Tarzans we have known

Back in the early days, Tarzan the Tiger (Frank Merrill) didn't have much time to get to the gym. This was also the first of the films to use sound, and he lost out on any sequels on account of his weedy voice. Or maybe it was the slippers. Photograph: Kobal

In 1932, Johnny Weissmuller, king of the kings of the jungle, swung onto the scene on his trusty liana. A former Olympic swimming champion, he stayed in his suede pants for 16 years. Here, he realises that co-star Maureen O'Sullivan can't be a sloth, since she has five toes Photograph: Kobal

In Tarzan Finds a Son, Johnny and Maureen adopted a son, "Boy", who featured in later films. He had to be adopted because, although Tarzan and Jane share a treehouse, production codes forbade any hint of nookie Photograph: Kobal

Owing to complicated studio issues, various rival Tarzan films emerged during Johnny's reign. Buster Crabbe here shows he truly is Tarzan the Fearless with a natty leopardskin combo and a macho boast about Johnny's inadequacy Photograph: Kobal

Johnny passed the vine on to Gordon Scott for a time. In the photo, Tarzan's Hidden Jungle is so well-hidden that all that can be seen of it is some astroturf and a bit of old rope Photograph: Kobal

Somewhat influenced by the smooth stylings of the Bond franchise, Mike Henry's 60s Tarzan here advises Diana Millay where get hold of some of his super-strength hair lacquer Photograph: Kobal

In a third version of Tarzan the Ape Man, there were some surprises in store. True to its early 80s setting it is rife with misty glow, Bo Derek and a generalised ambience of soft porn. Oh, and Cheetah discovered plastic surgery and become an orangutan Photograph: Kobal

Greystoke - the Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle, brought the franchise back on track in 1984. Dark, character-driven and even a little gritty, it focused on the evils of civilisation and was partly filmed in Scotland Photograph: Kobal

The most recent adaptation was Tarzan and the Lost City, starring Casper Van Dien, which was released in 1998 and very swiftly vanished again. Thankfully Photograph: Kobal

Disney made a foray into an animated Tarzan franchise in 1999, but the preposterous body shape didn't catch on, and the song was by Phil Collins. With a 2009 live action feature in the works, the time has come to ask: who will the new Tarzan be? Photograph: PR