Sydney Sweeney Barbarella remake update has gained significant attention, as an important development involving director Edgar Wright hints at the project’s creative direction. After a period of limited news, updates from both Sweeney and Wright are shedding light on the progress of this highly anticipated sci-fi reboot, which could play a major role in shaping Sweeney’s film career.
Edgar Wright Reveals Artistic Vision for the Barbarella Reboot
Fresh off a series of underwhelming box office performances, Sydney Sweeney is looking to bounce back with several major projects, with none arguably bigger than her lead role in the remake of Barbarella. Sweeney, recognized for her artistic defenses of previous films like Christy, will not only star in the remake—taking on the role made famous by Jane Fonda—but will also serve as its executive producer. Edgar Wright, acclaimed for The Running Man and known for stepping away from Ant-Man, is attached to direct and has recently provided insight into the project’s progress.
Appearing on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Wright was asked by host Josh Horowitz about returning to the world of comic book adaptations after his departure from Ant-Man. Wright shared,
“After my experience [with Ant-Man], I wasn’t generally interested in superhero movies,”
and continued,
“but that doesn’t mean I’m not interested in a comic book movie. I’d love to do another comic book movie.”
This clarification positions Barbarella not just as a remake, but as a project deeply rooted in its original comic book heritage, signaling a different vision than simply updating the 1968 cult classic.
Wright also provided further commentary on what fans might expect:
“I think if that did happen, it would be more [of an adaptation of the source material]. I love the original, and I probably watched that at exactly the right age: too young. The script is by Terry Southern, though you can feel the Terry Southern-ess of it start to… there’s a lot of that in there, and when it’s really sharp, it’s great. It’s beautiful to look at, and it’s fun and subversive. The books themselves are just beautiful and really imaginative and progressive.”
— Edgar Wright, Director.
Project Status and Sydney Sweeney’s Perspective
Sweeney has been involved with the Barbarella remake since 2022, but official updates have been limited. Earlier this year, she offered an update about ongoing story development.
“I was just in London and had a meeting to discuss the story and the script,”
she explained. Sweeney added,
“I can’t say too much, but it’s really going to come together in a very, very fun and big way. It’s a long process. I don’t think people realize how long some things can take, but it’s gonna be worth the wait…”
— Sydney Sweeney, Executive Producer & Lead Actress.
Despite enthusiasm from both Sweeney and Wright, progress appears incremental, and specifics remain scarce. Wright has made it clear that, if the project does move forward, it will be more faithful to the original comics by Jean-Claude Forest, rather than a straight remake of the 1968 film. This careful approach, though time-consuming, is aimed at achieving a modern adaptation with both creative integrity and cultural relevance.
Sydney Sweeney’s Expanding Filmography
Alongside the Sydney Sweeney Barbarella remake update, Sweeney has lined up a variety of high-profile roles, creating a busy and ambitious schedule for the coming years. She is confirmed to star in the live-action adaptation of the iconic anime property Gundam, with production set to begin early next year and Noah Centineo joining the cast. Sweeney will also appear opposite Colman Domingo in the romantic drama Scandalous, starting principal photography in the same period.
By the end of 2025, Sweeney is slated to co-star with Amanda Seyfried in The Housemaid, a psychological thriller targeting a December 19 release. These projects show Sweeney’s commitment to diverse roles and her determination to break out of the streak of box office disappointments, while also taking on greater creative responsibility behind the scenes, such as her executive producer role on Barbarella.
Renewed Interest in the Barbarella Franchise
The original Barbarella film, starring Jane Fonda and supported by the likes of John Phillip Law, is remembered for its bold visual style, campy science fiction, and countercultural subversion. The new adaptation, backed by Sweeney and Wright’s vision, promises not just nostalgia but a reinvention that seeks to honor Jean-Claude Forest’s imaginative and progressive comics. Terry Southern’s influence on the cult classic is set to be balanced with new creative direction, as communicated by Wright’s remarks.
Fans of the genre are eagerly awaiting further updates, though with development clearly at an early stage, patience will be needed. The coming months may reveal more about casting, story details, or production timelines as the project continues to develop in the hands of Sweeney, Wright, and their team.
With Sydney Sweeney Barbarella remake update offering insight into the project’s ambitions and challenges, all eyes remain on the collaboration between Sweeney and Edgar Wright. The remake’s success could mark a major turnaround for Sweeney and a fresh chapter for a sci-fi franchise with a lasting legacy.
