“Development Hell” is a term practically made for Red Sonja. Well over a decade has been spent trying to get this reboot off the ground, with filmmakers Robert Rodriguez, Bryan Singer, and Joey Soloway attached at various points, along with numerous actresses. But when Soloway and then-star Hannah John-Kamen dropped out a few months ago, MJ Bassett (Endangered Species) took over as director. And now Deadline confirms that a replacement for John-Kamen has been found with Revenge star Matilda Lutz.
Lutz comes aboard to kick off the start of filming on Red Sonja, which is based on the character created by Robert E. Howard and adapted into comics by Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith for Marvel, and later by Dynamite Entertainment. She’s joined by other new additions to the cast including The Umbrella Academy‘s Robert Sheehan and Sex/Life actress Wallis Day. Others appearing in the film are Michael Bisping, Martyn Ford, Eliza Matengu, Manal El-Feitury, and Katrina Durden.
Bassett is still on board to direct, and continues to use the script by Soloway and Tasha Huo.
Here is what Bassett had to say in a statement about the start of shooting:
“I’ve wanted to make a Red Sonja movie since I was a teenager – she has been a powerful presence for me and a character that I have always wanted to bring to the screen with my own voice and vision. When I met Matilda Lutz, I knew she had all the magic I was looking for and could see the complexity and depth she would bring to Sonja.”
I spoke with Bassett a while ago for Endangered Species, and she’s just right for this film. She’s an action junkie, having also directed films such as Solomon Kane and Rogue. Lutz is also no stranger to the genre, so this could be a potent pairing.
This new Red Sonja reboot will look to supplant in the minds of fans any memories of the 1985 movie starring Brigitte Nielsen as Red Sonja.
