Red Sonja’s Director and Star on Reviving the Warrior for a New Generation

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As audience and critical appreciation for comic book movies continues to grow, more iconic characters are transitioning onto the silver screen. One of the most recent additions is Red Sonja, whose origins date back several decades. Originally a character conceived by Robert E. Howard in the 1930s, Marvel Comics later reimagined the character in the 1970s, serving as something of a counterpart to Conan the Barbarian. Although Red Sonja was previously brought to life on screen in 1985, filmmaker MJ Barrett has given a new twist to the character for the upcoming Red Sonja. Starring Matilda Lutz as the main character, Red Sonja will be available digitally starting August 29th.

In a new portrayal, Red Sonja finds herself captured and chained. To survive, she’s compelled to engage in combat within the blood-drenched arenas of a tyrant’s domain. Red Sonja, with the aid of a group of outcasts, embarks on a mission to regain her freedom and overthrow Dragan, alongside his cold-hearted spouse, Dark Annisia.

Catching up with Barrett and Lutz, we delved into their past work on Sonja, shared fresh insights, and discussed more interesting aspects.

In a more casual and friendly tone: Hey MJ! Before diving into this project, how well did you know the character Red Sonja? I’ve heard that Matilda wasn’t very acquainted, but I’m curious about your level of familiarity.

MJ Barrett shared that he has been an avid fan of Robert E. Howard and fantasy literature for many years. He directed a movie called “Solomon Kane,” which is based on one of Howard’s characters, and because of Conan, he read all of Howard’s works. Although the Red Sonja from the short story “Shadow of the Vulture” differs from the one in the subsequent stories, he was familiar with it as well. Growing up, MJ Barrett also followed Roy Thomas’ run on Sonja at Marvel Comics, where she was portrayed as a busty character often viewed through a male gaze and wearing a chainmail bikini.

In 1985, I watched the movie featuring Brigitte Nielsen and Arnold Schwarzenegger, but it didn’t resonate with me as much as I had hoped. It wasn’t quite the Sonja that I envisioned. Although I’ve developed a friendship with Arnold and know Brigitte personally, this film wasn’t what I aspired to emulate. Ever since then, making fantasy films was a dream of mine, and I longed to work on projects involving specific characters.

In my passion for the character, I’ve eagerly followed Sonja’s journey through development for approximately 17 years now, with various visionaries at the helm. I recall the excitement surrounding Robert Rodriguez and Rose McGowan’s potential collaboration, as well as Bryan Singer’s involvement. Fortunately, another director didn’t take charge in that instance.

Subsequently, Simon West and Joey Soloway were slated to direct, with numerous scripts and revisions along the way. Having had several meetings with the studio since my work on Solomon Kane, when the question arose, “Would you like to tackle Conan next?”, I enthusiastically responded, “No, I wish to bring Sonja to life.

At that time, I hadn’t publicly identified as transgender, so people didn’t comprehend my desire to portray a female character. However, now everyone is aware. The thought behind it was, I know how to bring this character to life. I feel I understand her and what I want her to represent. When other attempts failed, I was in the studio with the production company. I said, “Trust me. I am the most suitable person for this role. I understand her. I’ve experienced such transformations, and I believe I can create something unique. It may not align with everyone’s expectations, but it’s what I envision.

After finding your ideal Sonja, the reason I’m here with Matilda is because she fits the bill perfectly. You might exclaim, “Alright, this is it! We’ve found the ultimate combination.

It’s amusing to recall the making of this movie and associating it with Robert Rodriguez, but it gave me quite a start when I learned that Bryan Singer had been connected to it as well. Thinking back on that is truly chilling.

Barrett pointed out that he had a significantly larger budget compared to us, possibly around $150 million. In contrast, our budget was only about 10% of that amount.

Could we rephrase that as follows: Hey Matilda, in this story, your character is named Red Sonja. What made you connect deeply with this particular portrayal of the character? Also, can you tell us about the greatest hurdle you faced while playing this version of Red Sonja?

Matilda Lutz immediately connected with the script. Upon reading it, I instantly perceived the character as a clear-cut warrior. I sensed that the action, physicality, and skills like sword fighting, horseback riding, archery, and climbing would make it an exhilarating experience. However, what particularly drew me in was her resilience – she’s not just a warrior, but also a survivor. This means she must discover her own path in the world.

The story revolves around her journey of self-discovery, where she connects with like-minded individuals and builds a life that aligns with her values. Notably, she exhibits deep concern for the wildlife and environment surrounding her, which are elements I appreciate seeing more often in films. These two aspects particularly struck a chord with me.

As a novice to sword fighting, I found the most daunting aspect to be its physicality – a domain unfamiliar to me given that I had only ridden horses casually, not engaging in equestrian archery. The true challenge lay in the strenuous exertion required, unlike leisurely horse walks through fields. However, with my sports-filled upbringing among three brothers, embracing this physical aspect felt exciting and reminiscent of life’s battles I had experienced before.

Hi there! Can you explain why Matilda felt like your Sonja for you? Was it based on her past projects or was it something she demonstrated during the auditions that made you think “Ah, this is definitely my Sonja”?

Barrett: She’s really cheap. I mean, that’s the main reason.

All right. Next question.

Barrett: Indeed, once I grasped the concept, I had a clear vision for this character. A challenge arose when determining who would portray Sonja effectively. If Sonja is miscast, the entire film could unravel in countless ways. I was familiar with the film “Revenge” due to its popularity, and I remembered Matilda from conversations, but she wasn’t the main focus at that time. She was on the list of potential candidates.

This woman demonstrates a wide range of talents. She exudes power, empathy, humor, and humility – qualities that are highly sought after. Initially, one might ponder whether to portray her as a fierce warrior or someone physically adept. However, it’s essential to remember that these traits can be honed and developed over time.

The essential traits like compassion and humanity within a character can’t be taught, but are clearly demonstrated by Matilda in the series “Revenge”. While watching this show, everyone recognizes her extraordinary talent. Study the narrative and then meet her, and you’ll understand that she’s not just an actress; she’s a genuine human being.

In creating the film, I aimed to avoid making a movie centered on gender politics. To me, Sonja’s character is first and foremost a person, rather than a woman. This required finding an actor capable of embodying that humanity throughout, as I wanted the story to culminate in exploring what it means to be human amidst extraordinary circumstances.

Although the film features battles, monsters, and burning forests, its core message revolves around maintaining our humanity even during challenging times. Matilda’s portrayal of both her character and herself as a human being is so profound that even in scenes depicting violence, her actions remain relatable and authentic.

Hi Matilda, now that the role of Sonja has concluded (for now), could you reflect on your personal experiences while portraying this character? What aspects of Sonja did you find particularly meaningful or impactful, and how have they influenced you as an actor?

Lutz: Playing the character of Sonja struck me in several ways. Firstly, the physicality of the role imparts an energy you’re not always aware of. Secondly, Sonja doesn’t ask for permission to express herself or occupy space – she’s confident, assertive, and isn’t concerned about other people’s opinions on her ideas. Instead, she simply voices her thoughts as they come. I found this aspect of her character genuinely appealing, and it left a lasting impression on me. I don’t always exhibit such confidence in my own life; instead, I often ponder whether or not to share certain thoughts, but Sonja’s fearless attitude is something that resonated with me deeply.

When discussing Red Sonja, did you ever consider alternative representations of her iconic attire, given that some might find it impractical for a warrior? Was there any consideration to completely eliminate this aspect for film adaptation, or perhaps a more serious approach to her outfit instead of the humorous incorporation as seen before? Can you elaborate on the creative process of balancing the need to stay true to her original portrayal while also addressing the somewhat comical aspects of it?

Barrett: In my opinion, it’s a case where you realize that taking on this task is similar to asking “Should Superman have his cape?” The answer is obvious. But the question now becomes, how do we navigate it effectively?

In simpler terms, the chainmail bikini wasn’t my initial preference, but given the script I inherited, there was potential for a good portrayal. The character needed to be pushed into a situation where she had no choice but to accept it, eventually embracing it and declaring something like, “If this is what you’re making me do, I’m going to make it mine.

For Sonja, every choice she makes and every event that befalls her is something she takes responsibility for, and I found this aspect to be particularly significant. The actor, Tony Way, who portrays the character giving Sonja the chainmail bikor armor, provides a humorous moment – one that’s necessary given the absurdity of the situation. No one would willingly choose this kind of armor. Sonja herself questions its utility, and is told it’s for the crowd’s delight. This scene almost breaks the fourth wall, but I felt it was fitting for her to challenge this by stating, “If you want me to wear this, then watch what I can do in it. Imagine what I can achieve when I’m truly empowered.

When selecting the appropriate chainmail bikini for Matilda, practicality and functionality were key factors to consider due to the physical activities she would be performing while wearing it. It’s not a cosplay piece, as we are not attending Comic-Con; instead, we need something suitable for rolling in mud, manure, and riding horses. The bikini must be durable enough to withstand these conditions.

I am grateful for Matilda because she was always up for the challenge, regardless of cold or wet weather or close proximity to fire. Her attitude – “What do you got? Bring it on” – reflects both her character and that of Sonja, making them both extraordinary in my eyes. I admire this quality deeply.

Red Sonja hits Digital on August 29th.

This conversation has been shortened and made clearer. Feel free to reach out to Patrick Cavanaugh personally via his Twitter or Instagram accounts.

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2025-08-26 21:41