“There is no longer doubt or uncertainty.”
I actually hope you guys have read this elsewhere because I don’t want to be the one that breaks the news to you (source):
“One final note re: recent discussions on TMoS and more Lost Tales.
B5:TLT was commissioned at a $2 million budget to, yet one more time,
“test the waters” for B5. We did what we could with that, and that
was that. As we did with Rangers, which also suffered from not having
a lot of money because of concerns about “is there really a B5
audience?” Which is, of course, a foolish question from a studio that
has never really understood what it has in B5.Of late, there have been more discussions from WB about doing more
DVDs, again at a low cost, or a cable thing, again with minimal
investment.So for the last few months, I’ve been giving this whole subject a lot
of quiet thought. And I’ve come to a conclusion.B5 as a five year story stands beautifully on its own. If anything
else is to be continued from that story, it should be something that
adds to the legacy of B5, rather than subtracts from it.As well intentioned as Rangers and TLT were, as enticing as it was to
return to those familiar waters, in the end I think they did more to
subtract from the legacy than add to it. 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.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.
And if it’s nothing, I’m totally cool with that because the original
story stands on its own just fine. I’m not lobbying for it, I’m not
asking fans to write in about it (nor should you) because such
campaigns never really have much impact…that’s simply the position
I’ve taken up here. Lord knows I don’t lack for other things to do
these days. I’m busier on more prestige projects with terrific people
and great film-makers than at any other time in my career.At the end of the day, for me, it’s not just a matter of getting more
B5. It’s a matter of getting more *good* B5 that respects what came
before it and doesn’t have to compromise visually or in terms of
action. The original show deserves better than that, the surviving
cast members deserve better than that, and the fans who have supported
it over the years definitely deserve better than that. A lot better.So I’ve drawn that line in the sand, and I’m happy living on whichever
side of that line the universe puts me. Just thought you should know,
’cause it’s your show too.jms”
To be honest, when I read the post for the first time it gave me a hollow feeling in my stomach and I had to re-read certain passages to be sure I understood correctly. When I clicked the link on the jmsnews forum I thought the posting by the Great Maker himself would announce a deal he had made with Warner Brother’s and we could look forward to new Lost Tales. I did not expect this.
But in the end, I can understand JMS’ position on this matter and I am glad he chose to handle it this way. The five year »Babylon 5« story stands as an entity for itself; it’s beautiful, it’s amazing and it is good! I haven’t watched »The Lost Tales« yet, so I can’t say anything about it. But to put more B5 stuff out at the cost of quality - that would, imho, diminish the B5 universe and that would be plain wrong!
“‘Welcome to Babylon 5, the last best hope for a quick buck.’”
“Commander.”
“But it’s just demeaning. We’re not just some .. deep space franchise. This station is about something.”
Cmdr. Ivanova & Capt. Sheridan, Babylon 5, »There all the Honor lies«
Well, obviously WB doesn’t have faith in it’s franchise despite the sales for TLT. So, if JMS can’t tell the stories about B5 he still has in store and keep true to the high quality the fans have come to expect from the show (both story- and technology-wise) it might really be better to draw the line, as he said, and end the story here.
There is much discussion among fans how he could even pull a B5 feature film off, considering two of the main characters can’t be portrayed anymore by the original actors. For many fans, including me, the constant bickering and developing relationship between Londo and G’Kar was one of the highlights of the entire show. Since JMS said earlier he doesn’t plan on re-casting the roles, it’s difficult to imagine how he plans to pull that off. Plans by the studio to replace the entire cast with more known names for a feature film met not only the resistance of the fans, but were one of the main reasons the last attempt to make a feature was cancelled by JMS.
As saddened as I am by the prospect of never having any new B5 material again, there is still a tiny bit of hope left. Since JMS just delivered a feature (”The Changeling”) directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Angelina Jolie and is rumored to work on several big budget films with famous actors and directors, maybe Warner Brothers will realize what a gem they’ve got there. I am sure, once the projects JMS is working on hit the theaters and take off, WB will give JMS the creative freedom and the funding he needs to pull off an excellent B5 movie. “Faith manages.”
“A new beginning, an end, I can not say. We are surrounded by signs and portents.”
Grey Council member, Babylon 5, »Babylon Squared«
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Don’t worry, I’d already read it over at the Babcast. It’s a little bit sad (and Summer will have to redo the Babcast opening again), but JMS is right, B5 deserves better than a constant series of low budget spin offs that don’t really add to the main series.
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Michael (R. Mennenga) will be “thrilled” to record a new opening with Summer
Just kidding.
I’m not really worried. I just had hope for more B5 stuff, but like you said, B5 deserves better and if we can’t have high quality B5 stuff, let’s stick with what we’ve got and be happy about it. (I have to keep telling myself that, I have weak moments
)
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I also think that JMS is right. It is totally unsatisfying, for the fans as well as for himself, to compromise on quality because of the low budget. If you are used to certain high standard, you simply cannot accept a regression.
That said, I’m afraid that a “full-featured, big-budget feature film”, as JMS called it, is never going to be made. The only way the studio is ever likely to agree to such a concept is to cast well-known actors in order to attract a large audience. Die-hard B5 fans (and probably JMS himself), however, will not be comfortable with a movie that doesn’t feature any of the previously established characters.
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I didn’t know it yet, but it didn’t suprise me very much either.
But I also have very mixed feelings about an B5 feature film, because of the Firefly feature film “Serenity”. I loved the TV show, but the movie - well, it had some nice stuff, but some characters seem a bit off, and the overall arc is not perfect. It just feels like the studio streamlined the whole universe of the TV show to get more viewers in the theaters because they didn’t want to rely on the fans.
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@Matthias: One of the possibilities that was discussed in the forums was to tell another B5-related story altogether. The B5 story was 5+20 years, but you also have the 1,000 years previous to that (Valen) and if I recall correctly, Summer (from the above mentioned Babcast) said in Podcast 104 (?) that JMS actually outlined a 1,000,000 (million) year timeline. So, if the studio doesn’t want to make a feature with the established cast (which would be a shame, but really, how to replace Biggs and Katsulas?), there would still be plenty of opportunities.
@klti: Doesn’t that sometimes make you wonder who the heck are the people in charge? How come they just don’t get it? But then I have to remind myself: how many die-hard B5 fans are really out there, who’d spent their money on the movie and possible merchandise? We are probably biased because we love the show ourselves and since we are sci-fi geeks have many geek friends ourselves. So maybe there really isn’t a market for a full fledged movie.
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I heard about it before and I think it’s a good thing for both him and the fans.
If there ever will be more B5 (who knows with all the buzz around him lately), chances are it’s gonna be great. If not, well, at least it won’t suck. I’ve got the show, the books, the movies (well, “In the Beginning”…), Crusade - I’m good.
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Hah, look, I’ve got an avatar. Finally something that goes according to plan. Seems like this day is not going to suck completely. Always appreciate the little things and all that… *g*
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YEAH! Sweet! Now you will make me giggle again every time I read one of your posts. You know I love that scene.
As for the other stuff: *hugs* and I hope other things will go as planned as well
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How could anyone not love that scene?
Although, even though I like the images that scene tends to conjure up in my brain (don’t ask me why, it’s a mystery…), I love that scene with Sheridan and his dime store psychoanalysis afterwards even more.
Btw, is there any way you could include a preview function for comments? Any way that doesn’t have you brooding about it for hours that is!
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Next time you type something, a LIVE PREVIEW should show up beneath the “Submit Comment” button. Hope this is to your satisfaction *grin*
And yes, Sheridan-the-shrink is hilarious
BTW, I updated my Gravatar because the text was completely impossible to read. Hope my new avatar shows up soon and I’ll stick with that one. I think it represents me even better.
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Are you referring to the teaser of “Sic Transit Vir”, where Ivanova has that bizarre dream? Why is it you like that scene so much? I mean, maybe I’m too compassionate, but when I saw that episode for the first time (and didn’t know it was dream yet) I had an awkward feeling watching that seemingly embarrassing situation for poor Susan.
By the way, I also managed to get an avatar. Must be peer pressure or somethin’.
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That’s the one. I don’t know, whyever would anyone like seeing Ivanova naked? Let me see. Nope, can’t think of any reason. At all.
As for her talk to Sheridan afterwards - I can’t really put that in words. Aside from Londo and G’Kar they’re my favorite non-romantic pairing on the show. It’s just… nyawgh I really don’t know how to explain. Maybe I’ll think of something later.
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Hey, there’s a preview!
Either I was blind before (something totally unheard of) or you totally rock, Starstuff. Probably both, really *g*
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@Matthias: Yep, that’s the one
First time I watched it I was holding a pillow in front of my eyes and just squinted at the screen because I was so embarrassed. And when Sheridan later talks to Ivanova and casually says “Hey, it could be worse, you could be having dreams where you are showing up to work naked.” and Susans look afterwards … that made me topple over in laughter. Knowing tschilai personally and associating her with this image is just funny in itself.
Nice gravatar, btw
@tschilai: Your thoughts should not focus on a naked CC but rather on your *cough*dull and boring*cough* thesis!
Oh, and thanks for the praise, can never get enough of that. *g*
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@tschilai: Sorry, I don’t get your comment on why you like that particular scene. If it has to do with the very fact that Ivanova is naked then let me add two things. 1) I don’t find Claudia Christian to be attractive. I know I have a weird sense of attractiveness, but I can’t help it. 2) She ain’t naked in the first place. (I know, I know, imagination and stuff).
Maybe I have a defective irony detector and completely misunderstood your entry.
As for the preview: See Starstuff’s entry from 2:54 pm.
@Starstuff: As you also seem to like that scene, maybe you can comment on the reasons as well.
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@Matthias: Like I said, I like the humor in the scene (the dream part) and the following conversation with Sheridan. It’s hilarious! To me, at least. I won’t go and admit that I’ve had strange dreams like those myself and can totally understand Ivanova … well, I won’t.
As for why tschilai likes it … that she should explain herself *giggles*
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Thanks Starstuff for your comment. My entry was a little late.
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Not weird at all. I do, however, find her attractive. It’s not so much about how she looks, but her whole personality. That, of course, goes for Ivanova and not CC, who I don’t really know.
You know, imagination and stuff
But really, that’s not the main part of why I like that scene. All the things Starstuff mentioned are what it’s all about, though I don’t think the nakedness hurts.
Also, to me, it isn’t even just about that scene. I love the whole episode. It’s nowhere near as great as the big WHAM episodes, but there are a lot of scenes in there I really love. Vir and Ivanova, for example - six! Delenn and Sheridan almost kissing after his “cooking”. It’s definitely one of my favorite “filler” episodes. And whenever I actually notice my avatar, I think of one of these
[Reply]
After Starstuff’s comment I was quite sure that I got your entry correctly. Thanks for confirming anyway.
Well I guess I know what you mean. There are some fictitious characters (not necessarily in B5) that I find quite attractive. I won’t go into detail for my wife’s possibly gonna read this. Hi darling. Whaddaya say? Sleeping in bathtub? Why would you want me to do that…?
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Not in B5? Typical guy then, I guess. My flatmate’s the same
I like both Delenn and Ivanova a lot.
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I said “not necessarily”.
I like Delenn’s character a lot. Mira Furlan is not exactly my type (a bit too old - sorry Mira!), but Delenn’s the B5 character that comes closest to a bit of affection. Totally platonic, of course, darling, if you happen to read this…
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@Matthias: Before you continue commenting, you should test out how comfy that bathtub of yours is
For that matter, some day I will open a discussion on the most attractive B5/sci-fi character … that should be fun *gg*
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It’s not Sheridan, that’s for sure :-p
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Most attractive B5er? Hmmm…
Lianna Kemmer!
*runs, runs, RUNS LIKE THE WIND!*
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Starstuff Reply:
July 16th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Guys, don’t shot your bolts just yet, I said I’d open a new post
[Reply]
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