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Variety.com said McGowan will play the title warrior in the new movie, which is to begin shooting in October.

Rodriguez is producing the film, which is based on the character created by Robert E. Howard and adapted for Marvel Comics by Roy Thomas. The 1985 big-screen version of "Red Sonja" starred Brigitte Nielsen and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

McGowan -- who co-starred in the supernatural TV series "Charmed" for several seasons -- and Rodriguez -- the director of "Sin City" and the "Spy Kids" trilogy -- previously collaborated on the 2007 film "Planet Terror."

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