Flash Gordon - The Series
 

Flash Gordon has been around for over 70 years and it appears as if he might be back on the boob tube if the Sci-Fi Channel can get all their ray guns in a row.

ImageFlash was created back in 1935 to compete with Buck Rogers which first appeared in print seven years earlier in 1928. Word on the street is that Sci-Fi channel had both of these properties in mind as a potential new series but Flash is the one that the network has decided to move forward with.

The belief is that Sci-Fi will greenlight a 3 to 4 episode mini-series event that will serve as a back door pilot for the potential new series. So while no show runner has been brought aboard, negotiations are currently taking place with names such as TV vet David Livingston from Star Trek fame being mentioned in inner circles and with David Nutter as the potential director for the pilot mini series.

The cable network has been struggling with the fact that Battlestar Galactica has not been able to maintain high ratings regardless how well it has been critically received. The hope is that a Flash Gordon series will be able to attract Stargate fans considering that new series will most likely have a very similar style of writing with the light comedy aspects.

Director/Producer Stephen Sommers has held the theatrical rights to the franchise since 2004 and has been in active development for a feature film with Sci-Fi Channel’s sister company Universal Pictures set up for distribution. No word if The Sommers Company will also be involved with the TV Series.

Flash Gordon is a science fiction comic strip originally drawn by Alex Raymond, first published on January 7, 1935.

ImageThe comic strip followed the adventures of the eponymous Flash Gordon and his companions Dr. Hans Zarkov and Dale Arden. The story begins with Dr. Zarkov's invention of a rocket ship, in which the three of them make a journey to the planet Mongo, where they are stranded. Mongo is inhabited by a number of different cultures, some quite technologically advanced, that have been falling one by one under the domination of the vicious tyrant Ming the Merciless.

Each region of Mongo is analogous to regions on Earth. Arboria ruled by Barin and his Tree Men, is a lush forest region. Frigia is a frozen polar region. Tropica is logically a tropic region. There are undersea kingdoms and a flying city ruled by Prince Vultan of the Hawk Men. There are many sentient species on Mongo including lion-men represented by Prince Thun and Shark-men ruled by King Kala.

The three Earth people are befriended shortly after their arrival by Prince Barin, rightful heir to the throne that Ming has taken. Ming banishes Prince Barin and his followers — including Ming's own daughter, Princess Aura, Barin's bride — to the forest realm of Arboria, and the three join in Barin's quest to topple Ming.

http://www.comics2film.com/FanFrame.php?f_id=23930

This will be particulary interesting because Gordon's never had a live-action series outside of the adventure serials starring Buster Crabbe.

However, if there expecting to draw in the Stargate fanbase, it has to be light hearted adventure, not war-commenting emosexual shows like Galactica.

Flash Gordon series news
 

http://www.comics2film.com/FanFrame.php?f_id=25973

Smallville" alum Eric Johnson has landed the title role in Sci Fi Channel's upcoming series "Flash Gordon."

The 22-hour series, a contemporary take on the popular comic strip franchise, is slated for an August premiere. It will feature Johnson as space traveler Flash Gordon embarking on all-new adventures.

Peter Hume penned the first two episodes, which will be directed by Rick Rosenthal ("Smallville"). Production is to begin May 1 in Vancouver.

"Flash" is being produced by Reunion Pictures under an agreement with property owner King Features Syndicate. RHI Entertainment is distributing the series internationally. RHI's Robert Halmi Sr. and Robert Halmi Jr., who recently worked with Sci Fi on the miniseries "Legend of Earthsea," are executive producing, with Hume also expected to exec produce. Matthew O'Connor and Tom Rowe will serve as producers.

Casting is under way for the other roles, including Flash Gordon's fellow space travelers Dale Arden and Dr. Hans Zarkov.

The "Flash Gordon" comic strip was created in 1934 by Alex Raymond and is being distributed internationally by King Features.

Johnson, best known for his role as Clark Kent's nemesis Whitney Fordman on "Smallville," is repped by the Metropolitan Talent Agency, manager Jai Khanna of Brillstein-Grey Entertainment and attorney Bradley Small.

Raph's Girl note: I can't see him playing Flash Gordon at all... :ohwell:

actually, as a life long flash gordon fan, i can totally see him in the part. plus, flash was a football player, so at least this kid already has that part down.

Flesh Gordan was a great movie.

:lol: Oh man, ROFL! Monty Python ftw!

Ya know... I was thinking that Eric Johnson was just some freak from Smallville. I had only seen him in Smallville in his lanky blech Whitney Fordman days... but damn that boy's hot now. :o He looks like he'll fit the bill as Flash Gordon after all!

http://www.zap2it.com/media/photo/2007-04/28978157.jpg

I think he'll look the part. I'm not too worried about that. I am hoping Meng looks great too. I can't wait to see what this series is like.

Casting update for Flash Gordon:

Eric Johnson - Flash Gordon
Gina Holden - Dale Arden
John Ralston - Ming
Jody Racicot - Dr. Hans Zarkov
Karen Cliche - Baylin
Giles Panton - Joe
Panau - Nick
Jonathan Walker - Rankol
Jill Norah - Jill Teed
Carmen Moore - Jolie
Anna Van Hoft - Princess Aura

Is it a good thing or a bad thing that the only member of the cast I know of is Eric Johnson??? Cuz seriously...I've never heard of the rest of these people.

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index...ory=0&id=41472
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_G...7_TV_series%29

Ew.com has some pictures and an interview with Eric "Whitney Fordman" Johnson (star of Flash Gordon).

http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/dynamic/i...2/flash1_l.jpg

http://www.comics2film.com/FanFrame.php?f_id=27011

My head is going to explode waiting for this series to start.

A Flash series, oh no. :D

My friends are gonna LOVE this!

Cool! Flash Gordon! I LOVED "Defenders of the Earth". And of course, Queen's "Flash Gordon" song is cool- but then, so are all of Queen's songs.

Translation: We can spare the budget by having 90% of the series on Earth and cheap sets substituting for the citadels of Mongo, ignoring the planet's vats landscapes.

I doubt those creaming their pants with glee even READ that interview, Johnson has essentially confirmed there are NO giant spaceships, constant switching from Earth to Mongo courtesy of a cheapo Wormhole, a budget that does'nt rival Heroes, and that Flash will be in shirts and Jeans driving a Mustang

This guy is too honest to be trusted with selling a series. This is'nt Flash Gordon

Uh... actually I didn't, I skimmed it... I guess I figured they'd be changing a good number of things in the story, so I was prepared for that kind of thing though. If the show ends up sucking, I'm calling for Whitley's head.

You're right...it's not Flash Gordon...It's the earlier seasons of Stargate before they had starships.

Yup. But Stargate is it's own thing, a clone of it is'nt what anybody wants.

Sam J. Jones, who played Flash Gordon in 1980, will be appearing in an ep of the new series as a seedy prisoner who apperantly knows what happened to the new Flash's father.

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stori...7/28/index.htm

Anyone else watching this right now? It's been... different so far. Still reserving final judgment until later.