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Universal Studios announced Thursday morning, June 15th 2006, L.A. Clippers Center Chris Kaman will star in the remake of the 1980 Oscar-winning film, “Flash Gordon.” Actor Owen Wilson is slated to play Emperor Ming. --Update: We've managed to secure a picture of Owen as Emperor Ming. We all really want to see Chris Kaman's Flash outfit but security is pretty tight these days! -Update 2: We got 'em!
The announcement was made in Universal Studio's “Public Access Center,” which was dressed in a dazzling recreation of Emperor Ming's throne room from the 1980 production. On hand were Producer Stephen Sommers, Director Uwe Boll, as well as Chris Kaman, Owen Wilson, and assorted individuals related to the project. Sam Jones and Max von Sidow—who played Flash Gordon and Emperor Ming in the 1980's film respectively—were dressed in their full-costume regalia from the original film, performing a flashy song-and-dance number before passing the symbolic torch of the two beloved roles to the new actors. They did this by lighting a firebrand and collectively giving it to the newcomers. 
“I can't tell you how excited I am for 'Flash Gordon: 2001!'” Stephen Sommers addressed a large throng, which clapped a full ten-minutes after the title was announced, “This project is going to be big! With Chris Kaman leading the way—let me tell you, I don't think I've met a more charismatic individual on the screen!—Chris Kaman is going to pave the way to this film's success, and we are just so excited we were able to secure him! And with Owen Wilson—wow, Owen Wilson everyone!—with him reprising the powerful role of Emperor Ming, I think it's safe to say this is the movie to look for in 2008! And let me tell you, I am excited for Uwe Boll, I really am! I think he will inflict his personal style all over this movie and do for it what he has done for so many other franchises!” “Flash Gordon is a timeless tale,” NBALeeks was able to briefly talk with Uwe Boll at the drink bar, “And when we found out we might get Chris Kaman, well let's just say [laughter]. I could hardly believe our luck! We were very scared we wouldn't get him in 2007—but as it turns out he's a Free Agent and there's just no way the Clippers can match our generous offer of $15 million, so we're very excited at this prospect!” Stephen Sommers touched on the subject of Kaman's casting during his speech, “We initially were settling on the idea of Owen Wilson for the role of Flash, and I think Owen is one of the few other actors out there who could pull it off with the level of authenticity we are looking for. Great, great, actor. But when we saw Chris's audition tape we were just blown away! And his screen-test, which came well after we thought we had cast the roles—well, we knew we had our man! And things just worked out so that Owen Wilson played Ming—let me tell you, it doesn't get more exciting than that.” We caught up with Owen while he was giving Max von Sidow a 15-minute hug, “When I found out I was going to play Ming instead of Flash, I was not disappointed. Following in the footsteps of Max von Sidow over here—I guess he's leaving—following him in his Best Supporting Actor Oscar Nomation(sic) performance of Emperor Ming? Are you serious? Big career move, and Emperor Ming really has a lot of chunks to his character—I feel this is going to be an epic movie, and I wouldn't want to play any other role, even Flash [laughs],” Owen Wilson paused to wipe his moist eyes, “This is it you know? This is life and life is good!” “Flash Gordon: 2001” is slated to begin production in the Summer of 2007, with a tentative release date of 2008. While Chris Kaman was far too busy for NBALeeks, he did drop one quick line: “Flash Gordon, Center, L.A. Clips!”
 Owen Wilson shows off his styling new threads--it appears the costume is remarkably similar to the original.
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