A new concept video reveals a first-look at The Last Starfighter sequel from Gary Whitta, co-writer of the Star Wars spinoff Rogue One. Inspired by the seminal science-fiction film Star Wars in 1977, The Last Starfighter is a classic 1984 space opera directed by Nick Castle, a longtime collaborator with John Carpenter. The film follows a teen named Alex Rogan (Lance Guest) who, after becoming the highest-scoring player on an arcade game called Starfighter, is recruited by aliens to help fight an interstellar war. Along with TRON, the film is credited with being one of the first to feature extensive CGI.

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For years, Gary Whitta has been working with The Last Starfighter writer Jonathan Betuel on breathing new life into the cult classic film. In 2015, Whitta announced he wanted to remake The Last Starfighter, but rights were an issue. Since acquiring the rights, Whitta released the first concept art for his film nearly two years ago. But now, the movie is closer to happening than it has ever been before.

Now, Whitta says The Last Starfighter sequel is “right on the one-yard line,” per Gizmodo. To help take it all the way home, Whitta revealed a reel of concept art to give fans an idea of the movie he wants to make with Betuel. The newly released sizzle reel credits Matt Allsopp for the concept art and Chris Tilton and Craig Safan for the score. The reel also revealed a title for the upcoming project, The Last Starfighters. Check out the new sizzle reel below:

Whitta also explained that the movie would not be a remake of the original but a sequel that passes the torch onto a new generation, much like The Force Awakens did for Star Wars. While the concept reel does not provide information in terms of story, it does appear the conflict will be centered around Earth. It is also safe to assume that Alex Rogan will return to recruit new Starfighters to help him defend the galaxy.

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With the popularity of sequels, video games, and CGI in Hollywood seemingly at an all-time high, this seems like a prime time for Gary Whitta’s Starfighter sequel to get greenlit. Though classic sci-fi films of the 1980s do not have the best track record of being updated for modern audiences, such as TRON: Legacy, it will be interesting to see what Whitta and original writer Jonathan Betuel can do with The Last Starfighters.

Source: Gary Whitta/Gizmodo

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Adam Bentz
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Adam Bentz is a movie and TV news writer for Screen Rant. From a young age, Adam has been interested in a wide range of movies and television, but it was talented auteurs like Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Aaron Sorkin who ultimately sparked his interest in the craft. Motivated by his love for the screen, Adam studied creative writing with a concentration in screenwriting at Southern New Hampshire University.

After graduating, Adam interned as a writer with The Borgen Project, a nonprofit organization working to end extreme poverty. Other than writing for Screen Rant, Adam reviews films on his website adambentz.wordpress.com

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