Fox will be adding a 'The Greatest American Hero' remake to the roster of TV classics slated for remakes in the upcoming years, Deadline reported last Friday.
The Steven J Cannel cult classic reboot will be helmed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, directors of the successful movie adaptation of another 1980s TV series from Cannel, '21 Jump Street.' They received acclaim after writing and directing the animated film, 'The Lego Movie.'
They have also signed in as the reboot's executive producers, alongside Cannel's daughter, Tawnia McKiernan.
Rodney Rothman, who worked with the 'The Lego Movie' duo on '21's' sequel, '22 Jump Street,' will write as well as produce 'The Greatest American Hero' remake.
The 1981 science fiction comedy follows the life of Isaac, a teacher who discovers a suit that gives him superhero powers. He doesn't like wearing it though and has to get used to and master his newly acquired powers through trial and error after losing the suit's instruction manual.
Aside from having to decide whether he should use his powers for the greater good or for himself alone, Isaac will also butt heads with his handler, a government official whose objectives differ from his.
The original series starred William Katt and Robert Culp for three seasons.
Katt shared how he felt about his role as Isaac in the 1981 version to Filmoria earlier in the year.
"There was a time when I tried to divorce myself from my role on 'The Greatest American Hero,'" he said. "But that's like trying to distance yourself from your right arm. It will always be there. So I learned to embrace it."
Fans of the original show would definitely be excited should the 63-year-old Katt decide to make a cameo in the new version.
With Lord, Miller, and Rothman's success with '22 Jump Street,' which grossed over $300 million, 'The Greatest American Hero' might just become another dramedy to look forward to when it airs.
'The Greatest American Hero' remake will follow the steps of several other TV series reboots slated as early as next year. NBC and Tim Kring will be redoing 'Heroes' as a 13-episode mini-series for 2015. CBS has also commissioned a new version of 'The Odd Couple' for next year.
