‘Buck Rogers’ Is Back! Legendary Hires ‘Deadpool’ Writer Zeb Wells for Futuristic Reboot

Legendary Entertainment has tapped Deadpool & Wolverine writer Zeb Wells to script the new Buck Rogers movie, TheWrap confirmed on Wednesday. The project, overseen by Mary Parent and Cale Boyter, revisits one of pop culture’s earliest sci-fi heroes. The film will adapt Philip Francis Nowlan’s 1928 novella Armageddon 2419 A.D., bringing the space adventurer back to the big screen after decades.

• Who: Emmy-winning writer, producer, and director Zeb Wells

• What: Writing the latest draft for Legendary’s Buck Rogers film

• When: Confirmed October 29, 2025

• Where: Project in development under Legendary Entertainment

• Why: To revive the iconic 1928 sci-fi property that shaped futuristic storytelling

• How: Based on the Armageddon 2419 A.D. novella by Philip Francis Nowlan, following a coal miner who wakes up 500 years in the future amid planetary war

A Sci-Fi Classic Returns

The Buck Rogers story has inspired generations, first appearing as a comic strip in 1929 before expanding into radio, TV, and film. The character’s futuristic vision — ray guns, rocket ships, and jet packs — helped define 20th-century science fiction aesthetics. Legendary’s new adaptation aims to modernize this foundation while staying faithful to its retro-futuristic spirit.

Mary Parent and Cale Boyter will oversee production for Legendary, marking another major revival under their leadership.

Industry Reactions

While Legendary has not issued an official statement, industry insiders have praised the move. Film analysts point out that Wells’ mix of superhero action and dark humor could bring a fresh edge to the franchise. Known for Robot Chicken and Marvel Zombies, Wells brings both comedic timing and storytelling depth that align with the adventurous tone of Buck Rogers.

What It Means for Sci-Fi Cinema

The revival of Buck Rogers comes amid Hollywood’s renewed push for nostalgic properties, following successes like Dune and Star Wars spinoffs. Legendary’s adaptation could reintroduce the early space-hero archetype to modern audiences, potentially establishing a new franchise universe.

The project’s tone and direction may also influence how studios handle legacy sci-fi reboots — balancing homage with innovation.

What’s Next

No release date has been set, but pre-production is expected to ramp up once Wells finalizes the draft. Casting announcements are likely to follow in early 2026. With Legendary’s backing and Wells’ proven track record, Buck Rogers may soon return as a leading name in cinematic science fiction.

Source List

• TheWrap (exclusive report)

• IMDb (writer and production credits)

• Variety Archives (Buck Rogers historical data)

• Legendary Entertainment official materials