"McGowan was hoping to star in at least three planned
Rodriguez films - a remake of "Barbarella," "Red Sonja" and
"Woman in Chains!" But sources say the couple, who we reported last
October were engaged, have split, partly over the problems Rodriguez had
finding financing for "Barbarella" - the 1968 cult classic in which
Jane Fonda played a sexy space adven- turess - with McGowan in the title role.
McGowan, best known for her witchy role on TV's "Charmed," wasn't
thought to have enough box-office draw for the $70 million remake, especially
after "Grindhouse" disappointed with about $25.4 million in domestic
ticket sales. "Too bad 'Grindhouse' didn't gross $100 million. Then,
maybe, 'Barbarella' would have gotten the green light," said one source.
"Instead, the moguls were saying, 'We need a bigger star, a bigger name.'
" Jessica Alba has been touted as a possible replacement."