Kate Beckinsale booted from Barbarella

Kate Beckinsale is set to be dropped from the forthcoming ‘Barbarella’ remake.

The British actress – who had been the frontrunner to play the lead in the erotic sci-fi film - is devastated at learning movie bosses are now lining up ‘Grindhouse’ beauty Rose McGowan to play the sexy superhero.

A source said: “It seemed Kate had got the part but nothing was signed and sealed. Now the word is she’s going to lose out to Rose.”

Beckinsale, 35, reportedly had her heart set on playing the title character – originally portrayed by Jane Fonda in the 1968 cult classic – and can’t believe the role is going to someone else.

The source added to Britain’s Daily Express newspaper: “The film is expected to be a really big commercial hit so it will be a blow for Kate.”

Producer Dino De Laurentiis and ‘Casino Royale’ screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade are currently working on the script.

Meanwhile, 35-year-old McGowan is currently working on upcoming film ‘Inferno’ – in which she will play porn star Linda Lovelace - while Beckinsale has four movies due for release this year, including comic book adaptation ‘Whiteout’.