She was snapped from her burgeoning modeling career and thrown into the male-dominated world of ’80s action movies when she cast the lead in 1985’s Red Sonja opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger with no previous acting experience.
Now, 37 years later, Brigitte Nielsen is reflecting on the iconic role as the film gets a 4K restoration re-release, telling how she could still wield a sword in a fight scene if needed, even after she’s a gave birth to fifth child at 54.
“I took good care of myself and it shows,” says the 59-year-old Danish star proudly, adding, “I could still do those fight scenes now.”
Sylvester Stallone’s ex-wife admits she would love to be involved in the long-delayed reboot of the film (which was once set to be played by Rose McGowan as the red-haired heroine and directed by then-boyfriend Robert Rodriguez. )
Wow: Brigitte Nielsen, 59, flaunts her incredible physique in a recent shoot as the star ponders starring in 1985’s Red Sonja, which has just been re-released
‘Maybe I can be Red Sonja’s mother!’ she says laughing. ‘Teach her how to come up with a sword, how to win a fight.’
Determined to persevere professionally and for her family, Brigitte adds: “I’ll stay fit, I think, as long as I’m part of this planet. You have to understand that as you get older you won’t be as fast. But I am a healthy, fit woman and I want to stay that way.”
Review: Now, 37 years later, Brigitte Nielsen is thinking about the iconic role
“Since my daughter was born a few years ago, I’ve taken a bit of a break from acting and producing. So I started my life with Red Sonja, now I have a little daughter and now I’m going to produce an all-female action movie, which is very exciting.”
In 2019, after a decade of failed IVF attempts, Brigitte gave birth to daughter Frida, four, who she shares with husband Mattia Dessi, 43.
Brigitte has four other children from previous relationships; Julian Winding, 38, Killian Marcus Nielsen, 32, Aaron Nielsen, 29, and Raoul Ayrton Meyer Jr., 27.
When it comes to her secret to staying in shape, the Celebrity Big Brother star admits being genetically blessed is one way.
“Well, I want to be good to women and not everyone is born with a 6-foot body,” she says.
“I don’t tend to gain weight after having five kids and I’m actually genetically lucky because of my birth. However, we women have to take good care of ourselves. If you want a healthy, strong, good looking body, you have to work at it.
“A lot of people think it’s all about training, it’s not. The focus is on nutrition. It’s what you put in your body – because not everyone has the time to go to the gym, and most people don’t want to go! Therefore, what you feed yourself is very important, and keep small portions and eat often but little. It’s like everything in life – keep things in balance.
Big debut: Nielsen was cast in 1985 with no previous acting experience to star in Red Sonja opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger
After Red Sonja, Brigitte starred alongside Sylvester Stallone in the action films Rocky IV and Cobra, and the couple were famously married from 1985 to 1987. She returned to the Rocky franchise in 2018’s Creed II, although she didn’t share any scenes with ex Sylvester.
Despite her big debut, Red Sonja was a box office bomb and was mistreated by critics at the time, even Arnold later turned his back on her – but Brigitte thinks it would have done better if it had been released today.
She explains: “I didn’t think too much about it [the critics reaction] I did all the PR I could, the film obviously premiered and didn’t have what the producers or Richard Fleischer (the director) expected because it was the wrong timing.
“It wasn’t the right time or year for a female action heroine debut. It was too much of a male action year – everything around it was Rocky, Rambo or The Terminator. That kind of movies. So it was initially a very difficult time for Red Sonja to compete in any market.
Working mom: In 2019, Brigitte gave birth to daughter Frida, four, after a decade of failed IVF attempts and she shares her fifth child with husband Mattia Dessi, 43 (pictured)
“But 37 years have passed, and today there is an audience, and today it would have been a number one blockbuster. It’s like that with any type of film – timing is so crucial.”
“Not only a great script and great acting, but also the timing and the year in which you make big films like this. And unfortunately the mid-80s wasn’t the right time for Red Sonja.’
Still, the actress says she has only fond memories of filming the film – which was a grueling six-month shoot on the outskirts of Rome after training with swords and stunt coordinators in London.
And Arnold Schwarzenegger turned out to be the perfect co-star.
Star support: The Danish star credits her co-star Arnold Schwarzenegger for helping her in her first big role
“Arnold is larger than life, not just physically, but humanly and humanly,” she recalls. “When I met him he had a lot of wisdom, he was an established actor, an action hero, a nice guy, very funny, very professional and a man of his word.
“He helped me because this was my first film. Gave me good tips on how to do things, was very easy to work with him through our fight scenes.
“He’s a great guy and a great actor – and I still feel that. We had loads of laughs. He doesn’t take himself too seriously, he was very easy to get along with.’
Career: After Red Sonja, Brigitte starred alongside Sylvester Stallone in the action films Rocky IV and Cobra and the couple were famously married from 1985 to 1987 (pictured above)
Adding that she’s “excited” to show her daughter the film when she’s older, Brigitte says, “Red Sonja has influenced a lot of people, I have people writing to me about it every day – and I think it is.” exciting that there’s this new version out there because it’s very much alive in a lot of people.’
“Well it’s totally worth it and I hope this will lead to a remake of Red Sonja – so young people today have a chance to meet her and become a fan.”
“Right now it would be a great time for a remake. Women want it, viewers want it, it’s all about female directing, female acting, female producing, great female roles.
“So I think a version of that now, compared to the mid 80’s which was a man’s world, has a great chance of becoming a huge blockbuster that Red Sonja deserves.”
The first-ever 4K UHD restoration of RED SONJA is now available.
Still lasting: The first-ever 4K UHD restoration of RED SONJA is now available