Bob Garlen Presents: FLASH GORDON - Cinematic Universe Pitch and Fancast!

(FLASH GORDON Title Card, Universal Pictures 1980)

Flash Gordon is one of those rare properties ripe for a big screen universe. What follows is an overambitious take on a Flash Gordon Film series. In fancasting it’s already a far sight from reality casting 1 movie, let alone 3 or even 9. What is great about fancasting is being able to just go crazy with ideas and plans and build a fanciful universe where everything works perfectly and you get however many movies to tell such a grand and expanding story. With absolutely no restrain here is my pitch for a Flash Gordon Film Series, and a Ming the Merciless Prequel Series. 

Flash Gordon Franchise Pitch by Robert Garlen on Scribd

 

Cinematographer: A cinematographer (usually credited with the title director of photography, or DP) is the chief over the camera and lighting crews working on a film and television series, responsible for achieving artistic and technical decisions related to the image. The study and practice of this field is referred to as cinematography.

            Dan Mindel [Notable Works: Star Trek: Into Darkness, John Carter, Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker]: His work has photographed and illuminated fantastic and beautiful alien worlds. He’s done such different work with each film that they stand out on a field of their own. His work on John Carter being my favorite, he’s still shown such dynamic and beautiful range. His work is the soul stand out in Rise of Skywalker, and his work in Into Darkness was beautiful. To give Flash Gordon a unique feel for the audience Dan is absolutely necessary.

Production Designer: A production designer or P.D is the person responsible for the overall look of a filmed event such as films, TV programs, video games, music videos or adverts. Production designers have one of the key creative roles in the creation of motion pictures and television. Working directly with the director and producer, they must select the settings and style to visually tell the story.

            Nathan Crowley [Notable Works: John Carter, The Dark Knight Trilogy, Interstellar]: Between his work with Nolan and his work in John Carter, he’s created dozens of unique and interesting world, none like the other. His wonderful take on Gotham transforms after three movies, While Intersetllar visits such unique and beautiful worlds. His vision of Mars is unlike any other and stands out as a visual marvel that looks wholly different than everything the original book inspired. Nathan’s work is the perfect starting point to bringing a new, fresh and iconic take on Mongo.

Costume Designer: A costume designer is a person who designs costumes for a film, television series, or stage production. The role of the costume designer is to create the characters and balance the scenes with texture and color, etc. The costume designer works alongside the director, scenic, lighting designer, sound designer, and other creative personnel. The costume designer may also collaborate with hair stylist, wig master, or makeup artist. In European theatre, the role is different, as the theatre designer usually designs both costume and scenic elements.

            Mayes C. Rubeo [Notable Works: Avatar, John Carter, Thor Ragnarok]: She’s got such a wonderful eye for costumes. The amount of character and she’s able to weave into her design and how she uses that to help the story move along make her a stand out as a costume designer. Her work is very iconic and always looks beautiful and different from anything else out there. Getting her on Flash Gordon will give the films a very strong and beautiful pop befitting the character and his world.

Film Editor: Film editing is part of the creative post-production process of filmmaking. The term film editing is derived from the traditional process of working with film, but now it increasingly involves the use of digital technology.

            Eddie Hamilton [Notable Works: X-Men First Class, Kingsmen {Duology}, Mission: Impossible – Fallout]: His work has spliced together some of the most energetic action, hilarious comedic beats, and dramatic tension filled scenes together in a seemless and fitting manner without betraying the tones of any movie. He’s done some great work and has really stood out in M:I-Fallout. He’s a talented editor and would be entirely perfect to help give a fast based and heard hitting base for Flash Gordon Films.

 

Composer: A film score (also sometimes called film music, background music, or incidental music) is original music written specifically to accompany a film. The score forms part of the film's soundtrack, which also usually includes dialogue and sound effects, and comprises a number of orchestral, instrumental or choral pieces called cues which are timed to begin and end at specific points during the film in order to enhance the dramatic narrative and the emotional impact of the scene in question.

            Michael Giacchino [Notable Works: The Incredibles, John Carter, Spider-Man {Home Trilogy}]: His music is beautiful, it’s richly character driven and carries such sensational themes to them. He really nails the spirit of the films and it’s characters in his music making him the perfect composer to do the music for such a rich and operatic character.

 

Screenwriters: A screenplay or script is a written work by screenwriters for a film, video game or television program. These screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of writing. In them, the movement, actions, expression, and dialogues of the characters are also narrated. A play for television is also known as a teleplay.

            Andrew Stanton [Notable Works: Finding Nemo, John Carter, Toy Story 4] & Jon Favreau [Notable Works {As a Writer}: Made, Chef, The Mandalorian]: The two have written some of my favorite films. They’re both keen on character dynamics, motivation, and great plots. Stanton’s work on John Carter still holds up for me while Favreau has created something instantly iconic with his work developing and writing the Mandalorian. Together there’s no doubt they could pen the perfect adaptation of Flash Gordon, making it every bit energetic and fun as it can be grand and epic.

 

Director: A film director is a person who directs the making of a film. Generally, a film director controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the script while guiding the technical crew and actors in the fulfillment of that vision. The director has a key role in choosing the cast members, production design, and the creative aspects of filmmaking.

            Jon Favreau [Notable Works {As a Director}: Iron Man, The Jungle Book, The Lion King]: He’s an amazing director that has really done some amazing work. His action and drama are absolutely perfect, he has a great pulse on humor. He’s done such diverse and amazing work that he really stands as having the perfect resume to do something like Flash Gordon. There’s no doubt he would be able to bring the perfect Flash Gordon adaptation to screen.

 

Flash Gordon [Height: 6’ 1”, Age: 30’s]: A NASCAR Driver for the #65 Car, Flash is a world-renowned celebrity athlete. In a desire to elevate the sport of racing he sought out Dr. Hans Zarkov who built the starship “Copernicus-1” and took Flash and Dale Arden hostage. Together the three traveled to the planet Mongo to stop the planet from destroying Earth. As they arrive on Mongo Flash witnesses the oppression by their sinister Emperor Ming and decides to unite the planet to save the Earth and the People of Mongo. He loves Dale but has trouble admitting it to himself.

            Wyatt Russell [Height: 6’ 1”, Age: 34, Notable Works: Overlord, Lodge 49, Falcon and the Winter Soldier]: Wyatt was really the only actor I could see in the role. He’s done such wonderful work playing trouble and damaged character but he has this upstanding character about him in his work that made him instantly perfect for the role. He’s got the look, the charm, charisma, and talent. He’s a perfect actor to step into a role like this and bring Flash Gordon back to being one of cinema’s most iconic and beloved heroes. With his ability to interject character flaws and really bring a sense of humanity to the role, we might see such a rich evolution of the character it would make Flash as great a character that Chris Evans did for Captain America.

 

Dale Arden [Height: 5’ 7”, Age: 30’s]: Flash’s oldest friend and Pit Chief. She is always at Flash’s side and has been a source of strength for him for years. She joins him when he’s taken hostage by Zarkov and joins Flash in his rebellion against Ming. Dale has always loved Flash but has waited to see the real Flash break through his own fault before pursuing him.

            Riley Keough [Height: 5’ 7”, Age: 32, Notable Works: Mad Max: Fury Road, Logan Lucky, The Devil All The Time]: I love her work. She’s such a fun and energetic actress. She takes her characters and really plays to their strengths in a way that looks human and natural and plays the weakness with a sense of tragedy she just remains in your mind. She’s great for a strong character and even better for character that has comedic timing, agency, and spark to her. There’s no doubt she’s perfect for Dale.

 

Dr. Hans Zarkov [Height: 6’ 3”, Age: 40’s]: A former Israeli citizen, Zarkov as a child migrated to the United States off the back of his own genius. This carried him all the way to a prime position at NASA. There he began to receive visions of a planet in distress: Mongo. This drove him to near lunacy as he quested to build a starship to visit the planet, finally catching a break when commissioned by Flash Gordon to build a hover car for racing. He built his starship and took Flash hostage, needing help to save the planet screaming for a savior.

            Michael Shannon [Height: 6’ 3”, Age: 46, Notable Works: Take Shelter, Man of Steel, Knives Out]: After looking at him in Knives out, it’s impossible to picture another actor here. He’s got the look of the character and has built a reputation for playing that “out of his mind” character. With great sense of timing for levity and a great sense of mania to so many of his characters, he would be the perfect actor to play Hans Zarkov.

 

Prince Barin [Height: 5’ 9”, Age: 30’s]: A prince of the kingdom of Arboria. Barin harbors his grudges against Ming for his constant threats on Barin’s homeland while forcing him away from his great love Princess Aura, daughter of Ming. Barin has waited years and hopes to dethrone Ming and end his tyrannical rule.

            Taron Egerton [Height: 5’ 9”, Age: 31, Notable Works: Kingsmen, Robin Hood, Rocketman]: The role of Barin was always something akin to a re-imagining in style of Robin Hood. Barin is a charming and charismatic character that really takes on a lot of the sense of action in the stories. Taron has great experience in these action roles and has done a lot to make him a serious and charismatic actor. He’s perfect for such a role, it allows him to stand out and play the character his Robin Hood was meant to be.

 

Prince Thun [Height: 6’ 5”, Age: 30’s]: The Warrior Prince of the Lion Men of Mongo. He welcomes the rebellion brought on by Flash and seeks to aide the Earthman as he challenges Ming.

            Winston Duke [Height: 6’ 5”, Age: 34, Notable Works: Black Panther, Us, Spencer Confidential]: I love Winston Duke. He’s such a strong and dynamic actor. He’s been able to look powerful and be vulnerable and carry consistency in that. Getting him in such a dynamic and heavy hitting role like Prince Thun would really play to the strengths Duke has built as an actor and really dress it in the most fantastical fashion.

 

Prince Vulkor [Height: 6’ 5”, Age: 30’s]: An exiled and hot headed Hawkman and Vultan’s Brother. He’s lived on the outer cities of Mongo working as a mercenary to survive. He was sought out by an exiled Lion Man: Kimjo, to join a rebellion against Ming

            Tom Hopper [Height: 6’ 5”, Age: 36, Notable Works: Game of Thrones, Umbrella Academy, The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard]: He’s better actor than many might give him credit for. He’s a strong actor and has really show the ability to play strong likeable characters and would really make an impression with Vulkor.

 

King Jugrid [Height: 6’ 2”, Age: 60’s]: The troubled king of the Lion Men of Mongo. He was once a trusted military aid to Ming before his rule over Mongo and considered him a friend.

            Djimon Hounsou [Height: 6’ 2”, Age: 57, Notable Works: Gladiator, Guardians of the Galaxy, Shazam!]: There’s really no one that I could see doing this role. Djimon has such a elegance to his performances that you could buy him as this King. He’s got that world-wearyness to him that helps him stand out as a figure you would see as King.

 

King Kala [Height: 5’ 11”, Age: 40’s]: King Kala, the prideful ruler of the Shark Men of Mongo, live underneath the kingdom in the Great Sea of Mystery. With his Kingdom centered at Shark City near Ardentia, Kala is constantly at odds with King Jugrid.

            Joe Taslim [Height: 5’ 11”, Age: 40, Notable Works: The Raid, The Swordsman, Mortal Kombat]: I’ve wanted to see Joe do something different. He’s really played with range but I wanted to bring him a character that was more outlandish in appearance and subtle in approach. Giving him something unique like the king of the Shark Men would really show what Joe can bring as an actor and really bring the character to life.

King Vultan [Height: 6’ 3”, Age: 50’s]: King of the Hawkmen, an avian War-Tribe living in the Sky City of Mongo. Vultan is a warrior King, who’s risen through the ranks to rule the Hawkmen. He cares about his people but doesn’t care for the rest of Mongo and takes some convincing to act against Ming.

            Ray Stevenson [Height: 6’ 3”, Age: 57, Notable Works: Rome, Punisher War Zone, Thor {Trilogy}]: Ever since seeing him as Volstagg in Thor, I’ve wanted to see him in this role. He really played the role in a manner that made him feel like Brian Blessed’s Vultan. He’s got the size to look intimidating and the power behind him to really bring that threatening sense to Vultan.

 

Queen Fria [Height: 5’ 7”, Age: 40’s]: Queen of the Iceland Frigia, the northern region of Mongo, arguably the largest, albeit lowly populated, region of the planet. If anyone holds any large threat to Ming’s power it’s Fria. Though she is bored of the political landscapes and often sends half-hearted tributes to the great emperor.

            Antje Traue [Height: 5’ 7”, Age: 40, Notable Works: Pandorum, Man of Steel, Dark]: She’s such a beautiful and strong actress. She has that sense of nobility and power in her performances you could buy her being the ruler of a Kingdom. The essence she portrays in her roles has always given her that power dynamic putting her above the others in a scene and she really stands out for it. She’s perfect for Queen Fria.

 

Kimjo [Height: 6’ 3”, Age: 40’s]: An exiled Lion Man, who wanders the outskirts of Mongo aimlessly with a grudge against Ming. Kimjo was exiled for an attack on Ming’s Grand Visor Klytus. He seeks to earn redemption and be welcomed back into his pride, but refuses to bow to Ming. In his quest for redemption, he has sought out to find others to stand against Ming.

            Mike Colter [Height: 6’ 3”, Age: 44, Notable Works: Luke Cage, Evil, Fatale]: Mike Colter is a great actor. He’s stepped into his roles with a sense of integrity to them. His work in Luke Cage really allowed him to go through some different dimensions. He’s a great actor and would really bring that sense of honor and longing that would define Kimjo as a character.

 

Ziva Aljaani [Height: 5’ 5”, Age: 30’s]: A rebel against Ming’s rule and native child of the Mongo Desert Lands. Ziva was once a high-ranking General who directly suffered at the affection of Klytus. She was made painfully aware of Ming’s cruelty after being ordered to execute a village for refusing to pay their tribute. Faced with the responsibility to execute poor men, women, and children was too much for her to take and caused her to turn against Ming.

            Shiva Negar [Height: 5’ 5”, Age: 29, Notable Works: American Assassin, The Cuban, SEAL Team]: She’s wonderful, rising actress that has done wonderful work in such short time. A lot of the roles she’s had haven’t given her much to do, but she stands so well in her work that it would be fun to see her take something like this and really let her show what she can do. She’s a great actress and would be absolutely wonderful stepping into a role like this.

 

Azura the Witch Queen [Height: 6’ 3”, Age: N/A]: The cruel and monstrous Witch Queen of Mongo. She held a position of power for centuries, her mystic abilities keeping her both young and ahead of any dangers. Her displeasure with the tributes of the Desert Men of Mongo eventually saw the rise of Ming.

            Elizabeth Dibecki [Height: 6’ 3”, Age: 30, Notable Works: The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Widows, Tenet]: I love Elizabeth Dibecki and I’ve never seen her give a bad performance. She’s played a sense of vulnerability to her that you feel for her while also playing evil with a true sense of malevolence that makes her perfect for villainous roles. She’s an Actress that could bring a sense of intimidation to a role like this and make it entirely believable.

 

Klytus [Height: 5’ 7”, Age: 40’s]: Grand Visor of Mongo, Servant to his Majesty Emperor Ming the Merciless. Leader of Mongo’s Secret Police: The Black Sun. Klytus is an opportunist who constantly plans and schemes. He aims to take the position of Emperor for himself.

            Rami Malek [Height: 5’ 7”, Age: 40, Notable Works: Mr. Robot, Bohemian Rhapsody, No Time To Die]: I love Rami’s work. He’s already made himself one of this generation’s greatest actors. He’s done such wonderful work in small performances before making a grand splash that he is absolutely needed for this. When really thinking on this version of Klytus he was the only actor that had that sense of charm, intimidation, and self-importance that could really make the character as strong and interesting as Peter Wyngarde did.

 

Princess Aura [Height: 5’ 6”, Age: 20’s]: The daughter of Ming the Merciless and the last remnant of Ming’s heart. She doesn’t remember the kinder man her father once was, only the tyrannical monster he’s become. She grapples between her luxury and her soul telling her to fight back against Ming.

            Naomi Scott [Height: 5’ 6”, Age: 28, Notable Works: Power Rangers, Aladdin, Charlie’s Angels]: Naomi is a beautiful and engrossing actress. She’s really done wonderful playing strong and vulnerable characters and no character fits that bill more than Princess Aura. With a real arc to her character, she faces this sense of disbelief as she has to accept her Father’s true nature and decide her place on an ongoing war.

 

Emperor Ming the Merciless [Height: 6’ 0”, Age: 50’s]: The ‘Rightful’ Emperor of the Universe. A Native Son of the Planet Mongo, Ming was once a member of a tribe that survived in the Great Mongo Desert. After Ming secured his rule as emperor of Mongo, his actions were deemed ‘Merciless’ and there he adopted the name “Ming the Merciless.” He has since taken the resources of the other worlds of Mongo to keep them inline, demanding a tribute every year on the anniversary of his wife’s passing. This version would be more inspired by Joseph Stalin, who famously said, of the death of his wife “This creature softened my heart of stone. She died and with her died my last warm feelings for humanity.” While his look would be a blend of Middle-Eastern and Asian cultures, in a similar approach as Trevor Slattery’s fake Mandarin in Iron Man 3.

            Alexander Siddig [Height: 6’ 0”, Age: 55, Notable Works: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Gotham, 21 Bridges]: When Max Von Sydow played Ming he transcended the role with a level of sophistication, cruelty, and presence that is rarely achieved by any actor in such a role. Sydow brought the same gravitas to Ming that Frank Langella did to Skeletor. In casting an actor who can bring those attributes to the character and create a fresh take, none other than Alexander Siddig stands out as the perfect choice for the role. He’s carried with him a level of otherworldly menace, intelligence, and cruelty in role like Ra’s Al Ghul that he quickly became the only choice for such a reinvention of the character. Alexander Siddig is a legendary actor who can really take a performance and make it the visual art acting is supposed to be and with him bringing a level of cold heartedness to the character.

 

A Live Action Series Chronicling the story of Ming. Telling the devastating origin of Ming the Merciless. Telling his humble origins of the Desert tribe of Mongo to overthrowing his father and becoming Emperor. Showcasing Ming’s time as a husband and father, becoming a warrior unmatched by the best fighters on Mongo. This reveals the source of Ming’s merciless demeanor as he takes hold of his own empire and becomes a villain. This is the Rise of Ming.

 

Ming The Merciless [Height: 6’ 0”, Age: 20’s-30’s]: A child of Mongo’s desert tribe. Ming is a young warrior with a wife, Auranaue. He joins his father in overthrowing the oppressive Witch Queen as he seeks for a better Mongo for himself and his family.

            Riz Ahmed [Height: 5’ 8”, Age: 38, Notable Works: Nightcrawler, Venom, Sound of Metal]: Riz is a fantastic actor. He’s done some wonderful work and has shown himself to be one of the real pioneers in his generation of actors. With wonderful works in Nightcrawler and Sound of Metal as well as a fun but threatening over the top performance in Venom, it would be perfect to see him take a role like a younger Emperor Ming and develop it into a threatening and conniving villain.

 

Auranaue [Height: 5’ 5”, Age: 20’s-30’s]: Wife of Ming, her love was able to tame the rage inside Ming. She was a constant source of stability and control for Ming, as she becomes Pregnant Ming becomes increasingly protective. When she dies, it changes Ming into the monster he’ll become.

            Sofia Boutella [Height: 5’ 5”, Age: 39, Notable Works: The Mummy, Atomic Blond, Climax]: Sofia Boutella is a wonderful actress and hasn’t really been utilized to her full strengths. Putting her in a role like Auranaue really lets her get to the more dramatic heart of acting and putting her in a very fabled role and represent Ming’s last true tether to a sense of humanity. She’s a powerful actress who could carry the role perfectly.

 

Emperor Krang the Conqueror [Height: 5’ 9”, Age: 70’s]: Ming’s father and the first Emperor of Mongo. He lead a revolution against the Witch Queen after an attack on the Desert Men of Mongo. As he rises to power he changes and becomes a monster that threatens Mongo.

            Haluk Bilinger [Height: 5’ 9”, Age: 67, Notable Works: Ben-Hur, Winter Sleep, Halloween]: I love Haluk. He’s got a powerful presence to him. He’s got a sense of honesty that suckers an audience and putting that in a role that would reveal a sense of evil that’s untethered would be a real treat. Seeing Haluk play a warlord who’s come from such humbleness would be an interesting character for him to play, with no doubt the ability to knock this out of the park.