Galactica TV Movie and 'Caprica' pilot (added 10/5/2008)
Despite declining ratings and the end of production on the series, it
seems the future of Battlestar Galactica is a bright one. Filming
begins Monday on a second Galactica tv movie, and a spin-off pilot,
Caprica, is likely to get a greenlight for series production in the
next few weeks.
The Chicago Tribune's Maureen Ryan reported the start date for the
new Galactica tv movie, and also added several cast members that will
definitely be appearing in it. In addition to the previously
announced Edward James Olmos (Adama), Michael Trucco (Anders), Aaron
Douglas (Tyrol) and Dean Stockwell (Cavil), Tricia Helfer (No. 6),
Grace Park (Boomer/Athena), Rick Worthy (Simon), Matthew Bennett
(Doral) and Callum Keith Rennie (Leoben) will appear. Addtionally,
Michael Hogan (Tigh) and Rekha Sharma (Tory) will have small roles.
The storyline will follow the machinations of the Cylons leading up
to and immediately following their genocidal attack on the twelve
colonies. The new movie is expected to air sometime next year and be
released on DVD shortly thereafter.
Galactica executive producer Ron Moore told Ryan that he expects to
hear about Caprica's series status in the next few weeks. Given that
Sci-Fi has already ordered additional scripts and advance reviews of
Caprica's pilot have been strong, a series order would seem likely.
Caprica's pilot stars Eric Stoltz and Esai Morales as the heads of
two families caught up in a struggle over the creation of an
artificial intelligence that will lead to the rise of the Cylons.
Morales plays Joseph Adama, father of Olmos' Admiral Adama and
grandfather of Lee Adama.
Chris Talbott, of the Associated Press, has examined how a tv series
that's earned ratings low enough to be cancelled can generate enough
interest to support tv movies and a spin-off. He comes to the
conclusion that Galactica's ratings aren't indicative of its
popularity. Galactica's DVR numbers and DVD sales are both similar to
shows that have much higher ratings.
From SFTV: The Battlestar Galactica prequel, Caprica, has been given the
green
light for a two hour backdoor pilot. Production will beging soon with an
airdate likely this fall. The official description is "Set 50 years before
Battlestar Galactica, Caprica follows two rival families - the Greystones
and the Adamas - as they grow, compete, and thrive in the vibrant world of
the 12 Colonies. Enmeshed in the burgeoning technology of artificial
intelligence and robotics that will eventually lead to the creation of the
Cylons, the two houses go toe-to-toe. Caprica will deliver all of the
passion, intrigue, political backbiting, family conflict and hardcore action
that always leaves Galactica fans begging for more. "
Also on the Galactica front, SciFi will debut the fourth season opener at
Noon ET on Friday, April 4th, the same day it debuts on the channel. They
will also be having new webisodes but didn't announce any details. Finally,
they will be launching an online social gaming experience pitting humans
versus cylons.
Latest updates after the writers strike: It seems the must muted Galactica
spin-off Caprica could be back in business. Although it'd been relegated to
the back-burner and once the writers strike hit I assumed the worse, it
seems I might have been wrong to do so. No firm news as yet but all the
forums and magazines are buzzing that we might be getting Caprica after all
(due to the networks need for new material). Since the fate of the series is
still up in the air - at this point, in regards to how many episodes we're
getting - It's just a case of wait and see. More news when I get it!
Season Split:
On the 9/19/2007 http://www.tvweek.com
reported that executives at the sci-fi channel we're considering splitting
the series in two as has become common practise with other shows like Lost.
You can see the full article by clicking
here. For my money I think it's a bad idea! That's one sure fire way to
lose yourselves viewers.
From Lee: Galactica Return in April?
With SciFi's promos indicating Galactica was returning in March, it was
assumed that it could resume as early as March 14th with Atlantis'
seaseason finale on March 7th. However, the March schedule only has two
half hour specials scheduled at 10 pm for the last Friday in March. The
two specials are Battlestar Galactica: Revisited and Battlestar Galactica:
The Phenomenon. I would assume that means the new season will kick off
the next week on Friday April 4th.
Mini-Movie to be made:
On the 5/4/2007 Starburst Magazine (issue 352) reported that A short movie called
'Razor' detailing the story of the survivors on board the Battlestar Pegasus
would be aired before the start of the Forth season. If you want more info check
out the spoiler section of this website. If not watch out for it during November
on the sci-fi channel.
From www.tvguide.com 6/12
Question: What's the latest on the Caprica project over at Sci Fi? I'm
going to need something Battlestar Galactica-related to look forward to after
the 22-episode season flames out.— L.L. Dickson
Ausiello: Sci Fi hasn't made a final decision on whether to move forward with
it, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
Sci Fi's Battlestar Galactica to End After This Season
By Anne Becker -- Broadcasting & Cable, 5/31/2007 11:04:00 PM
As its fans have feared, Sci Fi's Battlestar Galactica will end its run
after this, its fourth season.
Executive producers Ronald D. Moore and David Eik said they will wrap up
the
show's storyline with these 22 episodes. The fourth season is in
production
in Vancouver and will premiere in November. The official announcement,
planned for Friday, ends months of speculation from the show's core group
of
dedicated fans.
"We respect the producers' decision to end the series and are proud to
have
been the home of this groundbreaking show," said Sci Fi Executive Vice
President of Original Programming, Mark Stern in a statement.
"This show was always meant to have a beginning, a middle and finally,
an
end," said Eick and Moore in a joint statement. "Over the course of the
last year, the story and the characters have been moving strongly toward
that end and we've decided to listen to those internal voices and
conclude
the show on our own terms."
From buddytv.com
Battlestar Galactica Coming
to HD-Dvd?
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newsletter. Email this Article to a Friend
May 29, 2007
TvShowsOnDVD is reporting from multiple sources that Universal is expected
to announce and HD-DVD release of Battlestar Galactica very soon.
Previously, Battlestar Galactica had aired in HDTV on Universals Hi-Def
cable channel evoking enthusiastic praise from fans. If the rumors prove
true Universal will make the announcement of the next few weeks and the
release date will be sometime around September 18th, 2007.
Battlestar Galactica will not be the first series to dabble in HD-DVD,
fellow fantasy effort Smallville has also been transferred to the HD-DVD
format, with encouraging results. The industry has been slow to respond to
the new formats for complete series sets mostly due to re mastering cost and
limited hardware sales consumer side. Another slow down was the format way
that arose when Sony decided to stand by its Blu-Ray format despite a
consensus from other electronics manufacturers to back the HD-DVD format.
The introduction of hybrid players has made the market slightly more viable.
Many predict that Sony's superior storage capacity will eventually win out
over HD-DVD, since DVD's are an 'extras' driven market. The increased story
capacity also allows for higher bit encoding rates, which for none geeks
means simply smoother transfers.
When we spoke with LOST producers Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof about the
possibility of a LOST HDTV disk release, they were hesitant to make any
promises. It is interesting that most of the series to come to HD, with some
notable exceptions, have been niche shows from cable markets who are using
the formats as a way to set themselves apart from their more high profile
contemporaries.
When the news is officially released, we'll bring you all the details on the
Battlestar Galactica HD-Dvd release, so be sure to keep checking back! While
we're on the topic though, what other shows would you like to see come to
HD? Which format are you backing, Blu-Ray or Hd-Dvd?
- Jon Lachonis, BuddyTV Senior Writer
From syfyportal.com
'Battlestar Galactica' Loses Anne Cofell Saunders To 'Chuck'
Responsible for episodes such as 'Pegasus'
By MICHAEL HINMAN
Source: SyFy Portal
May-14-2007
With it already bad enough that the future of "Battlestar Galactica" is in
question nearly eight months before the next season is set to start, the
SciFi Channel show suffered what many would say a significant loss.
Writer Anne Cofell Saunders, who joined BSG at the beginning of the second
season, has joined the writing staff of the NBC series pilot "Chuck," which
was officially picked up as a series by NBC today, Saunders told SyFy
Portal.
"Chuck" will air Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET between "The Biggest Loser" and "Law
& Order: Special Victims Unit." It is based on a pilot written by Chris
Fedak and Josh Schwartz and stars Zachary Levi and Adam Baldwin. Baldwin, of
course, is best known as Jayne in the short-lived Fox series "Firefly" and
its motion picture followup, "Serenity."
The show, created by Schwartz (who also created "The O.C."), is described as
a "comedy-tinged spy drama" by Zap2it.
Saunders left a lasting legacy on the "Battlestar Galactica" franchise as
both a writer and later a story editor for the series. She first broke into
the BSG scene with the very popular episode "Pegasus," the second season
mid-season finale that introduced Adm. Cain and the Battlestar Pegasus in a
remake of the episode from the original series. That episode, and the small
mini-series it created, is being followed up this fall with "Battlestar's"
first telemovie since its back-door pilot in 2003, highlighting some of the
Pegasus history first mentioned in Saunders' episode.
Saunders also wrote "Resurrection Ship, Part 1," "Sacrifice," "Lay Down Your
Burdens, Part 2" and "Torn." She worked with Jane Espenson, best known for
her work on the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Angel" and "Firefly"
franchises, in the pro-union episode "Dirty Hands" that featured Aaron
Douglas' character of Chief Tyrol.
Espenson previously announced she has joined the writing staff of BSG for
the fourth season.
Before joining "Battlestar Galactica," Saunders was an assistant to the
producer on the Fox series "24" before writing an episode of the show in
2005.
From buddytv.com
NBC Releases First Look
at Battlestar Galactica Producer's Bionic Woman
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newsletter. Email this Article to a Friend
NBC has released its first look at the all-new Bionic Woman series set to
debut this Fall. Produced by Battlestar Galactica Veteran David Eick, The
Bionic Woman re-imagines the 70’s classic that starred Lindsay Wagner as
Jamie Sommers, an accident victim involuntarily repaired with robotic parts.
The new Jamie is played by Michelle Ryan (AKA #21 in FHM's 100 Sexiest Women
2004.) So far the plot is not that different from the original; as with
Galactica, though, it is anticipated that the show will depart onto very
different territory than its lineage. Don’t expect to see Sommers taking on
Bigfoot, in other words.
Many of the themes of the original have been preserved in this iteration;
Sommers is the victim of a horrible (as yet undisclosed) accident, and
awakens to find herself the recipient of unauthorized experimental surgery.
Her legs, an arm, an ear, and a few other organs have been replaced by
robotic equivalents, giving her superhuman capabilities. Once the full scope
of her new abilities is realized, Sommers is conscripted into a
government-run black ops spy program.
Bionic Woman purists, if there are any left, will have to deal with the fact
that some tweaking has taken place to Sommers’ configuration as well,
particularly the rumored inclusion of The Bionic Man’s Cyborg eye. In
addition, the series offers a much darker tone, as evidenced in the promo
stills released by NBC.
Besides Ryan, Miguel Ferrer (Dr. Garret Macy "Crossing Jordon") is on tap to
play the equivalent of the Oscar Goldman character from the original, the
character who masterminds Sommers’ bionic reconstruction and guides her
subsequent efforts as a force of good. Battlestar Galactica vet Katee
Sackhoff (Starbuck), will be appearing as Sommers’ first, and perhaps
ongoing, bionic nemesis. The story details of the first episode are being
closely guarded, but those privy to the details have described it as dark
and violent.
Confidential sources have described the plot of the pilot as being similar
in tone to "Batman Begins", Sackhoff, a bionic prototype, trains Sommers in
the use of her new super human capabilities, only to wind up revealing
herself as the project's villain leading to a protege vs master showdown.
"The Bionic Woman" will air as part of NBC's Fall 2007 Schedule.
- Jon Lachonis, BuddyTV Senior Writer
Battlestar is produce for NBC U-owned Sci Fi by NBC Universal Television
Studio.
Battlestar Galactica is moving to Sundays starting Jan. 21st!
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