The Barbarella feature starring Sydney Sweeney is getting more oxygen.
Edgar Wright is in talks to direct the film for Sony Pictures, with Jane Goldman and Honey Ross in talks to write the script, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. The project is still in early development and is planned as a new take on the character that originated in a French comic series from Jean-Claude Forest.
Barbarella, a mercenary who travels the universe, was portrayed by Jane Fonda in a 1968 movie version that has become a cult favorite. Sweeney’s involvement in the new film was announced in 2022.
This continues Sweeney’s relationship with Sony, with the actress having starred late last year alongside Glen Powell in the studio’s rom-com Anyone but You before appearing with Dakota Johnson in this year’s superhero flick Madame Web.
Wright is known for helming films including Last Night in Soho, Baby Driver and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. His next project is set to be a new adaptation of The Running Man for Paramount Pictures that will star Powell.
Goldman is known for working on the scripts for Kick-Ass, X-Men: First Class and the Kingsman franchise. Ross worked on the BBC One series Everything I Know About Love and is Goldman’s daughter.
Sweeney, who counts Apple Films’ Echo Valley among her upcoming projects, spoke to British GQ earlier this year about the value of having starred in Madame Web, despite the film underperforming at the box office.
“To me, that film was a building block. It’s what allowed me to build a relationship with Sony. Without doing Madame Web, I wouldn’t have a relationship with the decision-makers over there,” the actress said at the time. “Everything in my career I do not just for that story, but strategic business decisions. Because I did that, I was able to sell Anyone but You. I was able to get Barbarella.”
Deadline was first to report that Wright is in talks for Barbarella.