Nearly two and a half years after it finished filming in 2022,the long-awaitedRed Sonjareboot is finally being released in 2025. It had been years since the project was first announced before things finally got moving on in 2021, when Tasha Huo (Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft) was brought on board to pen the script, and M. J. Bassett (Silent Hill: Revelation) was brought in to direct. The film starsMatilda Lutz(Revenge) in the titular role made famous by Brigitte Nielsen in the 1985 original.
PerDeadline,Red Sonjawill be released in the UK later this yearafter Signature Entertainment acquired UK and Irish rights to the film, which has already been sold to multiple international markets by Millennium Media. A firm release date has yet to be set,and it remains unclear when the movie might make its way to U.S. soil. Still, Begüm Kayacan Parodi – Signature Entertainment’s Acquisitions Manager – says she’s ready to unleashRed Sonjainto the world so that audiences finally get the chance to see Lutz’s kick-ass heroine in action.
“Red Sonja epitomizes the kind of film we’re looking for at Signature – an epic story in a fantasy-laden world with a strong commercial feel to its execution, which made it immediately appealing to us. We’re looking forward to introducing UK and Irish audiences to Matilda Lutz’s sword-swinging huntress later this year.”
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The character of Red Sonja first found her way into pop culture in 1973courtesy of Marvel Comicsand creators Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor-Smith. She made her debut inConan the Barbarian#23 before going on to headline her own series, and eventually her own live-action film in 1985. As mentioned, Nielsen portrayed the red-haired fighter alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Lord Kalidor, but unfortunately the film was a box office failure, earning just $6.9 million against a budget of $17.9 million. Despite that,Red Sonjahas managed to achieve cult-like status over the decades,even though it holds just a 21% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, and a 29% from fans.
What Can People Expect From the ‘Red Sonja’ Reboot?
Taking a cue from the comic book series,Red Sonjawill follow the barbarian huntress as she unites a group of unlikely warriors to face off against the evil tyrant Emperor Draygan (Robert Sheehan) and his deadly bride, Dark Annisia (Wallis Day). Unlike the original comics and film that served to placate the male gaze, however,the reboot will aim to showcase female strength and empowerment.
“This is a completely different story,“Lutz told CBR last year while promoting her appearance in the Daisy Ridley film Magpie.“It’s very women-empowered, which I loved about the script.“Honestly, the timing couldn’t be better for the release ofRed Sonja, as though strong female characters have always been around, theyled a record number of movies last year, including in films likeThe Substance,Wicked, andA Quiet Place: Day One.
Whether or not theRed Sonjareboot manages to surpass the 1985 film in every measurable way remains to be seen, but there’s a better than even chance it will definitely make more than its paltry $7 million. We’ll have more news on the movie, including a U.S. release date, as it becomes available. In the meantime, the original is currently available to rent or purchase on all VOD platforms.
