What do you want to see in a Buck Rogers remake?

[Procutus]

I'm enough of a geek to admit that I was psyched to hear that the original spaceman, Buck Rogers, is going to be remade as a big-screen movie. Initially, I was less than thrilled about Frank Miller being attached to the project as I'm not a huge fan of his style, but now the word is that he won't be involved.

Personally, what I'd like to see is a movie that is not only a complete reboot origin story, but one that goes back to the source material and retell's Philip Francis Nowlan's 1928 story in a 21st century manner. I'd like to see a serious (not campy) story of a man from the early 20th century who finds himself five centuries in the future, and the culture shock he would have to deal with.

Certainly, Nowlan's original concept of the evil 'Han' would have to be retooled to fit into today's sensibilities. The obvious and most likely route to go would be for an alien invasion to have occurred sometime in the early to mid-21st century, resulting in a very different world that Anthony 'Buck' Rogers would wake up to. I'd even go as far to say that the cave in which he becomes trapped (with the gas that causes him to hibernate for 500 years) may have held clues to earlier alien incursions. It would be a great story to tie UFO mythology to, and examine some of the paranoia of the late 40s and early 50s regarding the notion that aliens were visiting this planet.

In short: I'd like to see a serious, big-budget re-imaging of the BR story, akin to what Team Abrams is attempting with Star Trek.

 

[Christopher]

I'm enough of a geek to admit that I was psyched to hear that the original spaceman, Buck Rogers, is going to be remade as a big-screen movie. Initially, I was less than thrilled about Frank Miller being attached to the project as I'm not a huge fan of his style, but now the word is that he won't be involved.

No, there was a report back on May 12 of last year that he wasn't directing, but it was reported on December 19 that he's now close to officially signing on as the director, and the most recent word I can find (from five days ago) is that he's still assumed to be the director for the feature film if it gets made. Could you be thinking of the separate project from James Cawley to develop an online series version of Buck Rogers?

Certainly, Nowlan's original concept of the evil 'Han' would have to be retooled to fit into today's sensibilities. The obvious and most likely route to go would be for an alien invasion to have occurred sometime in the early to mid-21st century, resulting in a very different world that Anthony 'Buck' Rogers would wake up to. I'd even go as far to say that the cave in which he becomes trapped (with the gas that causes him to hibernate for 500 years) may have held clues to earlier alien incursions. It would be a great story to tie UFO mythology to, and examine some of the paranoia of the late 40s and early 50s regarding the notion that aliens were visiting this planet.

Oh, gods, no. UFOs have been done to death in the media.

In short: I'd like to see a serious, big-budget re-imaging of the BR story, akin to what Team Abrams is attempting with Star Trek.

That would be cool.


As for what I'd like to see, I think that back in the '90s there was a Buck Rogers novel series -- and a role-playing game tied into it? -- that reinterpreted it as a hard-SF series in a Solar System that had been extensively colonized by humans. Instead of West vs. East or Earth vs. aliens, it dealt with conflicts between different human populations/cultures within the system. I'd like to see it done that way, since there's a painful dearth of plausible science fiction in the mass media.

 

[Procutus]

Christopher;

Yeah, I was thinking of the movie project, not the online one. I didn't realize that Miller was now close to signing again with as director. I guess I'll hold my breath on that. I really just don't get into that particular visual style, but I'm willing to remain open-minded about it.

I think the 90s series of novels/game tie-in written by Martin Caidin, or at least the first novel was, I think. Yeah, I like that idea as well, as you say, a hard SF look at colonization within the solar system. Sorta like B5 but without the aliens.

Next question: Who would be a good choice to portray Rogers? I favor Hugh Jackman, but perhaps someone who is an unknown might work better.

 

[Christopher]

Well, assuming Frank Miller does get the gig, then I have zero interest in the movie, because it won't be Buck Rogers, it'll be Frank Miller doing the same ultrastylized, ultraviolent, misogynistic, incoherent crap he always does, just in spaaaaaace!! Whoever does get cast will probably be just as nondescript as the lead in The Spirit was.

In the abstract, though... how about inverting the original's racism altogether and casting someone like Daniel Dae Kim as Buck Rogers?

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

In the abstract, though... how about inverting the original's racism altogether and casting someone like Daniel Dae Kim as Buck Rogers?

I had a similar thought a year or two ago while watching nuBSG and thinking what if they attempted another Buck Rogers. But I was thinking of casting an African-American actress as Wilma Deering.

Then my woolgathering brought me to an idea of recasting Lois Lane as an African-American woman because of that 70s issue of Superman's Girl Friend, "I Am Curious Black!". But that's another discussion.

I do like the idea of Daniel Dae Kim as BR.

As for what I'd like to see, I think that back in the '90s there was a Buck Rogers novel series -- and a role-playing game tied into it? -- that reinterpreted it as a hard-SF series in a Solar System that had been extensively colonized by humans. Instead of West vs. East or Earth vs. aliens, it dealt with conflicts between different human populations/cultures within the system. I'd like to see it done that way, since there's a painful dearth of plausible science fiction in the mass media.

411 on that:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buck_Rogers_XXVC
http://personal.linkline.com/drosson/xxvcmain.html
http://www.pvv.ntnu.no/~leirbakk/rpg/buckrogers/buckrogers_index_e.html

 

[KevasTrader]

The anti-grav belts from the Buster Crabbe serials!!!

 

[captcalhoun]

i want some really melodramatic voiceover narration for the beginning, like the Larson series.

i want a fit actress in a tight bodysuit for Wilma.

i DON'T want him falling asleep in a cave. what, no one went in the cave and found him when he went missing? no FUCKING BEARS hibernated in there?

i want a new version of Hawk, the best thing in Season 2 of Larson's.

i don't want Frank Miller within a parsec of it.

 

[Demiurge]

Erin Grey.

 

[Mysterion]

In the abstract, though... how about inverting the original's racism altogether and casting someone like Daniel Dae Kim as Buck Rogers?

I had a similar thought a year or two ago while watching nuBSG and thinking what if they attempted another Buck Rogers. But I was thinking of casting an African-American actress as Wilma Deering.

How about Gina Torres as Col. Deering? Daniel Dae Kim would be a good Buck Rogers.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

I'd like to see a serious (not campy) story of a man from the early 20th century who finds himself five centuries in the future, and the culture shock he would have to deal with.

I'd like to see someone from 1928 as Buck Rogers, not have him be a modern guy at all.

And take it seriously, no camp.

My candidate for Buck is the guy who's already played the role: Ben Browder. Or an unknown.

Another thought, if he doesn't get cast as Captain America (which would be my preference), is Captain Awesome himself from Chuck: Ryan McPartlin.

In the abstract, though... how about inverting the original's racism altogether and casting someone like Daniel Dae Kim as Buck Rogers?

Too radical for Hollywood's tastes, but personally I'd like to see that.

 

[btflash]

Erin Grey.

how bout a naked erin grey?

 

[Temis the Vorta]

How about a naked Daniel Dae Kim?

That's what the world needs: a butt-nekked Frank Miller extravaganza!

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

In the abstract, though... how about inverting the original's racism altogether and casting someone like Daniel Dae Kim as Buck Rogers?

I had a similar thought a year or two ago while watching nuBSG and thinking what if they attempted another Buck Rogers. But I was thinking of casting an African-American actress as Wilma Deering.

How about Gina Torres as Col. Deering? Daniel Dae Kim would be a good Buck Rogers.

I like it! In fact, she'd be on my short list for Deering.

 

[Aragorn]

Connor Trinneer as Buck. Jill Wagner as Wilma.

 

[EnsignRicky]

I know I wont see it if it doesnt have a dwarf silver protocol droid with a penis head and a speak and spell hanging from his neck. The guy with feathers for hair is optional.

 

[Procutus]

That's what the world needs: a butt-nekked Frank Miller extravaganza!

Now that's a really scary thought!

One thing I don't want to see is that silly little robot going "Biddy-biddy-biddy! What's up, Buck?"

 

[RAMA]

I don't want to see leather jackets and helmets with tailfins. I want a modern retelling. But I have a feeling we're going to get something retro.

RAMA

 

[Tyson]

"modern retelling?" Give me a fucking break. If there's anything ripe for being made into a big colourful, fun action film it's stuff like Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon. Go full batshit insane retro with it and have fun. I don't need another "serious and modern" space adventure movie where everything looks like iPods. After all, that's what Hollywood thinks that is.

 

[EnsignRicky]

/\ Agreed. Bring on the tail fin helmets, jet packs and ray guns.

 

[RAMA]

"modern retelling?" Give me a fucking break. If there's anything ripe for being made into a big colourful, fun action film it's stuff like Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon. Go full batshit insane retro with it and have fun. I don't need another "serious and modern" space adventure movie where everything looks like iPods. After all, that's what Hollywood thinks that is.

Utterly boring and unoriginal. We've seen the retro thing and most people don't care about it. Give me the technology of Minority Report with the adventure of Star Wars. That's what I want from a BR film. We don't need another Sky Captain.

RAMA