Genre: Action/Science Fiction.
Studio:
Unknown.
Production Company:
Unknown.
Project Phase: Movies Rumored.
Who's In It:
Unknown.
Who's Making It:
Unknown. Based upon the Universal/Glen A. Larson television series Battlestar Galactica.
Premise: Unknown.
Release Date: Unknown.
Comments: A strong rumor has it that a new Galactica film is in the works. (See Scoop Feedback).
Rumors: Unknown.
Scoop Feedback:
March 29, 1996... Trendmasters Inc., a leading toy and action figure design company, has aquired the rights to design a new series of Battlestar Galactica action figures. They also report that a new feature is in the design works, to be possibly completed in 1997. [Scoop reported by 'Atreides'; additional information and detail provided by Trendmasters]
May 13, 1996... An e-mail sent to CA informs us that ILM has begun work on the new Galactica models - which is unconfirmed. [Scoop reported anonymously.]
September 15, 1996... An employee of Foundation Imaging (which did the effects for Babylon 5) posted a message on the 'net looking for old models from the series. The phrasing of the post makes it look like the company is the one looking for models. Is something up? [Scoop handed in anonymously.]
October 6, 1996... CA is told that an "official" Battlestar Galactica script has surfaced and is making the rounds in a certain studio's development offices. The new script is said to revamp the entire saga and ignore Galactica 1980. The script is being touted as "excellent." The scooper says that the script is intended to be a TV pilot or TV movie project, and not a feature film. Though the script features "some of the original cast" (without mentioning which cast members they may be) no one has yet been contacted or contracted. We're told that the project was supposed to be kept quiet until internal development was ready to proceed. [Scoop submitted by 'Johnny-T'.]
December 30, 1996... Another tantalizing rumor mentions that Foundtion Imaging bid in early '96 on the effects budget for a Galactica project. Now, the scooper says, they have suddenly declared the need to hire an unstated number of modelers and animators in the immediate future... [Scoop provided by 'Draven'.]
November 16, 1997... An anonymous scooper reports "As of approximately four weeks ago, Universal Studios had started pre-production on a Battlestar Galactica project of some kind. Whether it is a feature film, TV movie or mini-series is unknown." Also, what type of work was begun; was a script commissioned? [Scoop handed in by 'jjonnzz'.]
November 18, 1997... Back with more, the above scooper has told us Foundation Imaging has partially constructed a rendering model of a Viper! [Transmission sent to Athena by 'jjonnzz'.]
March 12, 1998... We've been told the actor who played Uncle Owen in the original Star Wars film, a fellow by the name of Phil Brown, has been asked by Richard Hatch to portray a minor role in the Galactica re-make. Nothing else was said to us about the connection or why Brown would've been approached by Hatch since the show isn't in active development.
March 15, 1998... A scooper reports that they've heard the project is in the development stage. Hatch is developing storyboards, preparing a script and providing names of interested parties to participate, apparently trying a different type of marketing ploy to peak the interest of backers. [Submitted by 'Dbonzjones'.]
March 24, 1998... Richard Hatch is getting together all of the actors very soon to film a teaser, this scooper tells CA. "The movie is to be based on his novel, 'Armageddon' and will feature all of the surviving cast. Currently he is drawing funds, and hopes to announce something at the Battlestar Galactica 20 Yahren Reunion." That's taking place at Universal City Studios this coming September 4-6. A website, the Battlestar Galactica 20 Yahren Reunion Information Center is up and running listing the convention details. [Scoop provided by anonymous.]
April 16, 1998... Ok, some new information to report:
Back in February two scoopers reported attending a San Jose Cinequest Film Festival where a documentary called Trekkies was screened. The film was all about Star Trek fans, and one of the featured interviewees was a teenager named Gabriel Koerner, who was at Cinequest with the producer and director of Trekkies for a post-screening Q&A session. Gabriel mentioned that he was now working for Foundation Imaging, and in particular had been working on the trailer for the new Battlestar Galactica movie. No further details were given. A webpage does exist for the Trekkies film. [Information provided by 'Skeletor' and 'sparCKL'.]
But someone else disagrees with the Foundation Imaging rumors. "I spoke with a friend at Foundation Imaging and they said that there was 'little' work being done on Battlestar Galactica by Foundation, unless it is being kept secret from most of the employees. Additionally, they questioned why Foundation would look for toys from the old series when there is a toy store down the street from Foundation's new building that sells collectibles like Battlestar Galactica and has plenty in stock." [Anonymous.]
But another scooper had something else to say on the subject. "Foundation Imaging does not consider this a major project. Very little is actually being done on it. Foundation is working on another large film that will be announced shortly and that is taking up much of their time. They needed to change spaces, hire new animators and upgrade their equipment for this project." [From Viper pilot 'Spanky'.]
But the biggest scoop comes from a reader who claims to be a producer "working hard with Glen Larson in order to facilitate the return of the series to broadcast network primetime." We're currently following up to prove that this fellow is who he claims he is.
But we will post what the fellow told us was happening with the project. "If all goes well, you may see it in fall 98. 28 stories are written and we are in the middle of several re- writes. It's '20 years' later for the 'crew' and only Tigh, Cassiopia, and Baltar remain as characters original to the series. The Cylon concepts are awesome, including red centurions who outrank the older Gold models, & female IL. All effects would be CGI. Oh,'Galactica 1980' never happened!
"A creative team at Hanks/Goldberg productions has re-designed the Centurions' hands, which were previously hockey gloves. Also, for the prosective new Broadcast Network Primetime Series, the Imperious Leader has 'reverse contrast' Centurion Guards with illuminated (blue) 'mouth' louvers and a blue scanning 'eye'. I'd be interested in reactions from Cylon Fans. Looks like it's finally going forward!" [Scoop sent in by 'Whanks'.]
Like we said, we've contacted the writer at the address they provided and we'll try to confirm that this is real and not a prank. Stay tuned for more.
April 28, 1998... A solid source informs us that, as far as they know, there exists no 'red Cylons' treatment. Richard Hatch might be working with a production company to aquire the rights from Universal to the series, but it seems that no major developments have happened. [Thanks to 'Tripp' for the Viper reconnaisance.]
We again would like to offer a chance for the Hanks/Goldberg scoop to be confirmed. We'll try one more time to ascertain if this is indeed real or another rumor.
May 17, 1998... Last month CA was contacted by a scooper who shared with us information concerning an alleged treatment for a new Galactica television series. We're sorry to say that after trying to confirm the scooper's authenticity, we could not prove that the scooper's claims were truthful.
CA was contacted by John LaRocque, author of the Battlestar Galactica FAQ. LaRocque was able to provide CA with additional information on the Foundation Imagine rumors and what he's heard about any new Galactica projects in development.
According to LaRocque's contacts, Foundation Imaging did assemble a BG trailer that used some of the series' original cast members and new CGI footage. However, the new trailer is to be shown at conventions around the country and was not intended to be used to 'sell' a new series or movie to anyone. The upcoming 20th Anniversary Reunion is one convention where the new trailer will be shown.
[Scoop sent in by John LaRocque.]
May 24, 1998... "I talked to Richard Hatch at a convention appearance, and he confirmed the negotiations going on are for a television series, not a movie. Hatch seems very involved."
"The Foundation Imaging scoop you have seems pretty accurate. The interest in BG comes from one 'Mojo' at Foundation Imaging, who really liked the show and the idea." [Mailed in by 'Badger'.]
May 26, 1998... John LaRocque contacted CA again to clarify some of the BG rumors we attempted to sort out in the May 17th scoop entry.
In our 5/17 posting, we wrote: "According to LaRocque's contacts, Foundation Imaging did assemble a BG trailer that used some of the series' original cast members and new CGI footage."
LaRocque adds: "This is a misreading of my last letter. Foundation Imaging (FI) has nothing to do with Richard Hatch's trailer whatsoever, or any of his revival efforts, as far as I know. Hatch, however, is working with a professional team (personnel unknown to myself) to put one together."
As for the trailer Hatch helped assemble, that trailer (to indeed be shown at conventions) was made to help sell the proposed new series.
[Again, thanks to John LaRocque for the follow-up.]
September 3, 1998... Long-time readers will be familiar with one of CA's resident writers, the ever-inquisitive 'Widgett'. This weekend he's in Atlanta covering DragonCon for CA, and when the opportunity to speak to the man who's spearheading for a new Battlestar Galactica series arose, he was there for you.
Direct from DragonCon, here's 'Widgett' with the latest on attempts to resurrect Battlestar Galactica:
"At DragonCon, Richard Hatch gave a really great talk on how he's trying to get BG back to any screen. First of all, let me say that Hatch is one of the coolest people I've ever seen give a presentation. He said that he tours the country giving motivational seminars and the like, and it shows. He was energetic, funny and had a great outlook on what he was trying to do with all the hurdles in his way.
"Basically, he had kind of forgotten about BG, thought its time had past, until one day he was a convention and had people lined up forever to get to meet him and talk to him. He began to realize that BG had some life left in it. He had heard in the past where somebody was trying to do a revival, but it would turn out to be rumors. Such as Glen Larson--he said that Larson was never trying to get it started since he had been out of the business for years and only recently was trying to get back in. Hatch decided to take matters into his own hands and wrote a trilogy of stories for BG movies. He went to pitch it to Universal and they responded 'If we wanted to Battlestar Galactica, *we'd* do Battlestar Galactica.'
"Undaunted, Hatch decided to take a more grassroots approach, not only going to cons around the country to preach BG, but also going to various companies and created licensed products, among them toys, games, rpg's, card games, and books -- and according to Hatch they've surprised everyone with how well they've sold. He's been talking with the networks and has had a 'series of meetings' about what's coming next.
"Hatch has indeed been working on a trailer, or an 'audition piece' as he calls it. He's directing it to show the networks that his idea for a BG revival will work. Effects companies and others have been working on it gratis, although he didn't mention any companies' names. He plans on using as much of the original cast as possible, including Herb Jefferson (Boomer). Maren Jensen (Athena) they can't find and Dirk Benedict (Starbuck) has apparently had some personal problems but they're sure he would join them if the series comes about. Hatch imagines 3-4 days of shooting for the trailer and they're having to shoot Jefferson's footage with a blue screen since he won't be available for their main shoot.
"As for Battlestar 1980, he has never even seen it.
"Hatch wants the new series to be the old characters with some new, including Starbuck's daughter and Apollo's surrogate son. He kept talking about making a bridge to the old series.
"As for BG returning to theaters, he's looking to get to the small screen first. He didn't mention a film, although I'm sure he wouldn't rule that out if/when the series takes off. And with Hatch's attitude, I wouldn't be surprised at all."
[Reporting live from the heart of the matter is 'Widgett'.]
December 14, 1998... "Having been a crewmember on the 'Battlestar Galactica' promo trailor, which just recently wrapped shooting around L.A., it is being made as a powerful presentation piece to show Universal Pictures at a January 1999 meeting, to generate interest and hopefully revive the series. A small but dedicated cast and crew (which included fans of the show and industry professionals) worked off and on for free to help Richard Hatch realize his vision. The experience was hard work, but fun. The actors guesting on the trailor include John Colicos as Baltar, Terry Carter as President Tighe Richard Lynch as Count Iblis, Jack Stauffer as Bojay and Star Wars' Phil (Uncle Owen) Brown as a Council of the Twelve member. A young and unknown group of actors were cast as Colonial warriors, cadets, and viper pilots, along with many extras as Galactica crew, Council members, and Cylons. Various miniature and CGI effects work is being used to complete 'BG-The Second Coming'. More info later."
[Submitted by 'Lonestarr'.]