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Rumors: Worthington as Flash Gordon, McAvoy as Ian Fleming

by Alex Billington
December 29, 2009
Source: Pajiba, HollyScoop

Some interesting casting rumors for you to chew on today. Our friends at Pajiba are reporting that James McAvoy has been cast as James Bond creator Ian Fleming in a biopic in development at Animus Films and Palmstar Entertainment. The film will supposedly focus on the (younger) years in Fleming's life (when he was in the British Navy) that gave him inspiration for the character of James Bond. Additionally, the not-as-trustworthy website HollyScoop is reporting that Sam Worthington is in the running for the role of Flash Gordon in Breck Eisner's remake of the 1980 sci-fi film. I actually like the sound of both rumors.

The biopic is tentatively titled Ian Fleming and is being independently financed with an early budget of $40 million. I'm not sure if this has any relation to the DiCaprio-produced Fleming biopic we first wrote about in 2008. That project is based on an original screenplay written by Damian Stevenson that sold to Warner Bros. This one with McAvoy attached is an adaptation of the book Ian Fleming: The Man Behind James Bond by Andrew Lycett, with a script being written by Matt Brown (Ropewalk). I really like McAvoy and think he's a fantastic choice for this. As a huge Bond fan, I'm excited to see this project come together.

As for Worthington and Flash Gordon, they claim that "right now it's between Sam, Ryan Reynolds and one or two others for the lead role should the project actually get off the ground." According to IMDb, Flash Gordon is still scheduled for 2012, which doesn't mean anything. We know that director Breck Eisner, who's been attached to this since May of 2008, left the Creature from the Black Lagoon remake, but is supposed to be directing a remake of The Brood next. So there's a chance he could get to Flash following The Brood, but who knows? Either way, I do really think Worthington would be a good, solid choice for Flash Gordon.

My initial impressions about having McAvoy play Ian Fleming and Worthington play Flash Gordon are all positive. I'm not entirely sure why, but it just sounds like it could work well for both. What do you think?

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Related categories: Casting, Rumors

http://movies.iconocritic.com peloquin

Flash Gordon would be perfect for Worthington, and if Reynolds gets it I'll be pissed. He can't play Deadpool, The Green Lantern, and The Flash...can he? Maybe he'll get the part of Captain America too and then there will really be a Marvel VS DC fanboy flair up (I was gonna say "clash of the titans", but that would've been too much ;o)
nelson

Flash Gordan is not the flash LOL
whyohwhy

God, Worthington bores me so much. He's the most generic male actor I can think of right now.
Dan W

I think Worthington has too many big rolls one after the other that eventually they will all mesh together and seem alike. I rather someone else star in the flash gordan remake
Xerxex

I like Worthington, and I would like to see him play Flash Gordon, but he needs to break after Clash of the Titans, maybe a year or two, count the money, buy some shit, then do Flash Gordon. as for McAvoy as Fleming i like that too, let this rumor be true.
tobi,leader of the akatsuki

worthington for captain america,before flash gordon.
Frightened Inmate #2

I agree with the Xerxex, but i dont think they'll hold up the movie for him. So they should go with someone else.
Whatever

ugh sites need to stop quoting these two sites. pajiba has never been right once that i can recall and this hollyscoop site is pure gossip that just makes up stuff.
cinemabandit

The Ian Fleming movie has been done before, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100567/ The movie, Spymaker, starred Jason Connery (Sean's son) in the title role. It is worth a look for it's lighthearted approach which gave me a few laughs.
Cody

Worthington is the next Bale, in the next 3 years hes gonna be in 80 bazillion movies.
http://www.nerdles.com griff

So, Worthington is the new go-to guy for sci-fi then? I like the guy but it looks like we'll all be fed up with him pretty soon
http://twitter.com/gimmesumsuga Mathieu

So Eisner will be shooting at least three remakes back to back. Sheesh. A true artist, there. Please leave Flash Gordon alone. The Mike Hodges version is perfect.
bite it

now theres some good casting
tir na nog

I think casting Clive Owen as Fleming would be better.Mcvoy seems wrong. As for Flash Gordon,does it matter? low-brow sci-fi, as long as they look the part and can slightly act it should'nt.Kirk from rebooted Star trek is a better choice and looks more like the traditional character.
Kamish

Flash Gordon was a childhood fav of mine...loved watching the old serials re run on TV in the 60's & 70's...I can think of a few good flashes...and I almost think it should actually be someone who played pro-football or someone we can actually buy as a real athlete...having said that I'd the following folks to be considered...in no specific order... Bradley Cooper - He can be this generations Harrison Ford if given the right roles... Josh Holloway - Yeah I said it, the guy from Lost Will Smith - Why can't Flash be Black? Matt Damon - Has the physicality for the role, plus has never really done this type of thing. Brendan Fraiser - More than enough chops for the role. Ashton Kutcher - If he would take it seriously. Ben Foster - Likely the longest shot of this bunch, but the best fit for looks, being a bit unknown, could own the role...
Xerxex

Hey Kamish I'm with you on Ben Foster or Bradley Cooper.
Fisherr

Ryan and Sam? Exciting...