Many fans were initially relieved when it was announced that M.J. Bassett would replace Singer behind the camera to direct the movie, and a more She-Devil with a Sword resembling Matilda Lutz was cast to play the renowned warrior in a film. But for fans hoping the new picture will do the character justice, the latest comments by the film’s star may dampen enthusiasm a bit. In a recent interview with SFFGazette.com  at SXSW, Lutz bragged about how the new film will differ from the comics.  

“What I can tell about Red Sonja, is that the first ones and the comics were [made] with a very male-gazed orientation,” she said. “This is a completely different story, and it’s very women-empowered, which I loved about the script.”

Long time fans may not be as enthusiastic, given how Red Sonja has been depicted in the comics as a very strong and exceptionally sexy warrior, but these comments also align with director Bassett’s statements last year, when she said that the revamp will portray Sonja as a “human being in the world of femininity,” rather than a victim of sexual assault or “sexual politics,” confirming that the character’s origin story will be altered.