So I give it a 37.2% chance of ever hitting the screens — it's very unclear from the article how it would, in reality, be funded if Warners gives it a pass.
That said — hell, yeah, I'm excited. I am curious, though, how we'll squeeze a reboot into a standard-length movie. Part of what made B5 special was the slow build-up and layering of characters and setting and plotlines — it's kind of hard to do that in 2-2.5 hours (as Serenity demonstrated), let alone if you're rebooting the universe.
(h/t +Jim McCloskey)
Reshared post from +Ensley F. Guffey
Big news! #StudioJMS #Babylon5
J. Michael Straczynski Announces ‘Babylon 5’ Feature Film Reboot, Eyes 2016 Production Start – TVWise
J. Michael Straczysnki has announced plans for a Babylon 5 feature film, which is expected to enter production in 2016.
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Okay, so on a bit further consideration, a few thoughts:
1. Yeah, feature-length returns to the well (or even the during-the-series TV movies) for B5 have been — well, of varying quality and success, but none has really knocked anyone's socks off. So that's a reason for pessimism.
2. On the other hand, Joe has a lot more experience (and success) in the feature movie realm than he did back then.
3. It's a big screen movie "backdoor pilot" for a TV show. That gets around the layers and nuance and history — set up some mysteries, have some immediate action, wham-bam-Kosh-is-here-ma'am. "The Gathering" for a new generation.
4. I think there are things you could do with the background concepts of the show, but run them in a new direction, that would work. Also, while you're not going to find another Jurasik or Katsulas, there's plenty you could do to retain the characters (or their basics) and make it something fresh (Battlestar Galactica being the obvious comparison — though that was also a brand-new creative team, which also makes a difference).
4. Waves at +Kay Hill …