The New Face of Barbarella?
In the “could be interesting” category this week, comes news that Rose McGowan has landed the lead role of the infamous space babe Barbarella in a remake due out next year. It seems that director Robert Rodriguez fell head over heels for Rose during the filming of Planet Terror and has asked her to don the space fur, translucent bodices and mile-high hair that Jane Fonda wore back in 1968.
With remakes all the rage these days, it was probably inevitable that someone would eventually get to do Barbarella (no pun intended I swear), but is there really a place for this sensual siren in today’s movie theaters? I can’t remember the last time a mainstream movie was released that built its plot around sex. In the original Barbarella, Fonda got her groove on with just about every inhabitant from here to Orion. Although the Fonda version really teased more than shocked, I have a hard time believing that today’s audiences are looking for anything wilder than what Roger Vadim originally delivered.
Given the fact that Rodriguez as made one of favorite movies of all time, Desperado, I’ll reserve judgement until we get to see the trailer. Then again, he also made Spy Kids, uugh. I just hope he gets Duran Duran to do the soundtrack. That would be strangely prophetic.
Being a HUGE Rodriguez fan myself, I was excited to hear that he was planning a Barbarella remake – but NOT being a huge Rose McGowan fan, I can’t help but wish someone else was cast in the role.
I see your point about audiences these days, and I seriously doubt this new film will be anything like the original. I think Rodriguez is a revolutionary filmmaker, but I would have much rather seen that ‘John Carter or Mars’ project he was working on come to light than this project.
Something about it just doesn’t seem right.
Spy Kids, full of humor and invention, is Rodriguez’s best film, and his recent output, with the exception of Sin City, has been embarrassing. Shark Girl and Lava Boy? That’s your uugh. Chalk this remake up as the work of a filmmaker who has clearly run out of ideas.
Hey, give Sharkboy and Lavagirl a break – that was his kids idea, and he decided to make a full blown movie out it. That’s one of the most awesome Dad moves in history, regardless of whether the movie sucked or not.
Ged – Where did you get that image?
Dave, I made it myself! You can synthesize new compounds from base elements, I can make pretty stuff for the screen. Together, we’re unbeatable. No? 🙂
I have just invented a Fetish Top that would look Perfect for the New Face of Barbarella! My product has not hit the retail market yet. I am a Free Lance Costume Designer. I remember the original Barbarelle! Back then I was too young to understand that one day Plastic cloths would turn me on! Now it is all I think about. I would be Honored to take part with this Icon Beauty that has been casted for the role of the New Face of Barbarelle.
Stephanie Ann
A.K.A. Madame V.