McGowan would step into the lead role of Red Sonja, the red-headed warrior created by Robert E. Howard.
The film is slated to hit the big screen in 2010 and will be an origin story. Director Douglas Aarniokoski, a Rodriguez associate, will head the movie.
This will be the second big screen adaptation for Red Sonja, in 1985 Brigitte Nielsen was in the lead along side Arnold Schwarzenegger.