Friday, July 16, 2010

UFO (2011) Movie Website

While I'm thinking about Gerry Anderson productions... this may be old news to most of you, but there's a pretty cool official website for the forthcoming feature film adaptation/remake of Anderson's 1970 television series UFO. Not a lot of information there about the actual film - in fact, I haven't heard anything about the production since it was announced last November (!) that actor Joshua Jackson of Fringe had been cast as Paul Foster in the movie - but the site itself looks cool.

After watching the first season of Fringe, in which Jackson pretty much scowled his way through each episode in a manner not unlike the original series' Michael Billington, I think he's a fine choice to play the role. The much more important casting, though, will be that of Ed Straker, the brilliant, calculating, obsessed defender of humanity and iron-fisted leader of SHADO. My wife and I have tried to think of a single contemporary actor who would not only be right for the role of SHADO's commander, but who would also be someone that a studio would feel comfortable casting in the lead of an expensive movie; i.e. a "box office draw." So far, we haven't thought of a single star worthy of Ed Bishop's white wig.

Who would YOU like to see play Straker in the new UFO film? Bear in mind that your choice should not only be appropriate for the part, but also someone that a studio exec would consider "bankable." Post your choices in the comments.
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16 comments:

  1. kesherJuly 16, 2010 at 4:45 PM

    Clint Eastwood?

    Leonard Nimoy?

    Donald Sutherland?

    Tommy Lee Jones (with no accent?)

    Viggo Mortenson?

    Ed Harris?

    Daniel Day-Lewis

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  2. Christopher MillsJuly 16, 2010 at 4:50 PM

    I like Ed Harris; good choice!But I'm pretty sure that for a big FX film, the studio's going to want a younger actor than almost anyone on your list, except maybe Viggo....

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  3. Don W, ShanksJuly 16, 2010 at 11:42 PM

    Bruce Willis maybe? Or more likely the General I guess.

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  4. Christopher MillsJuly 17, 2010 at 2:44 AM

    I actually think that George Clooney could bring the gravitas necessary for the role - and he's got experience with the Caesar haircut - but somehow I just can't see him agreeing to a genre film like UFO.

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  5. ZokkoJuly 17, 2010 at 8:17 AM

    I'm not sure I want a film of 'U.F.O'., especially since the fiasco of Jonathan Frakes' 'Thunderbirds'.

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  6. Cord the SeekerJuly 17, 2010 at 10:07 AM

    Some classics should remain untouched. I don't think that any modern effort can hope to capture the spirit and magic of the original, and sometimes we shouldn't try.

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  7. gsanfordJuly 18, 2010 at 2:20 AM

    I would go with an unknown, personally. Kind of the Brandon Routh approach.

    I have high hopes for this (see my avatar).

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  8. DougJuly 21, 2010 at 3:00 AM

    I have to agree with Cord,as I think this is one that should be left alone. It wasn't until early 1982 that I finally got to see UFO(and the first season of Space:1999).One of the local UHF stations would show both back to back between 2 and 4 am on Friday nights.

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  9. WilJuly 21, 2010 at 7:49 AM

    I'm afraid I don't hold out much hope for a UFO movie. Just think about what makes the original watchable now even though many of the plots are quite slow and plodding. It's the era! The madness of what they thought the 'future' of 1980 would be like, of girls on the moon in silver jumpsuits and metallic purple wigs, of Interceptors with only 1 missile to fire, of the string-vest clad crew of Skydiver who's only purpose seemed to be to launch a small single jet into the air, of gull-wing door cars and a gorgeous Ayshea Brough wearing a giant 'A' pendant. How on earth would you handle those things now? They're so integral to what UFO is yet would seem daft in a serious modern-day movie.

    I'd love to see George Clooney don the blonde wig as Straker and the whole thing played dead-straight as if it was 1970.

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  10. AnonymousNovember 28, 2010 at 7:12 AM

    if it has to be remade, i would like it to follow some of the better downbeat and slightly unsettling stories that made ufo a series apart.
    The part of Straker is the most important one to cast. it could make or break the film. how do you follow Ed Bishop?

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  11. AnonymousDecember 12, 2010 at 7:48 AM

    I suggest Billy Bob Thornton. Think about it. See his films. I think he is a terrific actor and would be believable as Ed Straker.

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  12. AnonymousJanuary 6, 2011 at 2:55 PM

    Ed Harris would make a good Straker. You only have to watch him as Gene Kranz in Apollo 13 to see he has the right stuff.

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  13. AnonymousJanuary 13, 2011 at 3:55 AM

    Ioan Gruffudd from Fantastic 4 who played Reed Richards; his voice has a Mid Atlantic tinge as played just like Bishop and he has a very strong resemblance even down to the eyebrows and the shape of his face. he's young so it is a realistic choice for a movie production and a bankable star.
    Ed Harris is to old and way out of type, Clooney would just remind you that he's Clooney and rediculously not the right type.

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  14. AnonymousAugust 23, 2012 at 7:59 AM

    Oh! I know who would be good as Straker! NEAL MCDONOUGH! Got those blue blue eyes and blond hair! His age would carry some weight to the role too!
    Thanks! Adam F Houston, Texas U.S.A.

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  15. AnonymousSeptember 24, 2014 at 10:45 AM

    Seconded... Billy Bob Thornton... hey, is this going to get made???

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