up in his films in one form or another as well.

[Deathscythe]

Well, I was actually to the good old days of From Dusk till Dawn or The Faculty.

Yeah I actually enjoyed those movies.

[Jack Bauer]

I agree because I was watching The Faculty and it didn't feel like a RR flick, but he sure made it like one by the end of it.

[The One and Only]

Actually, according to one interview that he did, Rodriguez said that he filmed The Faculty in a style more reminiscent of John Carpenter.

[Jack Bauer]

That would explain why it felt more Thing like. Even during of the filming of PT he film in the style of Carpenter and even had the played music. I now wonder how Carpenter would have film something like From Dust to Dawn or The Faculty.

[The One and Only]

Two teaser posters feature McGowan as the She-Devil With A Sword. (http://www.joblo.com/arrow/index.php?id=13122)

[CharlieBrummel]

Comic-Con interview with McGowan and Rodriguez (http://www.ew.com/ew/video/festivals?bcpid=1378342280&bclid=1683773559&bctid=1691067590)

[Cody]

MovieSet (http://blog.movieset.com/2008/11/13/movieset-afm-red-sonja-artwork-and-movie-premise/) has another poster and a detailed synopsis.

[Cody]

Simon West directing, Amber Heard wanted for Red Sonja (http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/126014-amber-heard-wanted-for-red-sonja)

Nu Image and Millennium Films' Red Sonja appears to be back on track with Simon West (Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, The Mechanic) at the helm and an eye already given to the casting of Amber Heard (who next appears in Drive Angry) in the lead.

"Amber is the new Red Sonja," producer Avi Lerner told Empire today, "but she doesn't know it yet!"

The catch there is that, while Heard is eyed for the role, negotiations have, apparently, not begun. As such, the role sounds like it is Heard's to lose.

[Cody]

Heard is interested (http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/127319-amber-heard-interested-in-red-sonja)

I was sort of surprised to hear about it, yeah. I think (producer) Avi (Lerner) even said himself, "She doesn't know it yet." So I was surprised, but also it's something I've been looking at for a while and kind of interested in. I'm definitely interested in being a part of it, but that's all I can kind of comment on right now.