Who Wouldn’t Want Christina Hendricks as Barbarella?
Posted by Neil Miller (neil@filmschoolrejects.com) on August 10, 2009
Late last week, The Hollywood Reporter updated the world on the still-going production of the Barbarella remake, which has now moved from the hands of Robert Rodriguez to those of 21 director Robert Luketic. The project was set up at Universal back in 2007, but has never really gotten off the ground, as is the case with more than a few Rodriguez-led ventures (lets face it, the man is just too busy).
For those not hip to it, Barbarella follows the sexy adventures of its title character, a female mercenary who roams the universe in the distant future, undertaking missions that require fearlessness, ingenuity and sensuality. Famously portrayed by Jane Fonda in the 1968 film directed by Roger Vadim, Barbarella is known as a campy, but fun-loving sexual icon.
According to recent reports, producer Dino De Laurentis and new screenwriter Joe Gazzam will be taking a new direction, focusing more on Barbarella’s space adventures rather than the campiness. Though, much to the delight of fans I’m sure, they will be keeping with the sexuality.
Interestingly enough, the THR story also includes a user poll asking who fans would like to see as Barbarella. They list the likes of Mila Kunis, Jessica Alba, Zoe Saldana, Lindsay Lohan, Scarlett Johansson and Jessica Biel. That’s a solid enough list, Lohan aside, but I must agree with Devin Faraci over at CHUD, who suggests Mad Men star Christina Hendricks.
For Barbarella, you need someone who is pure sex — and someone who can also do sexy with a wink and a nod. And anyone who has seen more than 10 minutes of Mad Men knows that Hendricks (who plays Joan Holloway), is that and more. In fact, I cannot think of anyone more perfect for such a role than Hendricks. She’s got the physical assets, the chops and she’s ripe for a big screen breakout. She’s also not a name that comes with baggage, as is the case with someone like Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Alba and Jessica Biel. In this world where Chris Hemsworth is going to play Thor, why can’t we go with another fresh face for Barbarella?
What do you think about another Barbarella movie? Do you also think that Christina Hendricks would be great in the title role?
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