Rose McGowan in ‘Red Sonja’ Reboot for Rodriguez

Published by Jeff Leins on: June 27th, 2008

Update: A Variety article has the director and story details. It’s included below. Good luck pronouncing his name.

According to USA Today… yesterday, Rose McGowan will star in a remake/reboot of Red Sonja for her boyfriend and producer Robert Rodriguez.

It is technically a redo, complete with origin story, since neither McGowan or Rodriguez have seen the original. The script she liked so much was the draft by David N. White.

Story centers on a young girl overcoming tragedy to become the most feared woman warrior of all time as she seeks vengeance on those who destroyed her family and discovers a larger purpose for her unearthly powers.

The character is a Marvel comic heroine and was adapted to the screen in 1985. She was played by Brigitte Nielsen and it co-starred Arnold Schwarzenegger when he knew even less English. In the early 90s I was doing an Arnold project, so I watched every single movie he ever made, including his body-building documentary Pumping Iron. So I can say with educated certainty that Red Sonja is his worst movie.

Rodriguez is only attached as a producer. Variety is saying Douglas Aarniokoski (Highlander: End Game) is directing. Does this mean Sin City 2 might be pushed back even further?

Filming starts in October after McGowan dyes her hair red and goes through “intense training.”

Rose broke up Rodriguez’s 16-year marriage to the mother of his five children after an on-set affair during the filming of Grindhouse. Since then he’s cast her in this, his take on Barbarella, and a women’s prison TV show called “Women in Chains.”

I know I’m expected to show false outrage about their affair and ensuing collaborations, but I don’t care. I look forward to a watchable rendition of Red Sonja. I support the local Austin talent.

Robert Rodriguez rules.