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Home » Blogs » scribegrrrl's blog » Barbarella: Why mess with perfection?

Barbarella: Why mess with perfection?

by
scribegrrrl

Dino De Laurentiis, the producer of the original Barbarella in 1968, wants to "reintroduce Barbarella to a new generation of moviegoers." No word yet on who will replace Jane Fonda as the intergalactic vixen who battles the evil scientist Durand Durand (yes, that's where the band got its name). Those are some big space boots to fill.

The original film is campy, crazy and delicious — and the music is awesome. Some things should never be updated. Especially because, according to Variety, the new Barbarella will be "a free, modern gal who survives in a futuristic world through her intelligence, fighting skills and sexuality."

A free, modern gal? Gosh, maybe they're not going to update it at all.

But fine, fine: Let's think about this. Who could capture the spirit of Barbarella today? Here are my ideas:

5. Renee O'Connor. OK, probably not. But it's fun to think about.

4. Amy Poehler. Only if they go for pure goofiness. And that might not be a bad idea.

3. Gwen Stefani. Perfect. Barbarella was the original ain't-no-hollaback-girl. Plus Gwen's got the legs for the role. And I suspect she may already have a Barbarella costume in her closet.

2. Kate Winslet. I can't actually advocate this because I think I would pass out.

1. Scarlett Johansson. Oh. That's it! Yep, now I'm on board. Clearly she's already a Fonda fan:

I was going to post the opening credits and the first scene of the original film, but, um, they're not exactly "all ages."

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    • Submitted by
    scribegrrrl
    on April 13, 2007 - 9:35am.
    TAGS :: 
    trent bowie's picture

    Whadaya mean "OK, probably not"?!?

    Submitted by
    trent bowie (41 posts)
    on April 13, 2007 - 10:24am.

    Scribegrrl.

    Darling.

    How could you place Renee O'Connor #5 as Babrbarella? I...I don't know how to put this. It just doesn't sit right with me. And the others? Kate Winslet?

    MmmmmmmmNo.

    I mean, it's Renee frackin' O'Connor, you know, someone who can actually move like Barbarella is supposed to? And the ABS! How could overlook the abs?

    WHERE DO YOU LIVE, MARK?!?

    eek's picture

    Soundtrack by Duran Duran?

    Submitted by
    eek (26 posts)
    on April 13, 2007 - 11:23am.
    I like your choices for a lead, but I think re-making this movie would be ridiculous.  The trend nowadays is to rewrite camp as gritty noir.  It worked very well for James Bond and Batman, but Barbarella?  Come on!  Smells worse than the new Miami Vice movie.

    And will the soundtrack be done by Duran Duran?  The band named after the person Barbarella is after in the movie, Durand Durand.  That might make the movie a little better.
    jennifer from pittsburgh's picture

    A remake of Barbarella, huh?

    Submitted by
    jennifer from p... (1476 posts)
    on April 13, 2007 - 12:14pm.
    A remake of Barbarella, huh? Heh, that reminds me, my mom, years (decades) ago dropped off my ten year old sister and a friend to see Barbarella. Mom thought, mistakenly, that it was all scifi hijinx. Heh again, the way my sister tells the story is priceless ;) I can't believe that the ticket taker let two ten year olds in to the movie, but things were pretty fast and loose in the 70s.
    dypole's picture

    Uma Thurman

    Submitted by
    dypole (255 posts)
    on April 13, 2007 - 3:58pm.
    The only choice, as far as I see it. She's crazy enough to do it, too.
    Flame's picture

    huh, I don't trust current

    Submitted by
    Flame (62 posts)
    on April 13, 2007 - 4:33pm.
    huh, I don't trust current filmamakers to make films that advocate free love and female sexuality as well as they did on -68 with Barbarella. Besides Jane Fonda is perfect in that role, there won't be any other. (just look at what they did to Stepford Wifes..) So, I'd rather not see a remake although maybe Barbarella/Great Tyrant attraction could be more.. hmm.. articulate... nowadays..
    spotticus's picture

    I just can't imagine

    Submitted by
    spotticus (642 posts)
    on April 14, 2007 - 12:13am.
    I just can't imagine Barbarella trading in her ship's shag carpet interior for brushed stainless steel.  No, this remake is a bad idea.
    LadyElla's picture

    Oooo that picture of Kate

    Submitted by
    LadyElla (68 posts)
    on April 14, 2007 - 11:40am.
    Oooo that picture of Kate Winslet is just torturous! Scribegrrrl's messin' with my head! O, btw, the vid doesn't work anymore, just thought you should know!
    nancy drew's picture

    Giada DeLaurentis

    Submitted by
    nancy drew (35 posts)
    on April 14, 2007 - 12:33pm.
    They should make a food network version with Dino's own granddaughter..... cleavage and spaghetti in outer space sounds mighty fine to me!  



    edin66's picture

    but will they recreate the classic scene

    Submitted by
    edin66 (34 posts)
    on April 15, 2007 - 11:00pm.
    and by that i mean the one where barbarella is viciously attached by a bunch of ....budgies!
    deja's picture

    Some things are best left in

    Submitted by
    deja (280 posts)
    on April 16, 2007 - 12:03am.

    Some things are best left in their original state -- I think this film is one of them.  Not everything can be made better, just by throwing a bigger budget at it.  Sadly, though, I'm sure they'll plod ahead anyway, since TPTB running the film industry seem determined to plunder vintage sitcoms and golden era romcoms and cult classics until there are none left unsullied. 

    That said, it might only be fitting then that it remain in the family and pass the torch over to niece Bridgette Fonda.  Does she even act anymore?

    deja's picture

    Some things are best left in

    Submitted by
    deja (280 posts)
    on April 16, 2007 - 12:03am.

    Some things are best left in their original state -- I think this film is one of them.  Not everything can be made better, just by throwing a bigger budget at it.  Sadly, though, I'm sure they'll plod ahead anyway, since TPTB running the film industry seem determined to plunder vintage sitcoms and golden era romcoms and cult classics until there are none left unsullied. 

    That said, it might only be fitting then that it remain in the family and pass the torch over to niece Bridgette Fonda.  Does she even act anymore?

    Trix's picture

    Word

    Submitted by
    Trix (464 posts)
    on April 16, 2007 - 5:31am.
    That picture is eeeevil!
    krock's picture

    Call me crazy, but doesn't

    Submitted by
    krock (4 posts)
    on April 16, 2007 - 8:25am.

    Call me crazy, but doesn't Jane Fonda-as-Barbarella look a little like Rebecca Romjin? Let's throw her into the casting pool mix. She's cute as an MTF, why not Barbarella, no?

    Incidentally, Deja asks a great question: Where is hell is Bridget Fonda? Did her career end with the 20th century?

    scribegrrrl's picture

    fixed the vid

    Submitted by
    scribegrrrl (5513 posts)
    on April 16, 2007 - 12:31pm.
    Or rather, replaced it. I think this one should work.

    Surrender to the power of the evil Kate photo! Heh.
    Leenaomi's picture

    The new barbarella

    Submitted by
    Leenaomi (302 posts)
    on May 23, 2007 - 6:58am.

    My list in no particular order:

    Rebecca Romjin, Scarlette Johnson, Emily Blunt, Angelina J, Kate winslet


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