Whatever happened to Rodrigez's Red Sonja?

[Worf2DS9]

As long as we get Rose McGowan in a chainmail bikini, I don't care of Rodriguez produces, directs, or manages Craft Services.

Here's one of those images of McGowan-as-Red-Sonja that were released when Rodriguez announced his involvement in the project.

 

[The Borgified Corpse]

Just as an aside--in a recent CNN interview, Arnold Schwarzenegger listed the 1985 Red Sonja as one of the worst movies he ever made, along with Hercules in New York.

This from the guy who got top billing in Batman & Robin?!

Whether you like it or not, Katee Sackhoff owns Sonja's chain mail bikini. Let's just cast her in the role, dye her hair red, and get the frak on with it.

I'd prefer Sackhoff's near-twin, Lisa Ryder (Jason X, Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda)

 

[Hermiod]

As long as we get Rose McGowan in a chainmail bikini, I don't care of Rodriguez produces, directs, or manages Craft Services.

Here's one of those images of McGowan-as-Red-Sonja that were released when Rodriguez announced his involvement in the project.

Looks like a short woman in an uncomfortable outfit to me.

 

[Mistral]

Hmm, why not Katherine Heigle? She's big enough. Although I like the picture of Rose Sonja.

 

[Nick Ryder]

Nah... not Heigl, she's not action star worthy. Lisa Ryder could be interesting... although this may seem like a dark horse idea, but could work... what about some one like Stacy Kiebler? Dunno how good an actress she is, but she's tall, has some great legs, already pretty well built, and a blonde which makes a slightly easier transition to redhead.

Or... the go to gal of Sci-Fi/Fantasy... Kate Beckinsale...

 

[Hermiod]

Nah... not Heigl, she's not action star worthy. Lisa Ryder could be interesting... although this may seem like a dark horse idea, but could work... what about some one like Stacy Kiebler? Dunno how good an actress she is, but she's tall, has some great legs, already pretty well built, and a blonde which makes a slightly easier transition to redhead.

She has the same problem everyone else has - she's too skinny. Plus she can't act at all.

This is the problem with casting everyone from Red Sonja to Wonder Woman to Storm to She Hulk. They are purposefully unrealistic characters. It is extremely difficult to cast a tall, strong but still beautiful woman. Neilsen almost fit the bill but she can't act.

This is why we end up with Halle Berry playing Storm.

 

[Captaindemotion]

^ Linda Hamilton didn't look like an action movie type until she got in serious shape for T2. Ditto Michelle Ryan for The Bionic Woman, Hilary Swank in Million Dollar Baby, etc. No reason why someone like Heigl (not necessarily saying it has to be her, but someone like her) couldn't do likewise.

 

[Greg Cox]

Plus, who is demanding realism? She's a female barbarian in a chain mail bikini fighting wizards and dragons? I'm not going to insist that she look like she could have actually existed in real life.

 

[Mistral]

Plus, who is demanding realism? She's a female barbarian in chain mail bikini fighting wizards and dragons? I'm not going to insist that she look like she could have actually existed in real life.

I'm with Greg-as long as the bikini is skimpy enough and made from good-sized loops of link I'll let "realism" take a back seat.

 

[ClayinCA]

Plus, who is demanding realism? She's a female barbarian in a chain mail bikini fighting wizards and dragons? I'm not going to insist that she look like she could have actually existed in real life.

This.

I'm with Greg-as long as the bikini is skimpy enough and made from good-sized loops of link I'll let "realism" take a back seat.

And this.

 

[Nick Ryder]

Well I think part of the problem is, its rare to find an actress who either IS already a pretty decent hardbody to convincingly pull of a 'super-chick', OR is committed enough to the role to get in shape. I know SOME will do it, some are more concerned about going clubbing or outrunning TMZ.

But I think in some regards there are probably a number of "unknowns" that have the requirements we're looking for, maybe not with the resumes, but with the talent, the look and the commitment. I think we need some 'new' stars to play with. If this was even a few years ago, I'd say Heigel might work for some comic roles, because she was young and desperate enough for work, that she would spend the weeks and months in the gym working out and preparing herself for the role, now... I think she'd rather make 'guy films' or whine about how good an actress she is and why she's not getting respect.

 

[Goliath]

Just as an aside--in a recent CNN interview, Arnold Schwarzenegger listed the 1985 Red Sonja as one of the worst movies he ever made, along with Hercules in New York.

This from the guy who got top billing in Batman & Robin?!

Compared to Red Sonja '85, Batman & Robin was a glorious artistic triumph.

 

[Goliath]

Well I think part of the problem is, its rare to find an actress who either IS already a pretty decent hardbody to convincingly pull of a 'super-chick', OR is committed enough to the role to get in shape. I know SOME will do it, some are more concerned about going clubbing or outrunning TMZ.

Well, perhaps a professional actress is not what we need.

I mean, seriously: how much range would someone need to play Red Sonja?

Perhaps instead, casting directors should take a look at women athletes and bodybuilders who are interested in giving acting a try.

You know--like Schwarzenegger.

 

[Mistral]

Well I think part of the problem is, its rare to find an actress who either IS already a pretty decent hardbody to convincingly pull of a 'super-chick', OR is committed enough to the role to get in shape. I know SOME will do it, some are more concerned about going clubbing or outrunning TMZ.

Well, perhaps a professional actress is not what we need.

I mean, seriously: how much range would someone need to play Red Sonja?

Perhaps instead, casting directors should take a look at women athletes and bodybuilders who are interested in giving acting a try.

You know--like Schwarzenegger.

The Governator might have the breasts for it these days but there's no way I'd pay to see him in a chainmail bikini!

 

[Goliath]

Well, perhaps a professional actress is not what we need.

I mean, seriously: how much range would someone need to play Red Sonja?

Perhaps instead, casting directors should take a look at women athletes and bodybuilders who are interested in giving acting a try.

You know--like Schwarzenegger.

The Governator might have the breasts for it these days but there's no way I'd pay to see him in a chainmail bikini!

 

[Holoaddict]

I have no idea who could play Red Sonja today. I was just thinking about the 80s movie earlier today. I still have a soft (or is it hard?) spot for the old movie. From the first time I saw the movie on TBS, I was drawn to Nielson. I know she cannot act, but I did not care then or now. I just thought she was beautiful, and I loved to watch her do her thing.

I suppose we could always just pull out the old standby, Mila Jovavich (sp?). This would be here fourth supertough heroine. Unfortunately, she does not look right either.

Having seen both Red Sonja and Hercules in New York, I can honestly say the latter is much worse. I still enjoy Red Sonja whenever it comes on.

 

[The Borgified Corpse]

Or... the go to gal of Sci-Fi/Fantasy... Kate Beckinsale...

Or... her 2nd string doppleganger... Rhona Mitra.

I think in some regards there are probably a number of "unknowns" that have the requirements we're looking for, maybe not with the resumes, but with the talent, the look and the commitment. I think we need some 'new' stars to play with.

Look at Tricia Helfer. She didn't have any acting experience before being cast as Six, yet she ended up being the most compelling actress on Battlestar Galactica.

 

[Out Of My Vulcan Mind]

Tricia Helfer would make a good Red Sonja, too, come to think of it. Rachel Nichols and Tricia Helfer are my two top picks at this point (without getting unrealistic since there's no way Kate Beckinsale would accept the role). Milla Jovovich could handle the role, too, but you'd have some numpties complaining about her breast size.