Buck Rogers is a character who has been around for almost a century, first appearing in the August, 1928 issue of Amazing Stories, and I think it’s about time we bring him back once again, in a movie or TV series. For those not familiar with the backstory, Anthony “Buck” Rogers was a WWI veteran, who worked for the American Radioactive Gas Corporation. While inspecting a mine, he was exposed to radioactive gas that sent him into a state of suspended animation for 492 years. In 2419, he wakes up and is confused by his surroundings–this is not Pennsylvania that he knows!
The Buck Rogers franchise has been revived numerous times in comics, and television, but it’s certainly ready for a major reboot. A few years ago, thee was a lot of buzz about a new movie being made by Paul W.S. Anderson, and before that, Frank Miller was supposed to be directing a Buck Rogers movie, but who knows what happened to those projects? Personally, I’d love to see Buck Rogers brought back as a steam punkish, retro TV series, similar to the way Firefly was developed and how it incorporated the old west with futuristic technology. I want jet packs, ray guns, and big bubble-headed helmets!
When thinking of this reboot, it was impossible for me to not want Nathan Fillion in the title role. He’d be perfect for it, but the comparisons to Mal Reynolds would be impossible to ignore and would surely doom the series. The actor would need to have that spark of humor while also being able to make the uniform look not ridiculous. Maybe Ryan Reynolds or Chris Evans?
For Wilma Deering, I would love to see Julie Benz, who I have become enamored with after watching her portrayal of Mayor Amanda Rosewater on Syfy’s Defiance. She has the right amount of confidence and capability, and some might say she’s quite the looker (plus, she already has the perfect outfit!).
What do you think? Is the 21st century ready for a revival of the hero from the 25th century?
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This post is a response to the League of Extraordinary Bloggers weekly challenge. Other League members want to bring back Captain Power, the Starfleet Academy, Exo-Squad, and the California Raisins, among others.
Sign me up for this. Love Buck.
If we’re talking TV series, why not Jeffrey Donovan from Burn Notice? He’ll need something to do when that wraps up.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen that guy in action, but he certainly has the look.
Buck Rogers: Bradley Cooper. Wilma Deering: your choice. Dr. Heuer: Terry O’Quinn. Twikki’s voice: Frank Welker. Princess Ardala: can’t think of anyone..
Bradley Cooper would be great!
Did you get the Buck Rogers comic on Free Comic Book Day? It is cool.
I didn’t. The shop I visited was out of that one and the Walking Dead comic i was hoping to snag.
Besides reprinting some old Sunday comic strips it was promoting an upcoming ongoing comic book by Howard Chaykin. Not a tv or movie series, but a comic book series!
That series could be pretty good, I’ll have to keep an eye out for it. Thanks!
I definitely think it could be remade. Particularly if it had a lot of steampunk type elements. That stuff is super popular these days and Buck Rogers wacky vision of the future would be a perfect place to match that up.
But in any version, we need a Twiki!
Of course we need a Twikki. And a steampunk Twikki could be pretty great.
As long as it is better then the Scy Fy FLASH GORDON series from a few years ago.
Could it NOT be better than that? 😉
Let’s start a petition! I remember the Gil Gerard series very fondly when I was a kid…..wld be really cool to have him getting (an inevitable) cameo in this ‘new’ film now ain’t it?
I would totally endorse that idea.
Good one, Brian. A nice, retro sci-fi adventure series is long overdue.
I’m currently working on my reboot. Hopefully it’ll be up by tomorrow.
Pax
Have you been watching Defiance? I’m really trying to get hooked by it since all the elements are there, but it just hasn’t got its claws in me yet.
Can’t wait to see what you’re bringing back.
I don’t think you are going to be too surprised. 😉
I’m not sure if Emilio is going to fit in those tight leather chaps anymore. 😉
Yeah this would be fun. I like your vision of it, and Julie Benz is such a great actress. I like her work a lot. She was awesome on Buffy and I know Jawbreaker may not be her most remembered role in a film, but ever since then, I have enjoyed whatever she is in. Buck Rogers needs a comeback for sure!
She was also really good in Dexter, It really shows her range from, the sexy vs push girl in Buffy/Angel, to the damaged mother in Dexter, say what you will about ms Benz but she has some serios acting chops.
I’ve been wanting to see this revived for sometime now. I loved the TV series as a kid and Erin Gray as Wilma Deering is embedded in my adolescent memory that’s for sure, but you have my vote to direct the project.
LOL. I’ll do my best not to screw it up. 😉