Jun 27 2008Robert Rodriguez Producing 'Red Sonja', Guess Who's Playing Her!
Robert Rodriguez has announced plans to produce a Red Sonja film slated for 2010, and surprise, for once he isn't trying to inappropriately cast his girlfriend, Rose McGowan, in the lead role. No, I'm kidding; he's obviously inappropriately casting his girlfriend in the lead role. From USA Today:
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.
Jeez. She will be a horrible Red Sonja. How are they possibly going to rationalize this? With false modesty and claims of an inner commonality to the character? Yes.
McGowan's initial impulse when offered the part? To laugh.
My impulse was to roll my eyes, but I suppose laughter is an equally valid response. I'd also accept slamming something, loudly sighing, or, for true fans of Red Sonja, weeping.
"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."
No, it's true: your frail, ghost-like frame is more suited for southern damsel caricatures than barbarian women. Why would you possibly take this role?
"I do have a very scrappy-do personality."
Oh, right, because you have that rare quality of being similar to Scooby-Doo's nephew. But does this movie fit your theme? Also: what is your theme?
"The story has characters trashed by life who fight their way back. That is my theme."
One more question. Will this role necessitate being completely able-bodied? I know it seems like sort of an insane question, but people are wondering.
Unlike her one-legged Planet Terror heroine, she assures, "I need all my limbs for this."
OK, then. Let the nepotistic filming begin!
Reader Comments
1. bob - June 27, 2008 4:22 PM
She's too god damn pale to be red-haired
oh wait, gingers are pale ........ hrmmm......
2. Skatelip - June 27, 2008 4:34 PM
Never mind that Scrappy Doo was the worst thing to happen to the Scooby Doo franchise...
3. JWM - June 27, 2008 4:51 PM
Y'know, this is creepy how he always casts her, like he just wants to keep an eye on her or something.
Honestly, I don't mind keeping an eye on her either. But I'll be damned if I pay to see this.
4. Joey - June 27, 2008 4:57 PM
It can't be any more ridiculous than Brigitte Nielsen trying to play a speaking part in any movie. I'm just excited that someone's taking another crack at this. Now if we can only get Rob Zombie to go ahead and do another Conan. *shudders*
5. VoodooPimp - June 27, 2008 5:02 PM
Rodriguez is entering Lucas territory. Hacksville.
6. The Bob - June 27, 2008 7:04 PM
Ya know, I'm actually not against this. I thought that she was the best part of Grindhouse, largely because she did a good job of handling a ludicrous, over-the-top premise with just the right mix of seriousness, silliness, and sympathy. And let's face it -- that's what you need for a role like Red Sonja.
As for the hair: well of course, Hollywood hasn't developed the proper special effects magic to handle something as ridiculously complicated as hair color...
7. Escape Monotony - June 27, 2008 9:11 PM
Sure, we can turn her hair red, but can we also make her physique a little more muscular, her boobs a little larger, and my mind a little less set on her taking Marilyn Manson's load in the mouth...all with the magic of special effects? Because I don't care how many times I see her doing something else besides date Manson, I will always think of her as the antythesis of sexy because of her having dated Manson.
PS, as poorly recieved as Red Sonya was, I enjoyed it immensely...I was 8 years old, so it was pretty much the best thing ever at the time.
8. Liz - June 27, 2008 11:59 PM
Robert Rodriguez has a bunch of crazy projects in the works, but I doubt all of them will come to fruition. I just wish he'd stop doing kid's movies and go back to the Planet Terror genre, whatever the hell that is.
9. Mr V - June 28, 2008 10:19 AM
Rose McGowan with muscular definition and sword katas? Um...is anyone else finding it difficult to believe Rose will actually go through the 3 month intensive diet and weight regime? Or are they just going to photoshop a million and a half frames of Rose McFlabby footage?
10. StrangeFruit - June 28, 2008 6:45 PM
thismovie will suck...rose mcgowen wtf!!
11. S - June 29, 2008 8:27 PM
#4 Joey says:
"Now if we can only get Rob Zombie to go ahead and do another Conan."
That would be the greatest thing to ever happen. Ever.
12. K-Dawg - June 30, 2008 7:04 AM
Why oh why couldn't they have cast the super ultra sexy Danneel Harris??? She's one of the hottest redheads in the world (alongside Angie Everhart and Angelica Bridges). Mmm mmm, ginger licking good!
13. momboelitist - June 30, 2008 12:27 PM
@12, #4 was being sarcastic.
Rob Zombie is a talentless hack douchebag.
14. JD - July 1, 2008 11:05 AM
Danneel Harris? Angie Everhart? Dude: love you taste, but we're talking Red Sonja here. You need a woman built like She-Hulk, not a twig. Someone like Lucy Lawless, only more feminine (hopefully)
15. MOSkito - July 3, 2008 6:20 AM
http://www.idontlikeyouinthatway.com/2008/07/rose-mcgowan-is-single.html
awwwwwwwww...
16. MOSkito - July 3, 2008 6:28 AM
and latidaa...
http://www.dlisted.com/node/26906
"wood doesn't act back"