Believe it or not, the feature film based on the hits 1980s television series "The Greatest American Hero" could be grounded -- at least, that's the word according to the actor claiming to have been chosen to play schoolteacher-turned-superhero Ralph Hinkley.
In an interview with Moviehole, "Fired Up" actor Eric Christian Olsen said he had been tagged for the lead role in the feature-length adaptation of the award-winning series, but financing fell through for the film before he ever had a chance to try on his character's red super-suit.
"I went in for it right after 'Fired Up,'" said Olsen. "They were like, 'This is our guy' but they didn't have financing in place. ... I booked it -- but because the budget was so huge, they couldn't get the money."
Last we heard, the project was still on, with original series creator Stephen J. Cannell making it official back in September and hinting that a director would be announced shortly thereafter. No official announcement was ever made, but it was widely rumored that "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" and "Critters" director Stephen Herek would be behind the camera.
"It was a really funny script -- about a reluctant hero who gets in way over his head -- and it had a lot of really cool stunts," added Olsen. "I had a blast working with all of those guys. Then we get a phone call just as we were starting the deal to say they hadn't got the financing. I'm not attached anymore."
While nothing has been confirmed as far as the project's status, it's been quite a few months since any news hit the 'Net about "Greatest American Hero." Keep it locked to Splash Page for more if/when anything related to this project develops.
Were you looking forward to "Greatest American Hero"? Think Olsen would've been a worthy successor to original actor William Katt? Let us know!