For a guy like me whose adolescence spanned the 1980's the news that this cult classic television show, The Greatest American Hero, is getting a chance to return is the best news I've heard all week. What's even better is that The Lego Movie writers/directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller will be executive producers in the planned one-hour TV pilot.
The original 1981 series starred Robert Culp, Connie Sellecca and William Katt as the 'Hero' who was just a regular teacher until he found a suit left by aliens that gave him superpowers. The semi-serious program had him fighting crime while bumbling around trying to control the suit that gave him super strength, flying ability, ESP, among other powers because he lost the instruction manual.
The reboot will have a similar premise as Deadline describes:
The new [show] will chronicle inner-city teacher Isaac’s adventures after his discovery of a superhero suit that gives him superhuman abilities. Unfortunately for Isaac, he hates wearing the suit and has to learn how to use its powers by trial and error because he quickly misplaces the suit’s instructions. He also has to deal with a government handler who has very different objectives than him and struggles as to whether he should use his newfound gifts to help others or just himself
After the huge success of Lord and Miller bringing Stephen J. Cannell's 21 Jump Street to the big screen this Cannell classic is right up the directing duo's alley. The show's appeal was always the Everyman as superhero. You couldn't help imagine like I did as a kid what it would be like if suddenly you inherited superhuman abilities. The result would probably be much like the show. Crash landing in barns instead of the smooth super heroic poses we see now on screen from well known comic book heroes. 'Hero' was us on screen and it was funny and exciting and always compelling for the 'what if...' in our minds as we watched. It also had one of television's greatest theme songs (See below). The time is ripe for a relatable superhero not born a mutant, from Krypton or a billionaire.
The put pilot (Fox has to contractually produce a pilot or pay big money to the studio) is being written and co-executive produced by 22 Jump Street's co-writer Rodney Rothman and Cannell's daughter, Tawnia McKiernan.
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