MovieChat Forums > Flash Gordon (2007) Discussion > Why did they even call it Flash Gordon?

Why did they even call it Flash Gordon?

posted 13 years ago by parkpunk
2 replies | jump to latest

I suppose the obvious answer is to take advantage and cash in on a well known scifi, iconic name. Unfortunately, I think many people had the same reaction I did which was, "This is Flash Gordon?!". "WTF?!!!"
I grew up in the eighties with the Dino De Laurentiis version which was quite faithful to the original serials. I was really expecting the new show to be the same basic story line and format. I knew the effects would be SciFi-channel-TV budget level and that there would be some story changes but, I couldn't believe they were even calling this Flash Gordon. Granted I didn't give it much of a chance after the second episode but, maybe I would have if they just gave it an original name.
I have a similar feeling about an old horror movie from the eighties called 'Halloween Three: Season of the Witch'. It was a good (well, cheesy) horror film, but it had NOTHING to do with the first two Halloween movies. Ranting.

[–] HapHazzard 13 years ago

Your first line is your answer, right there. To cash in on a known name and make a cheap as chips knock-off show to fill a schedule. The producer hated the original Flash Gordon story - and even said that, publically, during promotions for this show. The writers were briefed to make a show that referenced the original story in the loosest way because of that, and to make a cheap filmable script that would appeal pretty much only to young teens. Problem with that is that when you use the name to a much loved story, you have to reference it a bit closer than just using names and the loosest possible of circumstances. It's viewing figures show the displeasure of fans with the show - they literally halved at every single episode, to the point where they couldn't even register with the marketing research people. People tuned in to see Flash Gordon. What they got was a show with the names, but not the substance. And they tuned out in droves.

[–] Lenox274 13 years ago

Speaking of which, What ever happened to the few fake (read paid marketers) from this show, and I still wonder about all of rampant site censorship that gutted this discussion board- some really funny stuff on this show was removed. And there was a time you couldnt even post anything about the show that was not positive on here. I imagine that IMDB crew has moved on and they dont check in. But it was pretty wild on here. I can see you can speak freely now.

MONGO 90210 sucks.