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Frank Miller Bringing Buck Rogers Back?

by Alex Billington
May 9, 2008
Source: IGN, Variety

Although I've never actually seen anything with the character, Buck Rogers is a name that I'm inherently already familiar with. Buck is a fictional character who first appeared in 1928 as a venerable pilot who awakens in the 25th Century and battles evil. IGN initially broke the news that the classic character was getting a live action revamp from Nu Image/Millennium Films, the same company that revived Rambo and Conan. While it was later confirmed as unofficial news, their original report stated that Frank Miller was in considerations to direct - although officially the studio is still considering other directors, too. However, it was confirmed that a live action Buck Rogers revival is definitely in the works.

One of the family members who manages the rights, Flint Dille, will write and produce the new movie. The budget is expected to be around $40 million, which seems low, but doesn't really need to be more. The cheapness of the low-budget effects will be a running joke in the movie, which will retain the campiness of the 1980s TV series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century starring Gil Gerard. Buck first appeared in two novellas in 1928 and later a magazine. Since then the character has appeared in books, comic strips, movies, radio and television shows, and more.

As originally conceived by Philip Francis Nowlan, Buck Rogers was a U.S. military pilot who falls into a coma after being exposed to a gas and wakes up in the 25th century. Later as a comic strip character, Buck -- along with allies Wilma Deering and Dr. Huer -- fought cosmic villains such as the Mongols, Killer Kane and Ardala. Buck was updated to be an astronaut for the 1980s TV series.

I can't say that I'm necessarily very interested in this from the start, but in the right hands it could definitely turn out pretty interesting. If Frank Miller does end up directing this, then it's obvious he has a knack for updating characters from the 1920's, as he's currently finishing his adaptation of Will Eisner's The Spirit. However, I have a feeling Frank Miller is going to move onto bigger and better things after Spirit, which leaves the door for this still open. Is the revival of Buck Rogers something to really look forward to?

Filed under Movie News

From around the web:

http://www.thestopbutton.com Andrew Wickliffe

Wasn't the Frank Miller rumor already discounted?
David

What about sin city 2???
dRailer

Put Moore from BSG in the writer's chair, and I might give a rat's patootie. I can't imagine this being anything other than crap.
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

Andrew - technically it was, but they only really said he's not signed (like IGN originally reported), but that they're still trying to figure out who they want to direct... I liked including it as a starting point because it was the most interesting part of this news and a little tidbit that actually makes it worthwhile to read about...
Theguy

not interested? Do you not remember the outfits Erin Gray wore on that show?!?!?
http://9thsf-igc.com SHANE D

Not on my top 10...............But with miller doing it I will wait and see
http://www.10tu.com/forums dRailer

@Theguy Do I remember? You bet! Actually I remember a space-vampire episode where Erin Gray tried to explain to Buck what it was like being "bitten" and she purred the line "oh Buck, it feeeeels sooooo goooooood." I was 10 years old, and immediately hit puberty. Anyway, no not excited. LOL.
http://themoviewhore.com The Movie Whore

Forget Erin greys out fit what about Princess Adralas outfits. I loved the show and occasionally fire it up on Hulu but I really don;t know if it is worthy of being made into a movie.
Ajax

This might be a good film, with Miller working on it. However, might I remind the website of the 1980 film "Flash Gordon"? This film could end up as a mindless derivitive of "Flash" but only worse (and the "Flash Gordon" film flopped). I don't know Davey...
avoidz

Biddi-biddi-biddi Erin Gray still looks fantastic. She was one of my first real crushes (she and Princess Leia in that slave girl costume) back in the early 1980s. Wow. I always loved the premise for Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, though the show was a bit too camp (maybe that was part of its appeal, however).
http://www.10tu.com/forums dRailer

@Ajax That's a really good point, but I'm going to take it the other way around. Flash Gordon was kind of awesome in my opinion. Campy as all get out, but genuinely entertaining in a stupid kind of way. (Favorite horrible line of the movie: "I'm not your enemy, Ming is. Let's all team up and fight him!") If they could make a Buck Rogers movie as horribly fun as Flash Gordon, I'd go out and see it. The problem is that Flash Gordon didn't take itself seriously -- Buck would have to do the same.
Throttle

mmmm Erin Gray
Charles Gilliam

Did my eyes deceive me, or is the director of Sin City-slash-comic book legend Frank Miller reincarnating Buck Rogers. Now, I am not a reporter, but I do have the following questions... ...Who will be starring as Buck? ...Who will cast a Wilma? ...Who will be playing Doctor Huer? ...Will Frank Miller disregard Twiki or cast Seth Rogen to provide his voice should he reconsider? ...Will Doctor Theopolis still be around or disregarded? ...Is it for sure or not that Angelina Jolie would be cast as Princess Ardala? ...Exactly how does Clive Owen measure up to playing Kane? ...Will the uncessary campiness of the 1980's series be avoided or will it be a revamp of the original 1930's comic strip as tradition should follow? and lastly, ...Will Wilma STILL wear the infamous wardrobe of spandex jumpsuits that ignited a generation but to be reborn anew? On behalf of all legendary avid Buck Rogers fans alike especially before my birth, I, an avid Buck Rogers fan myself, register this fair equisition on my sacred word as sufficely serious a sci fi fan. In otherwords KEEP ME POSTED. Thanx, Charles D. Gilliam Sci Fi Fan extraordinaire; life long Star Wars expert