Red Sonja is a fascinating franchise that Hollywood has been striving to perfect for many years. This character was brought to life by the creative minds of Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith, inspired by the legendary Conan the Barbarian creator Robert E. Howard. Red Sonja has consistently been a vital part of the sword-and-sorcery genre and is recognized as one of the most enduring and iconic pulp heroines from her time. With her powerful presence and compelling narrative, she has captivated audiences and remains a symbol of female empowerment in fantasy storytelling.
In an effort to capitalize on the phenomenal success of Conan the Barbarian, producer Dino De Laurentiis made a bold attempt to establish a Red Sonja franchise in 1985. This iteration featured Brigitte Nielsen in the lead role, accompanied by Arnold Schwarzenegger, who portrayed a character reminiscent of Conan, named Lord Kalidor. Unfortunately, this film did not perform well at the box office, but the resurgence of interest in fantasy films in recent years has led many to believe that Red Sonja is more than ready for a significant cinematic revival that honors her legacy.
Throughout the years, multiple directors and writers have endeavored to resurrect her story on the silver screen. Notable figures such as Robert Rodriguez, who collaborated with Rose McGowan, Simon West, Amber Heard, and even Bryan Singer have all expressed interest in bringing Red Sonja back to life, with Singer almost completing a version not long ago. Now, the talented director M.J. Bassett, alongside Revenge star Matilda Lutz, is set to unveil a new Red Sonja film. This highly anticipated movie is scheduled for theatrical release on August 15th and will be available digitally on August 29th. Lutz made a noteworthy appearance at Comic-Con, helping to generate excitement among fans.
In the interview featured above, Lutz, who embodies the titular character, shared her admiration for director Bassett. Bassett is known for her previous work on the Robert E. Howard adaptation Solomon Kane and has established herself as a sought-after director for popular streaming series such as FUBAR and The Terminal List. Additionally, Lutz expressed her enthusiasm over the recent achievements of her Revenge director Coralie Fargeat, whose film The Substance has significantly elevated her career. We also had the opportunity to chat with Wallis Day, who takes on the role of one of the film’s antagonists, Dark Annisia, adding another layer of intrigue to this upcoming release.
Are you feeling excited about the upcoming Red Sonja film? We want to hear your thoughts in the comments section below!
