The trailer for Life After Flash follows Flash Gordon star Sam J. Jones after his iconic turn as the titular hero in 1980. Jones rose to stardom after portraying Flash on the big screen, but has largely disappeared from the public eye ever since. The documentary will chronicle both the impact of the film itself, as well as what became of Jones following the movie’s release.

Based on the King Features comic strip of the same name, Flash Gordon hit theaters in 1980. It was directed by Mike Hodges and starred Jones, as well as Melody Anderson, Topol, Max von Sydow and Timothy Dalton, among others. The plot revolved around a series of events which caused a New York Jets player to become the “savior of the universe.” Flash, along with travel agent Dale Arden (Anderson) and scientist Dr. Hans Zarkov (Topol), wound up on the planet Mongo, where they found a way to thwart Emperor Ming’s (von Sydow) villainous plot to destroy Earth. The wonderfully campy film received mixed reviews and although only moderately successful at the box office, has since gained a large and devoted cult following. It also featured an unforgettable soundtrack composed and performed by Queen.

Written and directed by Lisa Downs, the trailer for Life After Flash shows the undeniable, but oft underestimated impact of Flash Gordon on pop culture. It also highlights Jones’s trajectory after his work on the film, indicating that there may have been even more drama behind-the-scenes than there was in the battle to save planet Earth. It would appear that the actor’s promising career plummeted after he had a falling out with producer Dino De Laurentiis. The film is expected to be available on demand February 26th and released on DVD March 26th.

The trailer highlights just how deep the love for Flash Gordon runs. It has amassed a host of famous fans over the years, many of whom appear in the documentary. Comic creator Mark Millar states, “You can see Flash Gordon’s fingerprints all over Star Wars.” Of Jones’s performance, Guardians of the Galaxy star Michael Rooker adds, “It’s one of those iconic roles that won’t fade, will stand the test of time.” Other famous faces that pop up in the trailer include the late Stan Lee, Alex Ross, Robert Rodriguez and Brian May.

A Flash Gordon reboot has been in the works for years, initially with Kingsman director Matthew Vaughn attached, but more recently with Overlord helmer Julius Avery onboard. Vaughn had chosen to leave the project after the success of Guardians of the Galaxy caused the reboot to be placed on an indefinite hold. However, James Gunn’s firing from Guardians of the Galaxy 3 has left the future of that franchise a bit less certain. Whether or not Flash makes his return to the big screen anytime soon, the 1980 film still holds a place in the hearts of fans all over the world. It’s nice to see Life After Flash giving both the movie and Jones their due. Cue the Flash Gordon theme song.