While attempts to launch a Red Sonja reboot stalled under the guidance of Robert Rodriguez and Bryan Singer previously, things seem to be moving right along now with Joey Soloway (Transparent) directing and Ant-Man‘s Hannah John-Kamen as the sword-swinging warrior. And now the film might be adding some Oscar-nominated talent in Borat‘s Sacha Baron Cohen in a villainous role.
A rumor at The Illuminerdi says Sacha Baron Cohen has been offered the role of Kulan Gath in Red Sonja. There aren’t any further details than that, so take it with a grain of salt. If true, Cohen would be playing the evil sorcerer who has been a thorn in the side of not only Red Sonja, but the X-Men, as well. The character debuted in the pages of Conan the Barbarian in the 1970s before making the jump fully to Marvel Comics where he’s been depicted as a sorcerer on practically the same level as Doctor Strange.
Cohen is on fire right now following the critical success of Borat Subsequent Moviefilm and his role as Abbie Hoffman in The Trial of the Chicago 7. He received Oscar nominations for both, so if Red Sonja can add him it would be a huge get. I can’t picture Cohen playing Kulan Gath which makes his casting even more intriguing. Lord knows what he’d do with it.
Red Sonja has a script from writer Tasha Huo, but there’s still a lot that we don’t know. Stay tuned.
