- Name: "Showgirl" (Last Showgirl)
- Date of premiere: September 6, 2024 at the International Film Festival in Toronto
- Release Date in Russia: March 20, 2025
- Duration: 89 minutes
- Manager: Jia Coppola
- Casting: Pamela Anderson, Kirnan Shipka, Brand Song, Billy Lurd, Dave Batista, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jason Schwartzman
Thirty years ago, Pamela Anderson was mentioned as a potential lead for Verhoeven’s Showgirls during a peak moment in her career, when photo shoots and Malibu fame helped define her as a major cultural icon. The project did not move forward with her in that era, and the film faced strong backlash as well as a Razzie nomination, a reflected narrative many still recall. In those discussions, it was sometimes linked with the notion that Elizabeth Berkley would inhabit the role, and the folklore around the production kept a halo of controversy over what could have been. The outcome helped shape Anderson’s public arc, a tale of attention, criticism, and a widely debated legacy in cinema history.
Decades later, the project found a new life under Jia Coppola, a member of the Coppola film family. The revived vision positioned the project as a modern homage that looks to redefine the story while honoring the provocative energy of the original. Coppola, whose family name carries a dense cinematic lineage, brings a fresh sensibility to the material, reestablishing it as a talking point in contemporary awards conversations and festival circuits. The rekindled interest surrounding the project has reignited discussions about risk, reinvention, and the evolving landscape of star power in cinema.
In recent years, Anderson has reemerged in high-profile projects that spotlight her enduring appeal and charisma. The film connects to this resurgence by weaving together recent chapters of her career with the showgirl persona that defined a generation. The collaboration with Coppola was catalyzed by a pivotal meeting involving Anderson and her collaborators, including her associates in the creative circle. The engagement helped bring together a robust ensemble, with consideration given to how the star could reinterpret her public image while remaining anchored in a vision that respects the provocative spirit of the original story. The project drew attention from major award conversations, including nominations and a renewed critical gaze, as the cast and crew navigated a balancing act between legacy and contemporary storytelling.
There are recognizable celebrities associated with the project who bring distinct flavors to the screen. Anderson appears in a meta-creative frame, offering a performer who mirrors aspects of herself, while Dave Batista embodies the role of a producer and power broker within the unfolding show. The supporting cast includes Kirnan Shipka, Brand Song, Billy Lurd, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Jason Schwartzman, each bringing a unique energy to the evolving narrative. The result is a film that leverages a self-awareness about fame and performance, inviting audiences to consider what cinema can reveal when stars play themselves in a narrative that blends spectacle with vulnerability.
Director Coppola leans into a Nevada-inflected atmosphere, using restrained yet striking visuals to sculpt a mood that feels both nostalgic and modern. The approach shifts away from the most obvious parallels of past works, instead highlighting an atmosphere of backstage tension, intimate moments, and a sense of reverent risk. The film’s tonal choices aim to reveal more than glitter and grand moments, contrasting glossy surfaces with quieter, introspective passages that expose the human side of show business. This strategy signals a departure from expected franchise dynamics, offering instead a thoughtful, character-driven experience anchored by a prominent lead and a fearless supporting cast.
Critics have drawn comparisons to the uneasy energy surrounding the original Showgirls while acknowledging the new directions introduced by Coppola. The project embraces existential questions about fame, ambition, and the cost of public attention, leaning into a tempered realism that sits alongside the film’s gleaming set pieces. The drama unfolds through a series of intimate scenes and bold set pieces that reflect the shifting tides of celebrity culture. Those involved emphasize that the film aims to be more than a tribute; it seeks to reframe the conversation around glamour, identity, and resilience within a modern entertainment framework.
In the end, Showgirl stands as a testament to reinvention within a storied cinematic lineage. It foregrounds a star at a pivotal moment while inviting audiences to contemplate the pressures and promises of life in the limelight. The result is a film that respects its roots yet boldly pushes into new terrain, offering a cinematic experience that resonates with contemporary viewers while honoring a controversial, influential past. The closing scenes linger with a reflective mood, leaving audiences to ponder what fame demands and what cinema can still reveal about the people who live in front of the spotlight.