Posted in: Comics | Tagged: Comics, dynamite, entertainment, jim kuhoric, michael uslan, six million dollar man

"I Had A Chance With This Comic Series To Present The Stories The Way I Remember Them" – James Kuhoric Talks Six Million Dollar Man

Batman movie producer and writer of Justice Inc, Michael Uslan, chatted recently with Six Million Dollar Man Season Six writer James Kuhoric to talk about taking a property from the seventies and making it viable for a new generation while still telling the stories that work with the series.

MICHAEL USLAN: How do you reinvent a brand for a new generation so they know this is not simply "your father's or your grandfather's" 6 Million Dollar Man?

JIM KUHORIC: I didn't actually have to reinvent Steve Austin for this iteration since it, being "Season Six," literally is the original character and continuity continuation.  As a fan I really enjoyed Kevin Smith's work updating the story in the Bionic Man series.  And having been a fan of the Six Million Dollar Man virtually all my life, I had a chance with this comic series to present the stories the way I remember them.  There was something about the Bionic Man that captivated me as a child and I tried very hard to bring some of that back through the pages of Season Six.

MU: Based on the rate of inflation since 1974, if you could re-title the franchise now, how much would he be worth?

JK: Well I've see "The Six Billion Dollar Man" batted back and forth over the years as Universal attempted to put together a modern big screen version of the character.  If you went strictly by inflation, six million dollars in 1974 is the equivalent of just over $29 million dollars in 2014.  But in terms of modern costs for development of revolutionary bio-technology, I'd say those "six billion" quotes are probably not too far off track.

MU: How is The Bionic Woman tied into your long-range plans for the character?

JK: Jaime Sommers is an intricate part of the Six Million Dollar Man lore.  In our first story arc she is "guest starring" on a multi-episode installment of the comic series.  Jaime plays a huge role in the story.  I always felt that Steve and Jaime's star crossed relationship was never resolved due to The Bionic Woman switching networks in the final seasons.  I want to give Steve and Jaime that opportunity in the original (non-reunion movie) continuity to finally have a shot at making things right.

MU: What actor today should play The Six Million Dollar Man on the silver screen?

JK: I've heard names like Jim Carrey and Chris Rock tossed about in the past.  The newest rumor is that Mark Whalberg is up for the role.  But I don't think any of those choices are particularly good for trying to bring Steve Austin back in a meaningful way. It's hard to recast such an iconic role.  But after watching The A-Team, Guardians of the Galaxy, and American Hustle, I think Bradley Cooper has the right amount of charisma and is physical enough to handle the role.  Come to think of it…Liam Neeson would be a great Oscar Goldman, too.

For more on Six Million Dollar Man: Season Six, click here.

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