Matilda Lutz (Revenge), Wallis Day (Sex/Life) and Robert Sheehan (The Umbrella Academy) have been tapped to lead the cast of Millennium Media’s upcoming comic book film Red Sonja, from director M.J. Bassett (Solomon Kane), which is now in production at the Bulgarian Nu Boyana Studio, with filming at the Greek Nu Boyana Studio to follow.
Inspired by the sword and sorcery comic books of the same name by Dynamite Entertainment, Red Sonja is based on the heroine originally created for Marvel Comics by Robert E. Howard and subsequently adapted by Roy Thomas. While the character is described as a fearsome warrior boasting a high degree of skill with a sword, details as to the film adaptation’s plot have not been disclosed. Hannah John Kamen had previously been set for the film’s lead role of Red Sonja, though she’s stepped aside due to scheduling conflicts, with Lutz now set to play the titular character. Day will portray her wicked half-sister Annisia, with Sheehan as Draygan.
Joey Soloway (Transparent) and Tasha Huo (Netflix’s Tomb Raider) scripted the film, which will also star Michael Bisping (xXx: Return of Xander Cage), Martyn Ford (F9: The Fast Saga), Eliza Matengu (Thor: Love and Thunder), Manal El-Feitury (Code Red) and Katrina Durden (Doctor Strange). Pic’s producers are Mark Canton (300, Power), Courtney Solomon (Cake, After), Luke Lieberman on behalf of Red Sonja LLC, Millennium Media’s Les Weldon, Jeffrey Greenstein, Jonathan Yunger and Yariv Lerner, and Joe Gatta (Out of the Furnace, Conan the Barbarian). Avi Lerner, Trevor Short and Boaz Davidson are exec producing for Millennium Media, alongside Dorothy Canton, Millennium Media’s Tanner Mobley, Nick Barrucci on behalf of Dynamite Entertainment, Lati Grobman and Christa Campbell on behalf of Campbell Grobman Films, Eclectic Picture’s Heidi Jo Markel, and Soloway on behalf of Topple.
“I’ve wanted to make a Red Sonja movie since I was a teenager – she has been a powerful presence for me and a character that I have always wanted to bring to the screen with my own voice and vision,” said Bassett. “When I met Matilda Lutz, I knew she had all the magic I was looking for and could see the complexity and depth she would bring to Sonja.”
“This has been a long journey from script to screen and we are excited to go into production after assembling the best creative team, an amazing band of up and coming talent and a fun and fantastical world fueled by the Red Sonja IP,” said Millennium Media’s President, Greenstein. “M.J. is an amazing filmmaker with fantastic vision and Matilda was absolutely brilliant in Revenge that we knew she was right for this role the moment we saw her – making them the perfect duo for Red Sonja.”
“I’ve been working with the Millennium production team on adapting this extraordinary graphic novel since Luke Lieberman brought it to us seven years ago,” added Canton. “M.J. is a fantastic filmmaker who truly understands the power of this story that will ignite audiences everywhere. In the realm of fantasy and graphic novels, there is no greater, more empowered female character who has stood the test of time. Courtney Solomon and I are privileged to be a part of this fabulous producing team.”
Lutz’s recent projects include Paramount Pictures’ Zone 414 starring Guy Pearce, Neon’s Revenge, Paramount Pictures’ Rings starring Vincent D’Onofrio, and Netflix’s Medici starring Daniel Sharman. Her upcoming projects include Netflix’s Reptile with Alicia Silverstone, Benicio Del Toro, Frances Fisher and Justin Timberlake; Helen’s Dead starring Dylan Gelula and Emile Hirsch; and Magpie, with Daisy Ridley and Shazad Latif.
Day is best known for her roles in Paramount’s Infinite starring Mark Wahlberg, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rupert Friend and Dylan O’Brien, E!’s The Royals starring Elizabeth Hurley, Syfy’s Krypton starring Hannah Waddingham, and The CW’s Batwoman. Her upcoming projects include Paramount’s Sheroes, starring Isabelle Fuhrman, and the second season of Netflix’s Sex/Life starring Sarah Shahi and Mike Vogel.
Sheehan is best known for his role as Klaus in Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy, which has him starring alongside Elliot Page, Aidan Gallagher, Tom Hopper, Emmy Raver-Lampman, David Casteneda and Rita Arya. The actor is also known for his roles in Sony’s The Mortal Instruments franchise, starring Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower; Misfits starring Iwan Rheon and Antonia Thomas; and Amazon’s Fortitude starring Dennis Quaid.
Bassett’s past projects include the fantasy pic Solomon Kane starring James Purefoy, and Starz’s Power starring Omari Hardwick. Her recent projects include Lionsgate’s Endangered Species starring Rebecca Romijin and Jerry O’Connell; Lionsgate’s Rogue starring Megan Fox; and episodes of Freeform’s Motherland: Fort Salem, Netflix’s Altered Carbon, and Syfy’s Nightflyers.
reported by deadline.com
‘Red Sonja’: Matilda Lutz, Wallis Day & Robert Sheehan Set For Millennium Media’s Comic Book Film
