Deadline is reporting that 2x Primetime Emmy-nominee Sydney Sweeney (Madame Web; Euphoria) has signed on to star and executive produce a new Barbarella movie for Sony Pictures. The film will be based on Jean Claude Forest's French comic book series of the same name that was ultimately turned into a movie in 1968, starring Jane Fonda in the title role..
There is currently no writer or director attached to the project, but with Sweeney onboard, expect those two pieces to come together relatively soon.
The in-demand actress has become a recent favorite of the studio, and is currently filming their Spider-Man adjacent Marvel adventure Madame Web, where she'll star opposite Dakota Johnson. Sony has also acquired The Registration, another project set to feature Sweeney as its leading lady and EP.
Sweeney is best known for her role as Cassie Howard on the HBO drama Euphoria and for playing Olivia Mossbacher in HBO's The White Lotus. She earned Primetime Emmy nominations for both parts. Her most recent releases include Prime Video's The Voyeurs and Netflix's Night Teeth.
Roger Vadim's original Barbarella movie was no box office success, but has earned cult classic status in the decades since. Its synopsis reads, "Barbarella, an astronaut from the 41st century, sets out to find and stop the evil scientist Durand Durand, whose Positronic Ray threatens to bring evil back into the galaxy."
No idea which direction the new film will take, but it will most likely put a modern spin on the story, and with Sweeney attached, is sure to draw quite a bit of attention whenever it heads into production.