Last August, it was all but assured that “Grindhouse” babe Rose McGowan was set to star as the title character, an ultra-hot space vixen, in Robert Rodriguez’s remake of “Barbarella.”
Or so we thought.
Because soon came the budget disputes. And the posturing. And the claims that Universal didn’t want McGowan at all, preferring instead a bigger name actress like Jessica Alba or Nicole Kidman.
Turns out, we got it right the first time, McGowan insisted, telling MTV News that she was still very much signed on to play the lead in the upcoming film.
“[The news that I was out] was really irritating because I know all the people over there and obviously it wasn’t true. It was very malicious and there was no proof,” McGowan said of the rumors. “Oftentimes these things have basis in truth but this didn’t. I have contracts to prove it.”
Not just the contracts, either, but sets and costumes, and a whole “lot of pre-production work,” McGowan revealed, hinting that the flick is actually quite a bit further along than previously speculated.
“Half of the sets have been built. The costumes are done,” the actress confessed, adding with a laugh that she’s “even got my spaceships. I’ve got part of a spaceship built for me!”
At the moment, in fact, the only impediment to filming isn’t the actress in the lead – but all those other actresses everywhere else.
“[‘Barbarella'] wouldn’t be able to be finished before June which is when the next strike might happen,” McGowan said of delays in the face of a possible SAG strike. “It’s a longer shoot.”
The original movie followed Jane Fonda as she roamed the galaxy fighting evil and looking really, really sexy.
McGowan, for one, can’t wait to step into those knee-high boots, calling herself a big “fan of the original.”
Any pressure to live up to the legend?
“The original doesn’t have a lot to go on plot-wise. It’s one thing to do a remake of something that could have been much better storywise even if it was fantastic visually. It’s another thing to remake something flawless,” McGowan said. “That way if yours isn’t that good at least yours is better than that one.”
What do you think? Will McGowan’s “Barbarella” be “better than that one” (the original)? Was she the right choice all-along? Are you glad she’s re-confirmed? Sound off below.
The plot WAS kinda spacey and thin aired. heehee
I for one look forward to a better story line and special effects. I just hope they keep some of the campiness and fun that the original possessed.
The original comic has alot to pick from story-wise.
If anything begs for an updated remake, (Unlike many of the other remakes these days) it's Barbarella.
you need to stop.. BlackWhiteMingle is a controvercial site asking black women to seek rich white men!
But I wouldn't blame Rose McGowan for not having the naivete that the character is supposed to have. That's the writer and director. This woman can act. I think Rose can pull off the innocence that you're talking about. I hope the writer and director go this route.
Barbarella seemed to have no defense against any attacker in the film, and her only offense was her over-the-top sexuality. That was the punchline to me... her basic vulnerability and naive nature!! Rose McGowan can play it well, I have no doubt! The only other actress I've ever felt strongly could've aced the role, though it would have been almost incestuous, would have been Bridget Fonda in her prime. The casting of the Black Queen, who I understand will be played by Shania Twain, seems more suspect to me! I'd rather see someone like Catherine Zeta Jones do it.
Hopefully Rodriguez will draw more of the movie plot from some of the other J.C. Forest works, such as the Barbarella appearances in HEAVY METAL magazine or the "Moon Child" storyline.
Yes...to me, Rose McGowan is a perfect choice for Barbarella despite the personal relationship with the director. When I originally heard that Britney Spears, then Drew Barrymore, and worst of all Lindsay Lohan, were going to play Barbarella... I cringed!!! As for Jessica Alba, she has The Invisible Woman keeping her busy, and I'd much rather see her play the role of Michael Turner's FATHOM when they finally get around to making it into a movie; Halle Berry is both Catwoman and Storm already; and despite Nicole Kidman's likeness to Jane, her similar likeness to Elizabeth Montgomery didn't help her with the Samantha role in "Bewitched" now, did it?
I say give Rosie a chance, and if you haven't seen her in "The Doom Generation" then I can understand all the concern. That movie will someday be a camp classic on par with Vadim's Barbarella, and we'll all be wondering who will play the McGowan role in a remake!!
Keep fighting for it Rob & Rosie!! I can already feel the anticipation for "Barbara: Queen of the Galaxy" growing!!
there's actually a vh1 documentary about the sexual revolution coming out. they spend some time talking about barbarella. who knew how important it was?
good clip here...
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5496846019851465864&q=barbarella+sex+vh1&ei=cVEjSNulI5K8rwKp2rSyAg&hl=en