Joshua Jackson to Fight “UFO”

Joshua Jackson gets to fight some aliens.

Variety reports that Joshua Jackson is set to star in “UFO,” a big screen adaptation of a 1970s British TV series (apologies to all hardcore fans of the show–I’ve never heard of it so will probably say something stupid, or perhaps simply not generate excitement. Then again, I bet you’ve never heard of “It’s Your Move.”). Matthew Gratzner is set to direct.

(Variety calls Gratzner a “visual effects wiz.” It must be very exciting to be a “wiz” at something. Anyway, Mr. Gratzner earned this title doing work on Martin Scorsese’s upcoming “Shutter Island” and the first “Iron Man,” as well as too many other credits to list here. He is a wiz, you know.)

Jackson will play Paul Foster, “a test pilot who joins S.H.A.D.O. (Supreme Headquarters Alien Defense Organization), a covert org built under a Hollywood studio that defends Earth against a race of aliens who have been abducting humans and using the body parts.”

Gratzner is very excited about having Jackson on board. He says:

“Character development is the most critical part of ‘UFO,’ and Joshua’s terrific talent and range is exactly what I need to convey the inner conflict of the character of Paul Foster.”

So in other words, Jackson can handle the acting while Gratzner concentrates on being a visual effects wiz. I will beat any joke into the ground before I give up on it.

I never thought Jackson seemed like much when he was on “Dawson’s Creek” but now starring on TV’s “Fringe,” he’s become a solid leading man. Is he ready to take that to the big screen? I don’t know, but for the first time, I’m probably willing to bet yes.