It took Hollywood a shockingly long time to realize that female-centered blockbusters could be both a worthwhile commercial and critical investment. Even as comic book adaptations took over, the heroines were left lacking for lead roles and decent opportunities from an industry that has never advocated for gender parity. It's not as though comic books were ever bereft of great characters to adapt, even in the pre-franchise days when everyone was chasing that sweet Star Wars cash. Forty years ago, one of the medium's greatest and most misunderstood women got her big screen debut, and it reminded us of just how easily Hollywood could stumble with female representation.
Created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith for Marvel Comics in 1973, Red Sonja was a warrior woman gifted with incredible fighting abilities by the goddess Scáthach. She made her debut in Conan the Barbarian and was an instant hit. Following the two-time success of the big-screen version of Conan, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sonja was given her own movie, directed by Richard Fleischer of Doctor Dolittle fame and starring Danish model Brigitte Nielsen. The Conan movies had done well so why wouldn't a Red Sonja swords and sandals fantasy action epic, especially with Arnold as Nielsen's co-star?
