Director and producer George Nolfi offers a surprising update for Taika Waititi’s Flash Gordon reboot after three years of silence. First created by Alex Raymond in 1934 for comics, Mike Hodges brought the character to the big screen in 1980 with Flash Gordon, starring Sam Jones, Melody Anderson, Brian Blessed, Timothy Dalton, and Max Von Sydow. Waititi was brought on board to write and direct an animated reboot for 20th Century and Disney, though it was later reconceived as a live-action project in 2021.
As Nolfi discussed his new action-thriller Elevation with Collider, the director opened up about his involvement with Waititi’s Flash Gordon reboot. Nolfi was originally on board as a producer, but he indicated he’s drifted away from it in recent years. He said:
I’m not too involved with that one. There are a couple of things coming up that I can’t talk about that I’m humbled to be involved with that I think would be in your realm of interest, but I’m not too involved with Flash Gordon at this point.
Waititi Is Currently Attached To Numerous Projects
Though Nolfi didn’t say he is entirely removed from Flash Gordon, it sounds like the production may have changed behind-the-scenes, and could be in a very differet position now. Alongside his involvement in Flash Gordon, Waititi recently brought 1981’s Time Bandits to television by co-creating the reboot alongside Jemaine Clement and Iain Morris. Though the Apple TV+ series was cancelled after season 1, Waititi has nevertheless been preoccupied with other projects, including the dystopian sci-fi adaptation Klara & the Sun.
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Beyond that, he has been attached to direct a live-action adaptation of the classic cyberpunk anime Akira, and he was recruited by Netflix to adapt Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as an animated series. This is on top of his long-gestating Star Wars movie. As such, Waititi has a large range of projects already under his belt, and if Flash Gordon isn’t a priority, it may need another director.
Our Take On The Flash Gordon Reboot’s Latest Update
The Movie May Require A Major Shift To Make Progress
Flash Gordon received generally positive reviews and was a financial success upon its North American release, and it has since firmly solidified itself as a cult classic, with the character considered an icon of the genre. With a rise in nostalgia for the 1980s and its pop culture, it would seem like an ideal property to reimagine, especially as studios have honed in on using comic books, both mainstream and niche, as source material.
However, Nolfi’s update does show that other productions have taken precedence for those involved, leaving Flash Gordon to be overshadowed. Additionally, with Nolfi and Waititi both having a packed schedule for the foreseeable future, it is uncertain whether the movie in its current form will ever see the light of day. It could be that, in order to finally get made, another creative will have to be recruited to bring Flash Gordon back to Earth.
Source: Collider
Flash Gordon (1980) is a science fiction film directed by Mike Hodges, featuring Sam J. Jones as the titular hero. Flash, a football player, battles the evil Ming the Merciless (Max von Sydow) who threatens Earth. Accompanied by Dale Arden (Melody Anderson) and Dr. Hans Zarkov (Topol), Flash navigates an intergalactic struggle. The film is noted for its vibrant visuals and a memorable score by Queen.
- Director
-
Mike Hodges
- Release Date
-
December 5, 1980
- Writers
-
Alex Raymond
, Lorenzo Semple Jr. - Cast
-
Sam J. Jones
, Melody Anderson
, Max Von Sydow
, Topol
, Ornella Muti
, Timothy Dalton
, Brian Blessed
, Peter Wyngarde
, Mariangela Melato
, John Osborne
, Richard O’Brien
, John Hallam
, Philip Stone
, Suzanne Danielle
, William Hootkins
, Bobbie Brown
, Ted Carroll
, Adrienne Kronenberg
, Stanley Lebor
, John Morton
, Burnell Tucker
, Robbie Coltrane
, Peter Duncan
, Ken Sicklen
, Tessa Hewitt - Character(s)
-
Flash Gordon
, Dale Arden
, The Emperor Ming
, Dr. Hans Zarkov
, Princess Aura
, Prince Barin
, Prince Vultan
, Klytus
, Kala
, Arborian Priest
, Fico
, Luro
, Zogi
, the High Priest
, Serving Girl
, Munson
, Hedonia
, Biro
, Vultan’s Daughter
, Mongon Doctor
, Airline Pilot
, Airline Co-Pilot
, Man at Airfield
, Young Treeman
, A Treeman
, Hawk Woman - Runtime
-
111 Minutes
