The ever-evolving world of cinema, reboots and remakes have become a staple. The latest buzz in the industry suggests that J.J. Abrams, the mastermind behind reviving franchises like Star Trek and Star Wars, has set his sights on a cult classic from the 1980s. The film in question? The sci-fi/fantasy classic, Krull.
Krull: A Forgotten Gem
If you’re not familiar with Krull, then — depending on where you land — you’re either missing out on a 1980s classic, or one day you can move on to the next life knowing at least two hours of your current life were spared. Clearly hoping to ride the coattails of bigger genre hits of the day, Krull is a sci-fi/fantasy fusion with a simple fairy tale premise: the princess is kidnapped, and the prince and his allies go on a quest to save her.
Ken Marshall plays Prince Colwyn, who wields the most visually memorable part of Krull: the five-pointed glaive. The film didn’t exactly turn Marshall into a superstar, but it does feature appearances by at least two actors who would later become much more well known. Colwyn meets up with a group of bandits who he wins to his side. One is played by a very young Liam Neeson, and another is played by the late Robbie Coltraine (though his voice was dubbed over by Michael Elphick), best known as Harry Potter’s Hagrid.
A Box Office Bomb Turned Cult Classic
Critics hated Krull, box office receipts failed to make back its $30 million production budget, and any dreams Ken Marshall may have harbored about becoming a blockbuster leading man were dashed. Years later, Marshall would earn himself a well-respected spot in the Star Trek franchise as Michael Eddington, a Star Trek: Deep Space Nine character who begins as a recurring pain-in-the-butt and eventually graduates to recurring villain.
Warner Bros. and Krull
The news of Warner Bros. rebooting Krull with J.J. Abrams attached is interesting for a number of reasons. On one hand, it isn’t Warner Bros. who produced the original film, but Columbia Pictures, which was acquired by Sony six years later. Presumably, this news means Warner Bros. must have quietly acquired the Krull rights from Sony.
We’re also assuming Abrams’ attachment to the project must have begun before the current WGA strike, and not just because the strikes have slowed down just about everything. Earlier this month, The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that Warner Bros. had suspended its exclusive deals with a number of prominent producers, including Abrams. Even before the strike, there were reports that Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav wasn’t happy with the deal made with Abrams’ Bad Robot.
Of course, suspended isn’t the same as canceled, and the dual writers’ and actors’ strikes have made big question marks hover over everything in the entertainment world. When we have more news about the Krull reboot, we’ll make sure you know about it.
Theories & Predictions
The potential reboot of Krull by Abrams is exciting news for fans of the original and newcomers alike. While the 1983 film may not have been a commercial success, its unique storyline and memorable moments have earned it a cult following over the years. With Abrams’ expertise and Warner Bros. backing the project, the Krull reboot promises to be a cinematic experience worth waiting for.
What do you make of this news? Are you looking forward to seeing what Abrams can do with this reboot of the sci-fi cult classic Krull? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
