The 1978 television series Battlestar Galactica isn’t particularly well-remembered by the general public, but it was certainly a big deal when it was made. Riding off the success of Star Wars and coming in at $7 million, the pilot to Battlestar was then the most expensive pilot ever produced. It may have hewn a bit too close to the Star Wars formula, however, as both critics and 20th Century Fox’s lawyers took umbrage with the similarities. The series was cancelled at the end of its first season, having aired only 21 episodes.
When the Sci-Fi Channel rebooted the show in 2004, it received a much warmer welcome, lasting 4 seasons and receiving several spin-offs. The show became such an unfettered fan-favorite that the fervor over it became a running gag on NBC’s The Office, later receiving a place in Time Magazine’s 100 best TV Shows of All-TIME. When the series ended in 2009, reports began coming in that another reboot was in the works, this time in the form of a feature film. While the film has yet to materialize, recent stirrings make the revival sound more likely.
The Wrap reports Universal has tapped Lisa Joy to deliver a script that will specifically be a “re-imagining” of the original 1978 television series created by Glen Larson. Joy previously worked as writer/producer on Burn Notice, as well as the yet-to-be-aired HBO series Westworld. Additionally, Francis Lawrence, who directed the final three chapters in The Hunger Games franchise, is in talks to direct the reboot, replacing X-Men franchise helmer Bryan Singer, who was previously attached.
Producers Scott Stuber’s (47 Ronin, Ted) and Dylan Clark’s (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, The Heat) Bluegrass Films are currently spearheading the project in collaboration with longtime Producer Michael de Luca’s (50 Shades of Grey, The Social Network) own studio. While we’re likely still a ways from getting a greenlight confirmation, much less a release date, the film is definitely in the hands of a team with a lot of push.
Whether or not Battlestar Galactica needs a reboot is another question entirely. While the most recent TV series is far from flawless - especially with some of the fourth season’s resolutions -it’s hard to imagine the story being done more justice in the span of a two hour (give or take) running time.
The Wrap insists that the “moviemakers are taking into account the popularity of the [reboot],” so it’s possible that this variant is being seen as a complementary experience to that show. Battlestar Galactica does hint at a cyclical nature to history - “All of this has happened before and will happen again.” Maybe the film could be seen as less of a reboot and more of a prequel/sequel from another cycle in history.
Let’s just hope they don’t frak it up… So say we all.
We’ll keep you updated on the Battlestar Galactica movie as more information becomes available.
Source: The Wrap
