No ‘Babylon 5′ Return After All?

Posted Friday, August 19th, 2011 11:00 am GMT -4 by Bryan Hardbarger0

Babylon 5

Many Sci-Fi fans out there will answer the question, “What was one of your favorite all time Sci-Fi shows on Television” with the following answer, followed by a long rant about cancellation, and threats of dismemberment against those responsible for said cancellation; ‘Babylon 5’. The show was the beginning of the recent rash of fan outrage at good Sci-Fi getting the proverbial axe.

‘Babylon 5′ was, what many reputable Science Fiction aficionados would consider equal to such television greats as ‘Stargate SG-1′, ‘Star Trek; The Next Generation’, ‘Firefly’, and other top notch series of the past.

The word going around the internet yesterday was in fact that Star Trek charter member, Walter Koenig appeared last weekend (August 13, 14, 2011) at a Star Trek convention, and while there Walter told excited fans about a meeting he had with ‘Babylon5’ creator J. Michael Straczynski. Koenig was quoted as saying:

“He told me that he is in negations to reacquire the rights to Babylon 5 and it looks pretty good. Now, what that portends, I am not entirely sure. It could be a new series, or it could be a feature film, but he was quite animated about it. He seemed very excited, and Warner Brothers is dealing with him in good faith. So you might see another Babylon 5 in the not-too-distant future.”

Later in the afternoon though Straczynski said in a statement that Walter simply misspoke, saying:

“I am not in negotiations with WB to develop more Babylon5.”

Koenig had a recurring role in ‘Babylon5’ as Alfred Bester, an officer of a paramilitary group known as Psi Corps. The series debuted in 1993 and was filmed on and around a massive, five mile long space station.

And so, the rumor mill is shut down for now. And although a return of ‘Babylon5’ would make for some very happy Sci-Fi fans, it would appear as if we will have to wait a while longer.

http://twitter.com/mjkrey MJ Krey

I tried so hard to be a fan of this show but I just could not get into it.
- http://sciencefiction.com/ Bryan Hardbarger
  
  I caught a few episodes of #Babylon5, but I’m the same way, I couldn’t seem to connect like the die hard fans did. I do, however, plan to give it another go from the beginning and “see what all the fuss was about!”
  
  Babylon 5 fans! Tell us why YOU loved Babylon and would YOU tune in if they brought it back? Comment here on this article and tell us why we should give it a go! Cheers! @Nyrhalahotep:disqus
Anonymous

Babylon 5 was one of my all time favourite shows-i loved the charactors and the way they were developed, the overarching story and the individual stories with in it.I watched it when it was on then recently watched the box set and it had not aged on reawatch -i found even more that intrigued me.
I liked the redemption circle that followed the charactors–they were flawed but had moments of great heroics.Londo and KGar were a key part of the that their relationship weaved in and out of the main storyline.
Delenn is my all time favourite female sci fi charactor-she had strength and wisdom and it was great to see someone not percieved as traditionally beautiful or sexy win over just by the force of her charactor and the acting.I was not a big fan of John Sheridon but it did no matter because the subsiduary charactors were written with skill and perception.Marcos Cole was a great romantic charactor and loved his wit.I think what really sold it for me is it never seemed to be trying promote one charactor over the others and had an ensemble feel about it.
I loved the medical issues and the psi cor–i was always fascinated by that thread as it allowed exploration of some interesting themes.
I felt it managed the commentary on humanity in a subtle and thought provoking manner and raised some interesting ideas about how mankind develops and the role of religion.There were nice touches of humour,heroics,romance, and it never failed to engage me.It had a balance of many elements, charactor interaction,tension and action and you never quite new what to expect.
Not sure about how I feel about a remake –i guess it would depend on whether they managed to add anything to the original series.I think with the modern trends for fast paced action sci fi series it might loose something in translation.
- http://sciencefiction.com/ Bryan Hardbarger
  
  THANK you interiris! Your comment is very appreciated!
http://pbmom.wordpress.com/ PBMom

If it came back, would we want a reimagined Babylon 5, or continuation with some of the same characters, or a continuation with news characters? Sadly, many of the originals have passed beyond the veil.
Swesleysteam

It is better this way. The producers would just screw it all up again anyway.
Matthew Wood

I think I can sum up my feelings with the following statement:

AWWWWWWW!
Softwarewaregeek

But where would the story go? I thought it ended where the characters were left to their own growth? One of the most darkest sci fi series. Had its own unique feel. Took a while for me to warm up to it.
Paquette7385

I’d prefer that we get a feature film as we’ve been promised years ago rather than another TV series that won’t get completed (see Crusade and Legend of the Rangers).
- http://sciencefiction.com/ Bryan Hardbarger
  
  Much like in the vain of Joss Whedon’s Firefly and Serenity? That may be preferable to most I believe.
Jasmine Sailing

I refused to watch TV up until Babylon 5 came along and ruined my life. Darn you, Babylon 5, and thank you for being so good that I keep rewatching.

It’s too far along in time for a continuation of the original story and characters (they were meant to end gracefully after 5 years anyway). However, the B5 universe is enormous and ancient. There are plenty of other time periods and worlds to draw stories from.

One possibility (of many) that interests me is showing the oft-referenced Shadow war of the past, when Valen first came into being. With the aging involved, and with Minbari make-upping, it would be possible to use O’Hare or recast.

I’m currently showing Babylon 5 to my daughter, and occasionally reporting on it on Twitter (madamecp). Seems a testament enough to the series that I made her watch The Prisoner and read 1984 as the most important prerequisites.

I wouldn’t at all mind having something new to look forward to at the end of this rewatching, and I’m sure my daughter (who is loving the series, she’s into season 3 now and, unlike some people, even loved season 1) would appreciate not running out of story.
http://twitter.com/RoundTableNerds Chris Ferrell

I figured it was too good to be true when the rumors came out about a B5 return. My Dad got me hooked on the show and it became a family activity to watch new episodes. We had the first 4 seasons tape recorded off of TNT and watched them all the time when we lived in Belgium. I came back to the states just in time to watch season 5 on live TV. To this day B5 is one of my favorite SciFi shows. Luckily I can watch it on Netflix anytime I want now.
Rjc4cab

If all politicians and religious leaders watched babylon 5 im sure it would challenge their consciences.
This planet we live on is just like B5 and we will all learn from the complete story line and pearls of wisdom that shine through if you know what to look for.
Good on ya JMS. Detail to human behaviour and psychology mastered.
- CMUltra
  
  I suppose it depends on which religious leaders you mean. Christians (Without the need for psychologists.) understand the problems of our world are caused by us transgressing against a holy God.
  “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?” Psalms 2:1
  But, He has and continues to take care of it. He is God, after all.
  “And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a falling fig from the fig tree.” Isaiah 34:4
  I’m happy knowing that He is pure, righteous, omnipotent and in control.

No ‘Babylon 5′ Return After All?

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