"Babylon 5 is being rebooted by JMS" Topic

A "Babylon 5" reboot is in development at The CW, Variety has learned. Original series creator J. Michael Straczynski is onboard to write the project. He will also executive producer under his Studio JMS banner. Warner Bros. Television, which produced the original series, will produce the reboot. The new iteration of the sci-fi series is described as a "from-the-ground-up reboot."

Link to the original article in Variety: link

Not too much to go on from the original Variety article. Interesting it will be on the CW. I figured it would be on one of the streaming platforms. The original B5 series 'remaastered' (aside from the scenes with special effects IIRC) is streaming now on HBOMax.

I'm not sure what to think about this reboot. The original series was a huge part of my life at the time and tied into all my memories of being in my 30's and starting a family of my own. I often has to record episodes so I could watch them when the little ones had gone to bed.

I keep feeling this is one of those series that should not be rebooted, but I think JMS could do a good job?

As it was the first TV show to show fleet combat, I hope the re-boot's special effects are up to par with other current Space shows. Same point in my life too Mister Tibbles!

Loved the original. I wonder if a reboot will even be recognizable. I hope so.

link

His Twitter feed – Loved the original – hope springs eternal it will be even better

Well, at least it will have 'survivability' if it's at CW…

Well, at least it will have 'survivability' if it's at CW…

Given it's the CW, I look forward to seeing how Captain Jennifer Sinclair (and later Captain Jane Sheridan) and team – Chief of Security Michelle Garibaldi, XO Commander Susan Ivanova, and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Stephanie Franklin, interact with Centauri Ambassador Lana Molari (and her sidekick Vir) and G'Karen of the Narn…

G'Karen to Ivanova:

"I demand to see the manager!"

"Commander Sinclair is busy right now"

From what I've been able to gather it won't be the same characters as the original show. The thoughts being that the story line was complete and that several of the original actors have passed away. I like the fact that it will be on the CW. As an older viewer I don't want to subscribe to 4 or 5 streaming services to watch shows I may be interested in.

I'd like to see some clarification about "reboot." Normally, "reimagining" means nothing is left of the original but a few names and a plot point. See the 1932 and 1999 versions of The Mummy. "Reboot" (quoting Wikipedia here) "discards continuity to re-create its characters, plotlines and backstory from the beginning." Given that I loved the previous version, that's not necessarily a vast improvement. (Anyone for a "Maltese Falcon" reboot?) And I'm not sure I trust the 2020's version of JMS as far as I trusted the 1990's. Compare and contrast Classic Trek Roddenberry with Next Generation Roddenberry, for example.

But all will be as it shall be.

David Manley +1!

The original was excellent; just wondering what the reboot will be like and can it improve on the original? Personally, I would rather see something new.

I came into Babylon 5 in the middle of its 5-year run. Now I'm enjoying watching from the beginning.

Not sure this can be rebooted. The endless comparisons to the soul of the first really are an uphill battle.

I think a better idea would be to follow new personalities on their various journeys: A Narn survivor of the mass driver attack and his struggles, a new inductee into the Rangers, the trials and tribulations of a Minbari crew, etc.

But I'll watch this version until it gets too messed up for my tastes.

With Stryderg. There were many stories still to be told in the B5 Universe. But we shall see. Or, actually, some of you shall see, and if reports are favorable, I'll buy the DVD later.

Hmmm, "I have a bad feeling about this….".

I hope it is good, but am skeptical.

Would love to see old reruns of the original B5, but don't recall seeing those anywhere, which is a shame.

No Molari, no Vir, no Delenn, no Garibaldi, no point.

I had no idea the CW even still existed!

But on topic, I would love to see a sequel (not a reimagining) to the show. It would be interesting to see how the various empires have evolved over 20+ years. However, I wouldn't be interested in a nuBSG-style super-gritty soap opera ("She's having my Cylon baby!!") that's so dark that I have to go to therapy afterwards.

Although I could definitely do with a second helping of Claudia Christian…

Thresher01,

HBO Max

Grimm

No one ever asks Zathras. Zathras has grown used to this.

If Zathras had been asked, Zathras would have said,

…"universe does not need any more bad luck…"

Reboot Space Rangers, Zathras would say.

Yes, reboot that.

+1 HMS Exeter

Oh, and since it will be on CW, think of all the cross-over episodes they can have!

"Nancy Drew visits Babylon 5 and solves a mystery"
"Babylon 5 seeks help from The Flash"
"Penn & Teller make Babylon 5 disappear and re-appear on 'Fool Us!' "

;-)

I'm very sceptical about it, with the current trends it could became another disaster such as "Batwoman"