Just a wee thought

[Doktor]

I dunno if this idea has been kicked about yet anywhere, but I've seen a lot of talk of series, mini-series, movie, TV movie..... but I ain't seen anyone mention movie trilogy? Given the success of Lord of the Rings, and given the fact that studios are bound to be looking around for other possible epic franchises to cash in on, wouldn't this make a lot of sense?

[Radhil]

For 3 movies to be a success, you need at least one to be first.

Odds of that happening with B5.... well, just aren't high.

[grumbler]

That idea has been proposed (I think CE is the biggest proponent of it) and the counter-argument seems to be that the property simply isn't weel-enough-established for that as yet. The success of the B5 DVDs is a very recent thing, and I would frankly be astonished if WB's leadership could have turned around so quickly (remember that they gave us an essentially shitty first DVD (ItB/TG) and said "if that doesn't sell then the franchise is as dead as we think it is").

We all know that JMS thinks in big terms, so we know that whatever the project is it has growth potential. However, I think this would be more akin to the Matrix flicks, where the first flick was a one-off with expansion potential (and then was ruined by being allowed to expand on that potential, but then KMS didn't write it) and IF this is a theatrical release then I think it is a one-off with the potential to go further if the market responds.

That's too bad, as it means that further releases are even further off, but that's the way i see it.

The only bright spot is that success in a first theatrical release may allow JMS to revive something on TV, as he would be done writing for the theatrical release LONG before he had to do anything as a producer, and maybe he could fit in a show in the interstices.

the downside to a theatrical release is that it, and any benefits from it, will be two years or more off.

In my heart of hearts, I will admit that cool as a theatrical lick might be, I hope for an earlier payoff.

[Radhil]

the downside to a theatrical release is that it, and any benefits from it, will be two years or more off.

In my heart of hearts, I will admit that cool as a theatrical lick might be, I hope for an earlier payoff.

Have a lesson from the Firefly fans (of which I count)-

Take anything you can get.

[colonyearth]

Originally posted by grumbler
That idea has been proposed (I think CE is the biggest proponent of it) and the counter-argument seems to be that the property simply isn't weel-enough-established for that as yet. The success of the B5 DVDs is a very recent thing, and I would frankly be astonished if WB's leadership could have turned around so quickly (remember that they gave us an essentially shitty first DVD (ItB/TG) and said "if that doesn't sell then the franchise is as dead as we think it is").

We all know that JMS thinks in big terms, so we know that whatever the project is it has growth potential. However, I think this would be more akin to the Matrix flicks, where the first flick was a one-off with expansion potential (and then was ruined by being allowed to expand on that potential, but then KMS didn't write it) and IF this is a theatrical release then I think it is a one-off with the potential to go further if the market responds.

That's too bad, as it means that further releases are even further off, but that's the way i see it.

The only bright spot is that success in a first theatrical release may allow JMS to revive something on TV, as he would be done writing for the theatrical release LONG before he had to do anything as a producer, and maybe he could fit in a show in the interstices.

the downside to a theatrical release is that it, and any benefits from it, will be two years or more off.

In my heart of hearts, I will admit that cool as a theatrical lick might be, I hope for an earlier payoff.

I agree with grumbler here to an extent. I have been what one might call a proponent of the trilogy-shot-as-one theory.

If you want to read my arguments...search for posts by me on this forum and at B5tv.com. I've gone into it rather extensively.
However, my theory was an intellectual argument on how it could come about, not necessarily what I thought was more likely.

Grumbler's theory is probably the most likely..a one off with potential for a remaining two films if the first has a good showing.

It could take up to two years to get a feature, but that's not necessarily true....depending on how far things are at this point in pre-production, plus casting and set design and other such things, we could have the film by next summer if WB wanted to push it, and the next Christmas if they felt more generous.

No matter what it is...there will need to be the same prep time, so it won't be done and released into whatever medium it's going to be in for at least a year. So, I say if I have to wait anyway, I'd rather wait for a feature film...and rest in the exciting knowledge that more B5 is on its way.

[Doktor]

I don't think in the current climate that there's a requirement for it to be an established property. For example, the Chronicles of Riddick is being made into a trilogy, and Pitch Black was never a massive success. Also, the Runelords is being developed into a series of films, and that doesn't excalty have an established mainstream fan base (and from what I can gather, it has a fairly respectable budget).

I think Hollywood is looking for properties to turn into an established franchise at the moment. There's very little they can just pick of the shelf and use as a licence to print money, so they'll take what they can get and run with it. And let's face it, if you're just looking for something with the potential to turn into an epic franchise, Babylon 5 would have to be pretty much at the top of your list, right?

[Gkar4ever]

<<< I think Hollywood is looking for properties to turn into an established franchise >>>

Well Doktor, I hope for all our sakes that you're wrong on this one, only because JMS has said repeatedly that he does not want B5 to become a franchise, no matter what we may want.. If he thought it was going that way he might pull out or something. I don't really think he'll do that but I also don't believe he's just going to sit back and let Hollywood use B5 and beat it into the ground (a la ST, STTNG, STDS9, STV, Ent..) I'd rather have just a little bit of quality TV or theatical release then watch B5 and it's fundamental heart destroyed.

[colonyearth]

Originally posted by Doktor
I don't think in the current climate that there's a requirement for it to be an established property. For example, the Chronicles of Riddick is being made into a trilogy, and Pitch Black was never a massive success. Also, the Runelords is being developed into a series of films, and that doesn't excalty have an established mainstream fan base (and from what I can gather, it has a fairly respectable budget).

I think Hollywood is looking for properties to turn into an established franchise at the moment. There's very little they can just pick of the shelf and use as a licence to print money, so they'll take what they can get and run with it. And let's face it, if you're just looking for something with the potential to turn into an epic franchise, Babylon 5 would have to be pretty much at the top of your list, right?

You use some great examples of just how LOTR has changed the industry. This is why I've said it's not an impossibility that the new project is a pre-planned trilogy. It is in my view a can't loose prospect.

As for the franchise thing, I think Doktor was meaning a trilogy that's a big hit, which then might spawn another series or something. One interesting thing to note though is that by definition B5 and its universe already is somewhat of a franchise, this next project is but one more installment. I don't think however, that JMS wants it to turn into what Trek did, no, but a quality, well written bunch of stories in the B5 universe with JMS in the captain's chair so to speak is something I think he's probably fine with.

[Kevin]

JMS has always seemed to have a theatrical film in mind... but he's never once talked about a trilogy, and I somehow doubt he'd be plotting a way to do one now... and somehow I imagine he dosen't really have the desire to be involved in Hollywood for as long as it takes to pull off an endevour like that.

Just dosen't seem to be his style

[SpooRancher]

No Trilogy?

Given the recurrances of the number 3 in Babylon 5, I would not put it past JMS to end up making a trilogy.

1) The Technomages, Centauri and Psi Corps books, a trilogy of trilogies.

2) Sheridan's 3 wifes, Lochley, Anna and Delenn.

3) Londo's 3 wifes, famine, pestilence and death.

4) The One who was, the One who is, and the One who will be.

5) The majority of the series, the main 3 humans who were taking on the forces of evil, Sheridan, Ivanova and Garibaldi.

6 ) So far, 3 attempts at series, Babylon 5, Crusade and Legend of the Rangers.

A trilogy might not be planned, but, with the way things have worked out so far, you never know...

[Jan]

A trilogy might not be planned, but, with the way things have worked out so far, you never know...

As Zathras might say, "All is Three."

Jan

[Doktor]

Studio: Hey there JMS! We're looking for new ideas to cash in on the recent popularity of the sci-fi/fantasy genre. Got anything B5 related we could use?

JMS: Well, there was this story I always fancied developing on the big screen about a telepath war.....

Studio: Does it have elves?

JMS: No. But it's got rangers.......

Studio: Great! We love it! Sounds amazing! Bring back the original cast! Get writing the script! Say... wanna make it a trilogy?

JMS: No. Sorry. I've never mentioned a trilogy before, and so that might damage the credibility of my Usenet persona. Can't we just do the one film?

[Kevin]

Originally posted by Doktor
Studio: Hey there JMS! We're looking for new ideas to cash in on the recent popularity of the sci-fi/fantasy genre. Got anything B5 related we could use?

JMS: Well, there was this story I always fancied developing on the big screen about a telepath war.....

Studio: Does it have elves?

JMS: No. But it's got rangers.......

Studio: Great! We love it! Sounds amazing! Bring back the original cast! Get writing the script! Say... wanna make it a trilogy?

JMS: No. Sorry. I've never mentioned a trilogy before, and so that might damage the credibility of my Usenet persona. Can't we just do the one film?

Change that to the credibility of the story and I most definetly see that as a realistic and possible conversation

JMS has always been very much against the idea of stretching out a story when it is not nessecary or not called for, and since he's had this thing brewing in his mind for quite some time, chances are it's worked out to where it would work best as a one-shot film, and I'm sure he's aware of that.

I don't base it on what he's talked about on the usenets, but his actions have always been incredibly consistant, and having read the few posts he's given on the subject of movies and such, the idea of a trilogy just sounds rather ridiculous to me.

But, as I've always said on all these speculation topics, time will make all our talks, discussions and arguments seem incredibly silly, to say the least

[Doktor]

I don't see why making a trilogy would need to damage the credibility of the story though. I mean cramming the telepath ware into a two hour movie is more likely to do that!

[Lord Refa]

JMS has always been very much against the idea of stretching out a story when it is not nessecary or not called for, and since he's had this thing brewing in his mind for quite some time, chances are it's worked out to where it would work best as a one-shot film, and I'm sure he's aware of that.

Making a trilogy does not necessarily mean a story needs to be stretched out. One possibility is JMS has chosen certain elements of the Telepath War to be in the movie, because there never is enough time. So he could simply re-introduce those things into the script.

Besides that, I'm quite sure there has been more optional stories for a theatrical movie. We know JMS has played a lot with the idea of the Telepath war as a movie. But he also once said a theatrical movie may be about something else.
Which means there are other possibilities, which may even be better as a trilogy.