Galen played by an imposter! Forget TmoS!!!

[Michael Malloy]

This whole re-casting rumor (it is only rumor at this time, correct?) has generated a lot of postings regarding the TMoS movie and cast.

This entire internet episode could be a test marketing idea to show how much support there is for JMS's wordsmithing and for the characters we know as played by the actors we know.

It certainly has held my attention for the past several days, but not the way I would choose.

I cannot imagine anyone but Peter Woodward as Galen. If Peter is against playing the part again, or has a conflict from another job I think the character should not be played by someone else. I would think JMS would change the character rather than accept a substitute.

By all means, we should all POLITELY express our admiration for previous work and for the possibility of a feature film. Comments about possible re-casting should be written in a way that supports the original actors and JMS. Express your admiration for the "original source" actors! (I heard the term "orginal source" frequently in musicology studies. Professors love it when you cite an "original source.")

To say anything negative to WB at this time would probably do harm.

[horrid goblin]

I remember having huge problems with tracy scoggins during it's first run, mostly cos I hated her character on lois and clarke and was the last person I wanted to see on my beloved B5 but on second viewing on DVD I didn't have a problem with her at all

[DoctorManbot]

Again, Ill say its not Tracey Scoggins that's the real issue. She did fine, given the situation she was thrust into. It the thought of a second tier character being the only one rumored to be on board for the "BIG " movie adaptation. That's troubling, at best.

[Michael Malloy]

Dear "Horrid Goblin",

Your comments are valid, but slightly off topic.

You described your experience with a NEW CHARACTER.

Many of the rest of us are steamed about the possibility of putting strangers into known character's parts. (And who give a rats a-- if the "strangers" are "famous Hollyweed" actors!

[Paul]

Are they joking? They don't want to bring the original actors back fearing no one will recognize them as big screen names but decide to bring Tracy Scoggins onboard. What has she done lately. Bruce Boxleitner has been in a few tv movies. The late Richard Biggs was on NYPD Blue and Crossing Jordan. Gary Cole was on an episode of Hack.

[vacantlook]

Gary Cole was on an episode of Hack.

He also played Rosalee's dad in Win A Date With Tad Hamilton.

[grumbler]

Originally posted by Jan
Just out of curiosity, do you not like Tracy because she's not Claudia or for another reason? I liked the Lochley character a lot and the actress is a great person.

Jan

I disliked the charactor because she wasn't very deep and JMS's dialogue for her was painfully bad. Nothing against Tracy - she gave the charactor what she could, but there wasn't much charactor there. I blame it on her hasty creation and hence JMS's uuncertainty as to "what she sounded like." She could by this ime be fully fleshed out in JMS's mind and hence interesting, but there is nothing in the filmed record to indicate such, IMO.

[grumbler]

Originally posted by vacantlook
He also played Rosalee's dad in Win A Date With Tad Hamilton.

Subtle humor is still your halmark, VL!

[colonyearth]

It's not just Galen...casting descriptions were sent out to agents to replace Sheridan, Delenn and Lochley...at least those three.

Also, notice these little leaks don't contain any info on the main original cast or their roles in the film.

The sources have stated that that is planned in order to build acceptance of the film without the cast in that initial acceptance.

Notice that NONE of the "leaks" (there's no such thing in Hollywood, they're all planned), contain any mention of the main cast except Lochley.

If Peter Woodward's site says that he will be in the midst of shooting his own feature film script at the same time TMoS is being shot...with Sir Richard Attenborough directing, then I could accept that he was recast.

As a filmmaker, I'd prefer to be on set with Sir Richard anyday...since the man's a genius.

But rest assured that the recasting issue does stretch beyond Galen. Notice again, that the careful wording is that Galen is the one that is being recast...why? Because, since he's the smaller character in their minds from the spin-off, then leaking his recasting is a way to kill several birds with one stone. Leak a recasting idea, back JMS into a corner so he can't complain, and then get the audience used to the idea slowly so they can win.

This is pure Hollywood politics...and good politics as well. I must say, WB and TPTB are orchestrating this very well. And all in a way that JMS is powerless to respond.

Wow...but we know the truth.

CE

[Vader1025]

I never muched cared for Tracey Scoggins character in S5 BUT her character seemed to have 200% more depth in the few episodes of Crusade she was in and those I enjoyed.

[bakana]

It occurred to me that there IS one way that Galen could be recast that would actually be Fun:

Peter Woodward's Father, Edward could do the role.

It would take some fast talking to explain How he "Aged".

Or, they could simply Replace Galen with the Tecnomage Edward Woodward played on Crusade.
I think we could all enjoy that.

That's assuming the problem really is just a Scheduling conflict.

[KoshN]

Originally posted by Capt.Montoya
If Peter Woodward is unavailable and JMS approves and selects his replacement (and lets us know that happened) we should trust him.

If Peter Woodward is unavailable, they should reschedule one of the projects to make it work.

From hearing Peter on "The Well of Forever" cast commentary, I can't believe that he doesn't want to play Galen again (though I only made halfway through the commentary, so far).

[We_Are_One]

Originally posted by grumbler
Subtle humor is still your halmark, VL!

I don't know if these rumors are true or not. Several preople claim that they know of someone else who has seen cast descriptions, but it's always second or third hand. It would be interesting to know which characters JMS put in his script. If he didn't include Londo or Garibaldi then this "recasting" controversy could all be a sham. Like i said, I don't know, and I hesitate to make a decision to protest to WB or anyone on such flimsy information.
To paraphrase JMS' words for G'Kar, "nothing here is what it seems". Seeing how well FARSCAPE PKW was done I still have some hope.

And you know what ese, it's frelling 6 degrees outside!!!

GO BEARS!

[Doktor]

It's hardly 'flimsy' when JMS has all but confirmed the rumours himself.

[ljg701]

Originally posted by Doktor
It's hardly 'flimsy' when JMS has all but confirmed the rumours himself.

With respect Doktor he hasn't. Not being able to comment on rumours is not the same as confirming them!

Assume the following highly speculative scenario. (I have no evidence for any of the below, just my own thoughts)

[WB have made offers to some of the existing B5 actors to appear in TMOS.

Actors hold out for a higher offer.

WB says 'if you don't accept, we'll offer your roles to other actors'

WB calls B5 actors bluff.

B5 Actors cave in.]

Now, if JMS comments on any of the above he's indirectly affecting the negotiations and would no doubt irritate WB.

We may be at the 'WB calls B5 actors bluff' stage of the scenario above. If there is currently legal stuff going on with respect to contracts and payments for appearing in TMOS, there is no way on the planet JMS can say anything, as this may give the actors ammunition.

Remember how tetchy JMS got when someone tried to contact Jerry Doyle about appearing in TMOS a few months ago?

It's possible that the B5 fanbase is being manipulated here to secure higher offers for the existing B5 actors. I think there is more going on here than we realise, to some degree I think we are collectively guilty of being naive about the political manoeuvrings that go with casting a film of this nature.

Just my thoughts, I may of course be utterly wrong. Hopefully this will be resolved sooner rather than later...