The Future of Babylon 5?

[Theta Sigma]

The following was picked up at rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5 in which Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski made a comment regarding the future of Babylon 5. This is what he said:
"So I've let everyone up here know that I'm not interested in doing any more low-budget DVDs. I'm not interested in doing any low-budget cable things or small computer games. The only thing I would be interested in doing regarding Babylon 5 from this point on is a full-featured, big-budget feature film."

 

[Jasoneagle]

Though I did not really follow the Series I do hope that they can Produce this film, Always a good way to end a Series.

 

[EAS_Intrepid]

Now he is telling what's on his mind!
I could only agree to this. The low-budget B5 movies looked just like that: low-budget, even though Lost Tales was some very good dialogue drama.

 

[Avon]

Yeah it's clear from his previous attempt with TMoS that he wants a feature film. For me, the Lost Tales was just a bit bland. A few interesting bits, but nothing memerable. I think Joe gave it a try with mixed results, and now realises he has a bit more leverage in the film industry, and clearly has bigger plans for our beloved show

 

[StarBlade]

It's JMS we're talking about here. I take 75% of what he says with a 1kg bag of salt. Yeah, he *wants* to do B5 as a full-scale movie. But he's not Joss Whedon. He's far more intense and abrasive, and as much as I'd love to see it happen, I don't know what else remains to be done withOUT re-booting or ruining the show and its contents. Worse still, anything new happens without G'Kar since Andreas Katsulas passed away, regrettably, years ago. I can't see how it'd work without him as part of it. G'Kar was the heart and soul of B5 when it was good. Breaks my heart to admit it, but a B5 full-length feature film.... just can't work.

 

[Blindeye]

I don't know about you guys, but seasons 2,3, and 4 could be turned into an epic trilogy if done right.

 

[Avon]

Well I was just catching up with all of JMS' recent posts when I stumbled apon this. Dated 7/13/2008

One final note re: recent discussions on TMoS and more Lost Tales.

B5:TLT was commissioned at a $2 million budget to, yet one more time,
"test the waters" for B5. We did what we could with that, and that
was that. As we did with Rangers, which also suffered from not having
a lot of money because of concerns about "is there really a B5
audience?" Which is, of course, a foolish question from a studio that
has never really understood what it has in B5.

Of late, there have been more discussions from WB about doing more
DVDs, again at a low cost, or a cable thing, again with minimal
investment.

So for the last few months, I've been giving this whole subject a lot
of quiet thought. And I've come to a conclusion.

B5 as a five year story stands beautifully on its own. If anything
else is to be continued from that story, it should be something that
adds to the legacy of B5, rather than subtracts from it.

As well intentioned as Rangers and TLT were, as enticing as it was to
return to those familiar waters, in the end I think they did more to
subtract from the legacy than add to it. I don't regret having made
them, because I needed to go through that to get to the point where I
am now psychologically, but from where I sit now, I wouldn't make them
again.

So I've let everyone up here know that I'm not interested in doing any
more low-budget DVDs. I'm not interested in doing any low-budget
cable things or small computer games. The only thing I would be
interested in doing regarding Babylon 5 from this point on is a full-
featured, big-budget feature film.

It's that or nothing.

And if it's nothing, I'm totally cool with that because the original
story stands on its own just fine. I'm not lobbying for it, I'm not
asking fans to write in about it (nor should you) because such
campaigns never really have much impact...that's simply the position
I've taken up here. Lord knows I don't lack for other things to do
these days. I'm busier on more prestige projects with terrific people
and great film-makers than at any other time in my career.

At the end of the day, for me, it's not just a matter of getting more
B5. It's a matter of getting more *good* B5 that respects what came
before it and doesn't have to compromise visually or in terms of
action. The original show deserves better than that, the surviving
cast members deserve better than that, and the fans who have supported
it over the years definitely deserve better than that. A lot better.

So I've drawn that line in the sand, and I'm happy living on whichever
side of that line the universe puts me. Just thought you should know,
'cause it's your show too.

jms

 

[Muad'Dib]

It is a shame that there will be no more B5 mini-projects such as the DVDs, but I can certainly understand why JMS feels the way he does about it. It completely sucks how little support B5 has received during the final seasons of the series and especially everything that came after it.

I do not however forsee a big budget movie ever happening. While B5 had an audience, it was never large enough to produce a commercially successful film adaptation. Too much work would have to go in explaining character backgrounds, past story arcs (Both personal and plot oriented), along with creating a sufficiently developed new story to hold the movie on its own and not be a simple rehash on the big screen. If this is truly the only format JMS sees to return to this universe, then I fear B5 has moved beyond the rim.

I think JMS' best efforts would be along the lines of making a 4hour/6hour miniseries along the lines of PK Wars or Dune. Now should he decide to do this, my only petition would be not to attempt to introduce something new to the universe as he did with Rangers and Lost Tales; instead I really really want him to give Crusade a proper finish. It is the one missing element from the universe that has gnawed at me ever since TNT cancelled the series and JMS attempted to continue with "other" B5 stories.

Slightly off topic, I kinda disagree with JMS that campaigns never work; there have been a few successful ones that beat the odds. The first was Farscape's which led to the creation of the Peacekeeper Wars miniseries, next was Firefly's which brought the Serenity feature film and lastly Jericho allowed the series a second (Although just as ill-fated as the first) season. But in terms of B5, JMS is probably right; a campaign would do nothing to really help, especially if all he is interested in doing is a feature.

Please JMS give us a miniseries Crusade finale, that's the only really unresolved story in B5 right now. And no, I don't really accept the "Centauri Trilogy" books as a resolution; the Excalibur didn't even do anything there anyway, they just indirectly mention in passing that the crew found the cure for the plague. Plus I want to see it onscreen! Oh well, I can dream...

 

[Atlantis]

Well as i've been saying this all along, I can totally agree with this part of what JMS said:

B5 as a five year story stands beautifully on its own. If anything
else is to be continued from that story, it should be something that
adds to the legacy of B5, rather than subtracts from it.

As well intentioned as Rangers and TLT were, as enticing as it was to
return to those familiar waters, in the end I think they did more to
subtract from the legacy than add to it. I don't regret having made
them, because I needed to go through that to get to the point where I
am now psychologically, but from where I sit now, I wouldn't make them
again.

B5 as it's stand-alone big story (Seasons 1-4, technically, with Season 4's story panned across to fill season 5 too, as originally planned) is perfect by itself. The films that add detail to things that were part of the storyline ("In the Beginning" is a great example) was a great addition... After that, you have to take everything with a pinch of salt, because a lot of things just don't fit or make sense 100%. And I think that to make anything else would just warp the overall story.

Besides, what is there for the fans to do when the producers cover everything?

Also, as JMS himself has said that he considers AoG's work (Babylon 5 Wars) as canon, there is a LOT more content there which DOES add to the show. It avoids adding things to the "main story" of the show, but adds a HUGE amount of information to the backgrounds... something which you can't do in a show or film.

 

[Avon]

Well, it seems that things might possibly be on the move again in the B5 universe. Nothing definate yet, but JMS stated on a couple of occasions last year to expect some kind of announcement in April. Well the announcement was still nothing concreate, but things are starting to sound promising to me

At the very least, it's good to know that even with his new-found fame from writing hollywood hit films, he's still trying to go back and push for more B5.

Re: the B5 thing...I'm not being coy, it's just that over the years, it's like B5 has been the football, the fans (and I to a degree) have been Charlie Brown, and the studios/networks have dutifully executed their role as Lucy. Consequently, I'm not saying anyTHING to anyONE for any REASON until I know for a stone cold fact that there's ink on contracts and we're moving ahead on something of substance.

 

[Majestic]

I would love to see more B5, more than seeing more Trek to be honest.

 

[SciFiFan]

The Centauri War has been mostly untouched in the B5 stories. They could easily do a movie (or trilogy) telling the story of the war and can use characters away from the established ones. Perhaps it could be the exploits of the EAS Agamemnon.

 

[Ryderstorm]

I really hope that B5 can make a return. I agree with what JMS had to say about the original seasons standing fine on their own. The cable movies were ok but really only "in the begining" held any weight for me as that elaborated upon the minbari war which played a big part in the series. TLT I found lackluster for a direct to dvd type thing...

I feel crusade does deserve a proper ending but I think unfortunately that is a dead end for the B5 universe. Crusade just didnt capture any of the magic like B5 did. Now perhaps a storyline combining EA ISA and Crusades plot together could be a good path to pursue....

I would love to see more B5 made but only done properly. By that I mean the way JMS really wants to do it.

 

[Majestic]

I would love to see more B5 made but only done properly. By that I mean the way JMS really wants to do it.

Indeed, if the networks get involved and push their dumb ideas, it will kill any chance of B5 having another shot. Unfortunately with so many of the original actors having passed away, with Jeff Conway being the latest, I think something with a new original crew would be the bets bet for a B5 revival.

I mean B5 the station could be in it, but not as the main focus, perhaps set on a ship or something like Crusade was. I feel Crusade had a lot of potential but wasn't given a shot. The network expected a B5 quality show, when Crusade was still getting it's footing. Every show needs a season or two to get that, even B5 needed that.

 

[Avon]

Well, still no news has been announced yet, but some interesting replies from JMS recently from Tweets.

When asked recently by various people about more B5 these have been the reponses:

- Nothing to say on that count at the moment.
- More at a later time when I can talk about it.
- (I can talk about it) When all parties have said it's okay.
- That's a far more interesting question than you might imagine...but I can't talk about it at the moment.

When asked about the possibility of returning to a regular TV show:

- Under the right conditions, yes. More on this later.

When asked if he would ever consider a Babylon 6:

- There's always a chance provided it has the freedom to be done properly

And finally when asked if he would ever consider a reboot of B5:

- It would certainly be workable with again the proper creative control

Some interesting things not being said by JMS at the moment. I had always assumed that any new B5 would be a movie. It certainly looks like the idea of a new TV show is not as un-realistic as it once was

 

[Terra_Inc]

I really really want this story and this universe to continue.

 

[StarBlade]

I must be the odd one out, then. I would much rather they do a sort of "remastered" version like they did with original Trek, with better SFX and less dated look to the CGI, and preserve the first four seasons just as they were. Sure, few were brilliant actors (the exceptions of Andreas Katsulas and Peter Jurasik prove my point here) but the story, the universe, the whole setup... They just don't make scifi as good as B5 anymore. And I would hope that, if they were to either continue or reboot the show, they give JMS whatever he needs in terms of creative control and in terms of budgetary discretion-- whatever it takes to blow us all away, all over again. No boom today? Boom tomorrow. There is ALWAYS a boom tomorrow.

 

[Dan1025]

I must be the odd one out, then. I would much rather they do a sort of "remastered" version like they did with original Trek, with better SFX and less dated look to the CGI, and preserve the first four seasons just as they were. Sure, few were brilliant actors (the exceptions of Andreas Katsulas and Peter Jurasik prove my point here) but the story, the universe, the whole setup... They just don't make scifi as good as B5 anymore. And I would hope that, if they were to either continue or reboot the show, they give JMS whatever he needs in terms of creative control and in terms of budgetary discretion-- whatever it takes to blow us all away, all over again. No boom today? Boom tomorrow. There is ALWAYS a boom tomorrow.

I have to agree; update the effects and CGI, but leave the actual plots of the episodes alone. I'd like to see more movies and additions to the parts of B5 we've already seen than a total remake.

 

[Avon]

Well, sorry to dissapoint, just seen another recent Tweet on that subject.

He was asked if he would consider a Babylon 5 makeover a la original Trek.
He simply replied: No.

 

[CABAL]

If he does something new for B5, I would personally love to see the Telepath Wars.

Well, sorry to dissapoint, just seen another recent Tweet on that subject.

He was asked if he would consider a Babylon 5 makeover a la original Trek.
He simply replied: No.

Somewhat disappointing, but oh well. It's not like TNG or DS9 have been remastered that way and B5 has graphics somewhere between the two depending on the season.

 

[Majestic]

If anything, just a re-master of the ships and space battles would be all that is needed if anything.

Not disappointed at all, I would rather see a sequel series, perhaps a wrap up in one way or another to Crusade.

 

[SciFiFan]

The Centauri War and the Telepath War do indeed need to be done. It can be done without needing the known characters. They should be referenced though. I also agree on the sequel series. Babylon 6 would be interesting but, I do believe that Babylon 5 was decommissioned because the Babylon project was no longer needed with the Alliance.

 

[CABAL]

That was part of it. The other part was that new shipping lanes meant the station wasn't getting enough traffic anymore to fund itself with docking fees or to justify the cost of maintaining it.

 

[Hellkite]

it was cleary stated that B5 was the last of the Babylon stations


What I would like to see is show that follows Susan Ivanova after her departure from B5 and it could run thou both the Crusade arks and Centauri War.

 

[EAS_Intrepid]

I agree HK. She made it to Earthforce full General and I guess you don't become a General whilst sitting on our butt...

...though I have seen people climbing to leadership positions just through the right friends... but that is a completly different topic.

I look forward to what JMS comes up with. "The Lost Tales" were good entertainment.

 

[Hellkite]

I agree HK. She made it to Earthforce full General and I guess you don't become a General whilst sitting on our butt...

...though I have seen people climbing to leadership positions just through the right friends... but that is a completly different topic.

I look forward to what JMS comes up with. "The Lost Tales" were good entertainment.

LOL I for one know all to well how to become a General mush to my dislike and it is possible to become one with out getting a brown nose but it is easier that way I mite add

 

[Avon]

it could run thou both the Crusade arks and Centauri War.

I seem to remember JMS saying a while back, that Warner Brothers owns Crusade, and he had no way of ever telling that story (even in a book or comic).

In comparison, JMS owns the rights to Babylon 5 movies. That's why in 2005 we came close to getting a film. Unfortunately it fell through at the last minute. Anyway, this was what JMS said at the time:

This was not the first time someone's taken a run at a B5 feature film,
and it will not be the last. Eventually it will happen, because such
things are simply inevitable. If they can do a Brady Bunch movie, you
can be sure that sooner or later, somebody's going to do a B5 movie.
The only thing I can say without equivocation is that when that day
comes, as the rights-holder, I will make darned sure that it's done
right, because I'd rather have no B5 movie than one that doesn't live
up to what fans and I myself would want to see.

To that end...I can wait.

With JMS' new found fame and success in Hollywood, it still seems most likely to me that we could have a movie in the pipeline.
With a TV show for either B5 or Crusade, (or Legend of the Rangers), you would have to get into negotiating with those same darn networks who still hold the rights for them. Those same networks that tried to cancel B5 more than once, who messed with and ultimately cancelled Crusade. Not to mention slashing budgets and not taking seriously Legends and The Lost Tales.
My only hope is, that if he has made a deal with the Devil and gone for a TV show, he gets it done his way, with no interference this time........rant over

 

[Hellkite]

not sure it a non starter

1


JMS at San Diego Comic Con 2010:

“I said to Warner Bros. a while back, 'When you’re ready to do something real with 'Babylon 5,' either a big-budget film or a TV show, if you want to do one of those two things, call me, otherwise don’t bother me.' About a month ago the phone rang. I don’t know where this is gonna go yet, but when they call you, there’s something going on. I can’t tell you what it is yet and it may not go anywhere, but there is movement in the tall grass.

 

[SciFiFan]

My idea:

1. Big budget movie to tell the story of the Centauri War that leads to...

2. A new series that continues the story of the aftermath up to and including the Telepath War.

 

[Aerilon]

Short of a remaster (as mentioned by (I think) Majestic above) the only other logical way I can see this going is via a reboot (like they've done with Trek). Whether they follow the same story or not I wouldn't know (though for it to 'be' Babylon 5, they kind of would need to stick to the script.

The problem with that though, is they then run the risk of ruining the original. Maybe it's time to let it rest?