For several months Robert Rodriguez has been hard at work trying to get a Barbarella remake starring Rose McGowan.  During all of that time, rumors of budget problems and rumors that the studio didn't want McGowan for the lead role continued on and on.

MTV spoke with McGowan and said that the casting rumors were never true and that shes been signed to play Barbarella this whole time.

“[The news that I was out] was really irritating because I know all the people over there and obviously it wasn’t true. It was very malicious and there was no proof,” McGowan said of the rumors. “Oftentimes these things have basis in truth but this didn’t. I have contracts to prove it.”

Not just the contracts, either, but sets and costumes, and a whole “lot of pre-production work,” McGowan revealed, hinting that the flick is actually quite a bit further along than previously speculated.

“Half of the sets have been built. The costumes are done,” the actress confessed, adding with a laugh that she’s “even got my spaceships. I’ve got part of a spaceship built for me!”

So McGowan could very well be telling the truth.  Barbarella sounds like its moving along for a summer shoot.  McGowan however says that all depends on what happens with SAG and if they decide to strike, which I really hope not.

I for one am not against McGowan as Barbarella.  Shes sure as hell a sexy creature, so I think she'll be able to pull it off.  Otherwise, I really don't know what else to say.  The rumors have been going on and on, that I really started to lose interest and began to think this would never get made.  Sounds like it is now, and I'm starting to get interested again.  Lets see how long this lasts for before its gets pushed back or shelved agian.

-Phil