“Overlord” director Julius Avery has been tapped by Fox to write and direct the “Flash Gordon” remake, an individual with knowledge of the project tells TheWrap.
“Kingsman” director Matthew Vaughn, who circled the project in 2015 to direct, will now produce with John Davis and Hearst Entertainment & Syndication Group. Fox senior vice president Matt Reilly is overseeing “Flash Gordon” for the studio. C.J. Kettler is overseeing for Hearst.
The story follows an adventurer who strives to save the planet Mongo from the clutches of his villainous nemesis Ming the Merciless.
“Flash Gordon” has been adapted into multiple formats, most recently as a live-action series on Syfy and famously as a 1980 feature film that starred Sam J. Jones.
“Overlord,” which is set for theatrical release in November, follows Allied paratroopers in World War II who are shot down behind enemy lines on the eve of D-Day and discover that the Nazis are using supernatural forces against them.
Avery directed from a script by Billy Ray and Mark L. Smith. The cast includes Jovan Adepo (“Fences”), Jacob Anderson (“Game of Thrones”), and Wyatt Russell (“Black Mirror: Playtest”).
Avery is repped by UTA, Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Gang, Tyre; Vaughn is repped by WME and Brillstein.
Deadline first reported the news.