Get your blades ready and your comic books out, because Millenium Media has just revealed the first picture from their upcoming Red Sonja adaptation. Matilda Lutz, who plays the title character, makes her debut as the warrior in a new photograph released today. Production on the film has begun in Bulgaria, with further scenes to be shot in Greece. The highly anticipated new comic book picture has yet to be given a premiere date.
The forthcoming film Red Sonja is based on the 1973 Marvel Comics superhero of the same name. In the 1970s and 1980s, Red Sonja, a character developed by Robert E. Howard and later adapted by Roy Thomas became one of the most well-known female superheroes in comic books. Red Sonja, the heroine of a number of comic books, is a formidable swordswoman who can take on any foe. In the 1985 film Red Sonja, Brigitte Nielsen had a memorable performance as the title character.
The warrior role played by Nielsen became an instant camp favourite, demonstrating Nielsen’s acting chops in the 1980s. Arnold Schwarzenegger, arguably the most famous hulking man of the 1980s, had a cameo in the film as well. Lutz, who plays the new Red Sonja, makes her debut in a newly published photograph. Sonja, as portrayed by Lutz, is seen in profile, fully armoured, with her sword slung over her shoulder. Cast against a blazing red background, the most obvious difference between Lutz’s Sonja and Nielsen’s (at least based on the first photograph) is the alteration in the style of armour.
Lutz’s Red Sonja has metal armour on her shoulders and wrists, in contrast to Nielsen’s bare midriff and bare legs. Even still, the trademark void of coverage remains. Wallis Day (Annisia) and Robert Sheehan (Draygan) will join Lutz in the next flick. Joey Soloway and Tasha Huo, who will also be writing for the upcoming Tomb Raider animated series on Netflix, penned the screenplay for the film. M.J. Bassett is directing the remake of the film.
There is still no word on when the new movie will hit theatres. In Europe, they are presently filming Red Sonja.