Summary
- Sydney Sweeney, known for her high-profile projects, will star in and produce the reimagined Barbarella story, despite Jane Fonda's apprehension.
- Sweeney respects the original film's messages of female empowerment and plans to embrace the character's fun and vivacious spirit.
- With Sweeney's commitment and clear vision, Barbarella is set to continue as a symbol of female empowerment and an icon of science fiction.
It's a new era for Barbarella. The intergalactic heroine, who first entered our consciousness via Jean-Claude Forest's serialized comic in 1962, is set to return to the silver screen, and stepping into the role made famous by Jane Fonda is none other than Sydney Sweeney.
Late last year, the news broke that Sydney Sweeney, known for her strong portfolio of high-profile projects, would not only star in but also produce the reimagined Barbarella story. The news was met with both anticipation and concern from enthusiasts of the franchise, Jane Fonda among them, who played the role of Barbarella in the original 1968 movie.
Fonda's public apprehension regarding the reboot didn't go unnoticed by Sweeney. In a candid conversation with Variety, Sweeney revealed her deep respect for the original movie's messages and expressed her eagerness to speak with Fonda. Her perception of the original film revolves around women embracing and owning their power. She emphasized,
I find power in my femininity. I use my brain, and I use everything that I'm learning every single day in this industry as my power.
The history of Barbarella is rich and multi-dimensional. Beginning as one of the first erotic comic books and seen as a representative of the sexual revolution of the era, Barbarella's adventures have transcended the comic world and spawned several inspired comics published by Dynamite in recent years.
Reflecting on the iconic role, Sweeney expressed her excitement about keeping the character's fun and vivacious spirit alive. She told the press last year,
I'm really excited to serve all the fits, but also, it's such an iconic, fun character. And I want to keep that fun alive through Barbarella. So, I'm excited for everyone to see it.
Barbarella Returns: Sydney Sweeney's Commitment and the Character's Cinematic Odyssey
Barbarella has indeed led an interesting onscreen life. Following the 1968 release, numerous attempts to continue or reboot the franchise fell through, including the ambitious plans for a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, and various efforts in the 2000s led by filmmakers like Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic.
The character even ventured into the world of musical theater in 2004. And who could forget the intriguing attempt by Amazon Studios and Gaumont International Television in 2012 to create a Barbarella television series, set in Asia and directed by Nicolas Winding Refn? But as Refn aptly put it, "certain things are better left untouched. You don't need to remake everything."
Barbarella's return to the screen marks a significant moment in cinematic history, and Sydney Sweeney's approach seems to be rooted in respect and a true understanding of the character's cultural significance. Her desire to connect with Jane Fonda adds a personal touch to a project that could easily become just another reboot.
With her evident commitment and clear vision, Sweeney's Barbarella is set to continue the character's legacy as a symbol of female empowerment and an icon of science fiction. Both longtime followers and newcomers to the franchise are expected to eagerly await how Sweeney will weave her unique flair into the character. Her turn as Barbarella may just become the next iconic portrayal of this legendary character.