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After basically 15 plus years in developmental hell and several directors and actresses attached to the project throughout, the reboot of Red Sonja has finally secured distribution for a release later this year. Deadline reported yesterday that Samuel Goldwyn Films has swooped in for the U.S. distribution rights with a theatrical release set for late 2025. The film’s star Matilda Lutz, who was sensational in the thriller Revenge, is now the titular warrior taking over for Brigitte Nielsen who starred in the 1985 live action adaptation with Arnold Schwarzenegger. The studio has served up a first look image of Lutz locked in combat and in full on Red Sonja mode. Check it out directly below!
Deadline dropped a short synopsis for Red Sonja as well which reads: “Captured. Chained. Forced to fight for survival. Red Sonja must battle her way through the blood-soaked pits of a tyrant’s empire and rally an army of outcasts to reclaim her freedom and take down Dragan and his ruthless bride, Dark Annisia.” Additional cast members include Robert Sheehan (The Umbrella Academy), Wallis Day (Batwoman), Martyn Ford (Those About to Die), Michael Bisping (Den of Thieves), with Phillip Winchester (Strike Back) and Trevor Eve (Waking the Dead).
Coincidently, it was reported a few days earlier that the movie was officially rated R for “strong/bloody violence“ which should please fans of the comic book that the property is based on. The original 1985 epic was PG-13 so the violence and set pieces were toned down.
M.J. Bassett (Solomon Kane, Rogue) is now the director who is in charge and the screenplay was penned by the duo of Joey Soloway (Transparent) and Tasha Huo (Netflix’s Tomb Raider anime).
We all know that happened with the Conan reboot that starred Jason Momoa taking over for Arnold who starred in the first two. That film fumbled the ball immensely and even Momoa has recently gone on record as saying the movie is terrible. Let’s hope that the same fate doesn’t inflict Red Sonja as we are in dire need of a decent sword and sorcery flick as they are hard to clear r by these days. The 80’s were a great time that saw many kick ass films like this come out including Arnold’s two films as well as The Sword and the Sorcerer.
I will say that images of Lutz that have been teased thus far does the character justice. Red Sonja was created Robert E. Howard who also created Conan and the 1985 flick was sort of a pseudo sequel for Arnie who was only supposed to have a glorified cameo in the movie but was featured more prominently.
SGF president Peter Goldwyn was quoted in the article about the acquisition of Red Sonja saying “we’re thrilled to be bringing Red Sonja to audiences across the nation. The fanbase for the legendary character is big and passionate and we’re confident that this film will deliver for them.”
Producer Mark Canton also stated, “I look forward to working with Samuel Goldwyn on the release of Red Sonja. This film has been a long road and we couldn’t be more excited about this screen version of the legendary character who is the first and foremost an empowered heroine. The fans are lined up and surely will be thrilled.”
Lock N Load for future Intel on Red Sonja including release info and trailer details as we are your ultimate destination for your action fix!
Source: Deadline
