Millennium has announced that they are in talks with X-MEN: APOCALYPSE helmer Bryan Singer to be the director of the studio's upcoming RED SONJA feature. Recently, Singer has spent a great deal of his time while involved in legal battles linked to allegations of misconduct in the post-#MeToo era, making him a curious choice to lead a film centered around the scarlet-haired heroine, created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Smith for Marvel Comics in 1973. While Singer has yet to be found guilty of any scrutiny brought against him, Millennium has made their position clear by tapping THE USUAL SUSPECTS director for the big-screen adaptation of the 1970s blood and guts Conan the Barbarian comic book spinoff.
Just like several other comic book adaptations that are currently in the works, Millennium hopes to launch RED SONJA with franchise appeal, essentially crowning the wayward warrior as a would-be Wonder Woman with far more violent tendencies. Once the project gets underway, Millennium’s Avi Lerner and Joe Gatta will produce as part of a partnership with Cinelou’s Mark Canton and Courtney Solomon. According to The Hollywood Reporter, who exclusively broke the news earlier today, a RED SONYA project has been in the works at Millenium for over a decade, and the studio is willing to pay Singer a handsome sum to finally get the property up and running. Obviously, this is a notable get for Singer, who could have very easily been lost among the ether, given the nature of his recent time in a not-so-flattering spotlight. In fact, in addition to the #MeToo-related allegations, it wasn't that long ago that Singer was fired as the director of BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY, a musically-charged biopic based on the life and times of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. As the story goes, Singer was let go after repeatedly not showing up to do his part for the film, in addition to other issues tied to family and health-related matters.
As for the unseemly allegation brought against Singer, the filmmaker was sued by Cesar Sanchez-Guzman, who accused the director of raping him when he was a 17-year-old boy in 2003. While Singer has not been found guilty of the unforgivable act, Sanchez-Guzman's claim was not the first time that Singer had faced a similar charge. As it happens, Singer will still receive a director's credit on BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY, even though EDDIE THE EAGLE helmer Dexter Fletcher had essentially wrapped the film.
In my opinion, this is a move that could potentially blow up in Millennium's face. Despite not being found guilty of any of the charges brought against him, Singer's name has been considerably stained by followers of the #MeToo movement and beyond. Straight up, I would not be surprised if, in the coming days, a petetion to have Singer replaced on the project begins making the rounds.
What are your thoughts on Bryan Singer taking the reigns for RED SONJA? Do you think he's the right director for the job, or has Millennium perhaps just fallen on their own sword with this announement? Sound off in the comments section below.
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