TVSquad

I went into this updated version of Flash Gordon with basically zero knowledge of the character and its many previous incarnations. I know Flash has appeared in a comic strip, comic books, movie serials and on television, but all of those popped up before my time. Since this is clearly SciFi's attempt to bring the character back and make him appealing to a new audience, I figure my ignorance is beneficial.

So anyway, is the new Flash any good?

Yes, probably.

Our last panel of our two day trip in Vancouver was for the new comic-book-turned-TV-show, Flash Gordon, due to premiere later this year. To be completely honest, not a whole lot of people were looking forward to this visit, especially when considering what we'd seen the previous day. However, in the end, I for one now have different expectations for the show and think it's worth a second glance.

Thanks again to Gina Holden, Eric Johnson, Karen Cliche and Jody Racicot for taking the time to sit down with us. The entire panel video is embedded after the jump below (by the way, all of the previous videos should work without a problem now.)

Gina Holden, last seen on the TV series Blood Ties, has joined the cast of SCI FI's upcoming adaptation of Flash Gordon as Dale Arden, the love interest of Flash Gordon (played by Eric Johnson). Holden also appeared in Fantastic Four and will also appear in the upcoming sequel to Alien Vs. Predator.

The series also recently cast actor Jody Racicot as Dr. Hans Zarkov, and John Ralston as the evil Ming. The series has already cast Giles Panton as Joe, Karen Cliché as Baylin, Panou as Nick, Jill Teed as Norah, Jonathan Walker as Rankol, Carmen Moore as Jolie and Anna van Hoft as Aura.

Flash Gordon began as a comic strip in the 1930s and eventually spawned a number of adaptations, including movie serials, TV shows and radio programs. The new Flash Gordon series kicks off sometime this August.

The new Flash Gordon series for Sci Fi begins shooting in Vancouver next month, and they've found their lead role: Eric Johnson. Most of you will know Johnson from his role as Whitney Fordman on Smallville.

Johnson is not the only one coming to the project from Smallville. Rick Rosenthal, who also helmed episodes of the series, is directing the first two episodes of Flash Gordon, which are being written by Peter Hume (Charmed). Hume is also executive producing along with Robert Halmi Sr. and Robert Halmi Jr., who earlier worked on the Legend of Earthsea miniseries.

The new series is expected to debut sometime in August. Other roles have not yet been cast. Earlier reports on the series claimed it would be lighter in tone than other shows such as Battlestar Galactica, but not quite as campy as earlier versions.