Though it has been a while since anything was heard of the Flash Gordon franchise, fans haven't given up and are eagerly looking forward to any updates regarding a possible live-action movie.
In an interview with ComicBook, actor Sam Jones, who portrayed the character of Flash Gordon in 1980's movie of the same name, said that even if the movie won't come out anytime soon, it is surely moving forward actively.
"Yeah, next Flash Gordon movie, I met, the same scenario regarding Seth McFarlane, Matt Reilly is the VP of production at FOX, he might be promoted by now, and we met two years ago, and he says, 'Sam, I just acquired the screenplay rights to Flash Gordon.' And now this has happened, Kara as you know this has happened numerous times since 79, and for some reason they, whatever, and I'm talking about reputable producers. The last two before Matt Reilly it was Neil Moritz with 'Fast and Furious' and before that Stephen Sommers, 'Van Helsing,' and for some reason they didn't follow up on the option. They just let it go and it went back to King Features."
Jones said that the fandom of the franchise is too expanded and devoted and a new instalment in it in inevitable. Besides this, Jones also thinks that the character has a personal touch with several movie people who are involved with the franchise.
"So I met with Matt Reilly about two years ago and he said hey yeah I got the rights, and what inspired me is the fact that just like Seth McFarlane, same story! He said Sam when I was nine years old I saw Flash Gordon and it changed my life. That's why I've acquired, so he has this personal touch like Seth McFarlane had. Now it's been in development for two years, and you know Kara they don't like to talk about oh is it a sequel or is it a reboot, what is it? I'm not saying this out of pride or arrogance, but they have their own way of wanting to do their own thing. I just hope they keep it, when I say dark, give it an edge. Everything should have an incredible edge to it."