From the sound of things, Taika Waititi is going to be pretty busy over the next few years. Between working on FX’s What We Do in the Shadows and the upcoming live-action Akira adaptation, his schedule already looks to be jam-packed. But now, the director of Thor: Ragnarok is adding another project to fill his time. Deadline brings word that Waititi will spearhead an animated Flash Gordon film for Disney and Fox.
Deadline’s report specifies that it’s too early to tell whether Waititi will actually write or direct the movie himself. For now, he’s simply been tasked to “crack” the film. This could mean any number of things. But if we had to hazard a guess, his job will be to come up with a basic story outline. If anything, this sounds similar to Warner Bros.’ decision to enlist Christopher Nolan to “godfather” Man of Steel back in 2010.
RELATED: Sixth-Scale 1980 Flash Gordon Figures Are on the Way!
Flash Gordon has led several animated series and TV movies in the past. But if this project actually gets off the ground, it will be the first time that the character has gotten the animated treatment on the big screen. All in all, Waititi seems like a solid choice to come up with a new take on Flash Gordon. As Thor: Ragnarok showed, he has a penchant for campy space humor that matches perfectly with the tone of the 85-year-old franchise.
Meanwhile, Fox is supposedly still planning a live-action Flash Gordon film. Last we heard, Overlord director Julius Avery was the studio’s choice to write and direct that film. Previously, X-Men: First Class and Kingsman director Matthew Vaughn was going to bring Flash Gordon into the 21st century, but he dropped out as development continued to stall.
What are you thoughts on Taika Waititi directing a new animated Flash Gordon film? Who would you cast to voice the title character? Let us know in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading: Flash Gordon: On the Planet Mongo Vol. 1
