WTF Happened to Flash Gordon?

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Hollywood has had its fair share of historically troubled productions. Whether it was casting changes, actor deaths, fired directors, in-production rewrites, constant delays, budget cuts or studio edits, these films had every intention to be a blockbuster, but were beset with unforeseen disasters. Sometimes huge hits, sometimes box office bombs.

In this episode we look at 1980's FLASH GORDON, based on the old comic strip serials (which eventually inspired George Lucas to make STAR WARS) and starring Sam J. Jones, Max von Sydow, Brian Blessed, Timothy Dalton, Melody Anderson and Ornella Muti. Directed by Mike Hodges (GET CARTER) and featuring a killer soundtrack from Queen, the film was a tumultuous mess during production with on-set fights, mixed-language crews, a constantly-revised script and star Sam J. Jones eventually leaving the production over a pay dispute and never returning, causing most of his lines to be dubbed. The film wasn't a critical success upon release, but over time has garnered cult status and the Queen soundtrack has stood the test of time. Let's jump back 40 years and find out WTF Happened to FLASH GORDON!