Beatles' Paul McCartney Was Approached To Score SILVER SURFER Movie That Never Was

Beatles' Paul McCartney Was Approached To Score SILVER SURFER Movie That Never Was

A year ago, Sean Howe, author of "Marvel Comics: The Untold Story," revealed concept art from a Silver Surfer film that was pitched in 1980 by Hollywood producer Lee Kramer. What you may not know, is that Kramer approached Sir Paul McCartney about scoring it.

By nailbiter111 - Dec 25, 2013 09:12 PM EST
Filed Under: Silver Surfer
Source: seanhowe.tumblr.com


Last year, to drum up interest for his new book, "Marvel Comics: The Untold Story" Sean Howe posted concept art that was created for a briefly-planned Silver Surfer movie. Which you can view on the right. The proposed movie was conceived by Hollywood film producer, Lee Kramer. This all happened around 1980, and at the time Kramer envisioned it as "an epic picture on the scope of 2001: A Space Odyssey with the kind of soundtrack that that film had, only using contemporary rock and roll." It also would've starred Kramer's then-girlfriend Olivia Newton-John ("Grease"). She would've played the Surfer's girlfriend. While that didn't materialize, Kramer did book Newton-John in his fantasy-musical, 1980's Xanadu.

So, people were quick to post the concept art, but most missed Sean Howe's update that revealed Kramer approaching legendary singer/songwriter, Paul McCartney. Kramer apparently wanted McCartney, founding member of The Beatles, to score his Silver Surfer movie. Howe posted a letter that Kramer received from Steve Shrimpton, Paul McCartney's then-manager.

As you can see in the letter, McCartney wasn't opposed to the idea. Which actually isn't a surprise. Sir Paul, is a well known comic book fan. In the Beatles' film Help!, Superman comic books can be seen draped over the piano that McCartney is playing in the hotel scene. More obvious, McCartney's 1975 song 'Magneto & Titanium Man' has lyrics that refer to three Marvel super-villains: Crimson Dynamo, Magneto and Titanium Man. A year after that, McCartney met backstage with comic book creator, Jack Kirby. Thus, it's not inconceivable to believe that if Kramer's Silver Surfer film had worked out we would be rocking out to a score by Sir Paul.

SILVER SURFER - Norrin's life changed forever when a menacing alien spacecraft pierced Zenn-La's long-neglected defense systems. Convincing a Council of Scientists member to provide him with a spaceship, Radd soon confronted the invader, Galactus, who intended to consume Zenn-La. Radd offered to become his herald and seek out new worlds for him in exchange for Galactus sparing Zenn-La. Galactus agreed, transforming Radd into a silver-skinned, cosmic-powered super-being patterned after an adolescent fantasy plucked from Norrin's memories. Known thereafter as the Silver Surfer because of the silvery flying board he rode, Radd departed Zenn-La with Galactus. - Marvel Wiki
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THEDARKKNIGHT1939
THEDARKKNIGHT1939 - 12/25/2013, 9:50 PM
Wow
guillimunster
guillimunster - 12/25/2013, 9:50 PM
now, that's hilarious!
Ace101
Ace101 - 12/25/2013, 9:52 PM
Nice find
TonyChu
TonyChu - 12/25/2013, 9:53 PM
I would still love to see a proper Silver Surfer movie but only by Marvel Studios. And by the course in which Phase 3 is headed I would love to see a Thanos Imperative movie.
Starfox
Starfox - 12/25/2013, 9:54 PM
may have been interesting..
batesmotel
batesmotel - 12/25/2013, 9:54 PM
The second worst beatle
Greengo
Greengo - 12/25/2013, 9:57 PM
Merry Christmas
PsychoManiacJacky
PsychoManiacJacky - 12/25/2013, 9:59 PM
Would have been a trippy movie
patriautism
patriautism - 12/25/2013, 10:00 PM
Radd on the run.
SageMode
SageMode - 12/25/2013, 10:25 PM
Luke Goss for Silver Surfer

Starkasm
Starkasm - 12/25/2013, 10:39 PM
Thanks for sharing, Trollem.
Newbus
Newbus - 12/25/2013, 11:27 PM
Im not sure this would have been a hit in 1980 if they imagined it on the scale of 2001:Space Odyssey. They would have had to spend a fortune on special effects. No CGI then so Silver Surfer would be a man in tin foil suit.
GetsugaTensho22
GetsugaTensho22 - 12/25/2013, 11:44 PM
I think the Beatles are over-rated.
Come at me, bro!
Acecalban1
Acecalban1 - 12/26/2013, 1:40 AM
@yingyangpalms firstly your an idiot. Secondly the definition of a fad is a short lived craze. Like the hoola hoop or clackers. So how by that definition the Beatles are a fad as they still are icons of popular culture. That's not too take anything away from the bands you mentioned who are indeed icons and also clearly not fads. And thirdly you're an idiot.
jessepostal
jessepostal - 12/26/2013, 1:41 AM
@yingyang, a fad? the Beatles changed everything, without them you wouldn't have any of the bands you mentioned. They helped open the doors and pave the way. They only influenced every musician out there in some way or another. A fad? Are u crazy? That's why they still hit number one on the records sold charts everytime the same collection of songs gets re released.
jessepostal
jessepostal - 12/26/2013, 1:43 AM
Joe satriani scored his own silver surfer soundtrack in 87 with surfing with the alien!
DarthMauve
DarthMauve - 12/26/2013, 1:44 AM
"The Beatles really didn't add to the music spectrum"

You sir, with respect, are completely deluded.
ImnotDaredevil
ImnotDaredevil - 12/26/2013, 1:46 AM
I love the idea of a Silver Surfer film on the epic scale of 2001. Huge scale, slightly operatic. I'm in.
DarthMauve
DarthMauve - 12/26/2013, 1:51 AM
It must be great to be able to revise history at a whim, powered by your own considerable personal ignorance.

Props.
MsDarkPhoenix
MsDarkPhoenix - 12/26/2013, 1:56 AM
The only Marvel movie in the 80s was Howard the Duck and it wasn't a great movie. But if McCartney agreed, I think this movie could have done very good, since the Beatles were really famous back then, and it would now be considered a classic. And if you think that the Beatles didn't leave a legacy behind them, well, I respect your opinion but you are stupid and I hate you!
jessepostal
jessepostal - 12/26/2013, 1:58 AM
@yingyang, haha I could care less what u think, your the one that looks retarded. Might wanna learn some music history 101 though.
DarthMauve
DarthMauve - 12/26/2013, 2:00 AM
@yingyangpalms Really. Good luck with that, you might want to loook into how many other acts their music inspired. Im far from a Beatles fan, but i'm not so ignorant as to ignore the impact they had on popular music.
jessepostal
jessepostal - 12/26/2013, 2:08 AM
@mcfarlanefan, it's the same formula for today, simplicity sells. Look at today's top 40. That's what made them huge. Simple and catchy always wins. Feel good music that people can relate to will always make money. Just like sex will always sell
MsDarkPhoenix
MsDarkPhoenix - 12/26/2013, 2:20 AM
This argument is pointless! The Beatles are one of the best and most famous bands and I don't care what the trolls are saying. Just talk about comic book movies here and say how much you hated the Avengers or the Dark Knight (I don't expect from someone who doesn't like the Beatles to appreciate good movies), leave the Beatles and their legacy alone, you are not worthy to judge.
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