Artist Alex Raymond introduced Flash Gordon in 1934 as a hero who ends up on the planet Mongo fighting the tyrant ruler Ming the Merciless. The comic book strip also featured characters such as Dale Arden and mad scientist Hans Zasrkov, and went on to spawn serials starring Buster Crabbe and a 1980 movie featuring a Queen soundtrack. It also influenced George Lucas, who paid Flash Gordon homage with Star Wars.

Kingsman filmmaker Matthew Vaughn was attached to direct the project back in 2015, but last year noted Flash Gordon faced stiff competition in light of fellow space franchises such as Star Wars and Guardians of the Galaxy. "You've got Star Wars, you've got Guardians, so you've got to have your own space opera, but you have to find something that can survive among these two very, very great franchises," he said.

Vaughn is remaining on board as a producer, along with John Davis and Hearst, which has the rights to the property.

Avery's Overlord is set to open Nov. 9 after premiering last month at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, where it earned strong reviews. The filmmaker is repped by UTA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.