No More Babylon 5 For Foreseeable Future

[selderane]

Writes JMS:

So I've let everyone up here know that I'm not interested in doing any
more low-budget DVDs. I'm not interested in doing any low-budget
cable things or small computer games. The only thing I would be
interested in doing regarding Babylon 5 from this point on is a full-
featured, big-budget feature film.

It's that or nothing.

I think that's wise considering, no matter fanboy reactions otherwise, Legend of the Rangers and The Lost Tales just weren't that good. JMS seems to agree:

I don't regret having made them, because I needed to go through that to get to the point where I am now psychologically, but from where I sit now, I wouldn't make them again.

Here's hoping a Babylon 5 movie is somewhere in our future. Given the work JMS is finally doing on the silver screen at this time, if things go well for him he might finally have the opportunity to get what he wants.

[g.o.d]

frak.....

[poundpuppy29]

Well I haven't seen the movies but this is sad

[P-90_177]

This is a dark day indeed..........So.........how many skulls do i have to beat in for them to make a full, big budget feature?

*gets cricket bat*

[dmbjohn]

that is a bit depressing I really like the B5 stuff

for the record, you only need to beat one head in, it just needs to be the right one, then it would be like domino's falling in place. unfortunately I am now sure who that would be.

I am hoping for a big movie.

[P-90_177]

that is a bit depressing I really like the B5 stuff

for the record, you only need to beat one head in, it just needs to be the right one, then it would be like domino's falling in place. unfortunately I am now sure who that would be.

I am hoping for a big movie.

In that case I'd have to do it like Garibaldi. Can't remember which episode it is now, But it was the one where in the end he'd chased down the bad guy and had him up against the wall so Garibaldi was firing PPG blasts next to his head telling him how bad a day he'd been having.

[Xicer]

Aww man, I was hoping for a story on the Telepath Wars or something, I guess not.

But I'm all for a real B5 movie.

[Platschu]

He got only 2 million for Lost Tales? I didn't like it because of the low-budget feeling and bad stories, but the animations were fantastic. But JMS can't make a better movie from so less money. The actors became old or died (G'Kar, Dr. Franklin). The fans grown up. The spin-off Crusade failed. The other spin-off idea, the Rangers didn't get a season pick-up. So I am sorry, but I think they should let this scifi world rest in peace.

[selderane]

He got only 2 million for Lost Tales? I didn't like it because of the low-budget feeling and bad stories, but the animations were fantastic. But JMS can't make a better movie from so less money. The actors became old or died (G'Kar, Dr. Franklin). The fans grown up. The spin-off Crusade failed. The other spin-off idea, the Rangers didn't get a season pick-up. So I am sorry, but I think they should let this scifi world rest in peace.

In defense of Crusade JMS has said in the past the reason it didn't get picked up for a second season was because TNT wanted to turn it into Baywatch in space. And that, in the second season, the main story would have kicked in. A lot like Babylon 5's main story didn't really kick in until season 2.

Legend of the Rangers didn't get picked up because it was awful. That's it.

[Darren]

Good for JMS. Warner Bros. seems to be squandering an amazing science fiction franchise in an era where SF&F is experiencing something of a renaissance on TV and in film. They don't quite know what to do with B5, and so they do nothing.

B5 hasn't been good since Crusade. I hope WB gets its act together and puts major money and effort into it.

[maneth]

Or else they give up the franchise for someone else who'd be willing to finance it.

[Night Marshal]

If anyone can make quality Scifi with no money its JMS. That said it almost killed him and considering where he is right now being able to pick and chose from some of the best projects Hollywood has to offer as well as getting to writing the comic books the way he wants to(more or less). There is no reason in the world he should have to kill himself to make WB happy when they have done next to nothing over the years to help Babylon 5 along. JMS picked up that station on his back and carried it to where it is today. And it still holds up (well the first season I have issues with but that was true when it came out too =)).

Good for him for putting his foot down also since he has the rights to the Feature film which means that he was finally get paid for all that work he did. I know that Babylon was a labor of love for JMS he has said as much but WB has done nothing but ask for him to work almost for free by Hollywood standards while they make millions. Its a business and thats what they do but JMS writer and this what he can do. Also I think that "premiere" at a Best Buy in LA for Lost Tales that WB did nothing to get people to show up too. I'm sure didn't help.

[delsin2]

Its really sad, This show is really fantastic.I 'll miss it.

[Amalthea]

Well, I'm glad he said that. I don't think they'll ever get a big movie though... sadly too many actors have passed on, or are in celebrity rehab or have been alienated for one reason or another. The band just ain't getting back together.

[Night Marshal]

Well, I'm glad he said that. I don't think they'll ever get a big movie though... sadly too many actors have passed on, or are in celebrity rehab or have been alienated for one reason or another. The band just ain't getting back together.

Of the original cast only Richard Biggs, and Andreas Katsulas are dead
Jeff Conaway has some Rehab issues but seems like he would be able to work if they need him.

And Claudia Christian I'm sure would burry the hachet if the money was right. By all accounts she still gets along with all the cast.

Other than that everyone else is alive and well. And still saying when asked they would be happy to revisit B5. Peter Jurasik has said its the only role he would come out of retirement to do. So I think the actors are there its just a matter of JMS having the money and the creative control to make a movie that will use them all well.