Bond writers Purvis & Wade back on 'Barbarella', now a TV series

30-Jan-2013 • Bond News

Way back in early 2007, it was reported that James Bond scribes Neal Purvis & Robert Wade had completed their work on the 22nd 007 adventure ("Quantum of Solace") and were moving on to their next project: "Barbarella".

The original 1968 Roger Vadim-directed fantasy (based on the French comic books of the same name) was produced by De Laurentiis, who wrote the check to secure Purvis and Wade. "Barbarella is the ultimate science-fiction adventure heroine: smart, strong funny and sexy," De Laurentiis said. "I'm excited to reintroduce Barbarella to a new generation of moviegoers."

Robert Rodriguez signed on to direct and cast Rose McGowan in the title role. Universal Studios eventually backed out of the movie with some news sources speculating that it was due to studio executives doubting McGowan's ability to carry a big budget movie and that the studio had slashed the budget after learning of McGowan winning the role. Rodriguez denied this, stating, "Universal had initially signed on for $60 million, but then when we were done with the script it wound up at closer to $82 million."

Rodriguez said he abandoned the project in May 2009 after he turned down a $70 million budget that required shooting in Germany.

Fast forward over five years later, and Variety are reporting that the "Barbarella" project is back on and Purvis & Wade are scripting again. But this time it will be a television series.

Nicolas Refn will executive produce for Gaumont Intl. Television. Pay TV group Canal Plus is co-producing and will air the series in France. Refn has yet to unveil his cast.

Other series on Gaumont Intl. Television's slate include Bryan Fuller's "Hannibal," starring Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen, and Eli Roth's "Hemlock Grove," starring Famke Janssen and Bill Skarsgard.