Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (1958) may have been made on a shoestring budget, but it’s since achieved cult classic status thanks to its unforgettable imagery and the countless parodies it inspired.
Beyond the campy sci-fi exterior lies a film that has come to be recognized for its subversive take on 1950s gender roles and its portrayal of female rage and empowerment.
Over time, what once seemed like mere B-movie spectacle has evolved into an enduring symbol of female empowerment.
Director Tim Burton was first announced to helm a remake of Attack of the 50 Foot Woman in 2024, signaling a bold reinterpretation of the cult classic. Now, according to Hollywood trade reporter turned scooper Jeff Sneider, the project may have landed Margot Robbie as its high-profile lead.
At last year's Marrakech Film Festival, Burton downplayed his involvement in the remake, stating, "One thing I learned very early on is that until I’m on the set doing something I don’t know if I’m doing it. I’ve had projects, I was doing a Superman once, I did another project that I worked for a year upon, and it didn’t happen. When those things happen, it’s quite traumatic, it’s quite emotional. So, I’m very protective of myself."
He added, "In Hollywood, when you’re doing something, you may think you’re doing something, until they tell you you’re not doing something. You get quite traumatized by those situations, so I wait until I’m on the set, and then I will tell you, ‘Yes’, because I’m actually doing it. But before then, I don’t know."
However, Sneider reckons that Burton is still very much attached to the Attack of the 50 Foot Woman remake.
Coming off the massive success of Barbie, Robbie's attachment instantly raises the potential of the project.
Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl, Sharp Objects) is attached to write the script.
The original Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (1958) was a low-budget B-movie made for a reported $88,000. The film starred Allison Hayes as a troubled heiress whose life takes a wild turn after a close encounter with an alien causes her to grow to gigantic proportions.
Her transformation adds a monstrous twist to an already strained marriage, complicated by her unfaithful husband and the social norms of the era, which pressured women to strive for matronly perfection.
In addition to starring, Robbie will also produce as her own production company, LuckyChap, signed a first look deal with WB in the wake of Barbie grossing over a billion dollars at the global box office.
Sneider cautions that Robbie could ultimately decide to only produce and not star in the film, depending on her satisfaction level with Flynn's script.