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.
