Babylon 5 Anime?!

[Ubik]

I stumbled across an old internet page today, that was set up as a practical joke, which charts the development of a (fictitious) B5 anime series. I was slightly saddened to realise it was an elaborate joke!

I'm a big fan of animated shows like Cowbow Beebop, Avatar, Samurai Jack, Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, Trigun, etc.

There has been some wonderful SF done in animated form, especially form the thriving hotbed of animated shows that is Japan.

I think B5 could and would translate very well as an anime if someone with real vision and style were to take it on. It wouldn't have to specifically be of Japanese origin, but the Japanese seem to have more success than any other country in building epic franchises, some of which have been wildly successful.

Thoughts?

[Sinclair's Fan]

My fave DC Comics character, Dick Grayson, received a Japanese-style (albeit not really Japanese) makeover for the Teen Titans cartoon and comic a few years ago. Proof that it can be done. And JMS works in comics nowadays, so maybe he'd allow it . As for Teen Titans, a new series has now surfaced..., but this time it's a comedy rather than an adventure show.

[Ubik]

I dig the original Batman animated series from the 90s, that was top notch stuff. I think DC have the edge on Marvel for quality animated series.

Anyhow, I digress. I see no reason why it wouldn't work for B5. Obviously, I'm speculating wildly here, as I doubt WB would ever green light it.

Could JMS technically do an animated 'feature film' as he holds the rights. With so much of the original cast gone, this would make so much sense!

[Jan]

[QUOTE=Ubik;103797]Anyhow, I digress. I see no reason why it wouldn't work for B5. Obviously, I'm speculating wildly here, as I doubt WB would ever green light it. [quote]

Going by (faulty, at best) memory, I seem to recall JMS mentioning at one point that WB approached him about an animated B5. Like most of those meetings, nothing seems to have come of it.

Could JMS technically do an animated 'feature film' as he holds the rights. With so much of the original cast gone, this would make so much sense!

Technically? Probably. Seems that one issue with doing a B5 feature is that JMS doesn't hold the TV rights and there's probably not many financiers willing to fund a feature film that can't eventually be sold to TV. In addition, though JMS has only actually said that nobody but Andreas would ever play G'Kar again, I wouldn't be surprised if the same went for others who've passed on also.

Jan

[Sinclair's Fan]

I must admit, I'd find it difficult to accept someone else as Sinclair (because O'Hare was so identifiable with that particular role), unless perhaps JMS decided to show us Valen as an old man, and brought in a much more senior actor to play the part, (Ewan McGregor / Sir Alec Guinness-fashion in reverse).

[Ubik]

I must admit, I'd find it difficult to accept someone else as Sinclair (because O'Hare was so identifiable with that particular role), unless perhaps JMS decided to show us Valen as an old man, and brought in a much more senior actor to play the part, (Ewan McGregor / Sir Alec Guinness-fashion in reverse).

I'm going to be controversial here.

I wouldn't mind if characters were re-voiced, providing the voice actors were good and understood their respective characters. IÆd be okay with it sporting an entirely different cast to the original show. Animation is a whole different ball game, and IÆm sure there are plenty of great voice actors out there who could nail it if given the chance. It could be interesting to let other people breathe life into those characters we know so well. For example, in the WB Batman animated films, Batman is not voiced by Christian Bale, but it still works a treat. Same logic applies here (for me at least).

IÆd see an animated series as being separate from the original B5. Perhaps slightly re-imagined, but with the same basic premise. It would allow certain diversions that youÆd be hard pressed to do on film. We could go places in the B5 universe we havenÆt seen before. The visual scope would only be limited by the talent of the animators you have on hand.

Hence, my idea of it being an anime. IÆd love to see someone else take a different slant on the show. If it were a Japanese / western production, youÆd get an entirely different take on it.

[Garibaldi's Hair]

[QUOTE=Jan;103801]

Technically? Probably. Seems that one issue with doing a B5 feature is that JMS doesn't hold the TV rights and there's probably not many financiers willing to fund a feature film that can't eventually be sold to TV.

Not sure about that one, and I am no expert in these matters so I may well be wrong, but surely "TV rights" refers to something made specifically for television? If JMS holds the movie rights, surely that grants him the rights to sell the movie on to television.

I am pretty certain Serenity has been on TV in the UK, even though it was produced by a different studio than produced the TV show ... that was, after all, the reason the film couldn't be called Firefly.

[AstroBoy]

I'm going to be controversial here.

I wouldn't mind if characters were re-voiced, providing the voice actors were good and understood their respective characters. IÆd be okay with it sporting an entirely different cast to the original show. Animation is a whole different ball game, and IÆm sure there are plenty of great voice actors out there who could nail it if given the chance. It could be interesting to let other people breathe life into those characters we know so well. For example, in the WB Batman animated films, Batman is not voiced by Christian Bale, but it still works a treat. Same logic applies here (for me at least).

IÆd see an animated series as being separate from the original B5. Perhaps slightly re-imagined, but with the same basic premise. It would allow certain diversions that youÆd be hard pressed to do on film. We could go places in the B5 universe we havenÆt seen before. The visual scope would only be limited by the talent of the animators you have on hand.

Hence, my idea of it being an anime. IÆd love to see someone else take a different slant on the show. If it were a Japanese / western production, youÆd get an entirely different take on it.

I'd love to see an anime version of Joe's original concept before the changes that had to be made due to actors not being available, etc...

[Sinclair's Fan]

To Ubik; You're right of course, it's just that because of my loyalty to all things Sinclair, I'd feel easier about it if it were (just for example) and older chap voicing Valen, rather than a younger fella trying to do Sinclair's voice .

For example, in the WB Batman animated films, Batman is not voiced by Christian Bale, but it still works a treat. Same logic applies here (for me at least).

That goes for radio, too. For me personally, Lex Luthor will always be...

...William Hootkins, who looks nothing like Lex Luthor! (Bill was in a number of my fave films; Flash Gordon, Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Superman IV, Batman, and he's sadly missed).

[Jan]

Not sure about that one, and I am no expert in these matters so I may well be wrong, but surely "TV rights" refers to something made specifically for television? If JMS holds the movie rights, surely that grants him the rights to sell the movie on to television.

I may be using the wrong terminology. I'm just basing that on what JMS has said at a few cons about being in casual negotiations with WB to get the TV rights.

Jan

[Ubik]

I'd love to see an anime version of Joe's original concept before the changes that had to be made due to actors not being available, etc...

I could get quite excited about that prospect too! We can dream!