Babylon 5 Movie through Studio JMS

[Ubik]

One thing JMS could maybe attempt is back to back filming for more than one release, that does save a good deal of money and would make a sequal more likely.

I think finding backers for that would be really, really hard. I'm still unsure how easy it's going to be to finance a proper feature film of a series that has such a low profile amongst the general public. I suppose the reboot option kinda makes that a moot point, but it's still a hard sell. Sadly, any 'original' feature is a hard sell in Hollywood these days.

I honestly think there's more power in the Kickstarter / independent production route. Or a combo of both, a la the Veronica Mars film.

[Jan]

I honestly think there's more power in the Kickstarter / independent production route. Or a combo of both, a la the Veronica Mars film.

No disrespect intended but I have NO interest whatsoever in seeing a movie for the amount that could be raised via Kickstarter. None. JMS was right several years ago, if it's not going to be done right, it shouldn't be done.

Con Man's raised 3.1 million. Veronica Mars about 5 million. Not nearly enough for a show that has to be built from scratch, which neither of those did.

Jan

[Ubik]

No disrespect intended but I have NO interest whatsoever in seeing a movie for the amount that could be raised via Kickstarter. None. JMS was right several years ago, if it's not going to be done right, it shouldn't be done.

Con Man's raised 3.1 million. Veronica Mars about 5 million. Not nearly enough for a show that has to be built from scratch, which neither of those did.

Jan

Fair point Jan. I think we all remember Lost Tales, and I have no desire to see 'B5 on a shoe string budget' either.

I am just a little sceptical that any studio will want to invest the kind of money that would be required. B5 is just really quite obscure these days. Unless a major studio bites, it's going to be very hard to fund to a sufficient level.

Maybe if Netflix were to begin funding feature films, now that would be exciting. Who knows!? Seems Joe is building a good relationship with them via Sense8. I wish WB would do the honourable thing and sell him the rights back.

Then we could get a proper reboot, on TV, where B5 belongs.

[Looney]

My feeling is that the biggest obstacle could be WB. If they don't sign on I think others might stay away because of what they control. I assume they control all Home Video and Merchandise rights as well the TV. Am I wrong?

Other than that I think JMS' rep combined with a really good script could get the job done. There are big name people out there who remember the show. You know people like Whedon, Abrams, and others could easily end up getting behind the project even if it is just something they say they would like to see. Plus the show was so big in other markets that you know he can likely find some funding there. And he can likely find some funding for the promise of overseas' box office receipts. I think it might take a little longer to get done than we all would like (which is evidenced by the fact we already wonder if he is even going to get it written this year), but I think it will happen. We just need to figure out a way to get him to forget these other projects for a little while and focus for several months to get the best of the best reboot script.

[moreorless]

I would agree with that, the existing fanbase isn't enough to get a big film made but it does provide a bit of a glass floor which is often what Hollywood is interested in preventing the possibility of a really massive bomb, a lot of films get made of properties that aren't massively well known as a result. JMS's game and potentially the script could well be what desides whether the film gets made.

In terms of budget I'm not sure 100 million is really essential, B5 can't be done well on a shoe string but still I think the format isn't one that really pushes the budget. The need for locations shooting is limited, hundreds of extras aren't needed, sets don't need to be that massive and as the original showed CGI in space is actually often simpler/cheaper than other kinds that needs to recreated more complex characters and environments. My guess is that JMS could make something that looks up to current blockbuster standards on a $60 millionish budget.

In terms of the draw of FX he might even benefit a bit from the fact we really haven't seen much in the way of space battles(Enders Game is all that comes to mind) in recent years so wouldn't need to really over overboard to outdo anything else.

[cornholio1980]

In terms of the draw of FX he might even benefit a bit from the fact we really haven't seen much in the way of space battles(Enders Game is all that comes to mind) in recent years so wouldn't need to really over overboard to outdo anything else.

This is quite likely going to change come December, when a certain Force Awakens

[Ubik]

This is quite likely going to change come December, when a certain Force Awakens

Whilst it's stiff competition in the visual department, every studio will be keen to make space / SF films again. Although, I don't recall the prequel films really having that effect, at least not in the same way that the original SW inspired countless knock off films in the 80s. So, maybe it won't be quite as pronounced as I think. Still it has to help give SF films some extra box office cred.

I guess SW is its own thing and it stands alone. It has a massive built in audience regardless of genre.

[DaveNarn]

Maybe series of retro commercials would so the trick.

A nice little old lady standing in the theater lobby looks at all the current sci-fi posters and complains loudly "Where's the B5?!"
(Wendeys 'Wheres the beef' commercial)

A voice over song during opening credits...
I wan't my B5 back, B5 back, B5 back
(Chili restaurant ' Baby back ribs' advert)

A couple of teens wearing sun glasses exiting the new SW movie
"Meh, just lots of running, jumping, sword fights, and now with lens-flair!… I could have had a B-5!!"
(V8 Juice commercial)

[Jan]

Maybe series of retro commercials would so the trick.

LOL! wish the forums had a 'like' button!

Jan

[moreorless]

"Hey! I'd like a B5 man"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MshadyDLjnk

[DaveNarn]

"Hey! I'd like a B5 man"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MshadyDLjnk

Nice one

7-UP commercials with Geoffrey Holder..

https://youtu.be/dvZd4ld8Tt4

Techno-babble, never had it - never will
Taste the untrek freshness!

[DaveNarn]

Don't mean to cause a rabble with a crack about techno-babble, I like Trek too.
There is a renewed desire for trek on the small screen created by the Trek movies

This time B5 could beat them to it.. and when Ron Moore directs the new series on Netflix maybe he will sneak a little uss enterprise in a background scene like he did on BSG.

[Babel-17]

Might I suggest Joe Rogan for the part of Mr. Garibaldi? He played Joe Garrelli on News Radio, a favorite show of mine.

He even performed some Garibaldi like duties on News Radio.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T-CreVC_6Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOK8_1lwtEM

Second video shows he even has a bit of a Jerry Doyle vibe as an outspoken individualist. Has some cursing!

[qstor]

There hasn't been any news on this in over a year. I'm doubtful.

[Jan]

There hasn't been any news on this in over a year. I'm doubtful.

JMS stated again that he still plans to write the script later this year at his panel at SDCC last month. Can't really be any news other than that.

Jan