'RED SONJA' GETS NEW LOOK IMAGE AS REBOOT FINALLY SECURES U.S. DISTRIBUTOR

Red Sonjahas released a new image of its titular warrior, played by Matilda Lutz, as the reboot receives a long-awaited update that will delight fans of the franchise. Per Deadline, Samuel Goldwyn Films has snagged the U.S. distribution rights to the movie, which is set to hit theaters this year. Studio president Peter Goldwyn has also asserted his belief that the new version of the swords and sorcery story, directed by M. J. Bassett, will satisfy audiences who are familiar with Red Sonja and her storied history in comic books and on screen.

"We're thrilled to be bringing Red Sonja to audiences across the nation. The fanbase for the legendary character is big and passionate, and we're confident that this film will deliver for them."

The legendary character Goldwyn refers to will be portrayed by Lutz in the upcoming movie, and the latest image of the She-Devil with a Sword (seen below) looks like she is fully embodying the role of the red-headed barbarian huntress. She is pictured in full costume, wearing an outfit based on the iconic bikini armor for which Sonja is famous, along with a gladiator-style skirt, metal shoulder pads, and arm cuffs. She also wields a sword that helps to complete the appearance of the mighty adventurer, who found her way into pop culture in 1973 courtesy of Marvel Comics and creators Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor-Smith.

Tasha Huo wrote the screenplay for the new take on Red Sonja, and rest assured, she is no stranger to strong, fearless adventurers, as she recently served as showrunner and writer on Netflix's Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft. Now she has crafted a story around Red Sonja, with Lutz taking the starring role alongside Robert Sheehan (The Umbrella Academy), Wallis Day (Batwoman), Martyn Ford (Those About to Die), Michael Bisping (Den of Thieves 2: Pantera), with Phillip Winchester (Strike Back) and Trevor Eve (Waking the Dead).

'Red Sonja' Has Received an R-Rating

While the latest image certainly doesn't indicate that the Red Sonja reboot will be a tame version of the tale, the movie has now received an official rating that should erase any doubts. The upcoming feature has been given an R-rating for "strong, bloody violence," which hopefully means there will be some epic swordfights and action scenes spearheaded by the vengeful heroine, whose original iteration on screen was played by Brigitte Nielsen back in 1985 when she starred alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger. That movie was more about buffoonery than brutality and had a milder PG-13 rating to match its tone, but that isn't the only difference between the two features, as Lutz previously stated that they hoped to give the story a contemporary makeover and change the original's "male-gaze orientation."

"So, what I can tell about Red Sonja, is that the first ones and the comics were [made] with a very male-gazed orientation. This is a completely different story, and it's very women-empowered, which I loved about the script."

The reboot of Red Sonja spent over a decade in development before finally going into production in 2022, so it has certainly been a battle to get it to the big screen. However, the battles don't stop there, as the plot for the upcoming iteration confirms that the movie's eponymous character will have to "fight for survival" and "battle her way through the blood-soaked pits of a tyrant's empire, and rally an army of outcasts to reclaim her freedom and take down Dragan and his ruthless bride, Dark Annisia," so it sounds like her sword will be put to good use.

Source: Deadline

2025-03-28T01:09:55Z