Movies Jane Fonda is worried about a new Barbarella starring Sydney Sweeney "I worry about what it's going to be," the Oscar winner says of a remake of her 1968 film. By Maureen Lee Lenker Maureen Lee Lenker Maureen Lee Lenker is a senior writer at Entertainment Weekly with over seven years of experience in the entertainment industry. An award-winning journalist, she's written for Turner Classic Movies, Ms. Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, and more. She's worked at EW for six years covering film, TV, theater, music, and books. The author of EW's quarterly romance review column, "Hot Stuff," Maureen holds Master's degrees from both the University of Southern California and the University of Oxford. Her debut novel, It Happened One Fight, is now available. Follow her for all things related to classic Hollywood, musicals, the romance genre, and Bruce Springsteen. EW's editorial guidelines Published on January 27, 2023 08:04PM EST Sydney Sweeney is trading Euphoria for fatal sexual pleasure — and Jane Fonda has some thoughts. In October, EW confirmed that Sweeney is partnering with Sony Pictures for a new Barbarella film. Fonda originally starred as the titular space babe in a 1968 film from then-husband director Roger Vadim based on the French comic-book series of the same name. No further details on the project, including a writer or director, have been announced, but that hasn't stopped Fonda from having concerns. While chatting with The Hollywood Reporter for a cover story, Fonda admitted she's trying to put the project out of her mind. "I try not to [think about it]," she said. "Because I worry about what it's going to be." Jane Fonda in 'Barbarella' and Sydney Sweeney. Bettmann/Getty; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic Fonda also revealed that she had an idea of how to remake the title with a feminist twist that never came to fruition. "I had an idea of how to do it that [original producer] Dino De Laurentiis, when he was still alive, wouldn't listen to," she added. "But it could have been a truly feminist movie." The original 1968 film stars Fonda as the titular character, an astronaut from the 41st century who sets out to locate and stop evil scientist Durand Durand (Milo O'Shea), who has created a Positronic Ray with the intent of causing mass destruction. It was not a hit upon release but has become a cult classic, particularly because of Fonda's distinctive look in her retro-futuristic costumes and the film's eroticism, including a plot point involving an Excessive Pleasure machine. Barbarella propelled Fonda to sex symbol status in the 1960s. There have been several attempts to make a sequel or a new Barbarella, to no avail, including a Bob Evans' proposed sequel Barbarella Goes Down with Fonda reprising her role and a 2000s version directed by Robert Rodriguez and starring Rose McGowan. Sweeney is also attached to produce the remake. Related content: Sydney Sweeney to star in and executive produce new Barbarella film at Sony Jane Fonda remembers Sally Field — but not Rita Moreno — taking her aerobics class Jane Fonda was 'awestruck' meeting her 80 for Brady costar Tom Brady: 'My knees actually got weak'