Babylon 5 (Series Reboot) CW

[Himmel]

A new version of the Emmy-winning space opera television series Babylon 5 is in the works. The CW has put in development Babylon 5, described as a “from-the-ground-up reboot” of the critically acclaimed 1990s series, from original series creator J. Michael Straczynski and Warner Bros. Television.

Written by Straczynski, the reboot revolves around John Sheridan (played by Bruce Boxleitner in the original series), an Earthforce officer with a mysterious background, who is assigned to Babylon 5, a five-mile-long space station in neutral space, a port of call for travelers, smugglers, corporate explorers and alien diplomats at a time of uneasy peace and the constant threat of war. His arrival triggers a destiny beyond anything he could have imagined, as an exploratory Earth company accidentally triggers a conflict with a civilization a million years ahead of us, putting Sheridan and the rest of the B5 crew in the line of fire as the last, best hope for the survival of the human race. -@

[mckee74]

No thanks.

[TheWildWhelk]

I cannot wait to hear JMS' comment on this story via Twitter, seeing as he has stated multiple times quite vehemently that a reboot of Babylon 5 was not an option. A sequel series with Ivanova as head of the Rangers? A great idea, but a BSG remake? Just... No.)

[Cplhicks]

HBO Max, sign me up! The CW, oh God, please no. A bunch of 20 somethings with cheap pop music and low budget. All I can think is this will be a disaster, JMS involved or not.

Also, not a fan of the reboot. In universe continuation of sorts with different characters would be so much better.

[TheWildWhelk]

It could well be that the reboot was going ahead without Joe's participation, so he joined the project to make the best of it. A less complex condensed version of the arc could work, but that would undermine what made the original brilliant.

[An4h0ny]

This might be awesome.

[Lee A Stewart]

Should Babylon 5 move forward, it would provide another key franchise revival for The CW and Warners at a time when well-known IP has become increasingly important as networks and streamers alike look to break through a cluttered landscape. Building franchises has also become imperative as linear ratings — and ad revenue — shrinks as viewers continue to flock to streaming.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv...cw-1235021237/

[Cplhicks]

Variety has an article too and they can't even spell actor's names right. Richard "Briggs"

https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/bab...ki-1235075236/

[isolar801]

The CW ??? Babylon 5 ??? The only plausible reason to even remake B5 would be to make it as gritty and realistic as possible.
The CW would replace half the characters with transgenders and have alternate universes. Maybe on Z'Ha'Dum 54 Sheridan doesn't die.

[Mikezilla3k]

I mean JMS being involved is good but the CW?!


I feel like they're just gonna screw over him and just botch it up. I honestly would have preferred animated spinoff shows with as many of the original actors voicing their roles.

[drb999]

I’m not sure why this isn’t on HBO Max. Hopefully the get done Superman and Lois money for this. The average CW show doesn’t have a budget for this.

[TheWildWhelk]

Originally Posted by drb999

I’m not sure why this isn’t on HBO Max. Hopefully the get done Superman and Lois money for this. The average CW show doesn’t have a budget for this.

Babylon 5 was made for half the budget of Trek at the same time. But i agree it doesn't make sense for this to not be screened on HBOmax seeing as that is where the restored version of the original was a smash.

[Lee A Stewart]

Originally Posted by drb999

I’m not sure why this isn’t on HBO Max. Hopefully the get done Superman and Lois money for this. The average CW show doesn’t have a budget for this.

Putting it on the CW brings in ad revenue (READ: millions of dollars). Putting it on HBO Max, revenue is 100% subcriber based (READ: crap shoot).

[Dunemoon]

He might Chibnall it....

[Joey9775]

I would love for this to just be a redo, a second draft if you will, much like Neon Genesis Evangelion did. Start with Sheridan, no rushed season 4 since you know you'll have a season 5, no terrible last season. Just streamlined and the best version of the story you can tell.

[unsung122212]

I don’t trust CW to do this show justice, but if HBO Max is somewhat involved like they are with Superman and Lois, then I may give it a shot.

[Lee A Stewart]

The cast, the directors, the budget per episode hasn't been made public. But it's going to suck anyways

[ben6543]

J. Michael Straczynski
@straczynski
·
1h
To answer all the questions, yes, it’s true, Babylon 5 is in active development as a series for the CW. We have some serious fans over at the network, and they’re eager to see this show happen. I’m hip deep into writing the pilot now, and will be running the series upon pickup.




https://twitter.com/straczynski/stat...21159221043202

longer thread on twitter

[Chedwiggen]

I guess if this is JMS's Next Generation it could be good but with CW's involvement I have serious doubts.

[SilverFox84]

Originally Posted by isolar801

The CW ??? Babylon 5 ??? The only plausible reason to even remake B5 would be to make it as gritty and realistic as possible.
The CW would replace half the characters with transgenders and have alternate universes. Maybe on Z'Ha'Dum 54 Sheridan doesn't die.

The casting and characters will be an absolute trainwreck. I kinda waiting to the announcements so I can have a good laugh