Sony Pictures has won a bidding war for the rights to a live-action update of Flash Gordon, the 1930s comic strip that has spawned a feature film, radio and movie serials, comic books and TV shows.
Breck Eisner (Sahara) will direct. No screenwriters are attached.
This announcement comes just two weeks after Nu Image/Millennium Films picked up the rights to another classic space-adventure property, Buck Rogers.
Created by Don Moore and Alex Raymond, Flash Gordon debuted in January 1934 as Heart’s attempt attract readers of Buck Rogers. In the original strip, Flash Gordon was world-famous polo player who, with his newfound companion Dale Arden, is kidnapped by the mad scientist Hans Zarkov to rocket to the runaway planet Mongo and save Earth from destruction. There, they battle the evil Ming the Merciless, and meet inhabitants like Prince Thun of the Lion Men, Prince Barin of Arboria and Prince Vultan of the Hawkmen.
Flash Gordon last hit the big screen in 1980.
May 21st, 2008 at 8:47 am
I loved the 1980 movie when it came out, but this doesn’t seem like it’s been a successful franchise since then. There’s been at least one cartoon that didn’t do well. The Sci-Fi series is terrible. I think people just keep giving it another chance because of the name recognition.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:18 am
I’d love it if they actually set it in the 1930’s with Flash as a polo player and everything, so that Mongo and all the ships and guns can reflect that early twentieth century sensibility. Just make Alex Raymond’s strip come to life. It’ll never happen, though, just like a proper adaptation of War of the Worlds will never happen.
I do feel encouraged by the director, though. Despite the fact that it flopped, I actually liked “Sahara” quite a bit. If Eisner can bring to “Flash Gordon” that same free-wheeling spirit of fun and adventure, I’ll be happy.
Whatever they do, just for God’s sake please don’t make it “relevant” or a “political allegory” or some ridiculous crap like that. Flash Gordon is pure old-fashioned escapist adventure and nothing else.
Sword fights, space battles, daring rescues, last minute escapes, romance, dastardly villians and a square-jawed clean-cut hero who rallies several oppressed bickering species against one tyrannical ruler.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:25 am
“I’d love it if they actually set it in the 1930’s with Flash as a polo player and everything, so that Mongo and all the ships and guns can reflect that early twentieth century sensibility.”
I was thinking the same thing.
May 21st, 2008 at 10:20 am
I take it we’re ignoring the Sci-Fi Channel series? Good plan.
I’ll vote for retro as well.
May 21st, 2008 at 11:12 am
I think we’ll all ignore the Sci-Fi Channel series, which only lasted one season. (I saw one promo of it, and I HEADED FOR THE HILLS!!)
It amazes that the producers couldn’t use the under-rated but brilliant “Farscape” as a guide on how to do a great, space-based scifi TV series.
“Flash Gordon” should have been done as a film, in the first place.
May 21st, 2008 at 11:45 am
I have REALLY high hopes for this movie. Above all I hope it’s FUN-which is what a Flash Gordon movie SHOULD be!
May 21st, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Flash is a classic in design and elegance. Not very well written or paced over all- especially when you read it in strings- in chunks the words are used to barely string together the beautiful art. Flash, if done correctly, could be a true staple in cinema. Here’s to hoping they find a script writer who “knows” Space Opera and that -like was mentioned above- they have enough sense to do a faithful adaption in timeline and feel- THAT is Flash Gordon. Even the 80’s camped out version shined when the original ship designs and true feel of the strip was used. Back that up with a slightly complex, well plotted storyline running from one cliffhanger and locale to the next and you could do a whole string of incredible movies. After all Star Wars would not have existed if it wasn’t for the Buster Crabbe serials.
May 21st, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Sluggo wrote:
“I’d love it if they actually set it in the 1930’s with Flash as a polo player and everything, so that Mongo and all the ships and guns can reflect that early twentieth century sensibility. Just make Alex Raymond’s strip come to life…”
“Sword fights, space battles, daring rescues, last minute escapes, romance, dastardly villians and a square-jawed clean-cut hero who rallies several oppressed bickering species against one tyrannical ruler.”
***
You speak with wisdom, Sluggo! That would be perfect. Sort of in the same vein as Sky Captain… but with a good story.
Make a movie that gives the audience the same thrill as the original newspaper strips, and you can’t go wrong.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:43 pm
The 80’s version was terrrible. Even worse than the SciFi series. I don’t think the public will be interested in this frenchise if they don’t update it at least somewhat.