New Babylon 5 project in the works!!!

[Whitestar]

At the San Diego Convention of 2006, J. Michael Straczynski has announced of a new B5 project in the works entitled, "Babylon 5: The Lost Tales"! This is considered to be an anthology series with a set of mini-stories featuring established characters from the series. The project is intended to be a straight-to-DVD release, providing that it meets Straczynski's demands: he wants no interference from the network and have complete creative control, particularly in the writing department. The executives have agreed to this and the first three tales will focuse on three main characters (who is yet to be determined). Production is slated to commence in September 2006, post-production is scheduled sometime between October thru. December and it'll most probably come out the second quarter of 2007. These short stories never made it into the series and now he's rediscovered them in his notes.

Well, well, well. I must admit that I am partly excited about this, but I'm also approaching this with a bit of caution, considering how poorly "Crusade" and "Legend of the Rangers" was poorly received by fans, which happened at a time when he was clearly burnt out due enormous fatigue. But its been a while since we last visited the B5 universe and its possible that Straczynski has new creative juices up his sleeve. Time will tell. For more info, check out the following link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon_5:_The_Lost_Tales

Thoughts anyone?

Whitestar

 

[Brian G Turner]

Sounds interesting - but I agree some of his work since B5 has been sorely lacking - one film is so bad I can never even remember the title (the plague one), and "In the Beginning" was suffering some significant plot clashes with the B5 series (Minbari never sneak attack according to season 1; Sheridan & Franklin's involvement with meeting the Minbari - say, what??)

Another big concern in revisiting the original series is that we no longer have some of the key players - the actors Andreas Katsulas as G'kar, and Stephen Biggs as Franklin, have since died, plus what are the chances you'd get Ivanova back?

B5 was made great by the long running layered story arc, fleshed out with strong and colourful characters. Lacking both of these elements to some degree, I'd be concerned as to what Straczynski can build with so little in terms of storytelling time as well.

Overall, as I think I've suggested before, it could well make much better sense to return to the B5 universe either 1000 years before or after B5, where opportunity exists to recreate another strong story arc.

I'd hate to see B5 simply wringing the same story to death, and simply end up as churning out weak echoes.

B5 needs vision to expand the concept, rather than revisit old worn paths, IMO.

2c.

 

[Whitestar]

Good point about the contradiction of the Minbari never committing sneak attacks! Totally out of character. And yes, the lack of presence of Katsulas and Biggs will be sorely missed, however, Straczynski could compensate this by introducing new characters to fill in the void and take the stories in a new direction. Personally, I would be happy with a motion picture or a mini-series that deals with the Great Burn or a story that takes place a million years from now, where humans are residing on New Earth and have become the new guardians, looking after the younger races.

Whitestar

 

[Carolyn Hill]

I liked Crusade, so if he can do something like that in his new B5 project--rather than retreading old ground--I'd be satisfied. B5 is a big place, full of potential stories.

 

[Winters_Sorrow]

Overall, as I think I've suggested before, it could well make much better sense to return to the B5 universe either 1000 years before or after B5, where opportunity exists to recreate another strong story arc.

I'd hate to see B5 simply wringing the same story to death, and simply end up as churning out weak echoes.

I agree, especially as so many great characters have either had wonderfully completed arcs (such as London, Sheridan, Delenn) and others have sadly died (as mentioned above).
I think a clean break a bit similar to what TNG did for Star Trek would be the best thing, although I'd miss ships like the Star Furies & White Stars as they were great designs.

Sounds good though, thanks for letting us know Whitestar.

 

[Whitestar]

I agree, especially as so many great characters have either had wonderfully completed arcs (such as London, Sheridan, Delenn) and others have sadly died (as mentioned above).
I think a clean break a bit similar to what TNG did for Star Trek would be the best thing, although I'd miss ships like the Star Furies & White Stars as they were great designs.

Sounds good though, thanks for letting us know Whitestar.

My pleasure!

Whitestar

 

[Vigilante]

well, this sounds good. thanks for the update. I just hope he works the Telepath War in there. I mean, Season 4, and especially Season 5 really built it up, and when Crusade crashed and burned with the fans (even me, I'm sorry to say), it seemed that Babylon 5 was gone for good. Even in A Call to Arms, Crusade starts 5 years after the ISA starts up, and there's a telecast about all the lives that were lost in the Telepath War. If these "Lost Episodes" do get released, I hope he works that in there. For those of you who are Farscape fans, you must remember the Peacekeeper Wars. J. Micheal could do something along those lines. anyway, there's my two sense.

-Vig

P.S. I must say that when ANYTHING gets released straight to DVD, it is highly probable that it isn't going to be worth the laser that imprinted the disc. My hopes are high, but I don't know....

 

[Whitestar]

well, this sounds good. thanks for the update. I just hope he works the Telepath War in there. If these "Lost Episodes" do get released, I hope he works that in there. For those of you who are Farscape fans, you must remember the Peacekeeper Wars. J. Micheal could do something along those lines. anyway, there's my two sense.

Let's hope its good because the Peacekeeper Wars was awesome!

Whitestar

 

[SteveR]

Another post to brighten my day Whitestar!

B5 has a huge following and high expectation - would be really nice to see it on again in a new exciting format. Never forget how bad Legend of the Rangers was - it MUST not go down that route! I thought the other movies where OK - but none as strong as the main plotlines.

Still, new B5 is always good news (except of LotR! )

Heh, LOTR, reminds me of the debates we used to have on Usenet about whether JMS was mimicking Tolkein!

Steve

 

[zorcarepublic]

Ideally, I'd like to see either the Dilgar War or the Orieni War.

 

[Paradox 99]

Fantastic. I've never been disappointed by any B5 stuff that JMS has created (except perhaps a little bit by "In the Beginning") - I even liked Legend of the Rangers and was gutted when Crusade ended prematurely.

I'll be looking forward to this - especially if MJS has complete freedom to do it as he pleases.