In my opinion this does not in any way change the significance of B5 and its contributions to Sci-Fi and TV. In essence, B5, DS9 (no matter the reasons), and BSG broke away from the formulaic trap that other tv shows fall into by creatively taking risks and that’s what true art really is. And let’s face it, whether people accept the show or not, they have to be respected for that.

When the BSG mini was made I had someone on the inside in Hollywood give me the “skinny.” Before the mini was even finished, they were already planning the first 13 episodes. Mostly what was up in the air, due to the high cost of the series, was whether BSG would be made like more U.S. series and have 20 to 22 eps or if it would be made more like a British show and have only 12 or 13 eps a season (LOST is now closer to the British style and will only have about 13 or 14 eps per season until its end in 2010).

It was finally decided that BSG would be made for a full season after the series premiered and did so well. RM did not have the series planned out any any detail but did have an idea of where he wanted to take it. As with anything with an arc, you make adjustments and have new ideas along the way that alter the arc, whether for the better or for the worse we, as fans, will never really know since most times we never hear what the other plans were.

I do know that RM only recently announced that after having BSG’s final episodes perculating in his brain whilst on strike, he had a better idea of how to close it out and when the strike ended (they still had about 9 eps left to write and produce post-strike) he pulled the writers together and they worked through his idea and how to move there from where they already had filmed in the first 11 eps of the last season. Sound to me like Ron had a bit of an epiphany. I can’t wait to see it! It also may mean that any speculation based on anything in the first 11 eps could be pointless. Argh!

CE

You’re thinking of the ill-fated attempt by a third party to make a B5 feature film. The film was to be called The Memory of Shadows and would’ve dealt with leftover Shadowtech.

First, JMS holds the rights to any B5 feature film while WB owns B5. What this means is that JMS can shop around a feature if he wants to, though WB would most likely distribute it.

When TMoS came up, it was from a group of investors who approached JMS and wanted to make a B5 feature. JMS wrote the script and even did some rewrites. It looked as if the film was a go when suddenly JMS was hit by the investors with the idea of recasting the cast with younger, more “hip” actors. Word of this got out quickly and the B5 fans ennudated WB and the production offices in England with “B5 Bucks” which were to represent the money the investors would loose if they recast. The movement received a lot of notice. At this time both Rick Biggs and Andreas were still living. Another issue with the film was that if the original cast were kept, the investors’ offers to them were insulting. JMS was vehemently on the side of the cast and told the investors he didn’t want to have anything to do with it if that’s the way they were going treat them or if they were going to recast them. No JMS means no B5.

It’s a good thing that that film fell through since A) the investors had no real respect for B5 and were only looking for a money vehicle and B) they had hired 13 Ghosts director, Steve Beck to direct it. If you look at ole Steve’s body of work it is far from impressive and he most likely would’ve ruined B5.

When the deal finally fell through (B5 fans were informed by JMS, who’s always been in contact with his fans from the very beginning and has been actively conversing with them — we B5 fans have had what Trek fans have in Orci from the start), anyway, when it fell through the script, which had been commissioned and paid for by these investors, remained their property, however, nothing B5 is theirs. WB never had anything to do with TMoS and hadn’t even agreed to distribute it.

However, due to the overwhelming DVD sales (as I stated over $500 million and climbing) and due to the amazing fan response (WB was deludged with B5 Bucks as well), WB once again began to realize what they have in B5. In fact, according to JMS, every couple of years WB calls him in and asks what can we do in the B5 universe?

Unfortunately, within about a year/year and a half of TMoS falling through, first Rick Biggs died unexpectedly of an aortic tear (the same thing that killed John Ritter) and Andreas Katsulas died on 2/13/06 of lung cancer.

Not long after TMoS fell through and both Rick and Andreas passed, WB called JMS in again and asked, “what can we do in the B5 universe?” You see WB is very aware of what they have in B5 and desperately want something more. They asked JMS if he wanted to go ahead with a theatrical feature film and JMS, still stinging from Rick and Andreas’ deaths, told them he just couldn’t conceive of making a B5 feature without them right now, the wounds were still too fresh. To quote him, “maybe in a couple of years.”

He then stated he would be willing to make a direct to DVD anthology series (yes direct to DVD was JMS’ idea, not WB). The idea would allow JMS to work on B5 and get used to not having Rick and Andreas around while giving WB more in the B5-verse. It would also allow JMS to tell some smaller stories that he always wanted to tell in the verse. WB went for it. JMS told them he wanted absolute control and that he wanted to direct the first one (so he could personally make sure it was started the way he wanted it to be and with the right tone set for it — he wanted to give it a good send-off). WB agreed without hesitation.

JMS also wanted to make the new anthology series much like he did the series, on a tight budget to prove it could do well and make more money. The series would be called The Lost Tales and small portions of the B5 sets were rebuilt in Vancouver as well as new sets. Greenscreen would be used wherever possible to keep costs down (at least to begin with…later productions most likely will get bigger). Each DVD would consist of at least 2 stories that are linked in some way. The first one, set on B5, is linked by nothing more that the fact that Sheridan is on his way to B5 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the IA and is only mentioned. Same for the second story, set on the new Presidentail Cruiser on its way to B5 for the ceremony.

Funny thing is, once again B5 is on the forefront with Babylon 5: The Lost Tales being now the first sci-fi series released directly to DVD.

Unfortunately, WB had lost all of the CG models for the entire B5-verse. The files were gone. So the new FX house (the same one that does BSG’s FX) had to seek out pictures and toys, etc., in order to recreate all the ships, including Babylon 5, herself. Fans once again stepped up to the plate and sent in tons of fan owned pictures and memorabilia from which all of the models were painstakingly reconstructed.

TLT was made not just because of the devotion of the fans, but in a big way it couldn’t have been made without them.

On July 31, 2007 Babylon 5 The Lost Tales – Voices in the Dark was released and from the moment it became available for pre-order became a fast shooting star, moving from the bottom of the pre-order sales into the top 10 in 2 days. There is an audience for B5.

Babylon 5 has repeatedly shown it has a huge international fan base. Thought we may sit quietly awaiting more B5, we are out there in droves. The fan sites continue to see new members join, some who just found them and others who only recently discovered the wonder of Babylon 5.

The fans were last told by JMS that prior to the writer’s strike (all B5 fans were extremely active on behalf of the writers during the strike because of their unique insight of the situation and the industry thanks to their Great Maker, who is always there to inform and educate his fans on how things work in the biz. He’s probably the most active Hollywood writer and creator with his fans and always has been and is more than willing to teach them how things work in the industry, so they’re very informed as fans.)….anyway, sorry got off the train of thought there, the fans were last told by JMS that prior to the strike WB had a meeting with him to discuss the next Lost Tales DVD about which they were very excited. In fact they wanted to begin work on it immediately. JMS told them they better fast-track it before the strike hit to which they responded (to a writer no less) that the writers wouldn’t be a problem and that the studios could handle them and that there wouldn’t be a strike, to which JMS just responded (after being insulted) “ok.” Before any movement could take place though, the writers were on strike. Can’t say he didn’t warn them.

Since the end of the strike, JMS has been an extremely busy man, being now one of Hollywoods “got to get him to write our film” guys. He’s finished the Silver Surfer feature script, the feature World War Z screenplay and at the last con he attended he stated that now that the writer’s strike is over he’s got seven other feature films lined up, two of them genre from film and print. When asked for hints, he simply mentioned how nice it was that Ron Howard had acquired the rights to the “Lensman” series. Others are Ninja Assassin for director James McTeigue and They Marched Into Sunlight for acclaimed director Paul Greengrass. As for the rest, JMS is shy about announcing anything until it’s signed and sealed pretty much now ever since the TMoS debacle. He always felt he let the fans down a bit on that one and now is more careful on when he says what.

All of that as well as a possible new series (he won’t say what), all of his Marvel work as well as his other comics and JMS is starting his own production company named “And the Horse You Rode In On Productions”. I believe that he’s looking to bring “Midnite Nation” and “Rising Stars” (both critically acclaimed comic series created and written by JMS) into this company.

Well, considering all of that, it’s clear that JMS is seen for the amazing creative soul he truly is. Unfortunately, since B5 is his baby, it also means that there will most likely be a slight delay on more Lost Tales until JMS has time to take part, though he’s already got one of the next DVD’s two parts written and has stated he will not direct the next one. So, we’re all just waiting on pins and proverbial needles for the announcement of more B5! Until then, we B5 are resting…we’re standing behind our Great Maker and looking toward The Changling with excitement! Oh and his WWZ script has received huge praise industry wide!

JMS has also been called the busiest man in Hollywood. He wrote the majority of Babylon 5 himself. As JMS said in 1996 after only 3 seasons of B5 (he went on to write almost all of the remaining eps except I believe 2): “Actually, the scary thing is…I wrote 12 the first year, 15 the
second, and 22 the third, so that’s 49 out of 66 altogether. That’s
about 2,400 pages in 3 years, equal to 5 full-length novels.

Suddenly I have the overwhelming urge to take a nap….”

And that doesn’t count everything else.

CE

#123, I didn’t describe the show “always being flying on the seat of their pants” but that it did not have a set timeline within which all of the events must happen. The set timeline vs loose timeline was all that I compare.

I fully agree. And while B5 isn’t running anywhere right now, it’s not vanished. TLT part 2 is just waiting to be made and JMS has said that WB is VERY interested in B5.

BSG will have Caprica to keep it alive.

CE

Sebastian, I’m not trying to change anyone’s mind. I was simply verfiying B5’s accomplishments and that they are fact, whether you liked the show or not. Thank you as well for the kind words. I believe we can all have open and honest discussions without deriding each other or trying to knock what each other likes (or who they are as in the “gay” thread). I prefer a mature debate to flaming or attack. However, debate requires, first and foremost, that facts be accepted as such.

I’m not trying to slam DS9, I think it had some great moments. I think VOY suffered about as badly as ENT did from B&B’s constant interference and attempts to be creative when they weren’t. Trek, under Berman, Pillar, Braga and Co. suffered from a serious lack of vision and passion. And that upsets me terribly. I love Star Trek and for years under B&B and Co. I would find myself screaming at the screen in frustration for how bland and processed it was all becoming. No one was more upset than I was. I grew up with Trek…hell…I was born the year it began.

Now…I want everyone to realize that while we all make mistakes, I do my research on things as best I can. When it comes to film and tv, I’m a filmmaker and do read the trades and reviews and all manner of industry info. I bring that to my posts whenever possible or needed. And if I’m ever proven wrong on a fact…I’ll gladly acknowledge my error and adjust any points I may be trying to make.

I do tend, sometimes, to post long posts (just ask the folks over at JMSNews and B5tv…LOL). I can be pretty passionate at times.

Again, I want to say that I think it’s fantastic that Anthony is running a BSG article! Why is it wrong? We, as science fiction fans should welcome all sci-fi! We should be happy when we get more and good sci-fi; not fight about it.

Over at other sci-fi forums and sites we discuss all things, from sci-fi to great books to politics to war. Science fiction fans are usually the most enlightened and love to talk about philosophy and ideas and hopes and events and movements. Why shouldn’t we be able to talk about other shows or ideas?

BSG is arced when you look at the series as a whole, despite whether it was arced from the beginning or over time with some improve along the way…it’s still an arced story. They have the ending planned out and yes, RM likes a mix of planned arc and improv. (To be truthful, while JMS knew where he was going, he had to improvise a number of times, himself.)

Thanks Kevin for clarifying on the truth of the new BSG and its beginnings. The series was planned from the moment the mini-series was greenlit. The mythos was inspired by some of the ideas from the original series, but that’s it. Over the seasons the creators knew they would bring Galactica to earth (though very early on it was said they wouldn’t find earth, which changed quickly). Knowing how it would end, at least the overall idea of how and where it would end, meant the writers and show-runners had a beginning, middle and end to BSG. While not set so much in stone as B5 was…it is what it is and is able to be what it is because of what B5 accomplished. That’s my point.

Oh and I will admit that on some level the first BSG did have some very vague idea of a beginning, middle and end. But it was not in the forefront of their thinking at the time. Hell, if you know anything about the first series, they were constantly running just to get episodes on the air because they were rushed into production sooner than had originally been planned. They weren’t thinking much about anything except how fast can we turn out some eps. But the problems of the first BSG are a whole other discussion.

CE