A while back, we learned that Robert Rodriguez would be remaking the classic Jane Fonda film Barbarella. We also learned that actress — and Rodriguez significant other — Rose McGowan would be playing the title character. After that, it all went downward with many little speedbumps and disagreements and restrictions holding it all off; including budget and even McGowan as the lead.
Now comes a different story, as Rose McGowan is saying that none of those restrictions are true. MTV explains that she told MTV News that she has contracts, pieces of the set, costumes, and all sorts of wacky pre-production work to prove that this movie is still going forward and that she is definitely playing the iconic Barbarella. The only problem holding things up right now is that there’s another possible strike looming, this time with the actors and SAG.
I really have no idea what this means. I assume she has no reason to lie about all of this and she has these contracts no one will actually ask to see, but at the same time, it’s not quite “official,” is it? I guess we can only take this as it is with a little salt and various other baking ingredients.
I, personally, don’t like McGowan as the lead here. She’s got a good look and she’s very attractive and I assume she’s willing to not wear much clothing, as that is a big part of what we know as Barbarella — but can she really carry an entire film? I’ve never seen her as a BAD actress, but also never seen her as a leading-caliber one, either. I think her whole career has been made playing the “bitchy best friend” character and that she’s done very well there, and that asking her to carry this whole film and make it a success might be a bit of a tall order.
What’s the consensus: do you guys think she should lead here? Better yet, do you think she can?
A while back, we learned that Robert Rodriguez would be remaking the classic Jane Fonda film Barbarella. We also learned that actress — and Rodriguez significant other — Rose McGowan would be playing the title character. After that, it all went downward with many little speedbumps and disagreements and restrictions holding it all off; including budget and even McGowan as the lead.
wow, exciting news, but somehow you guys found the worst picture of rose ever
Comment by vaterite — April 15, 2008 @ 4:16 pm
Too short and too fat
Not Barbarella material.
Why even do this film at all?
Comment by Hon — April 15, 2008 @ 4:25 pm
I always like Drew Barrymore as Barbarella – as far as McGowan is concerned – she could be the Great Tyrant – she’d be perfect for that role.
Comment by melissa — April 15, 2008 @ 4:34 pm
So, you’ve never seen Planet Terror? I’m fairly certain she had a major role in that film. And I don’t even like her that much, and refused to watch that awful witch show she was in for so long, but she was fine in PT as far as I know.
Comment by Milliner — April 15, 2008 @ 4:41 pm
a remake of this stature requires a female lead with ‘buzz’ factor…Rose is a gorgeous woman and credible actor but is a bit redundant in Barbarella role for me.
Comment by Jake Monroe — April 15, 2008 @ 4:54 pm
almost as horrid a choice as drew barrymore (fat cow).
Comment by Stacy — April 15, 2008 @ 6:18 pm
The only reason she would get the part is because the director is her boyfriend. Yes I did see Planet Terror. On DVD (She was a part of one of the story archs). Where I think most people saw the film. But I do not see films because of who is in them. I’m not sure a lot of people do. Look at G.Clooney. He is an ‘A’ list actor but I do not remember the last film he was the main star that made $100 mil.
Are people really screaming for a Barbarella remake? Actually Rose has had work done due to an accident so now she lost a lot of her hotness. So the picture up top is about right.
Comment by SMBaublitz — April 15, 2008 @ 6:22 pm
Rose is hard these days. if there’s a sexy space bod out there , it’s Rose. Narcty and mean. She’ll get the job done better than plain jane. If she doesn’t try to take the thing over. Her dilusions only make her hotter. At least she keeps looking better. the rest just keep looking worse or start pretending they never tried to be sexy in the first place.
Comment by bort — April 15, 2008 @ 6:39 pm
Doesn’t matter what she’s done before…bottom line is she’s hot..and a good actress. Rehashing an already-acted part is a perfect opportunity for her to get her feet wet in a leading role as she can pull from Fonda’s performance while adding her own spin… Simple, easy…like the bunny slopes.
Comment by jason — April 15, 2008 @ 6:47 pm
Drew?? gimme a break. I’m sure her designer has already done 20 sketches of the new Babie spaceship with eco designs and some big round bed. Who cares. martha stuart etc. drew can barely get one side of her face to work let alone allude to the caliber of hot space snapper. ROSE please. did ya see her shake it in road house.. that is a fine sweaty little ass. I don’t think Drew has broken a sweat without professional supervision in fifteern years.
Comment by bort — April 15, 2008 @ 6:48 pm
My vote would be not to remake this movie at all, but if they must, I’m not sure McGowan is the right woman for the lead.
Much more important to me is the fact that Duran Duran should provide the movie’s soundtrack.
Comment by klee — April 15, 2008 @ 7:12 pm
You know I think that rose is an attractive actress and capable of doing some very nice work
however I don’t see her as being able to pull off a revamp version of fonda’s iconic character.
That being said I also don’t believe that Rob R is going to try to replicate the french directors work via both look and feel. I imagine that he’s going to try to reimagine it all with his flair and style.
we’ll see.
If I was going to remake the film…
I would use a european actress… someone tall and leggy for the main role
with lots of funk spread all over nice and thick.
– that’s the way I roll.
Comment by flip — April 15, 2008 @ 7:16 pm
hell yeah, if only for her red hair. And it’s not like the original flick asked that much of Jane Fonda, acting wise that is. Oh and I suggest Pam Anderson for The Great Tyrant (with a lot of coaching she can be tought not to give those quirky looks all the time and it’d be a nice hat tip to the original who got knocked up by Keith Richards). Now Pygar, that’s gonna be hard. I mean who’s going to offer himself up to play some winged oiled up blond gay boy? Leonardo di Caprio would be great revenge on behalf of all us guys actually.
Comment by homicidal — April 16, 2008 @ 2:58 am
i wish it was pamala anderson instead shes got the camp factor needed for the role
Comment by luke — April 16, 2008 @ 10:25 am
eh.
she doesn’t have enough of a wide-eyed look to pull it off.
likely this remake will be in that pseudo post-bladerunner dark edginess noir nonsense that overtook the film industry’s view on space flicks so long ago, rather than the campy “unrealistic” look that the future used to carry.
such a shame.
Comment by aimee — April 21, 2008 @ 7:47 pm
Barbarella: Jessica Alba
The Great Tyrant: Rose McGowan
Comment by zoofan2 — May 7, 2008 @ 2:51 pm
Lindsay Lohan. Perfect. Doesn’t really need to act and absolutely has the Barbarella look.
Comment by MIKE BARRETT — November 4, 2008 @ 8:57 am
Rose carried the Doom Generation very well..i can’t see anyone else in that role! Rose pulled off Amy Blue as cheesy and bitchy and wonderful as she did to a T….she’s not the best actress, but Barbarella MUST HAVE cheese factor, otherwise it’s just another space age, hot chic with a lasergun movie…..she’s perfect for Barbarella and i wouldn’t have it any other way!
Comment by greg — November 6, 2008 @ 5:43 pm
Rose McGowan is not, in the least bit, fat.
I didn’t even know about this remake till today, but I’ve often thought Lindsay Lohan would make a great Barbarella. Might help her get a little hipster cred too, like, The House of Yes did for Tori Spelling, all those years back.
Comment by titi — March 17, 2009 @ 6:10 pm