Jessica Alba to replace Rose McGowan in Barbarella?

By Swift July 7, 2008 10:45 AM

Rose McGowan and Jessica Alba

Rose McGowan's recent breakup with fiance Robert Rodriguez means more than just heartache for the former "Charmed" star. Her roles in Rodriguez's films "Barbarella," "Red Sonja" and "Woman in Chains!" are also in jeopardy.

By now, we're all familiar with the drama surrounding "Barbarella": Though Rodriguez wanted to put his fiance/"muse" in the title role, the studios weren't willing to gamble on its success. After "Grindhouse" flopped domestically, McGowan's name just didn't seem big enough to carry the $70 million remake.

Rodriguez was reportedly willing to shop it around to other studios to keep McGowan as the title character, but now that the two have split up that seems far less likely. The New York Post is reporting that Jessica Alba "has been touted as a possible replacement."

Alba may be hotter than McGowan (and again I suppose that's up for debate), but I personally feel that recasting her as the lead would be a huge mistake, artistically. Financially, however, it would be a wiser move ? and really, isn't that what it all comes down to?

Who would make a better Barbarella: Alba? McGowan? Someone else?