Remaking Buck Rogers in the 25th Century

Shannon · Post by **Shannon** » 2008-03-23 04:28am

For those who are too young to remember, this was an SF movie from the Glen Larson (oBSG creator, used many of the same effects) that spawned 2 seasons of a TV series back in the late 70s/early 80s. The premise was that of a USAF pilot and astronaut who accidentally becomes cryogenically suspended during a deep-space mission in 1987 and returns to Earth 504 years later in 2491. The original movie was somwehat darker than season 1, which was almost camp, but season 2 went more serious (and was cancelled).

However, that was but the latest incarnation of a concept that had begun as early as the late 1930s IIRC, with a WW I veteran falling into suspended animation due to radiactive gas encountered in a mineshaft.

Both versions featured post-apocalyptic worlds with groups on Earth fighting against outside threats. In the 30s/40s version, it was North Americans vs 'the Yellow Peril' of the Han, who in later books were (IIRC) supposed to actually be of alien origin. In the 70s/80s movie/TV series, it was Earth vs Evil Aliens of the Week.

Both versions had their good and bad points. What I'm interested in is knowing how you would remake this classic concept as a TV series.

IMHO, one of the key ideas is deciding how the character of Rogers will fit in (or not) to a world 500 years later than his own. What is that world like? Does he have anything to offer it? If so, what? In the 30s/40s, he had military experience to lend to the disorganised humans. In the 70s/80s, he had unconventional thinking, combat skills and 'null-person, thus untraceable' status.

A search on Wikipedia also reveals that a couple of constants in the concept have been Wilma Deering, the love interest and warrior who was also one of the first strong, independent, capable female role models in the genre, and the sterotypical 'brain', Dr Huer. These characters would need to be included in the plot description.

(Any mention of Twiki from the 70s/80s series is grounds for flaming

)

So how would you do it? Who would you cast?

Let the brainstorming begin!

Jade Falcon · Post by **Jade Falcon** » 2008-03-23 03:37pm

Personally I think most guys memories of Buck Rogers were of Erin Grey AKA Colonel Deering in those skintight catsuits.

Personally, I don't know if they could remake it, Buck Rogers was always meant to be more light hearted than what we get now, after all, look at the latest incarnation of Buster Crabbe's other famous role...the new Flash Gordon.

Post by **LadyTevar** » 2008-03-23 04:07pm

Jade Falcon wrote:Personally I think most guys memories of Buck Rogers were of Erin Grey AKA Colonel Deering in those skintight catsuits.

Shit... forget Erin Grey, Pamela Hensley as Ardala! She had the Gold Bikini first!

Deathstalker · Post by **Deathstalker** » 2008-03-23 04:18pm

I would not be surprised if the suits at the the Sci-fi channel don't already have plans on a remake. With BSG ending, and Flash Gordon sucking, about the only thing left to reload is Buck. With a decent budget, not the pocket change budget of Flash, and less focus on the "gritty reality" of BSG, I think it could be a decent show. Keep with astronaut/military idea, throw in a good looking lady for Dearing and some decent writers and it could be a hit

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2008-03-23 06:12pm

I don't think there'd be really much of a problem of another Buck Rogers series getting made, although it does depend pretty heavily on what kind of interpretation and angle is taken: the pathetic, syndication quality junk passed off as Sci-Fi's Flash Gordon is probably the best recent example of what NOT to do when handling a remake adaptation.

The biggest problem with Glen Larson's Buck Rogers was that like Battlestar Galactica, nobody on the production seemed to know how to properly execute science fiction for television--or even fully understand what "science fiction" really was. Which partially explains the campy approach in the first season, and the overall nonsense of the sci-fi elements throughout.

(Automan, another early 80s show from Larson, had the same sort of nonsensical ridiculousness: seems like it wasn't until Knight Rider, with the only fantastic element being the AI-equipped car, that Larson finally created a show whose setting he could fully understand.)

Shannon · Post by **Shannon** » 2008-03-23 06:23pm

I will readily admit to being somewhat . . . distracted . . . by both Erin Grey and Pamela Hensley at the time I first saw the series. Deering was the tough girl next door who you were sure was soft underneath, while Ardala was just a fantasy made flesh. Very nice flesh . . .

I haven't seen whatever passes for the new Flash Gordon, so I'll have to take your word for it. It hasn't been released in any form here in New Zealand yet. But Gordon is another character concept who I've always had an interest in. Done well, Flash Gordon could be something really quite spectacular, so I'm disappointed to hear the new version has been hobbled from the start.

Spanky, I seem to remember Richard Hatch saying something like oBSG was a concept before its time, and what you're saying about Larson seems to gel with that. I'd agree that Buck Rogers was also an idea that was too big/complex for him to do properly, though I still remember feeling a certain sense of wonder when I was a kid, especially in the 2-parter where Buck travelled to another universe.

Falkenhorst · Post by **Falkenhorst** » 2008-03-23 06:29pm

Holy crap... that brings back memories. My high school library had a huge hardcover compendium edition of the original buck rogers comic strips as they appeared in the newspapers in the 20s. I guess I was never spoiled by any of the film or TV versions but I remember it was 10 kinds of awesome.

Zixinus · Post by **Zixinus** » 2008-03-23 06:37pm

Well, one real danger is that the writer may end up preaching one way or another. When one imagines a future, there are usually three possibilities: the writer's vision of an utopia, the vision of a dystopia or just the same modern age as this, just with spaceships and stuff like that.
There is also the line-of-thought future, typical to short-story sci-fi.

In a book or comic even, there is the chance of creating a more carefully-crafted future, but in a tv-show, its quite difficult.

I agree with Jade Falcon: I've watched 5-7 episodes of the new Flash Gordon then I watched 10-20 minutes of the animated series on youtube. I was more entertained by the ten minutes of the animated series then 5 whole episodes.

Seriously, what is wrong with Flash? His father is there, there is little holding him to Earth besides a high-school ex who's future marriage he is slowly ruining by his escapes, why not get the prof, a few guns and other useful equipment and go fucking find his father? He even has a guide, that sorry-excuse-for-a-giant-lion-man-friend-slash-loyal-companion woman. There is also that stupid watch that had MacGuffin written all over it.

And Ming. He was supposed to be evil incarnate, who destroys and kills for his amusement and not a somewhat-amoral dictator.

Jade Falcon · Post by **Jade Falcon** » 2008-03-23 06:37pm

Shannon I haven't seen the new Flash Gordon, I've seen trailers and heard it's pretty poor though.

The 70's Buck Rogers had some impressive guest stars mind, Jerry Orback before Law and Order, Mark Lenard, Jamie Lee Curtis, Julie Newmar to name a few. Even Buster Crabbe was in there as a 'Brigadier Gordon'.

Shannon · Post by **Shannon** » 2008-03-23 06:41pm

According to Wikipedia, Martin Caidin (who wrote the original Cyborg upon which The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman were based) has written a novel that brings together many of the original elements of the Buck Rogers story. I haven't read it, but the description on Wiki doesn't sound too bad at all.

Possible Spoilers

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Buck Rogers: A Life in the Future

ISBN ISBN 0-7869-0144-6

Buck Rogers: A Life in the Future is the title of a science fiction novel by Martin Caidin published in 1995.

The novel is a reimagining of Buck Rogers, a pulp fiction character created in the 1920s by Philip Francis Nowlan and later popularized in a long-running comic strip and in films and television. Caidin's novel was published by TSR, Inc., which also published a role-playing game based upon Nowlan's creation entitled Buck Rogers XXVC, which in turn spawned a series of novels, however this novel is not related to the game or its spin-off novels beyond the basic concept and characters.

Caidin's novel retells the story of Anthony "Buck" Rogers, a top pilot who is mortally wounded in a Fokker plane crash. Given zero chance of survival with modern-day medical methods, Rogers is placed into suspended animation in the hopes that at some point in the future new technologies will render his injuries survivable. Ultimately, as civilizations rise and fall, Rogers is kept in stasis for five centuries before he is discovered and revived.

As with the original Buck Rogers story, the pilot must adjust to life in the 25th Century while also helping Earth battle various invaders. Along the way he falls in love with Wilma Deering, a top pilot in the Space Corps.

Caidin makes reference to his own creation, The Six Million Dollar Man by having Rogers outfitted with advanced bionics as part of his recovery.

That actually sounds pretty good, as IIRC Cyborg was a pretty good read. Whether it would get the treatment it deserves on TV is another matter. If I were a TV exec I'd be looking at alternative treatments like this before trying to get a whole new script.

Shannon · Post by **Shannon** » 2008-03-23 07:07pm

Zixinus, I loved that TV animated Flash Gordon! It absolutely rocked! Of course I'm looking back on that through about 20 years of memory, but I'll have to go looking for it on YouTube now that you've reminded me of it.

Seriously, who would people cast for the main charcters on Buck Rogers? Assuming you could get them, of course. Some thoughts:

Josh Hartnett as Rogers

Samuel L. Jackson as Kane

I can't think of anyone suitable for Huer, Wilma Deering or Ardala just yet . . .

Jade Falcon · Post by **Jade Falcon** » 2008-03-23 07:12pm

I believe the actor who played Huer in the 70's is still living, he must be a fair age now though. Would Miranda Otto be too old for Wilma?

Shannon · Post by **Shannon** » 2008-03-23 07:23pm

Would Miranda Otto be too old for Wilma?

Mmm, possibly. She'll be 41 this year (December) and Josh Hartnett will be 30 in July.

Then again, I picked Hartnett because of his previous experience in military roles and because he's not too old, but old enough that he could realistically be a good, experienced military pilot/astronaut. Deering (Otto) would probably be career military and possibly a Colonel, so her age might be about right.

Shannon · Post by **Shannon** » 2008-03-23 07:27pm

Another point: I should possibly look at someone older to play Buck too. The reason being that a few weeks back I had the pleasure of encountering Roberto Vittori, an ESA astronaut, Italian Air Force Colonel and test pilot. He'll be 44 this year.

Jade Falcon · Post by **Jade Falcon** » 2008-03-23 07:49pm

Well if you take the 70's series as a guide, Gil Gerard and Erin Gray were 33 and 26 respectively when they made the series. You can get away with certain actors as long as they look the right age to play the part.

Archaic` · Post by **Archaic`** » 2008-03-23 08:06pm

If they were going to go the more gritty route of neoBSG, would they perhaps use TSR's Buck Rogers XXVC setting, rather than Caidin's reimagination? Or would they simply just have to use whichever version the Dille family trust said they could?

Jade Falcon · Post by **Jade Falcon** » 2008-03-23 08:13pm

The TSR setting certainly was intriguing, its a pity the game itself wasn't more succesful.

Zixinus · Post by **Zixinus** » 2008-03-23 09:01pm

Personally, I would not use film but some form of animation. The reason they often stay and fuck around on Earth too much in the new Flash Gordon is because of budget: they can't AFFORD to shoot scenes on Mongo. This is obviously not a limiting factor for animation, granted good art direction.

As for the "modern" treatment of Buck Rogers, I may have a suggestion: I can't name it, but Stainslaw Lem had an interesting novel about an astronaut who returns to Earth after 400-500 years (due to slower-then-lightspeed-travel) and finds humanity itself changed. How exactly, is a bit hard to explain. There is a treatment that makes people live longer but takes away aggression and make people incapable of violence or even dangerous behaviour to a certain extent. Obviously, the astronauts do not fit in well. I don't want to ruin the rest of the novel, so I can't give much more details otherwise very advanced technology (inertial dampening).

Perhaps a similar Buck Rogers setting? Buck Rogers and co go to another solar system, fuck around a bit, go home and find a completely new society in which he has difficulty fitting in. Wormholes that make lightyear-journeys near-instantaneous are found.
Then what? Well, the society finds a use for Buck Rogers. He is still an Air Force pilot, has combat experience so they send him out as a special enforcer of the law, his natural aggression and military past aiding him in a society that has traded that aggression for longevity. He his high jurisdiction and is asked to help with special cases.

Lots of action, lots of tech, interesting and broad possibilities.

Tsyroc · Post by **Tsyroc** » 2008-03-24 10:31am

Shannon wrote:Zixinus, I loved that TV animated Flash Gordon! It absolutely rocked! Of course I'm looking back on that through about 20 years of memory, but I'll have to go looking for it on YouTube now that you've reminded me of it.

The animated series is available on DVD.

A couple of problems though. 1) It's done by Filmation so there is a lot of reused stock footage. 2) The episodes are short so you get to see the opening and closing credits a lot. 3) The stock footage gets really, really noticeable when you are seeing it so often because it's in the credits and also used over and over in episodes.

That being said I remember the cartoon fondly from when I was a kid. As a DVD release it might have been better off if someone had edited it to be more like a continuous movie.

Ohma · Post by **Ohma** » 2008-03-24 01:44pm

I think the best way you could do it would end up being kinda' similar to Farscape. The future is over the top and crazy but it's okay because our main character is a wise cracking, pop culture referencing, wild and crazy kind of guy! With spaceships and robots and lasers! PEW PEW!

Stravo · Post by **Stravo** » 2008-03-24 01:57pm

I prefer the fish out of water Buck Rogers/Flash Gordon stuff to be really over the top. I mean if we woke up 500 years later I expect some of the cultural differences alone to be startling, perhaps almost too much to handle. Imagine some poor bastard from 1508 waking up now. He would be horrified and frightened by everything he saw. Why should it be different for Buck? Why not wake up in a world where technology has progressed to a point where he just can't hop into a ship and fly it?

Maybe it needs implants to work, maybe the environment has changed so drastically he can't be outside for very long. Maybe he can't even understand the English being spoken because its more like a hodgepodge of other languages - think Gaffe from Bladerunner and his cityspeak - maybe society permits things like homosexuality to the point where exclusive heterosexuality is frowned upon. Maybe there's a machine dictatorship, maybe there's a genetically engineered caste of rulers, maybe a plague wiped out 90% of humanity and the rest are hiding out in self contained environments with no knowledge of the outside world? Who the hell knows. 500 years is a damned long time for a society to develop not just on a technological level. Just look at the difference between 1908 and 2008 alone in all respects.

Its silly to make the future slightly different than our current society with futuristic add ons. Shock the audience as much as Buck should be shocked. Make us go "Holy shit!" when we discover things along with Buck. That should be the goal. Not 2508 being 2008 with a few futuristic twists.

Jade Falcon · Post by **Jade Falcon** » 2008-03-24 01:57pm

Without a risk of stereotyping him after Farscape and SG-1, I could see Ben Browder as Buck.

Deathstalker · Post by **Deathstalker** » 2008-03-24 05:15pm

Ben Browder would be a good choice, if he didn't already have a Buck Rogers
role under his belt.

I would prefer relative unknowns with some TV experience to play Buck and Wilma, with a well known TV or B list movie name to play the boss. It worked for nBSG and should work for Buck. There would be a smaller cast, so there would be a larger budget, but we are assuming Sci-Fi would make it, so the budget could be pocket change.

Animation coupled with Stravo's ideas could make for a good show. Animation allows for going big on a budget. The studio that did the 2002 He-Man cartoons might be a good choice

Spanky The Dolphin · Post by **Spanky The Dolphin** » 2008-03-24 05:32pm

Deathstalker wrote:Animation coupled with Stravo's ideas could make for a good show. Animation allows for going big on a budget. The studio that did the 2002 He-Man cartoons might be a good choice

Mike Young Productions. Looking them up, He-Man is probably their best output, since the rest of it seems to be a lot of junk.

Nevermind that even though animation does remove many budget limitations, it's usually pretty expensive in the first place.

Zixinus · Post by **Zixinus** » 2008-03-24 06:37pm

Maybe it needs implants to work, maybe the environment has changed so drastically he can't be outside for very long.
[snip]
Shock the audience as much as Buck should be shocked. Make us go "Holy shit!" when we discover things along with Buck. That should be the goal. Not 2508 being 2008 with a few futuristic twists.

I like your thinking. It would quickly get the show cancelled due to sheer shock value but I like it. I am also thinking of similar effects.

In Stainslaw Lem's novel for example, allot of these changed people are hedonists, marriages starting and ending in a breeze, with no fear of rape because they are incapable of committing rape. They despise any form of danger and everything is run by automation. Robots run everything and I do mean everything. The entire population is afraid of blood, surgeons use robots to plan surgeries.

Then there are ideas that Stainlaw Lem didn't even consider. For example, the extent of genetic modification. Take a look at Alltomorrows story. By the end, the only people that weren't subjugated and fucked around by an incredibly powerful alien race were spacers. And these spacers more closely resembled today's grays at one point then human beings.