‘Smallville’s’ Johnson to play ‘Flash Gordon’

Eric Johnson, who left behind “Smallville,” is headed to outer space as Flash Gordon.

Johnson will play the adventurous Gordon in a new Sci Fi Channel series that puts an updated spin on the comic book character and his adventures.

The 22-hour series is set to debut in August with Gordon, backed by his classic cohorts Dale Arden and Dr. Zarkov, trying to safeguard Earth against attack by the cruel intergalactic predator, Ming.

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Casting is under way for the other roles.

Johnson, a native of Edmonton, Canada, played Whitney Fordman on CW’s Superman saga, “Smallville.” His character joined the Marines and was killed in the line of duty.

“Flash Gordon” is being produced by Reunion Pictures under an agreement with King Features Syndicate, which owns the comic-book franchise. The Gordon character, originally drawn in 1934 by Alex Raymond, has been featured in radio serials, serial films, feature films, TV films and TV shows.

Production on the new show is scheduled to begin next month in Canada, Sci Fi Channel said.