Barbar-hella! Robert Rodriguez Is Fonda of Rose McGowan in Queen of the Galaxy Role, But Universal Winces
MORE The Transom
Sin City director Robert Rodriguez is letting his heart get in the way of his better judgment with his forthcoming big-budget remake of Barbarella, a source with knowledge of the production told the Transom.
Universal Studios has backed out of backing the movie, whose budget the source pegged at nearly $100 million, because Mr. Rodriguez has insisted on casting his new fiancé, Rose McGowan, in the lead role, famously played by Jane Fonda in the 1968 original directed by Ms. Fonda’s then-husband, Roger Vadim.
The movie depicts a futuristic astronaut who travels the galaxy, seductively conquering everything in her path. More famous names floated for the part included Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry and Jessica Alba.
“It’s sort of embarrassing for everyone involved,” the source said. “No one thinks Rose can carry the movie, but Robert won’t listen.”
The film’s executive producer, Dino De Laurentiis, an Academy Award winner who produced Mr. Vadim’s Barbarella, is keeping mum on the matter, the source said. “He’s technically independent but has a strong connection to Universal. He wants to back Robert and his vision. But Robert’s vision is blurred by Rose.”
Universal’s initial excitement about the project had prompted reports that the movie would be fast-tracked for release in 2008. Indeed, the studio was so excited about the film that upon discovering Mr. Rodriguez’s nepotistic casting preference it came back with a second offer to fund Barbarella with an amount significantly below the original—in the double-digit millions, said the source. Apparently many of those involved have unsuccessfully tried to persuade Mr. Rodriguez to see his way beyond his curvaceous fiancée, best known for her role in the TV series Charmed.
But the director is sticking by his number-one chica, the source said, and with Ms. McGowan billed to fill Fonda’s thigh-high boots, the studio is afraid the box office simply wouldn’t stand up to the investment.
Mr. Rodriguez denied this, claiming the issue was simply one of budget. “Universal had initially signed on for $60 million,” he told the Transom, “but then when we were done with the script it wound up at closer to $82 million, and they had just financed a Will Ferrell movie that was a $130 million and they even cut that down to $100.”
He said Universal would still be happy to fund the picture for $60 million, but that he was shopping it around to other studios in the hopes of getting more money. Mr. Rodriguez is known for his ability to make movies cheaply, but believes it will be difficult with Barbarella since much of the film takes place in outer space, and “we don’t want the movie to look like the original,” he said.
The director alleges that the people at Universal were in fact thrilled with Ms. McGowan’s screen test, “blown over,” as he put it. “They said, ‘What are we looking at?’” Mr. Rodriguez said. “She looks fantastic in the role. … She was perfect for this part. She just has that daring look, a sort of classic sexiness that is also kind of futuristic.”
His bodacious Barbarella vision came to him while flipping through the trades one morning with his fiancée at his side. “I asked Rose, I said, ‘Would you be interested in doing this?’ And she said, ‘Oh, we’d rock that shit so hard.’” Mr. Rodriguez said. “And I said, ‘Well, that sounds like a lot of fun.’”
Reps for Mr. De Laurentiis and Universal had no comment.
Rose McGowan can't act herself out of a paper bag. As for Rodriguez, it saddens me to see a once talented director taking on a re-make project. Pathetic.
Someone call Tarantino and have him knock some sense into his pal.
I say give Rose McGowan a chance. She may surprise you.
Tony Capuzzi
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Anyone says Rose can't act, hasn't seen her as cold blooded killer, Debbie Strand, in "Devil in the Flesh."
Well, the director of the original cast *his* girlfriend in the lead. Sounds like this will be a very faithful remake.
“I asked Rose, I said, ‘Would you be interested in doing this?’ And she said, ‘Oh, we’d rock that shit so hard.’
Doesn't she sound like a poet? She's as much a poet as she is an actress.
Another director leading his career with his dick.
Come on, it's "Barbarella". Nicole Kidman? Halle Berry? As "a futuristic astronaut who travels the galaxy, seductively conquering everything in her path?" The premise, by its nature, is corny. Rose McGowan, whatever else you wanna say about her, can exist in a this kind of corny, campy movie and not seem distractingly out-of-place in it. Her performance in "Grindhouse" is a perfect example of well-executed camp. She vamped around and earned a couple laughs. Nicole Kidman's most recent attempt at camp was "Bewitched". Halle Berry's was "Catwoman". Not exactly strong arguments for either of them.
Any studio exec who thinks "Barbarella" needs to have "Academy Award Winner" written at the top of the poster for it to make money has lost perspective on what product he's trying to sell here. This is not "Babel", it's friggin' "Barbarella". You can throw all the money and prestige in the world at it if you want to, but its only hope is to convince audiences that it's fun escapism full of T&A, cheesy sci-fi, and laughs.
INTENTIONAL laughs.
Regardless of the clearly nepotistic origins of her casting, it's still the right casting. Rose McGowan and a remake of "Barbarella" deserve each other.
Come on, it's "Barbarella". Nicole Kidman? Halle Berry? As "a futuristic astronaut who travels the galaxy, seductively conquering everything in her path?" The premise, by its nature, is corny. Rose McGowan, whatever else you wanna say about her, can exist in a this kind of corny, campy movie and not seem distractingly out-of-place in it. Her performance in "Grindhouse" is a perfect example of well-executed camp. She vamped around and earned a couple laughs. Nicole Kidman's most recent attempt at camp was "Bewitched". Halle Berry's was "Catwoman". Not exactly strong arguments for either of them.
Any studio exec who thinks "Barbarella" needs to have "Academy Award Winner" written at the top of the poster for it to make money has lost perspective on what product he's trying to sell here. This is not "Babel", it's friggin' "Barbarella". You can throw all the money and prestige in the world at it if you want to, but its only hope is to convince audiences that it's fun escapism full of T&A, cheesy sci-fi, and laughs.
INTENTIONAL laughs.
Regardless of the clearly nepotistic origins of her casting, it's still the right casting. Rose McGowan and a remake of "Barbarella" deserve each other.
Most boys between the ages of 12 and 25 would give up whatever they own and cherish to "get a shot" at Rose McGowan. She should do just fine (just look at the Planet Terror 20 minute opening title pole dance sequence and you'll know what I mean. My concern is not as much with her than with RoRod himself. Its really not that demanding a role. But hey, who am I to quibble.
Rose as the lead? Get real.
Maybe if were a $10 mill project, but at $100 mill studios want a name - and a body - to match the budget.
Rose is made for TV, not big budget Hollywood.
Instead of trying to maximize the box office by watering down "Barbarella" with mainstream, MOR 'superstars' like Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry and Jessica Alba, Universal needs to get it together and actually support a remake that has something remotely to do with the tone and message of the original.
Jane Fonda's sex kitten romping and wide-eyed camp from the original (not exactly Oscar-winning acting on her part by the way) need an actress considered 'edgy' for our current climate. Kidman, Berry, and Alba, while certainly possessing the sex appeal (and I'm sure the talent to explore the depths of Barbarella's character so that we can all really _ understand_ her), wouldn't step outside their boxes enough to be as risky and risque as would do the film justice. (innuendo unintended but hilariously discovered as an afterthought)
I'm guessing "Barbarella" isn't slated for the artsy "Eyes Wide Shut"/Kubrick market. Tossing a 'big name' into this picture is just going to pull it frightfully closer and closer to a PG-13 'grab the cash' rating which will only compromise the final product (but I suppose the revenue for the 'director's cut' DVD would be insured then).
McGowan, with whatever faults and flaws you may attach to her -- generated more so from her choice in bedmates I'd suspect -- is an excellent choice for this role, as 'demanding' as many may think it is. While she hasn't garnered attention for any political protesting in her own day, she certainly possesses the bad girl curiosity factor of "Hmm... I wonder just what _will_ go on in that movie with her in it..." as well as whatever talent is necessary to pull the role off in a believably unbelievable way.
McGowan would aim the appeal of this movie squarely at the audience the original was meant for in its time. Fonda was no 'good girl' in that phase of her career -- nor did she have the type of popularity associated with a Kidman, Berry or Alba. She was more like a more well-known...well...er...Rose McGowan? Kind of, I suppose. But she had her own edge and appeal that wasn't exactly placing her in the "I'd love my daughter to be just like her" catagory.
Sadly, Universal has chosen to 'manage the risk' by pulling out and not supporting the making of this film based on what it's actually ABOUT. Instead they want to insure as many people as possible will see the film (including 12-17 year olds with their disposable suburban cash-ola), and buy the DVD and soundtrack. The end result of which will be a watered-down, faded, too-slick, remake with about as much cult-cache as an episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond." Or a remake of "Bewitched" for that matter.
This is a studio manipulation to drive her fees down. "A source with knowledge of the production," is no more than a Universal Studio lackey, whose purpose is to plant disparaging remarks with the press while Robert and Rose are in negotiations over money. She is more than capable of filling this role.
Rose is a WH0RE, not a sex kitten.
The best person for that role is:
~**Mary Louise Parker or
~**Sanaa Lathan or
~**That hot piece Naomie Harris or
~**Evangeline Lily.. Cause she's badass..
~**Oh and Joy Bryant too..
All good actors, very sexy and real bad girls..
halle is pretty, but not edgy enough. Nicole Kidman is to straight. jessica Alba is a joke. She can't act if she gets paid 10 million. I don't get what they see in her. She is average looking and boring.
They want the experience together. What's wrong with that? She will shine under his direction, no other casting makes sense. She was the muse that made him get the project off the ground.
The film will make money in any case, all you development wanna bee's that see Kidman in this are loco.
Take it from someone who spent his hard earned allowance watching Jane Fonda in the original, over and over again, at the matinee. Rose is perfect!!
Right, the classical thespian lineage that is "Barbarella". Fonda's legacy is in jeopardy! Who'll play the angel "Duran Duran", Pauly Shore?
Get real folks. It'll be big budget camp and she'll be great in it. RR's got the juice. McGowan looks great on screen and suits the material.
Berry, Kidman or Alba? Box office death.
C'mon haters, It's Barbarella ! It's not Shakespeare. Anyone who has seen the original film knows that there's not much acting going on anyway. Personally I'd prefer Ms.Alba in the role but I look forward to Rose in the Orgasmatron scene!!
Rodriguez Rocks no matter who backs him.
Are you eff-ing kidding me? ROSE McGOWEN is perfecty for this role...RR is DEAD ON in his casting choice...Rose came into Charmed (after 3 seasons & a hard to follow act{shannen dogherty} and helped keep the show on tv for another 6 seasons....She has a following of her own you know. she was FANTASTIC in Jawbreaker...i suggest the studio execs go rent DOOM GENERATION...then come to a decision on Rose's capabilites...PS.Rose if you are reading this i loved you day on "THE VEIW" last year you are far more inteligent than people realize!!!
Shannon Elizabeth would be perfect for this role...hands down.
Move over Kate Blanchett, there's gonna be a new Queen on the big screen! And with Rose "Machine Gun" McGowan on the throne how can Grindhouse of the Galaxy be anything but entertainment of the highest caliber!
Bill Benway, Publisher
www.sexgunsandmotorcycles.com
Kidman as Barbarella? Just take a look at her in Moulin Rouge. A great actress yes but she has no hips and no chest. Berry maybe but Charlize Theron would be the perfect casting. They couldn't afford her though.
Why even remake this camp kitch anyway? It was really an awful film. Go figure. Dino de Laurentis isn't excactly known for quality films anyway. What a stinker.
Barbarella is a T'n A film, and Ms. McGowan has plenty of it. This is not an Oscar winning role he is casting. Not to mention, Director Rodriguez has the FINAL say on his casting choice. I did not see any one throwing a fit over Guy Ritchie casting his wife in that notorious bomb of a movie they made together (also a remake). I am an old-fashioned movie goer, I like to be entertained, and every movie that Ms. McGowan has been in and every movie Mr. Rodriguez has directed I have thoroughly enjoyed.
Rose is actually quite juicy and looks as though she might even enjoy/be good at sex, unlike the embalmed Kidman, et al.
But she has to be blonde.
I would like to see a screen test first: How does she say "Watch out Piegar! they're coming!"
Rose McGowan is nowhere near good looking enough for the role. Bulging forehead, popeyed, ugly mouth. Blech.
I'd like a more kickass gal like Milla Jovovich or Jessica Biel
If you wanted to go with the camp Pam Anderson would be perfect casting.
Robert Rodriguez is nothing more than a grandiose cameraman, who some mistaken for a director. The guy has never made a good film, and his movies take in, on average...about 60 million, or less, at the box office, per release. That's laughable!!!
Spending 85 to a 100 million dollars to back him on anything is a joke!!! He's not even worth a budget of 45 million per film!!! Crunch the numbers yourselves, you'll see that I'm right.
As far as the casting choices here, from Rose McGowen to Halle Berry, Nicole Kidman and Jessica Alba...they are all wrong for the role. Barbarella is a character with the body of a bomb shell sex kitten who is a virginal sexual dupe for the sexually perverse villains that she faces. She is not the seducer, she is the seducee. We, the audience, know this, but she doesn't. So when we witness villains like Duran Duran...and her seemy allies seduce her, time and time again, we are cringing, and yet enjoying the subversive sexual Euro-Erotic politics. We want to warn Barbarella...but we can't, as she finds herself being preyed upon and lured into sexually compromising positions, and into bed...repeatedly...and doesn't seem to learn from her last encounter to the next, that she is being used. Yes, she is a brilliant fighter, an intelligent war strategist, a fabulous pilot, and is great with hand to hand combat, as well, she
is an elite weapons expert...but when it comes to issues of the bedroom, she is an innocent--and Rose McGowan, Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry and Jessica Alba are no innocents.
That's the fun of the story...the fact that she, Barbarella,
is an unwitting sexual duped...and naive--one who is like an innocent school girl...that happens to be scantily clad...and dressed like a whore, but whom assumes that people like her, just for who she is...with no other motives other than the word that they speak. She is like a cute girl on MySpace, being invited to a picnic by every oversexed pervert that can managed to get a MySpace account--who is unaware that she is only instigating negative attention by men by her tempting style of dress, or lack there of, her unintentional sexual movements, and her innocent flirtactions.
With that in mind, you need an actress in the role who seems virginal. A girl who could be dangerous if she knew what her body was made for, but is naively unaware of her own shapely assets...body parts that could get her into major trouble if she doesn't cover them up. This movie is Star Wars with a libido...and should be aimed at a "Hard R" rating!!!
For a character like that, you need an actress that has never played a sexy role before--someone that you would not expect in this role, ala Jane Fonda when she was first cast in the part of Barbarella. This has to be the coming out party for said actress. She has to be willing to go topless, do full nudity...and or, heated sex scenes. It should significantly arouse controversy and public debate as Jane Fonda once did. My vote for the role would be a young actress in her early 20s, late teens-- someone like Vanessa Hudgens, but without the already murky background...or Natalie Portman...before
she went nude, and was turned out on the big screen.
Yep, you want the girl who plays Barbarella to be seen as the girl nextdoor...well, at least until such time as the film is released that is!!!
Amended:
Robert Rodriguez is nothing more than a grandiose cameraman, who some mistaken for a director. The guy has never made a good film, and his movies take in, on average...about 60 million, or less, at the box office, per release. That's laughable!!!
Spending 85 to a 100 million dollars to back him on anything is a joke!!! He's not even worth a budget of 45 million per film!!! Crunch the numbers yourselves, you'll see that I'm right.
As far as the casting choices here, from Rose McGowen to Halle Berry, Nicole Kidman and Jessica Alba...they are all wrong for the role. Barbarella is a character with the body of a bomb shell sex kitten who is a virginal sexual dupe for the sexually perverse villains that she faces. She is not the seducer, she is the seducee. We, the audience, know this, but she doesn't. So when we witness villains like Duran Duran...and her seemy allies seduce her, time and time again, we are cringing, and yet enjoying the subversive sexual Euro-Erotic politics. We want to warn Barbarella...but we can't, as she finds herself being preyed upon and lured into sexually compromising positions, and into bed...repeatedly...and doesn't seem to learn from her last encounter to the next, that she is being used. Yes, she is a brilliant fighter, an intelligent war strategist, a fabulous pilot, and is great with hand to hand combat, as well, she
is an elite weapons expert...but when it comes to issues of the bedroom, she is an innocent--and Rose McGowan, Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry and Jessica Alba are no innocents.
That's the fun of the story...the fact that she, Barbarella,
is an unwitting sexual duped...and naive--one who is like an innocent school girl...that happens to be scantily clad...and dressed like a whore, but whom assumes that people like her, just for who she is...with no other motives other than the words that they speak, which she...more often than not, falsely assumes to be truthful. She is like a cute girl on MySpace, being invited to a picnic by every oversexed pervert that can managed to get a MySpace account--who is unaware that she is only instigating negative, dangerous and unwanted attention by men, via her tempting style of dress, or lack there of, her unintentional sexual movements, eager yet bountiful breast cleavage and her innocent flirtations.
With that in mind, you need an actress in the role who seems virginal. A girl who could be dangerous if she knew what her body was made for, but is naively unaware of her own shapely assets...body parts that could get her into major trouble if she doesn't cover them up. This movie is Star Wars with a libido...and should be aimed at a "Hard R" rating!!!
For a character like that, you need an actress that has never played a sexy role before--someone that you would not expect in this role, ala Jane Fonda when she was first cast in the part of Barbarella. This has to be the coming out party for said actress. She has to be willing to go topless, do full nudity...and or, heated sex scenes. It should significantly arouse controversy and public debate as Jane Fonda once did. My vote for the role would be a young actress in her early 20s, late teens-- someone like Vanessa Hudgens, but without the already murky background...or Natalie Portman...before
she went nude, and was turned out on the big screen.
Yep, you want the girl who plays Barbarella to be seen as the girl nextdoor...well, at least until such time as the film is released that is!!!
I actually think Rose McGowan is a horribly bad actress. But I actually agree with your post. If Rodriguez is making Barbarella anything like he did with "Planet Terror" in Grindhouse, then Barbarella will be a sure fire hit, That's really the only thing you can use McGowan for...cheesy, campy, cheap thrill action films. Rodriguez know what he's doin...
Never seen a Rodriguez movie I liked, so to think he will travesty a campy cult classic like Barberella is nauseating to begin with.
All his movies blow, pardon my French and he has the arrogant audaciousness to believe he's reinventing cinema. He's right up there in the Uwe Boll school of Really Crappy Movie Making, he just gets big budgets for some reason.
Rose can't act. But the other actress options are no good either. Nicole Kidman can't pull the hot sulfurous vixen unless they plaster her with makeup. Halle, well Halle is just stacked, that's all she's got going for her. The Geek Community went nuts for her because of her topless scene in Swordfish and she got an oscar because she played the role of an abused woman who gets explicitly banged on camera, as with all B-Listers females who suddenly get the oscar. Jessica Alba? Come on enough of the skinny no-talent bambina already. Get over it.
Get someone else. There are so many other more talented women out there couldn't they stop revolving around the same ones all the time?
Rose McGown rocked the shit outta PLANET TERROR + JawBreaker - shes pretty + f'n sexy and RRod is a awesome - he'll make it a spectacle fo' sho'.
Watch the gogo dance scene from PTerror and tell me she couldn't be Barbarella.
Unless Jessica Alba is nude in the film, or Halle Berry gets banged and abused, Rose is da chick !
Rose is a fine actress for the parts she has played. I don't think she's had a real "challenging" role yet. But she seems like a pretty smart cookie, so she could probably handle a role outside her comfort zone. If she's going to launch into the big time, she needs to do it soon. The clock is ticking on her.........
What about Jessica Biel? Blonde, curvy and she seems able to tap into that innocent type of character needed for the Barbarella role.