Red Sonja is a 2025 film, which is an adaptation of the comic book of the same name. It is being directed by M.J. Bassett and written by Tasha Huo. It is based on the character of the same name, co-created by Roy Thomas and Barry Windsor-Smith.
The film stars Matilda Lutz, Martyn Ford, Robert Sheehan, Wallis Day, Michael Bisping, Philip Winchester, Trevor Eve, Luca Pasqualino, and Rhona Mitra.
Synopsis[]
Captured. Chained. Forced to fight for survival. Red Sonja must battle her way through the blood-soaked pits of a tyrant’s empire and rally an army of outcasts to reclaim her freedom and take down Dragan and his ruthless bride, Dark Annisia.
Plot Summary[]
Enslaved by an evil tyrant who wishes to destroy her people, barbarian huntress Red Sonja must unite a group of unlikely warriors to face off against Dragan The Magnificent and his deadly bride, Dark Annisia.
Cast[]
- Matilda Lutz as Red Sonja
- Wallis Day as Annisia
- Robert Sheehan as Draygan
- Michael Bisping as Hawk
- Martyn Ford as General Karlak
- Eliza Matengu as Amarak
- Manal El Feitury as Ayala
- Katrina Durden as Saevus
- Oliver Trevena as Tr’aal
- Veronica Ferres as Sonja's mom and Goddess Ashera
- Rhona Mitra as Petra
Production[]
The long-gestating Red Sonja film, based on the iconic sword-and-sorcery heroine from Dynamite Entertainment and originally Marvel Comics, has seen numerous creative shifts over the years. Millennium Films committed early to financing and producing the project, with longtime collaborators Avi Lerner and Joe Gatta onboard as producers, alongside Mark Canton and Courtney Solomon. Screenwriting duties were initially assigned to Ashley Miller (X-Men: First Class, Thor), signaling ambitions for a high-profile reboot of the franchise.
In October 2018, Bryan Singer was controversially announced as director, a move that drew widespread criticism due to past sexual assault allegations against him. By early 2019, Millennium Films distanced itself from Singer, removing Red Sonja from its public slate and confirming his departure from the project.
The studio pivoted in June 2019, hiring Transparent creator Jill Soloway to write and direct a new version of the film. This marked a tonal and creative shift, aiming to reimagine Sonja through a modern feminist lens. In May 2021, Ant-Man and the Wasp star Hannah John-Kamen was cast in the title role, but by March 2022 both she and Soloway had exited due to creative differences and scheduling conflicts.
With fresh momentum, Millennium brought in M.J. Bassett (Solomon Kane, Rogue) as director. By mid-2022, Italian actress Matilda Lutz (Revenge, Medici) was officially cast as Red Sonja, and production began shortly after.
Filming took place throughout 2022 and into early 2023, with locations spanning Bulgaria and Greece, utilizing Nu Boyana Film Studios’ expansive sets. The film is said to adopt a gritty, high-fantasy tone, leaning into both pulpy action and stylized visual storytelling—closer to Conan the Barbarian than prior attempts.
On July 9, 2025, the official trailer and poster were unveiled. The trailer showcased Red Sonja battling enemies both human and mythic.
Red Sonja is now officially rated R for strong, bloody violence and is scheduled to be in theaters August 15, 2025, with a digital release following on August 29. Distribution in the U.S. falls under Samuel Goldwyn Films, which has launched a dedicated site at
See the official page from the distributor here.
Gallery[]
Photos[]
.webp.png "Red Sonja (MJ Bassett film).webp.png (136 KB)")
Videos[]
References[]
Samuel Goldwyn Gilms - Distributer Site