Universal Studios have withdrawn from backing Barbarella because of the leading lady. If the movie is named after the character, the lead better be good. Unfortunately for directer Robert Rodriguez, not everyone agrees with his assessment of fiance/home wrecker Rose McGowan, and he now is looking for another studio to come up with $82 million to finance the film.

Rodriquez downplays the gossip, stating that the studio is tightening up everywhere. “Universal had initially signed on for $60 million,” he told the Transom, “but then when we were done with the script it wound up at closer to $82 million, and they had just financed a Will Ferrell movie that was a $130 million and they even cut that down to $100.”

In fact, Rodriguez asserts that McGowan’s screen tests were enthusiastically received by the suits. “They said, ‘What are we looking at?'” Mr. Rodriguez said. “She looks fantastic in the role…She was perfect for this part. She just has that daring look, a sort of classic sexiness that is also kind of futuristic.”

Comics2Film.com

There is a pretty big difference between keeping to the original budget, and pulling out of a project completely. And it seems to have come pretty quickly after Rodriguez announced non-box office draw Rose McGowan as the lead. After he left his wife and the mother of his five children to marry her.

The initial enthusiasm for McGowan’s screen tests could have just been studio BS, isn’t it basically an executive’s job to humour you to your face, then as soon as you leave the room come up with ways to cut costs while getting a more popular actress?

Actually, the whole Barbarella concept seems a bit crap – Rodriguez claims that the original budget for the film isn’t enough, as you don’t want it to look like the original too much. Why make it then? Why not come up with an exciting new adventure in space? Or even just an whole new concept for a film, I’m so tired of remakes.

McGowan and Rodriguez are shown at the Grindhouse premiere after party back in March.