Now that “Star Wars” has hit a mortifying slump with the fan backlash of “Last Jedi”, which has in turn determined “Solo’”s dismal, box-office fate, I suggest it's time for another space adventurer to return to the big screen: one designed decades past to conquer both the comic and cinematic universes. I’m talkin’ Flash Gordon. Of course, Buck Rogers would work as well, but Flash’s possible return has been kicked around a trifle more in recent years, so I'm stickin' with him for my proclamation...
As some may know, Matthew “Kick-Ass” Vaughn was (and maybe still is) assigned to remake our space hero's initial adventure. Vaughn has stated that he hoped to give his retelling a "Guardians of the Galaxy" spin, if not for those movies beating him to the punch.
Adding irreverent humor to our hero's cause is an interesting idea, but let's face it, the Guardians' angle would at best result in a knock-off of what director Mike Hodges and writer Lorenzo Semple gave Dino De Laurentiis in 1980; and if so pursued, why not just do a sequel with the remaining cast members? In a similar way, a humorous track could smack of Howard Ziehm/Michael Benveniste’s “unofficial” 1972 risque remake, “Flesh Gordon”, sans the dirty tidbits. In either case, we've been there, done that.
Really, why get all cutsey patoosey with some unnecessary reinvention? We should have learned that much from Disney's recent missteps. How 'bout instead lifting Flash's roots from the movie-serial adaptation(s) of Alex Raymond's King Features strip? Everything is there for the taking, with tested and consequential ingredients to ensure success:
Produced by Universal in 1936, “Space Soldiers” (as the first, Flash serial came to be subtitled) was graced by shaky spaceships and stock music that included Franz Waxman's "Bride of Frankenstein" cues. However, despite its budget and resulting limitations, the adaptation adhered to Raymond’s colorful concept, igniting a mighty, rock-engine roar of roughhouse thrills that left an indelible impression on a young George Lucas. The same can be said of its serialized sequels, “Flash Gordon Goes to Mars” and “Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe”: the third entry reputedly Lucas’ favorite of the trilogy, from which one can detect a number of ice-bound "Empire Strikes Back" influences.
The initial serial's casting was well conceived, with Olympian Larry "Buster" Crabbe in the lead; Jean Rogers as Dale Arden; Frank Shannon as Dr. Hans Zarkov; Richard Alexander as Prince Barin; Jack "Tiny" Lipson as Prince Vulton; Priscilla Lawson as Princess Aura; and Charles Middleton as Emperor Ming the Merciless. To complement the outstanding cast, the serial's breathless pacing left heads spinning and to this day remains unmatched, not only when compared to other chapter plays of its time, but to the best "Star Wars" episodes.
On this basis, the original serial would act as an ideal blueprint (i.e., live-action storyboard) for a big-budget translation. Sure, a few elements could be modified (like an explanation as to why Mongo's various factions all speak English: something the 2007 Sci Fi Channel series at least tackled), as well as the chapter-crawl that "Star Wars" stole. Nonetheless, on most other levels, the combined segments could comfortably encompass the running time of recent, action-adventure films. People have happily sat through "Infinity War"; why not a new take on a trailblazing escapade, especially if the content is built for speed?
What of the casting? I’d go for Scott Eastwood as Flash. Sure, he’d have to dye his hair a lighter hue, just like Crabbe and other actors have, but he’s strapping and skilled enough to become an honorable successor to the aforementioned, as well as Steve Holland, Sam Jones and Eric Johnson. And how 'bout Dale Arden? Scarlett Johansson, I say!!! And Ming? Bryan Cranston!!! Zarkov? Kelsey Grammer!!! Princess Aura? Eija Skarsgard!!! (Okay, I don’t know if she can act, but she looks exotic, and her family is acting-based; besides, Hammer's Carreras boys never once stumbled when recruiting models for their films.) As far as Prince Barin and the Prince Vultan go, I'm sure there are many crackerjack actors who'd be eager to compete for those coveted roles.
Embracing Raymond's architectural and rocket-ship designs (no matter the time line) should go without debate (something for which the De Laurentiis version deserves much credit). Still, if a committed translation from serial to modern film were applied, all such distinctive details would fall into place.
The score, however, should be original, but capture the spirit of the stock music used: Hans Zimmer, James Newton Howard or Danny Elfman would do; though for old times' sake, it would be nice if the chosen composer made an occasional nod to Franz Liszt and Brian May.
Think of it, folks: A new space-hero adventure that blasts from the past and looks to the future, constructed without a speck of apology or regret: a film that folks of all ages (and varying backgrounds and ideologies) could enjoy solely for the sake of it. After that, we could get sequels based on the classic Crabbe follow-ups. Buck Rogers and even John Carter could then get back into the swing. Man, oh man, doesn't that sound beyond epic...beyond glorious...precisely the thing we need to hit that venturesome, galactic spot?
Well, "you may say I'm dreamer", but you can't blame an old, space-opera enthusiast for that.
FYI: The 1979 Filmation, animated retelling of Flash, "The Greatest Adventure of All", would also work as a great blueprint for a live-action film. That's probably because the script by Samuel A Peeples respects the Raymond legacy. The animation is pretty spiffy, too.
ReplyDeleteThe Filmation series, "The New Adventures of Flash Gordon" (1979-1982) is equally fetching, in addition to its 1986 King Features follow-up, "Defenders of the Earth", which depicts Flash teaming with Mandrake, Lothar and the Phantom against Ming.
Skip the 1996 animated version, where Flash is reduced to an inept teen. This reinvention-of-the-wheel concept is more blasphemous than "Last Jedi" and "Lego Batman Movie" combined.
On the other hand, for those who appreciate audio adventures, the 1935 radio serial starring Gale Gordon is sure to please, and it predates the Universal serial: historic fun all the way.
The Filmation version is actually, hands down, THE most faithful version I have ever had the pleasure to watch!
ReplyDeleteI re-watched the Filmation version the other night. It was even better than I remembered. A classic!
DeleteLooks like Julius "Overlord" Avery is now assigned as Flash's director. This is all fine and dandy and may lead to splendid results. The thing is, I keep hearing a reinterpretation demand for Flash to match current space operas. Listen, Flash doesn't need to compete with "Guardians of the Galaxy" or "Star Wars" to rise to the occasion. ("Star Wars" isn't even "Star Wars" anymore. To hell with it!) Flash is his own man, and the seeds of his success are buried in the past and can be replanted for future success. To implement otherwise will prove disastrous.
ReplyDeleteI don't know yet where Avery stands on the matter. I can only hope he respects the source material. If he does, we might have a fighting chance on this one.