Last week The New York Observer broke the news that Universal Studios had backed out of Robert Rodriguez’s big screen big-budget remake of Barbarella because Robert was unable to budge on the casting choice of his new fiance, Rose McGowan. Of course, McGowan isn’t a big enough star to carry a “$100 million film.”
“It’s sort of embarrassing for everyone involved,” Observer’s source said. “No one thinks Rose can carry the movie, but Robert won’t listen.”
Our friends at IESB talked to Robert, who of course denies that the production trouble had anything to do with casting. Rodriguez claims that it had to do with the skyrocketing budget, which is currently around 82 million. According to the Sin City director, Universal wanted to do the film for around $60 million.
Reporting on Hollywood has made me learn how to read between the lines of Hollywood speak lies. I’m guessing that Universal was more than willing to do Barbarella for $80+ million if there were a big name star attached, and Rodriguez is hoping that the studio may budge if he can bring down the budget. And Rodriguez is great with cutting corners and getting the maximum value out of the littlest money. So I don’t doubt that he wouldn’t be able to bring in the film for much cheaper. But the real question is, will Universal greenlight a McGowan-led Barbarella for $60 million? I’m not too sure, even that price tag is a bit high, and the studio wants a reasonable guarantee that they will make a return on their investment.
Honestly, I hope that Universal does not greenlight this project. Barbarella is a film that doesn’t need to be remade. Rodriguez is a tremendous talent, and his efforts could be better spend elsewhere, on a better project. I also don’t think that this generation with latch on to a Barbarella remake, and that the concept is pretty much failed in marketing conception. And with Rose in the lead, it doesn’t make the marketing department’s job any easier.
October 21st, 2007 at 8:26 pm
I agree with you entirely. Rodriguez is too talented to be doing remakes, and no one is going to go see a Barbarella remake especially if it’s got no superstar lead. If it does get made, don’t expect it to recoup 60 million. Even with a bankable star, it probably wouldn’t break even.
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:52 am
I donna think they gonna listen to ya lad
October 22nd, 2007 at 8:23 pm
You sir are mistaken, in the days of yore when Rodriguez was called the$7,000 Kid he might have been able to pull this movie off for less money, but now that he is without his producer, Elizabeth Avellan (the real genius behind his success), he has no chance in fuck of coming through this film with only $80 million let alone 60.
The only way this film gets made is if McCOWan is removed from the project.
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:14 am
What in the HECK is WRONG with you people?! Rose McGowan is the most beautiful angel on Earth. I would go see Barbarella just because she’s in it, if she were casted. How can anyone who’s not DEAD inside not think that she’s an angel? HMM?> And how can she not be a big enough star? The role should go to who the producer wants, to complete his vision. I think Rose is underrated as a hottie and as an actress. I fell in love with her character in planet terror. If not her for Barbarella, then who? Who is big enough and still not too mainstream? Who?
But anyway… soon Rose will realize that we were made for each other and she will leave Robert for me. And then I’ll never complain again.