Rose McGowan’s breakup gives Jessica Alba “Barbarella” role?

Director Robert Rodriguez who has Spy Kids, From Dusk Till Dawn and Sin City among others on his resume is supposed to direct the remake of “Barbarella.” And his fiancée, Rose McGowan, was supposed to star but NY Post reports the two have broken up and Barbarella might have been one of the reasons. The studio wouldn’t greenlight the movie with Rose best known for her witchy role on TV’s “Charmed,” as its star, because she wasn’t thought to have enough box-office draw for the $70 million remake. Studio executives told Robert, “We need a bigger star, a bigger name.“

There is some karma in all this because Rose and Robert started a secret affair in 2006 on the set of “Grindhouse.” Robert was married for 16 years with, Elizabeth Avellan and had five kids at the time. Variety reported how filming had to be halted for a month when Avellan learned of the romance. “Grindhouse” ended up disappointing with about $25.4 million in domestic ticket sales.

Rose and Robert became engaged late last year. McGowan was hoping to star in at least three planned Rodriguez films – the remake of “Barbarella,” “Red Sonja” and “Woman in Chains!” But with the track record of Grindhouse, executives were not prepared to bank on McGowen again.

So now Jessica Alba is reportedly being strongly considered to fill the thigh-high boots of Jane Fonda in the new remake of “Barbarella.” Whoever ‘wins’ the part should be a strong candidate like the film itself for a Razzie Award.

Update: McGowan’s representative has denied the pair have ended their working relationship, telling People.com, “The production of all three films is moving forward with Rose to star.” And a source close to McGowan insists the 34-year-old beauty is still with the filmmaker: “She and Robert are fine.”

We’ll soon see!