‘Arrested Development’ Writer Relaunching ‘Flight of the Navigator’

Posted by Dr. Cole Abaius (cole.abaius@filmschoolrejects.com) on May 26, 2009

flightofthenavigator

I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, ‘why did I go to Wendy’s and order a salad? Wendy’s isn’t where you go for a salad! And does the taco salad even count as a salad in the first place?’ And then, after taking some Pepto, you’re wondering why I mentioned that the writer was formerly from “Arrested Development” instead of, say, mentioning that he wrote Wild Hogs.

I don’t have a good answer for you. On either account.

But the good news from The Hollywood Reporter is that Disney is re-making one of my childhood favorites, Flight of the Navigator. Disney has writer Brad Copeland on the assignment right now, but it’s unclear as to what release schedule The Mouse will be aiming for.

For those who don’t know, the movie is about a 12-year old who is abducted by aliens, shows up a few years later with no memory, is exploited by the government until he bravely steals back the space craft and has an awesome adventure going back home. There’s this metal eyeball thing, and hell, the whole thing is really cool.

So why am I not pissed that a movie from my childhood is getting the relaunch treatment? Because I own it on VHS and can watch it any time, and because I think it’s a movie that could be primed for a remake. It’s a fairly simple story, and if done correctly, it could introduce some really fantastic new characters to a new generation of children. If anything, Navigator is a cult film that failed at the box office. I’m sure there are followers out there that will hate this news, but I just can’t see it being a bad thing – bringing a science fiction family film to a broad audience.

Meanwhile in the world of fun facts, we reported earlier this morning that there’s a Buffy the Vampire Slayer remake in the works, which means that with this announcement, two movies in which Paul Reubens is featured will be getting the remake treatment. If I hear anything about Pee Wee’s Big Adventure being remade, however, I will have to choke a bitch.

What do you think?

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MarkMushakian

When the horrible second remake of King Kong came out, I was disappointed. By the time I heard about the defiling of The Karate Kid, I felt almost used to these things. When I first saw THIS announcement, though, I shouted "No!" and became very sad that yet another great movie was going to be redone in a presumably horrid fashion.

I can't support at all the sentiment that it will bring a "science fiction family film to a broad audience." Sadly, anymore, the term broad audience gives leeway for the watering down of material. I understand full well that kids will see this new version and be entertained, and it's even possible that they will grow up with a fondness for it in the same fashion that I do for the original, but I still can't help by be disheartened by this news.

It's akin to telling me that an old and dear friend of mine, someone I grew up with and loved since childhood, isn't valuable enough anymore to respect as it is. In order for this old friend of mine to be relevant to anyone anymore, it needs cosmetic surgery - because nobody could like anyone with wrinkles, right?

I make even myself laugh, to realize that I'm this passionate about such a simple little movie from the 80's, but even though I've always said the remake of It's a Wonderful Life will be the worst thing ever, I braced myself to expect it happening eventually (and I'm sure it will). Redoing Flight of the Navigator wasn't something I at all expected... and it kind of broke my heart.

Mike Lee

...See ya' later alligator (haw-haw)....

‘Arrested Development’ Writer Relaunching ‘Flight of the Navigator’

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