Millennium Media announced today that they have started principal photography on the comic book adaptation Red Sonja, starring Matilda Lutz (Revenge, Rings, Medici) as Red Sonja, Wallis Day (Sex/Life, Batwoman) as Annisia, and Robert Sheehan (The Umbrella Academy, Misfits) as Draygan.
The previously announced Hannah John Kamen has stepped aside as the lead of Red Sonja due to scheduling conflicts, and Joey Soloway will remain in their role as an executive producer.
Also starring are Michael Bisping (xXx: Return of Xander Cage) as Hawk, Martyn Ford as General Karlak (F9: The Fast Saga, Final Score), Eliza Matengu (Thor: Love and Thunder) as Amarak, Manal El Feitury (Code Red) as Ayala, and Katrina Durden (Doctor Strange, Shadow and Bone) as Saevus.
M.J. Bassett (Solomon Kane) is directing from a script written by Joey Soloway (Transparent) and Tasha Huo (Netflix’s Tomb Raider). Production has started at Bulgarian Nu Boyana Studio, with additional shooting to take place at the Greek Nu Boyana Studio.
Red Sonja is an adaptation of the sword and sorcery comic books of the same name by Dynamite Entertainment, based on the heroine created by Robert E. Howard and adapted by Roy Thomas.
“I’ve wanted to make a Red Sonja movie since I was a teenager – she has been a powerful presence for me and a character that I have always wanted to bring to the screen with my own voice and vision. When I met Matilda Lutz, I knew she had all the magic I was looking for and could see the complexity and depth she would bring to Sonja,” said M.J. Bassett.
“This has been a long journey from script to screen, and we are excited to go into production after assembling the best creative team, an amazing band of up-and-coming talent, and a fun and fantastical world fueled by the Red Sonja IP,” said Millennium Media’s President, Jeffrey Greenstein.
“M.J. is an amazing filmmaker with fantastic vision, and Matilda was absolutely brilliant in Revenge. We knew she was right for this role the moment we saw her – making them the perfect duo for Red Sonja.”
“I’ve been working with the Millennium production team on adapting this extraordinary graphic novel since Luke Lieberman brought it to us seven years ago. M.J. is a fantastic filmmaker who truly understands the power of this story that will ignite audiences everywhere,” stated producer Mark Canton.
“In the realm of fantasy and graphic novels, there is no greater, more empowered female character who has stood the test of time. Courtney Solomon and I are privileged to be a part of this fabulous producing team.”
Matilda Lutz’s recent projects include Paramount Pictures’ Zone 414, Neon’s Revenge, Paramount Pictures’ Rings, and Netflix’s Medici. Her upcoming projects include Netflix’s Reptile, Helen’s Dead, and Magpie.
Wallis Day is best known for her roles in Paramount’s Infinite, E!’s The Royals, Syfy’s Krypton, and The CW’s Batwoman. Her upcoming projects include Paramount’s Sheroes and Netflix’s Sex/Life. Robert Sheehan is best known for his role as Klaus in Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy. Sheehan is also known for his roles in Sony’s The Mortal Instruments franchise, Misfits, and Amazon’s Fortitude.
The film’s producers include Mark Canton (300, Power), Courtney Solomon (Cake, After), Luke Lieberman on behalf of Red Sonja LLC, Millennium Media’s Les Weldon, Jeffrey Greenstein, Jonathan Yunger, and Yariv Lerner, and Joe Gatta (Out of the Furnace, Conan the Barbarian).
Avi Lerner, Trevor Short, and Boaz Davidson from Millennium Media are executive producers alongside Dorothy Canton, Millennium Media’s Tanner Mobley, Nick Barrucci on behalf of Dynamite Entertainment, Lati Grobman, and Christa Campbell on behalf of Campbell Grobman Films, Eclectic Picture’s Heidi Jo Markel, and Joey Soloway on behalf of Topple.
Mirko Parlevliet has been reporting on the entertainment industry since 1998 and founded Vital Thrills to cover the latest streaming, movie, TV, and game news.