HitFlix reports that screenwriter Mark Protosevich will handle the script for Matthew Vaughn’s upcoming Flash Gordon reboot. Looking at Protosevich’s resume, he’s got all the qualifications to write a successful Flash Gordon script: He gained experience with superhuman derring-do on Thor, learned the pitfalls of re-doing an established property with Oldboy, told the story of one man against a group of not-quite-humans with I Am Legend, and taught us what makes madmen tick in The Cell, which will come in handy when revealing that Ming the Merciless saw a horse diced into sections as a child.
Regarding the project, Protosevich said, “I can’t wait to get started, and if you’re curious about the take, I’m not saying a word. All I’ll say is this—it will be nothing like any version of Flash Gordon you’ve seen.” (So, no Hawkmen battle then?) Still, it makes sense that the filmmakers would reinvent Flash Gordon in a big way. After all, even though Flash Gordon served as (partial) inspiration for the original Star Wars, it now has to compete in a market that’s being flooded with new Star Wars movies. Vaughn could make a more risqué space adventure by adding his trademark violence to the proceedings, but something tells us that he’s contracted to deliver a PG-13 film. We’ll settle for copious side-boob, then.