Original Red Sonja Brigitte Nielsen Has Some Opinions on Bryan Singer

Woe to the film studio *cough* Millennium Films *cough* who decided having Bryan Singer direct a new version of Red Sonja was a good idea. Seriously, why in the WORLD would you pick Singer, who was fired from the now multi Oscar-winning Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, and is responsible for some of the weakest superhero adaptation films to helm a flick about a sword-wielding badass woman?

Original Red Sonja actress Brigitte Nielsen recently chatted with The Hollywood Reporter about HER opinions on the matter:

THR: How do you feel about the fact that Millennium still hasn‘t taken Bryan Singer off of the upcoming Red Sonja movie?

Nielsen: You know what? I don’t know if he’s taken off or if he’s not. You tell me he has not?

THR: The movie is off of their production slate, but that doesn‘t mean he‘s not attached to it anymore.

Nielsen: I don’t know what’s going on with Red Sonja because we’ve heard about a remake for years now. I personally think that Singer is a great director. I also think every allegation should be investigated; there should be justice. I think people too often are jumping to conclusions before they know where they stand. But of course, if someone is found guilty on the right evidence, yes, you should be taken away whether you are a director, a banker, whatever you are. And you need to be punished for something if you’ve done something terribly wrong.

As for Singer’s situation: we will see what’s going to happen. I hope Red Sonja is going to eventually move on. But why don’t they go with a great female director? Like Susanne Bier, a great Danish director? That would be fantastic! And she would put me in Red Sonja because I need to be in there! Or you could do Patty Jenkins! She’s an incredible director! This is a huge female character and I can see a fantastic female director. Let me have my first project as a director! I’ll do it! (Laughs) I’m kidding. But a female director wouldn’t be a bad idea if Singer is eventually off the project for whatever is going to happen. I’m not one to say.

I mean, of course, we all know it would be a remake more than a sequel, but it’s not an easy task. It really is not an easy task to bring Red Sonja back … but she needs to be around. She’s amazing and she’s beautiful and clever and she’s all of the things that true gorgeous women are!

Who should direct, then? Nielsen had some suggestions:

“I hope Red Sonja is going to eventually move on. But why don’t they go with a great female director? Like Susanne Bier, a great Danish director? That would be fantastic. And she would put me in Red Sonja because I need to be in there!

Or you could do Patty Jenkins! She’s an incredible director! This is a huge female character and I can see a fantastic female director.”

It should have come as no surprise to Millennium Films that there would be notable blacklash to the decision to steadfastly stand by Singer following a brand new expose covering the years of alleged abuse and harassment at the hands of the filmmaker. Back in January, Head of Millennium Films Avi Lerner released a statement defending the company’s choice to keep Singer attached to the film, despite the overwhelming public outcry following the Atlantic’s report.

“I continue to be in development for Red Sonja and Bryan Singer continues to be attached. The over $800 million Bohemian Rhapsody has grossed, making it the highest grossing drama in film history, is testament to his remarkable vision and acumen. I know the difference between agenda driven fake news and reality, and I am very comfortable with this decision. In America people are innocent until proven otherwise.”

Cut to February, when Deadline reported that Millennium had suddenly changed their minds, pulling Singer’s Red Sonja from their upcoming slate. Not removing Singer, not cancelling the film outright, but pulling it from their slate:

“the project is not on the slate at the moment and is not for sale at the EFM in Berlin.”

Obviously we’ll keep you updated as the Red Sonja saga continues. Who would YOU like to see direct the feature? Who do you think could wield the sword in a new version?