So they're finally making a big-screen adaptation about the greatest American hero.

No, not W., Oliver Stone's upcoming Hollywood telling of the fall and rise of George W.Bush. This is The Greatest American Hero, based on the cult early-1980s TV series of the same name.

It's about a 'mild-mannered' school teacher who is given an it-seemed-so-cool-at-the-time red suit, with cape, by aliens which gives him superpowers. Only problem is, he leaves the damn instruction manual in the desert so stumbles and bumbles his way through each episode trying to get the hang of his gifts while trying to catch criminals.




You remember the theme song, `Believe It or Not ... etc etc', with fuzzy-haired William Katt in the lead role.

Well, the movie is in the early development stage, according to the orginal show's creator Stephen Cannell.

“We’ve written a screenplay, and we’ve hired a director, and we’re in the midst of putting this together for the future,” he reportedly told an audience while guest speaking at recent a Screen Actors Guild conference.

The said director is believed to be Stephen Herek, which gives us some indication of the way this movie might be headed.

Herek's earlier films include Critters, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, The Mighty Ducks, Don't Tell Mom The Babysitter Is Dead, Mr Holland's Opus and 101 Dalmations, and Holy Man.
After 2001's Rock Star, all the director has been responsible for is made-for- television Young MacGyver.




After a promising opening foray with the imaginite slacker film Bill and Ted, it's hardly a decent track record, which does not augur well for cinema's version of The Greatest American Hero.

Also, the script has been written by Chris Matheson and Ryan Rowe, responsible for, well, not much other than the aforementioned Bill and Ted movie (Matheson) and Charlie's Angels (Rowe).

As far a cast goes, early reports had Owen Wilson playing the hero in question, Ralph Hinkley, but has backed out, probably due to the fact he isn't too keen on starring in what could end up being a straight-to-DVD movie.

Apparently producers are now looking to cast an unknown for the film that will try to tap into the red-hot big-screen superhero market.

The Greatest American Hero is the latest in a growing line of TV adaptations from the 1980s. Having almost used up all of its options from the '60s, after the recent Get Smart, Hollywood's tapping into the minefield of the flamboyant decade.

We've had The Dukes of Hazzard and Miami Vice, without much joy, and in the pipeline is Dallas, The A-Team and Knight Rider, with David Hasselhoff. Some things really should be just left in the '80s. What next? ALF? Feel free to offer up your own suggestions.

Generally, TV movie adaptations from any era have not worked - aside from The Fugitive, The Untouchables, and maybe Maverick. These three are from TV shows of the '60s, which has also provided their fair share of stinker remakes.

SEE The 7 Worst TV-to-Movie Adaptations