Well, I certainly wouldn’t have expectedJill Solowayto tackle theRed Sonjamovie following the success they had with the award-winning Amazon seriesTransparent, but here we are. Millennium Films has tapped Soloway to replaceBryan Singerbehind the camera, and they’ll also write the script, too, as they apparently have a “bold new take” on the character, according to Deadline.
Here’s the thing… they’re going to need one, because as far as I’m concerned, Red Sonja is a D-list character who offers limited upside at the box office. I don’t mean to be harsh, but I’ve been reporting on this project for the better part of a decade, and I get the feeling that readers just don’t care. I’m not making the old ‘comic book movie fatigue’ argument, I’m just saying that logic dictates that not all of these superhero movies can work. The marketplace is simply too crowded. When a star-studded X-Men movie likeDark Phoenixopens to a weak $32.8 million, just what are the expectations forRed Sonja? A $15 million opening weekend? At best?
Here’s the other way to read this. Obviously, we know that studios rarely hire women or transgender filmmakers to direct big-budget action movies. Hollywood is making strides, of course, as the Kathryn Bigelows, Mimi Leders and Patty Jenkins of the world paved the way forCate Shortland(Black Widow),Chloe Zhao(The Eternals), andAva DuVernay(New Gods). But still, it’s rare. And Soloway clearly didn’t want to wait for Marvel or DC to come calling, so they decided to take on a lesser property in the hopes they could put their own imprint on the material. That’s admirable. I just hope they know what they’re getting into by working with Millennium. I hope I’m not writing an article two years from now about the two sides haggling over final cut, because let’s just say that won’t surprise me. Don’t forget aboutall the behind-the-scenes dramaonHellboy.
“I can’t wait to bringRed Sonja’s epic world to life,” Soloway told Deadline. “Exploring this powerful mythology and evolving what it means to be a heroine is an artistic dream come true.” Again, a noble goal, but what, exactly, is the “powerful mythology” ofRed Sonja? She’s a 1970s comic book character with red hair who was originally played byBrigitte Nielsen.Rose McGowannearly played the heroine whenRobert Rodriguezwas attached to direct. What else is there?I know, I’m coming across too negative here, but I just don’t see why Soloway would take on this particular assignment. It’s honestly a head-scratcher to me.
Meanwhile, Deadline claims that studios are already approaching Millennium about partnering on the film, but I don’t buy that for one second. I’m pretty sure Lionsgate learned its lesson onHellboy. “Studios” is a vague word, though. Are we talking David Glasser’s 101 Studios? Just know that Disney and Warner Bros. aren’t making a bid. That much I’m sure of.
Millennium Media will finance theRed Sonjamovie, while Millennium Films will produce with Campbell/Grobman Films, Cinelou Films and Soloway’s Topple Productions banner, whoseAndrea Sperlinghas also boarded the project as a producer. Rights holderLuke Liebermanwill serve as an executive producer.
Millennium has been developingRed Sonjafor years, and the success ofWonder Womanencouraged the studio to ramp up its efforts. The company had agreed to pay Singer $10 million to directRed Sonja, even after he’d been fired off ofBohemian Rhapsodyfor his erratic behavior on set, which he denied. There was also an article inThe Atlanticthat dug into the sexual assault allegations that have followed Singer for years, and while it seemed Millennium was willing to live with the bad press in order to work with a major tentpole director like Singer, it would have made casting a major star all but impossible. Millennium is also developing another female-driven action movie inJolt, which will starKate Beckinsale, and be directed byTanya Wexler.
Soloway recently directedThe Transparent Movie Musicale Finale, which is framed around the death ofJeffrey Tambor’s Maura, and will debut this fall on Amazon Prime Video. The two-hour movie features 10 original songs, which should excite fans of the Pfefferman family. Interestingly enough, Deadline cautions thatRed Sonjais years away from the big screen, and is unlikely to be Soloway’s next film. They previously directed the 2013 indie comedyAfternoon DelightstarringKathryn HahnandJuno Temple. Soloway is represented by UTA.
