Though not a substantial hit when it first arrived in theaters way back in 1984,The Last Starfighter, renowned for being one of the first movies to ever use CGI visual effects, has gained quite a cult audience over the years. A remake seems like a no brainer, especially with its timely story of a video game obsessed teenager who is called upon to save the universe. But that may not happen anytime soon according to writerGary Whitta, who loves the idea of doing a reboot. Unfortunately, it seems the rights are currently tied up and almost impossible to obtain.
Remaking The Last Starfighter isGary Whitta’s dream project. And he’s not alone. There are apparently many in the industry who would love to take on the project. About remakingThe Last Starfighter, the formerStar Wars Spin-Offwriter states:
“Man, I wish. I’m one of a very long list of screenwriters who would kill for the opportunity to bring that back. It just seems like the rights are impossible to figure out. Maybe one day. If there’s one thing that movie taught me, it’s to never stop believing that anything is possible. Even in Hollywood.”
The Last Starfighter rights actually belong to original writer Jonathan R. Betuel. And in the past, bothSeth RogenandSteven Spielberghave tried to obtain those rights, albeit unsuccessfully. If you’re disappointed that The Last Starfighter isn’t returning to the big screen anytime soon, you do have this summer’sPixelsto look forward to, which starsAdam Sandlerin a role not unlike Alex Rogen in the 1984 sci-fi adventure. Both movies center on a master of 80s arcades who are recruited to use their skills to fight a real-life video game-like threat.
Gary Whittais known for writing the first draft of the Untitled Gareth Edwards Directed Star Wars Spin-Off, before being replaced byChris Weitz. His other work includesThe Book of EliandAfter Earth. Seeing as howAfter Earthwasn’t very well received by critics or audiences, do you think the man is right for The Last Starfighter remake?
