Jane Fonda, the legendary star of the sexy and campy 1968 sci-fi film Barbarella, is not looking forward to the upcoming remake, which is set to star Sydney Sweeney.
In a recent profile by The Hollywood Reporter, Jane Fonda was asked her thoughts on the Barbarella remake. “I try not to [think about it]. Because I worry about what it’s going to be. I had an idea of how to do it that [original producer] Dino De Laurentiis, when he was still alive, wouldn’t listen to. But it could have been a truly feminist movie.” Such words suggest Fonda doesn’t quite think any new takes on the character and story will hit that mark.
Talk of a Barbarella sequel starring Jane Fonda does indeed go back decades–long before Sydney Sweeney was even born. The earliest iteration was hot off the heels–and thigh-high boots–of the original, but nothing came of that. There was even an iteration in the early ‘90s that never took off. Prior to Sweeney signing on for the most recent attempt, Nicolas Winding Refn was getting a pilot together at Amazon. This, too, fell apart, with the director saying, “certain things are better left untouched. You don’t need to remake everything.”
Yet, it will be, as Sweeney will step into the role made famous by Fonda–at least as of now; considering the various attempts to get a remake/reboot into production, who knows how far this one will get. Just as Sweeney is already established, starring on HBO’s Euphoria, so, too, was Fonda when Barbarella hit theaters in 1968. Barbarella was far from being Jane Fonda’s breakout role–she was already recognized as a major player from films like the terrific western-comedy Cat Ballou and the Neil Simon-scripted Barefoot in the Park–but it does remain one of her most iconic performances.
At 85, Jane Fonda has kept quite active in the business. Her next movie, 80 for Brady, hits the field on February 3rd–and we can’t imagine that will ever get remade.
Haveyou ever seen the original Barbarella starring Jane Fonda? How do you think Sydney Sweeney will do in the role? Let us know your take below!