Ever since J. Michael Straczynski shared he was dabbling once again with the world of ‘Babylon 5,‘ we were hoping for a television series, but that doesn’t sound like it could happen. While a movie will likely move forward, we can’t expect much more than that. The problem isn’t that Straczynski wouldn’t want to dive back into an ongoing series, but it sounds like Warner Bros., who owns the rights, won’t fund it or believe it could be supported from another source.
Here is exactly what the creator shared to all of our dismay:
Won’t work. They literally told my agent “We have no plans, and no intentions, of letting anything else be done in terms of television with Babylon 5.” And a kickstarter wouldn’t pay for even a fraction of a season. That won’t change for years, when those execs are dead/gone. https://t.co/NZ80WiIIcR
— J. Michael Straczynski (@straczynski) April 20, 2018
The studio owns the rights as a living entity which means that they’ll hold the rights for 50 years after the studio’s “death.” That means that if the studio went under it would take at least 50 years before the rights would be available.
We shouldn’t hold our breath.
You have to figure if they don’t want to convert the old episodes into an HD release or fund new ones that this is a lost cause for fans. This from the studio who can’t help but try everything they can to make viable franchises these days.
This is why we’ll be getting a film before a chance at anything else:
Warners controls the TV and all the other rights but not the movie rights, I have those, but without access to the TV rights it’s been very difficult to get anyone at another studio to want to commit anything; they want all of the rights under one roof. https://t.co/oxavktXrOr
— J. Michael Straczynski (@straczynski) April 20, 2018
At least we have a shot at a new take on this classic directly by the man who created it all.
Do you think that a ‘Babylon 5’ movie will be successful enough to spawn a cinematic franchise? Is Warner Bros. making a mistake or the right decision by not rebooting the series? Share your thoughts below!
Source: Cinema Blend
