Babylon 5 Movie through Studio JMS

[Dan Dassow]

Oooh, going with the spirit of things...

I want a movie where every original character is exactly the same but played by different actors.

Here is my wish list: Sinclair - Arnold S (Terminator)
Delenn - Justin Bieber
Londo - Robert Pattinson
G'kar - Cole and Dylan Sprouse
Sheridan - Tracy Spiridakos
Lennier - Justin Bieber
Na'Toth - Miley Cyrus
Vir - Logan Huffman
Talia - Kristen Stewart
Lyta - Kristen Stewart
Dr. Stephen - Billy Ray Cyrus
Byron - Justin Bieber
Bester - dies in first episode

Unfortunately casting choices do not constitute a story idea.

[DaveNarn]

I would love to see the cast of DS9 do a B5 episode for a giggle.. or would that make the universe explode?

[Delenn_of_Mir]

Oooh, going with the spirit of things...

I want a movie where every original character is exactly the same but played by different actors.

Here is my wish list: Sinclair - Arnold S (Terminator)
Delenn - Justin Bieber
Londo - Robert Pattinson
G'kar - Cole and Dylan Sprouse
Sheridan - Tracy Spiridakos
Lennier - Justin Bieber
Na'Toth - Miley Cyrus
Vir - Logan Huffman
Talia - Kristen Stewart
Lyta - Kristen Stewart
Dr. Stephen - Billy Ray Cyrus
Byron - Justin Bieber
Bester - dies in first episode

[babylonlurker]

In that case, I have a great idea for a film centered around Byron ...

Oh, yes the "beloved Byron"

....

[sarthaz]

If I recall correctly, someone said (could have been JMS) that the best way *not* to get a story idea made is to publish the idea for JMS to see, at least something to that effect.

In that case, I have a great idea for a film centered around Byron ...

[babylonlurker]

Jan,

If you had not posted the reminder regarding story ideas, I certainly would have. The thought that errant fan speculation and stories ideas could torpedo the B5 movie is rather painful.pipeline.

If I recall correctly, someone said (could have been JMS) that the best way *not* to get a story idea made is to publish the idea for JMS to see, at least something to that effect.

[Dan Dassow]

Let's remember to be careful about story ideas. Yeah, I know it's vanishingly unlikely that JMS ever visits but it's part of the guidelines. (Yeah, I know none of these were serious - I just have to remind people from time to time)

Jan

Jan,

If you had not posted the reminder regarding story ideas, I certainly would have. The thought that errant fan speculation and stories ideas could torpedo the B5 movie is rather painful.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passing_Through_Gethsemane#Production_details

Passing Through Gethsemane was originally developed for the show's second season but had to be "scuttled" because a fan posted a story idea on GEnie that was very similar to the plot of the episode. Legal steps had to be taken to clear the situation up before the story could be put back into the production pipeline.

[Looney]

What a painful reminder. I guess I'll save my brilliant speculation for other realms of the internet. It is for the best. I don't want JMS stealing any of my ideas.

[Jan]

Let's remember to be careful about story ideas. Yeah, I know it's vanishingly unlikely that JMS ever visits but it's part of the guidelines. (Yeah, I know none of these were serious - I just have to remind people from time to time)

Jan

[Looney]

I'm not that worried about it being done "correctly". Like others have mentioned, this is Joe's baby. I don't think he's going to do something stupid here that undermines his legacy. It's not like this is George Lucas ...

What I am interested to see, though, is whether Joe can craft a really good 2-hour story. It's my opinion that his greatest strength as a writer is epic scope, and B5's best attributes were the long story and character arcs. You can't really do that stuff in a 2-hour film, and I can't think of any self-contained short-form content Joe has done that really stands out to me. Sure, there are certain B5 episodes that are spectacular, but their greatness is informed by hours upon hours of setup. It doesn't mean he can't do it -- it's just something that stands out to me when I hear this news.

To put people's fears at ease, can anyone seriously imagine a 2-hour movie that does justice to Londo or G'Kar's arc, the Shadow War, the retaking of Earth, or any of the major plot points of the show? So I wouldn't expect him to retell the story with prettier people and bigger explosions. It doesn't make any sense on any level, and there are a number of tangential stories within the main timeframe to tell or brand new stories that have been running through his brain for the last 20 years. I'm sure it will be fine. Personally, though, I just hope it's not telepaths. I'm tired of that stuff.

I think that maybe a reboot should take place during something like the Dilgar war and end with the established need for the Babylon Project. A stand alone story that establishes a future arc. Do it as a movie that can stand on its own. This way people involved in the feature can be left out of a series or be part of a series, even a series of sequel movies. It is highly likely that it might be something completely different, but it can't be too far from what the original spark was. I don't mean the original arc. I mean the original premise of a U.N. in space.

And things I don't want to see:
- Ghost Stories or anything that can be deemed supernatural of a religious nature.
- Everyone being amoral.
- Time travel scenarios if at all possible, though JMS has done some of the only time travel story telling I've ever found acceptable.
- A really vast departure from the original in theme, tone, and storytelling, i.e. a story about ghosts haunting a space station because it is all part of God's plan to punish the amoral characters who traveled through time to live in a place that is the den of darkest evil.

[babylonlurker]

I'm not that worried about it being done "correctly". Like others have mentioned, this is Joe's baby. I don't think he's going to do something stupid here that undermines his legacy. It's not like this is George Lucas ...
...
So I wouldn't expect him to retell the story with prettier people and bigger explosions. It doesn't make any sense on any level, and there are a number of tangential stories within the main timeframe to tell or brand new stories that have been running through his brain for the last 20 years. I'm sure it will be fine. Personally, though, I just hope it's not telepaths. I'm tired of that stuff.

Quite right, Trust JMS, trust yourself, everyone else - shoot'em (paraphrased Ivanova quote)

[sarthaz]

I'm not that worried about it being done "correctly". Like others have mentioned, this is Joe's baby. I don't think he's going to do something stupid here that undermines his legacy. It's not like this is George Lucas ...

What I am interested to see, though, is whether Joe can craft a really good 2-hour story. It's my opinion that his greatest strength as a writer is epic scope, and B5's best attributes were the long story and character arcs. You can't really do that stuff in a 2-hour film, and I can't think of any self-contained short-form content Joe has done that really stands out to me. Sure, there are certain B5 episodes that are spectacular, but their greatness is informed by hours upon hours of setup. It doesn't mean he can't do it -- it's just something that stands out to me when I hear this news.

To put people's fears at ease, can anyone seriously imagine a 2-hour movie that does justice to Londo or G'Kar's arc, the Shadow War, the retaking of Earth, or any of the major plot points of the show? So I wouldn't expect him to retell the story with prettier people and bigger explosions. It doesn't make any sense on any level, and there are a number of tangential stories within the main timeframe to tell or brand new stories that have been running through his brain for the last 20 years. I'm sure it will be fine. Personally, though, I just hope it's not telepaths. I'm tired of that stuff.

[Ubik]

How about this, Walter as the architect of the Babylon Project? The one person who came up with the initial idea that grew into the stations. And yes Looney wants credit for this awesome idea JMS. PM me for the details.

You're right... I'm seldom right and should probably keep quiet!

Ha!

I love that idea, I could see Walter playing an ageing diplomat with a vision for a better future!

[Looney]

I'm not sure a 77 year old Bester really works... but he could be a higher up or advisor in the PsiCorps. Koenig might be great in a cameo type role.

Well Ubik, I'm not sure you have ever been right about anything EVER ! ! ! ! ! ! !

But in all seriousness, I just wish Walter could get what he deserves for bringing to life one of the best villains in the history of fictional villains. I feel that a major role in a feature film for that character would do it. Maybe it would just be good enough for Walter himself to have a major role in the film. I don't know if a Psi Corps character would feel right though.

How about this, Walter as the architect of the Babylon Project? The one person who came up with the initial idea that grew into the stations. And yes Looney wants credit for this awesome idea JMS. PM me for the details.

[Ubik]

Of course Walter Koenig would have to come back as an older version Bester, even in the reboot. I don't mean a continuation. I mean a reboot Bester that is exactly the same only he starts out a little older; he's the new/same Bester.

I'm not sure a 77 year old Bester really works... but he could be a higher up or advisor in the PsiCorps. Koenig might be great in a cameo type role.