Herek Helms Greatest American Hero

By Garth Franklin Friday February 1st 2008 02:09AM

Stephen Herek ("Rock Star," "Life or Something Like It") will direct the film version of classic 80's TV series "The Greatest American Hero".

The original series had liberal high-school teacher Ralph Hinkley being given a red superhero suit by aliens that gave him special powers. He, along with right-wing FBI agent Bill Maxwell and Ralph's lawyer girlfriend Pam reluctantly team up to battle criminals but things go awry when Ralph loses the instructions to work the suit.

According to Moviehole, Hollywood casting agents were informed this week that Herek wants a couple of "names" to play Ralph and Bill. Also the plot will involve a new antagonist, Harvey Lundy who's a remarkably dislikeable high school teacher representing a group of intergalactic strip-miners.

Shooting begins in Arizona this July.