It’s official, Rose McGowen and Robert Rodriguez are indeed set to work on the Red Sonja movie. For those of you who made it through the latest Major Spoilers Podcast, where we talk to Mark Finn about Robert E. Howard (creator of Red Sonya), the story direction of the movie is now perfectly clear; this is definitely going to be Roy Thomas’ Red Sonja than Howard’s creation(s).
Full press release (and plenty of Red Sonja images) after the jump
Press Release
Nu Image/Millennium Films is pleased to announce the return of RED SONJA to the big screen. The film will star Rose McGowan as the mythical she-devil with a sword, Red Sonja. The film is presented by Robert Rodriguez and will be directed by Douglas Aarniokoski
The producers are Rodriguez, Avi Lerner, Boaz Davidson, Joe Gatta and George Furla. The film’s executive producers are Danny Dimbort, Trevor Short, Luke Lieberman and Nick Barrucci. The screenplay is written by David White. Red Sonja is based on a heroine created by Robert E Howard and originally published by Marvel Comics and created by Roy Thomas, and is now published by Dynamite Entertainment.
In her return we find Red Sonja, a young girl risen from the ashes of tragedy to become the most feared woman warrior of all time. This She-Devil with a Sword blindly seeks vengeance on those who destroyed her family. In her path of destruction she discovers a larger purpose for her unearthly powers: to save all Hyrkania from the villainous Kulan Gath!
“This is an amazing property and film for our company,†says Nu Image/Millennium’s Avi Lerner. â€Working with the talented Robert Rodriguez, having Rose McGowan as Red Sonja and Douglas Aarniokoski directing is a fantastic combination. We could not be happier.â€
The Nu Image/Millennium deals were structured and orchestrated by Lonnie Ramati, executive vice president of business affairs.
“It is our intent to take this opportunity to build on the world of branded entertainment with Red Sonja as well as Conan, Hercules and The Three Musketeers titles. There is history with these mythical heroes, and success,†says Millennium’s Boaz Davidson. “We were pleased Joe Gatta brought us this project and Luke Lieberman with it.
Production is set to begin in October of this year. Locations are being scouted in Michigan and throughout the United States. Additional casting is also being considered.
Executive Producer and Vice President of Red Sonja, LLC, Luke Lieberman says “Red Sonja is a unique character with a rich history and bright destiny. Her struggles and triumphs have endured in the hearts of fans for decades, and now her legend can reach a truly global audience. Rose Mcgowan’s passion and Robert Rodriguez’s vision will bring the ‘She-Devil’ to life on the grandest of stages.”
“Dynamite has been publishing Red Sonja comics for the last several years, reinventing the character for a modern audience and we’re exceptionally pleased that the right combination of talent has been found to bring her to life on the big screen. It was a long search — three years — but Rose is ideal for the part, and Robert as producer will ensure that a pure creative vision remains in place, and captures elements of the stories that Dynamite has been telling,†says Executive Producer Nick Barrucci. Barrucci is also President/Publisher of Dynamite Entertainment.
Please visit the official http://www.redsonja.net/htmlfiles/ website
ABOUT NU IMAGE, INC. / MILLENNIUM FILMS
Nu Image/Millennium Films is a full-service production company and distributor servicing the domestic and international markets. Nu Image/Millennium Films currently develop, finance, produce and distribute approximately 15-18 films a year, with locations shooting around the world. Nu Image was founded in 1992 with partners Avi Lerner, Danny Dimbort, Trevor Short and Danny Lerner. Originally dedicated to the action and thriller genres, Nu Image created Millennium Films in 1996 to address the market’s growing need for theatrical quality films and higher budget action features. The two divisions have together produced more than 230 films, including the theatrical releases of Rambo, Mad Money, The Black Dahlia, 88 Minutes, The Wicker Man, Lonely Hearts and 16 Blocks. Coming in September is Righteous Kill starring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. Films soon to start production for the independent studio are; The Bad Lieutenant starring Nicolas Cage and directed by Werner Herzog; Brooklyn’s Finest with Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke, Don Cheadle and directed by Antoine Fuqua; and the yet to be cast Conan the Barbarian.
9 Comments
I’m not too sure about Rose McGowen as Sonja. I’d have to see more.
If she muscles up a tad for the part, she’ll do fine. If not it’ll look even more ridiculous than the concept already is.
Yeah, my concern is that Rose McGowan doesn’t have the frame to be sonya, even if she beefs up.
One thing I won’t be complaining about is Rose McGowan in a bikini.
@Russel
Then i will…This will end in tears
As much as I grew up loving Red Sonja (and sadly I spent way too much time watching it). This is going to hurt my soul… I mean did anyone else see Grindhouse “Planet Terror”?
This movie will be awesome….I guarantee it. For all of the wrong reasons of course.
I loved Grindhouse. Planet Terror was meant to be seen at the theatre with the other movie and the faux previews. If you are talking about the DVD, then I don’t think it would work very well if you didn’t see it at the theatre. Grindhouse was made to be a movie experiance as much as two seperate movies. I had a great time seeing Grindhouse. One of my all time favorites.
This is going to suck. She doesn’t ahve the body to be red sonja and she kind of sucks as an actress. I just don’t believe her in anything. Even as the dimwitted sister in charmed.