Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news.

Sweeps Day 3: Bigscreen BABYLON_5''

A B5 movie? Part of me thinks "absolutely freaking cool" the oth by taxman2001	May 1st, 2004 08:07:23 PM
Which was WB's fault. After all test screening a big budget film of a British tv institution in some godforesaken American dust bowl (where a woman can be both your wife and your sister) AND OF COURSE THEY WON'T GET IT!! If you don't believe me, hunt down the original screenplay book by Don MacPherson. Seems the film's Editor went a bit mad and cut out the 25% of the film that had essential plot in it. But a B5 movie? Cool. As long as JMS keeps control on it and not some mad Editor after a test screening in some American dustbowl ...
Until the aspect ratio reference... by zacdilone	May 1st, 2004 08:22:05 PM
...I was thinking video game. But now...
Dear god, let it it die by ginta1971	May 1st, 2004 08:23:09 PM
I loved seasons 1 - 4 of B5, but everything after that (even season 5) was just painful, and in my opinion, a blatent grab for more money. It's time to move on JMS, You can't catch lightning in a bottle twice.
4:3 and 1.33:1 are the same by sirikus	May 1st, 2004 08:24:48 PM
hdtv/widescreen aspect ratio is 16:9 (or 1.77:1), 4:3 is the same as 1.33:1 sheesh
Firefly and now B5? by Amy Chasing	May 1st, 2004 08:26:11 PM
Now all we need is a decent Star Trek film again. But seriously, remember how in the early 90's there was this almost sci-fi renaissance happening on tv? Next Gen, DS9, B5, SG-1, rumors of new shows and spin-offs which became Voyager, Farscape, Crusade, etc. And then it all went quiet. Perhaps this will see a new sci-fi renaissance in the cinema, but I wouldn't hold your breath. ;)
Cool by rite4u	May 1st, 2004 08:28:22 PM
6th!
Ides of May by Hichhiker	May 1st, 2004 08:53:42 PM
For those who actually care (that one of you) Ides of may is May 13th, not 15th. Ides of March is 15th.
I have a hard time believing this will happen -- same thing with by Prof. Pop-Cult	May 1st, 2004 08:55:57 PM
I know that the production of Serenity is scheduled for June, but I'll believe it when they actually start shooting.
Being a Firefly fan and all, I hate to pile on by GypsyTRobot	May 1st, 2004 11:16:39 PM
but this is AICN so fuck all you bitches! B5 was promising, had interesting characters, and made the story arc palatable for TV. But JMS is not that great of a writer. Sorry folks. His shit was pompous and long-winded and just not that great.
TMoS by DMented	May 1st, 2004 11:31:17 PM
I'm gonna say it stands for "the Mark of Sheridan" and God willing it will be a movie. B5 detractors, eat shit. Do you have any fucking idea how hard JMS worked on that goddamn show? How many of the scripts he wrote himself to keep creative control and costs down? How he had this amazing epic story in his mind, but due to the moronic vagaries of television production, had to worry about getting cancelled before major plot threads were resolved? Did anybody notice how two major storylines got resolved in season four? He blew that load early because he didn't want to fuck the fans over and leave shit dangling. The guy broke his ass to do something very different with a sci-fi show -- give us a story with some sense of continuity, instead of the Star Trek reset-button cockjuice we've been getting -- so show some fucking respect. BOW DOWN, BITCHES!
A Babylon Movie Would Be Great. Bester is the most under-rated v by Noell	May 1st, 2004 11:53:21 PM
Reasons for a Babylon 5 movie- 1-Seeing the great villian Bester. 2-Movie standard special effects at last! 3-Jerry Doyle(Garabaldi)needs the work. 4-Getting to see Ivanova again. If she is willing to do that for Playboy then what would she do for a movie! 5-seeing all of the great B5 cast again. 6-If the movie is a hit then the skies the limit! We could have several and after the the disappionting botched up lost 16x9 effects of the DVDs,we deserve something better.
To the doubters... by rotabilis	May 2nd, 2004 12:08:05 AM
To those who think that a B5 film will be lame because Season 5 and Crusade were lame, I'd like to offer some helpful context. I also found Season 5 and most (not all) of Crusade to be disappointing. However, I do not attribute this to JMS' shortcomings as a writer, because: (a) The last few Crusade episodes broadcast -- which happen to be the ones made first, before TNT started meddling -- were so much better, so much more witty and imaginative, that my perception of the show was completely changed around, and I became quite sad that the show could not continue. (b) Joe has done some absolutely awesome stuff since Crusade - Midnight Nation, Supreme Power, Amazing Spider-Man, and Jeremiah, to name my favorite examples. (c) I am sure I would have been far less disappointed by Season 5 if (1) Claudia Christian hadn't quit and (2) Joe hadn't had to wrap up all the major plot threads in Season 4.
tmos: sheridan? or sinclair? by mikep	May 2nd, 2004 12:20:46 AM
dont forget the 1st season guy.
This would be an excellent antidote to Star Trek. by Noriko Takaya	May 2nd, 2004 12:39:43 AM
Just give the thing an excellent script, let JMS direct and a 200 million dollar budget. Then stand the fuck back.
TMoS = The Man of Steel? Stracyznski's crossing over Superman w by SpyGuy	May 2nd, 2004 12:40:46 AM
Okay, seriously, I would love a BABYLON 5 movie. But JMS, a bit of sincere advice...Forget the Telepath War and adapt LEGIONS OF FIRE, the Drakh/Fall of Centauri Prime novel trilogy by Peter David. Now THAT'S your B5 movie!
B5- Season 5 was good by Blok Narpin	May 2nd, 2004 01:12:11 AM
ANd that's that
I don't care what anyone says by The Paladin	May 2nd, 2004 02:15:36 AM
This will BE GREAT!!!!!!!!!!! I hope it does cover the telepath war. I will be first in line on opening day, and I can't wait to see it. LONG LIVE THE GREAT MAKER - JOE AKA JMS!
the movie will bomb.... by Russman	May 2nd, 2004 03:13:37 AM
although it'll get my $10. i'd rather see it get a good budget to do a 6 hour mini series on the god damn, shitty ass, bonni hunt is a moron, Sci-Fi channel than have it made into a movie and only scrape $35MM. Telepath war would kick ass though. By the way... George Bush sucks ass - down with the bush reich!
mikep by DMented	May 2nd, 2004 03:15:43 AM
You got a point -- there's the whole story of the first Shadow War with Sinclair/Valen that would make an awesome movie -- but Boxleitner was so much better than O'Hare, in my opinion. If I was JMS, I wouldn't bank on O'Hare to draw box office. His acting's kinda stiff.
I loved B5 in its time. by SG7	May 2nd, 2004 03:16:34 AM
It was refreshing. But some of the writing was just bad. JMS always did the aliens best, and the humans were often left looking kinda silly. But overall it was a great achievement. However, I liked Firefly better. I liked every single episode. B5 was one of this "get through the first season" kind of things. To have both a B5 film and a Firefly film? Badass. After all there's ntoning on TV except bimbos easting bugs.
So, Lawrence... by SpacePhil	May 2nd, 2004 05:12:21 AM
You are aware that he scripted... which season did he write entirely by himself? Season 3? Season 4? And then there's his run on Spider-Man, and his screenwriting book... the point is, Lawrence, you know two things, jack and shit, and jack just left town.
The Movement of Shadows by ntypryz	May 2nd, 2004 09:41:14 AM
Thats the title i heard somewhere...
Babylon-5 is a great franchise. Give us a trilogy of kick ass by Sinestro	May 2nd, 2004 10:37:08 AM
Star Trek ran out of gas. As did Star Wars. Babylon-5 is going to be the "shot in the arm" for sci-fi films.
Yay! by Rapmaster C	May 2nd, 2004 10:42:53 AM
B5 coming back is good - watch it for yourself and don't be fooled by the haters here on AICN, whose only goal in life is to have you enjoy absolutely nothing. But this new movie/TV series better have good music - Crusade's theme song and music during space battles was awful IMO! Certainly not as good as the original B5's music.
My theory... by WizardX	May 2nd, 2004 10:57:43 AM
See, I've always assumed that the movie was going to be about the Telepath Wars. And the point of all that (otherwise pointless) business in Season 5 about the telepaths was intended to set up the movie. (Which would have, theoretically, come out soon after the show ended.) Instead, of course, no movie was made, and we're left with this very limp Season 5. ... But if a Telepath Wars movie comes out, and gives Season 5 a reason to exist? It would redeem them both.
To the doubters... by rotabilis	May 2nd, 2004 11:28:53 AM
To those who think that a B5 film will be lame because Season 5 and Crusade were lame, I'd like to offer some helpful context. I also found Season 5 and most (not all) of Crusade to be disappointing. However, I do not attribute this to JMS' shortcomings as a writer, because: (a) The last few Crusade episodes broadcast -- which happen to be the ones made first, before TNT started meddling -- were so much better, so much more witty and imaginative, that my perception of the show was completely changed around, and I became quite sad that the show could not continue. (b) Joe has done some absolutely awesome stuff since Crusade - Midnight Nation, Supreme Power, Amazing Spider-Man, and Jeremiah, to name my favorite examples. (c) I am sure I would have been far less disappointed by Season 5 if (1) Claudia Christian hadn't quit and (2) Joe hadn't had to wrap up all the major plot threads in Season 4.
the big news? by BurlIvesLeftNut	May 2nd, 2004 11:38:21 AM
hollywood finally murders JMS. He is so over rated and under talented. If I read one more crpytic interview with him I am going to kill him myself. Asshole.
Not a naysayer in general by ginta1971	May 2nd, 2004 12:53:07 PM
I am sure my post is one of those that is being pointed to as a naysayer, but sorry to tell you, I'm not. In general I don't jump on here to just say nasty things, but B5...I'm sorry folks...it just plain fell apart. Like I said in my previous post, I loved seasons 1 - 4, but everything since has just been sad. I truly thought JMS was going to be the man that would change sci-fi there for awhile, and then his ego got in his way. Season 5 was an embaressment...Thirdspace was a joke...(wasn't there another movie in there somewhere?)...Crusade was a joke...and Legend of the Rangers, the weapons system alone was enough to make you run screaming from your television. And remember WAY back when B5 started, JMS made 2 promises (and I don't have the exact quotes handy), #1 he would never appear in an episode (cough cough) and that there would NEVER (he was adamant about this), be toys. He said numerous times how he hated the merchandising of Star Trek. So, while it is easy to vilify the Hollywood types, shouldn't we also take a slightly closer look at JMS? And to whomever pointed out Jeremiah is being great....well I never passed it past episode 3, lord knows I tried, but I just couldn't do it.
B5 was my extra year of college... by CKnightShift	May 2nd, 2004 03:14:04 PM
You could and DID learn more about life by watching Babylon 5's entire run than you could by spending 4 years in the best Ivy League school. Not before or since did a work of fiction in any medium make me consider so many things on so many different levels. The closest thing you can compare B5 to in terms of depth and grandeur has to be the works of J.R.R. Tolkien... and that's saying a lot.
The Movement of Shadows? by DMented	May 2nd, 2004 03:28:49 PM
Makes sense, and I like what that title implies about the possible story. But I hope the importance of Boxleitner and the rest of the original cast isn't overlooked. Legend of the Rangers was just such a shitstain on the B5 franchise, one I'd hate to see repeated. Uninspired in almost every way: wooden acting, and some outright silliness, like their holographic weapons interface. (Might've worked with better acting, but it just ridiculous as produced.) Even Andreas Katsulas, who is God, was a caricature of the G'Kar character. Get the original cast in there -- not because they need the work, but because they sold your story, Joe. They made us believe it. We love them, they deserve to be in it, and we deserve to see them again. Or ... you can keep trying to get that lightning back in the bottle with different formulae. You might be trying for a while, with that approach. But since it's pretty clear you're betting a film budget, give yourself some better odds -- capitalize on fan loyalty to the characters and actors, in addition to their loyalty to you. It's a good thing, it's the right thing, it's what we want to see.
Great news!! by cornstalkwalker	May 2nd, 2004 03:41:24 PM
I love Babylon 5 and am working on finishing my DVD collection(still need season4 and 5). I do agree that crusade wasn't that good and felt like a Star Trek ripoff. But, Babylon 5 wasn't that good in season1 so who knows what would happen. Also, I wasn't a big fan of Legend of the Rangers. The stupid weapon room was too much. Now, season5 was not that great but I don't think it flat out sucked. It was more of a conclusion season of the story since the entire Shadow/Vorlon war was rapped up in Season4. Now about Jeremiah, that show definitely has grown on me. At first I found it boring, but, just like B5, there were episodes that would explain an entire plot movement. And just like B5, it would require watching some of the mediocre episodes because they would all link together to create one big story. A motion picture would be great if JMS is in control. But, if they let someone else edit/rewrite ect I see problems. If you don't like Babylon 5, too bad. It was a great show.
Man, some of you are whiny by Honky Avenger	May 2nd, 2004 05:06:30 PM
Season 5 only had two problems: 1) Tracy Scoggins, and 2) that little telepath thing with Byron went on too long. Once you got past that, all the stuff with the fall of Centauri Prime was excellent.
JMS is a good writer, when allowed to write his own stuff ... by jgsugden	May 3rd, 2004 12:25:02 PM
When JMS has the freedom to do what he wants, his stuff is very good. When others step in and force things into his work, the product suffers. Season 5 of B5 had problems because he was forced to write out Ivanova and cater to TNT's demands. Crusade similarly suffered under the demands of TNT. LotR was highly influenced by the demands of Sci-fi (though JMS wisely complained less about it ... his complaints about TNT's role in the demise of Crusade were seen as a negative by the studios when he pitched other shows ... a second round of 'blame the network' might have put him on the scrap heap for good, regardless of whether it was warranted). TO be honest, I love B5, but I'd rather see JMS doing something new. He told his story. It was great. I'd rather he found a new story that doesn't feel complete already.
The Hints Decoded & jms in New Jersey May 8th. by sftv	May 3rd, 2004 03:31:17 PM
Here are some of the results of decoding the hints: Ides of May - May 13 Opposite of Can't - Can(nes) The Wrong Side of the River - a reference to a part of London where the Duke of Winchester had a house. 2.35:1 - Movie A list of the three Warner Bros Monk to Murder - A reference to Passing Through Gestheme episode or to Tony Shaloub. So, organizing this info we have the following: A Babylon 5 Movie Produced in London with Winchester Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Announcement during the Cannes Film Festival (which makes sense with Winchester involved). The plot is still an unknown and none of the actors have spilled the beans as of yet. JMS will be in New Jersey this weekend, May 8, for a fund raiser for a public school. Details at http://www.newsarama.com/forum s/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1 2223
GREAT NEWS! by cooper2000	May 3rd, 2004 08:20:15 PM
I never saw the show when it was on the air but have become a Big fan since the DVDs have been released. This is what Sci Fi should be not the watered down Trek. I cant wait for the news.
nay by cooper2000	May 3rd, 2004 08:45:59 PM
To all the naysayers, what the fuck is the matter with you? What is your idea of good sci fi writing? Voyager? I was skeptical of B5 but came to love it and people here who say JMS has no talent and the show sucked probably love episode 1 and 2 of star wars. Now thats crap anyway you look at it. I think so many are used to the same old shit that when something different comes on they have to complain about it. Get a life fucks!
This from the guy..... by KryptonsLastSon	May 3rd, 2004 10:08:13 PM
who couldn't be bothered to release "Rising Stars" on a semi-annual basis... fucking asshole.
RE: Bigshemp by DMented	May 3rd, 2004 10:23:39 PM
Y'know what? I don't think you ever even watched the show. I'll assume you're not lying about reading the script; you sound like someone who might be in the business (buzzwords but no real clue). But how the fuck would you know what B5 fans want in a script when you know nothing about the show? And you're advertising your own ignorance if you think the B5 fans are so few. You can make the argument that no non-fans will see it ("zero crossover appeal"), and not having read the script I can't counter that ... except to say that if they involve non-B5 stars with existing fanbases, and actually make a good movie (let's not forget that, Hollywood dude) even that problem can be overcome. And your "riff on the Borg" line probably means the Shadows (or maybe the Drakh) are the main antagonists. Uh, just because they're both, um, bad doesn't make them the same. The Shadows and the Borg are completely different kinds of bad guys, and only an ignorant dipshit would equate the two. Having said all that, can you send me a copy of the script? Thanks.
Babylon 5 is the finest science fiction series ever... by MisterGrimloch	May 4th, 2004 07:19:54 PM
and with that said, i have no illusions in my head that a B5 movie would be a runaway box office success. however, for the naysayers, i would remind you that the Trek feature films have only once broken 100 million, and a Babylon 5 feature would definately garner that amount of box office, if word of mouth got around that indeed a quality film existed, respectable box office could certainly ensue, which is the point of the whole endeavor from the studio's point of view. Stracynski created a phenomenal story, and it played out beautifully, despite the difficulties of maintaining a cast, and the constant concern of cancellation. while season 5 is often maligned as being merely a tacked on epilogue, i must strongly disagree. indeed had there been absolutely no worry of cancellation, then seasons 4 and 5 would obviously have played out slightly different. but i seriously doubt we are talking anything more than a pace issue here. season 5 actually had some episodes, in the early half of the season, which returned the series to the type of singular episodes found in season 1 and 2. this is by no means a bad thing. sure it was difficult to adjust to the unfortunate loss of Claudia, but Lochley is not exactly in the show ALOT, and the story begins to focus on the Fall of Centauri Prime soon enough to bring the show back to the level of quality its fans had come to expect. i personally am very happy with every season of B5, and its telefilms, as well as the scant amount of material for Crusade, and even the Legend of the Rangers, although i can understand the disappointment people may have felt with that. however, i was satisfied that if Crusade and LOTR (no, not Lord of the Rings) had been allowed to continue, interesting story threads would have been fleshed out into excellent programs. and yes, before anyone bothers to mention it, i am well aware of the influence Lord of the Rings had on JMS.

Talkbacks

Sweeps Day 3: Bigscreen BABYLON_5''

User login

Quick Talkback

Talkbacks