Red Sonja Lead Replaced By Revenge Star
Red Sonja has gone through a major shakeup, that is going to alter the production time. It has been revealed that the lead character has been replaced by a star from Revenge.
Just as cameras have begun to roll on the mystical action-adventure flick, Red Sonja, it has been revealed that Matilda Lutz will be taking over the titular role as Hannah John-Kamen has exited the feature over scheduling difficulties. John-Kamen first joined the production back in May 2021, so the news surrounding her departure may come as a shock to many who have been waiting for updates surrounding the early days of production. While we don’t know what other pieces the Ant-Man and the Wasp star has up her sleeve, we’re excited to see what she’ll be taking on in the future.
Along with Lutz, Red Sonja will see a call sheet that’s set to include Wallis Day, Robert Sheehan, Michael Bisping, Martyn Ford, and Eliza Matengu. The chainmail-clad heroine first appeared in Marvel Comics back in 1973 in a sword and sorcery-based storyline. Incredibly popular among fans, the woman at the center of it all would get an on-screen telling with Richard Fleischer’s 1985 feature of the same name. In it, actress and model Brigitte Nielsen starred as the titular character opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger with an ensemble cast made up of Sandahl Bergman, Paul L. Smith, Ernie Reyes, Jr., Ronald Lacey, and Pat Roach.
In its latest telling, the film will be directed by M.J. Bassett. Known for her eye behind such productions as Deathwatch, Wilderness, Solomon Kane, and Silent Hill: Revelation, along with a deep love and tie to the story behind Red Sonja, Bassett is just the person to be helming the mystical flick. Also, an incredibly talented writer, she holds credits on projects including Ash vs Evil Dead and Strike Back. More recently, Bassett has seen much success for her female-driven and led action projects: Endangered Species and Rogue. Red Sonja came to Bassett after its original director, Joey Soloway, stepped away from the production.
While it was certainly less than ideal to have their leading lady step down just as things were getting started, Bassett, shared her excitement in having Lutz aboard. In a statement released along with the casting announcement, Bassett commented that standing behind a Red Sonja film was a dream of hers since she was a teen. Calling the character “a powerful presence,” the director shared her thrill in putting her own twist on the classic comic book story.
Prior to taking on the leading role in Red Sonja, Lutz has appeared in a slew of similar genre projects including Coralie Fargeat’s bloody 2017 action thriller, Revenge. That same year also saw the actress nab a leading role in the horror feature Rings. The third and final installment stemming from the 2002 scare-filled feature, The Ring, the F. Javier Gutiérrez film also starred the likes of Alex Roe, Johnny Galecki, Aimee Teegarden, Bonnie Morgan, and Vincent D’Onofrio.
With filming now underway, it’s only a matter of time until we hear and see more updates surrounding Red Sonja. While we’re sad to hear that John-Kamen has stepped down, we can’t wait to see what Lutz brings to the story of the iconic comic book character.
