Nov 11, 2008, 11:00 GMT
Robert Rodriguez was "arrested" by girlfriend Rose McGowan's fiery attitude.
Rose McGowan -Rodriquez told Fox News: "I first saw Rose at the Cannes Film Festival in France a while ago and she would brutally cut me down to size.© PRN / PR Photos
The 40-year-old director - who was married when he began his relationship with the 35-year-old actress - fell in love with Rose's domineering personality.
He told Fox News: "I first saw Rose at the Cannes Film Festival in France a while ago and she would brutally cut me down to size.
"She was really strong, very tough and had lots of attitude. People have not really seen her fiery attitude and personality, I found it arresting. She was quite a force."
Rose - who starred as exotic dancer and mutant killer Cherry Darling in Robert's 2007 sci-fi film 'Planet Terror' - is set to work with her lover again in upcoming comic-book adaptation 'Red Sonja'.
The star - who is rumoured to be covered in real blood for the film - is said to be enduring three-hour daily workouts and sword training to prepare for the role of the fantasy heroine.
She said: "From a really young age, I was into female empowerment and supporting the underdog.
"Right now, I'm into female vengeance."
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