Sep 9 2008Guess What, There's This Now: 'Greatest American Hero: The Movie'
Work has started on a Greatest American Hero movie, because that's a timeless, relevant, still-popular franchise. From SciFi:
Stephen J. Cannell, creator of the cult '80s TV series The Greatest American Hero, confirmed to fans that a feature film is in the works."We've written a screenplay, and we've hired a director, and we're in the midst of putting this together for the future," Cannell told an audience in Hollywood on Sept. 7 at the Screen Actors Guild's 25th-anniversary reunion.
The Greatest American Hero ran for three seasons on ABC, 1981-'83, and centered on Ralph Hinkley (Katt), a teacher who comes into possession of a red alien suit that endows its wearer with superpowers--but not the instruction manual.
The show is enjoying a renaissance of sorts, with a new comic book produced by Katt and producing partner Chris Folino under their Catastrophic Comics banner.
Additionally, there are plans for a series of four-minute animated Web shorts, voiced by Katt, Culp and Sellecca.
What? OK, I know this show is a little before my time, but there are really enough people still concerned with Greatest American Hero to warrant a comic book, some web shorts, and a feature film? I haven't thought about that show since George Costanza modeled his answering machine message after the theme song. Who are these people?
I think the issue here is that they're treating comic convention reactions as the norm. As former star William Katt said, "In the public arena, at Comic-Con and other [conventions] out there, we've found that there is a tremendous warm welcome still left waiting for The Greatest American Hero." Sorry, Will, but comic convention crowds are not the norm. They're about as far from the norm as you can get. We can't go around judging audience interest by examining a crowd that still purchases autographed photos of Pam Dawber. Not unless we want half our movies to be focused on mint condition Micronauts vehicles.
Reader Comments
1. Jayfournines - September 9, 2008 11:55 AM
Iwatchstuff writer...i'm not a naysayer and all...but lately you've been sucking big monkey balls in your articles; it's like that dumb Hancock thing you wrote all over again, you have no clue of what's going on with the shit you're talking about
2. fdsfdsfr4d - September 9, 2008 12:10 PM
ahhh so thats who will smith is gonna play...not cpt america but THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO. omgz nooo
3. !! - September 9, 2008 12:13 PM
seriously... are they trying to kill the Superhero movie genre. This and Seth Rogan in Green Hornet... these and ones like it are going to kill it before we get movies of good characters like Green Lantern and Flash....
4. theotheraaron - September 9, 2008 12:18 PM
please make them stop making this crap!
5. TetraShiva - September 9, 2008 1:30 PM
This is proof that Hollywood does not get it.
@Jayfournines:
So in what capacity are you involved with the making of this movie?
Seriously, just because it's been on TV in the past, or resembles something like a superhero, doesn't mean we'll go out and watch it. Especially this half-ass idea. I remember seeing this show as a kid, and I thought, "Damn it! Why doesn't he do something cool with his powers? He's a weenie, and he sucks!"
6. Right Fury - September 9, 2008 1:30 PM
Don't worry, in 2012 the hadron collider will end it all anyway.
7. TetraShiva - September 9, 2008 1:33 PM
I have to post twice now.
This show really sucked. It felt like it was written by my PBS watching grandmother.
8. momboelitist - September 9, 2008 2:42 PM
I remember this show as well and I liked it to a certain extent. Meaning to the extent that I expected the guy to eventually figure out the suit and he never really does. It was good for 3 years and when it ended I was fine with it. I really don't care to see it again but I can't blame Katt for wanting to milk all the cash he can get out if it.
I think I watched it more for Connie Sellecca than anything. Or was it Robert Culp that made me feel all funny down there?
9. nobody - September 9, 2008 3:43 PM
The show was 1/2 way decent at the time, but this movie sounds almost like a Hancock knock off (even though GAH - on TV - came first).
I think , if Hancock hadn't happened, they wouldn't even be considering this.
10. Joey Scarbury - September 9, 2008 3:54 PM
(To the Greatest American Hero Theme)
Look at what's happened to moo-vies
Aren't they ashamed of them-selves?
Suddenly ev-ery show in the world
Was already done by someone elseeeeee.
Beeelieve it or not, I really don't care.
I've decided to stop going to moo-vies.
Make it gay or with Will Ferrell's hair
Theyyyyy won't see meeeee.
Cuz believe it or...I don't careeee.
No more will I dread the coming Fri-day.
Or fearing more jokes about pooo.
Remakes broke me out of the spell I was in,
Of hoping to see something newwwww.
Beeelieve it or not, my ass won't be in a chair.
To endure the halfwit com-ed-e-he-hee. .
Charging ten bucks just isn't fairrrrr
Why would I seeeeee
Something I wouldn't watch on Tee-veeeeeeee?
11. cbobgo - September 9, 2008 4:03 PM
obscure trivia time . . . anybody else remember what they changed the main characters last name to in the middle of a season and why?
12. wendy - September 9, 2008 5:11 PM
Read about most of this in Geek Monthly magazine awhile back. It's a great magazine you all should read it.
13. k - September 9, 2008 11:01 PM
never heard of the show, but the symbol on his chest/belt looks just like a stylized δΈ (zhong), half of the chinese word for 'china', and often used to denote chinese things (zhongwen is chinese language, zhongcai is chinese food, etc).
14. Liz - September 10, 2008 12:07 AM
@ 10 Nicely done my friend.
Is it completely uncool that I vividly remember this show?
15. TetraShiva - September 10, 2008 9:59 AM
@10
You sir, are made of win.
16. Harry Coe - September 10, 2008 11:06 AM
@11
They changed the name because it was "Hinkley" and John W. Hinckley Jr inconveniently shot Pres. Reagan.
Dear lord, why do I remember crap like this. At least I don't remember what they changed it to, though.
17. Prof - September 10, 2008 2:56 PM
I usually try to be optimistic when it comes to super hero based movies, but this time all I can say is... WHY?! Of all the t.v. shows to bring to the big screen this obscure one get the green light... really, WOW, I mean as a t.v. show fine but a movie. I would love to just set in on some of these meetings and really watch how this turd of an idea was green lighted. Someone was high and made a suggestion and was taken seriously. If this movie (somehow) does okay at the box office you know eventually Mork & Mindy, Galaxy High, & Small Wonder movies coming next!
18. cbobgo - September 12, 2008 3:50 PM
good job 16! i dont know why i've always rememberd this factoid. Hoping for a win on Jeapordy or something.
They changed his name to Hanley, which i remember thinking at the time was pretty lame.
19. don't quit your day job - September 27, 2008 7:10 PM
iwatchstuff writer: you are now officially a MORON!!! Do you have any idea how many summer blockbusters are previewed at Comic Con with full cast and crew present for interviews? Dude...go flip burgers...because you should be FIRED!!!!!
This was pretty damn ignorant.