BARBARELLA – Trailer (2025) Sydney Sweeney | Paramount Pictures

Sydney Sweeney is heading to outer space in a new "Barbarella" movie. The actor confirmed the news on Instagram on Oct. 11, writing, "time to save the universe" alongside a screenshot of Deadline's announcement of the project. According to the outlet, the "White Lotus" actor is set to star as the title hero and executive produce. The film is in development, with no writer or producer attached.

Jane Fonda famously played Barbarella in a 1968 film directed by Roger Vadim. The character first appeared in a French comic series by Jean-Claude Forest. The film ultimately became a cult classic and is considered one of Fonda's most impactful roles. Fonda reflected on her character's legacy in an April interview with Vanity Fair, saying, "All these young men later kept telling me it was the first erection they had, watching 'Barbarella.' And I thought, I'll take that. That's a good thing to be responsible for.