Most of us here in the States spent the last few days exploring the risky possibilities of alcohol, illegal fireworks, and potato salad that’s been left out in the sun too long. But for some people, the first week in July wasn’t all fun and games. Rose McGowan, for example, had an absolutely sucky week. First her engagement to Robert Rodriguez, the guy who left his wife for McGowan during the making of Planet Terror, hit the skids when Rodriguez’Barbarella fantasy finally faced reality. Rodriguez wanted to remake Roger Vadim’s jeu de fromage with McGowan in the title role, but the anemic performance of Grindhouse/Planet Terror at the box office didn’t exactly bring the investors flocking to Rodriguez’ door. Now the engagement is off, and Barbarella is back on track with Jessica Alba—who worked with Rodriguez on Sin City–as the new Barbarella.

Great. Jessica Alba has never successfully carried a project, and her last three movies–Awake, The Eye, and The Love Guru–have all been serious box office disappointments. Rose McGowan has to take this as a personal slap in the face, and the odds we’ll ever see Red Sonja or Women in Chains!–directed by Robert Rodriguez! Starring Rose McGowan!!—seem pretty remote. Meanwhile, somewhere Elizabeth Avellan, the former Mrs. Rodriguez, is laughing her ass off.