Merrick here...


James Cawley, whose STAR TREK: NEW VOYAGES (later dubbed STAR TREK PHASE II) is a regular fixture for hardcore TREK Geeks across the Internet, is launching a second series of web productions - BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25th CENTURY.

Unlike his TREK episodes, which are unofficial yet officially tolerated "fan films", BUCK has been formally licensed from the Dille Syndication Company (current rights holders of the property).

James Cawley and his Cawley Entertainment Company plan to do with Buck Rogers, what he has done for Star Trek, and bring it to the web with a regular series of new episodes. However, this time it will not be another ‘fan film,’ but a fully licensed show made with professionals, both in front of, and behind the camera. The plan as of now is to start Internet streaming advertising-supported episodes of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century in the Fall of 2010.
[EDIT]
Starting with the pilot, which is currently being written, this new Buck Rogers web series will tell the origin story as laid out in the comics, showing how Lucas ‘Buck’ Rogers was propelled from World War I, into a future Earth in the 25th Century. The plan is to use what Cawley calls a ‘retro-contemporary’ look to the show, harkening back to the old style comics, but also using modern techniques, including CGI. Cawley explains:

...says THIS PIECE over at TrekMovie, which goes on to explain how production on BUCK will/won't impact future PHASE II productions.

While inconsistent in quality, Cawley's TREK installments are remarkable in many ways. They're earnest, ballsy, and ambitious. It'll be really interesting to see how Crawley & Co. approach BUCK.

There's supposedly a Frank Miller guided BUCK ROGERS feature film being mulled at the moment. Based on what I've seen from Miller lately, I'd bet good money that Cawley's efforts...while probably not as lavish...will seem much more "right", and feel much more like "the real thing".

You can find STAR TREK PHASE II HERE, and you'll also see a cameo by James in J.J.'s new TREK movie.

More on BUCK ROGERS as more comes in...