Sam Worthington Shoots Down 'Flash Gordon' Rumor

Remember that rumor about Flash Gordon that had Ryan Reynolds and Sam Worthington vying for the role? That's all it was, at least as far as Worthington is concerned. In an e-mail to Ain't It Cool News, the Avatar star says it's vapor. "There is no validity to the rumours," wrote Worthington. "Sometimes studios tend to just scat ideas and they leak out - but it's the first I have heard about it." Worthington has been in denial mode quite a bit lately, and it's understandable. The high profile jobs he's had in the past 12 months would certainly lead to more, and he's already been whispered about for the fourth Mad Max movie and Captain America, and he's backed out of The Tourist, which will now star Johnny Depp opposite Angelina Jolie. He has picked up the comic book flick The Last Days of American Crime, and of course, stars in Clash of the Titans in April. So where does this leave Flash Gordon? Well, I didn't put much stock in either rumor, less so the Ryan Reynolds angle. But it will certainly attract some star in that age group who's on the lookout for some kind of franchise opportunity. Reynolds has a full dance card at the moment, and Worthington is getting plenty of work, too. I think some of this still depends on what happens with Breck Eisner's next film, The Crazies. If it's awful, then he's oh-for-two, with Sahara not really accelerating his career. So it wouldn't surprise me if we get a new director sooner than later, and if that happens, a replacement behind the camera could invite a new crop of contenders for the role.