random: grindhouse barbarella torpedoed?
Barbar-hella! Robert Rodriguez Is Fonda of Rose McGowan in Queen of the Galaxy Role, But Universal Winces | The New York Observer: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.” [...] 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.” [...]
...Futuristic sexiness? ... well, whatever.
I don't think Rose McGowan is necessarily a bad actress -- the only things I've seen her in are "Charmed", Devil in the Flesh and Jawbreaker, and frankly, it's hard to judge someone's talent from those -- but I'm really not sure I'd strap a $100 million-plus movie to her back. Especially not one where she'd be following in Jane Fonda's high-booted footsteps. Especially if the desire of both DeLaurentiis and Universal is, as has been reported, to de-campify the story. A woman who just played a role where they stuck a machine gun to a leg stump and had her firing with wild abandon is just not whom I would think of if one of the criteria is "not campy".
Also? Seriously can't imagine Nicole Kidman or Halle Berry playing this role. In any event, assuming that funding is found soon and filming starts in the next few months, Halle Berry likely couldn't play the role, since she's due in March.
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.” [...] 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.” [...]
...Futuristic sexiness? ... well, whatever.
I don't think Rose McGowan is necessarily a bad actress -- the only things I've seen her in are "Charmed", Devil in the Flesh and Jawbreaker, and frankly, it's hard to judge someone's talent from those -- but I'm really not sure I'd strap a $100 million-plus movie to her back. Especially not one where she'd be following in Jane Fonda's high-booted footsteps. Especially if the desire of both DeLaurentiis and Universal is, as has been reported, to de-campify the story. A woman who just played a role where they stuck a machine gun to a leg stump and had her firing with wild abandon is just not whom I would think of if one of the criteria is "not campy".
Also? Seriously can't imagine Nicole Kidman or Halle Berry playing this role. In any event, assuming that funding is found soon and filming starts in the next few months, Halle Berry likely couldn't play the role, since she's due in March.