Confession time: We weren't expecting to hear about any movement on a potential "Red Sonja" movie for at least a year, given all the headaches, delays, and uncertainties surrounding the most recent incarnation of the project — but it looks like we were wrong. Apparently, a "Red Sonja" movie is not only moving forward again, but it has a new director and star in its sights.
In an interview with Empire Magazine, "Drive Angry" producer Avi Lerner said a film based on the beautiful barbarian in a chain-mail bikini was on the agenda yet again at Nu Image Films, with "Con Air" director Simon West the favored filmmaker for the project. He also named "Drive Angry" actress Amber Heard (pictured) as his favorite contender for the title role.
"We didn't want to start it until we'd finished 'Conan,'" said Lerner, indicating that "Red Sonja" will likely fall between the upcoming "Conan The Barbarian" and a planned sequel. "We will definitely shoot 'Red Sonja' in between 'Conan' and 'Conan 2.' We already chose the director: an English guy called Simon West."
And while Lerner seemed to indicate that it was a done deal with West, he admitted that he has yet to officially approach the 'Drive Angry' actress about the role.
"We're talking to a few girls for the role of Sonja, but we just finished a movie called 'Drive Angry' with Amber Heard, and I want to see her," he said. "She's my favorite for the role. ... Amber is the new Red Sonja... but she doesn't know it yet!"
Let us know what you think of all this "Red Sonja" news in the comment section or on Twitter! You can also follow me, Splash Page editor Rick Marshall, on Twitter!
