The last time Flash Gordon was given a major motion picture release was in 1980, under the helm of director Mike Hodges. Hodges’ adaptation of the film gained critical acclaim from critics and fans alike, evolving into a mass cult following over the years for the 80s space opera.
Fast forward to 2019, the year in which production company 20th Century Fox was looking to reboot the iconic character of Flash Gordon by producing an animated feature length film. Taika Waititi would be placed in the director’s chair, following the success of Thor Ragnarok and the Academy Award winning, Jojo Rabbit.
An animated Flash Gordon feature film would have been Waititi’s first foray into the world of directing animation, nevertheless the idea of an animated film was flipped on its head as recently as last week when producer, John Davis, decided a live action film adaptation would be far more appropriate.
Waititi is pulling double duty on this project, both directing and writing the script. While a release date is still not set and production is yet to even begin, we can speculate that both these dates are almost certainly years away.
Waititi is one of Hollywood’s busiest directors. With the impending release of Thor: Love and Thunder, Next Goal Wins, Reservation Dogs and Our Flag Means Death, it is safe to assume that Flash Gordon will begin production…eventually.
One question is still uncertain, who will play the titular character? So far there are no real contenders who have thrown their hat in the ring, however, the Flash Gordon fandom have made it clear that they want Chris Hemsworth to play the blonde haired hero.
Chris Hemsworth however also has a jam-packed schedule. He is currently working on a sequel to Netflix’s Extraction, as well as gearing up to play Hulk Hogan in the wrestling superstars biopic.
The Flash Gordon fandom may just have to wait and see who Taika Waititi choses to play the iconic role in the near future.
Are you excited for the news of a live action Flash Gordon remake? Let us know in the comments below.
Written by Mansour Shukoor
