The original Flash Gordon – Sam J. Jones – may return for an all-new sequel, as he reveals he’s currently in talks.
It’s no secret that a new Flash Gordon has been in the works for some time… and many of us assumed it would be subject to yet-another relentless Hollywood reboot. But it seems we may actually get a sequel to the 1980 sci-fi classic, as Sam J. Jones reveals the new movie is actually a follow-up.
And he might even have a part to play.
In an interview with Den of Geeks US, the 60-year-old cult sci-fi legend revealed that he is currently in talks for a role in the new movie… and it’s going to be a sequel.
“Matthew Reilly, VP of production at Fox Studios, acquired the screenplay rights to Flash Gordon last year, and he hired John Davis and his staff to write the script,” he said. “They’re looking to bring out a sequel actually.”
“I met with Matt, we’re in talks about that,” he added. “I’m very excited. A lot of people over the years, including Stephen Sommers and Neil H Moritz, have acquired the screenplay rights, but for whatever reason they did not do a follow up on the option. So I’m very excited about it.”
Of course, we’ve heard that there’s been a new Flash Gordon movie in the works for some time… but this is the first we’ve heard that it will be a sequel to the original 1980 cult classic.
But is this really going to happen, or has Sam Jones got the wrong end of the stick?
Either way, it seems he may be set to return. But will he play Flash Gordon?
“However they want to use me, I’m very excited,” he said. “I told Matt, however he wants to use me, keep one thing in mind: whatever a younger, leading man can do, I cannot only match him, I can do more! If he does 20 pull-ups, I can do 30 pull-ups. If he can do 100 push-ups, I can do 150 push-ups. Just keep that in mind!”
Obviously, Jones is excited to be involved… and after thirty-four years, it’s great to see that he’s just as passionate about Flash Gordon as he was back then. But at the age of 60, I can’t help thinking that the studio is likely to look for a younger leading man. And perhaps we’ll see Jones passing the torch to the next Flash Gordon.
Will Sam J. Jones star as an ageing Flash Gordon, or will his role be in the form of a cameo appearance? For now, we’ll have to wait and see. But the fact that this film is going to be a sequel to the original is exciting stuff.
Let’s just hope they get it right.
Do you think Sam J. Jones should return? Will Brian Blessed consider a Flash Gordon comeback? Let us know what you think in the comments below…
