UPDATE: This news is being confirmed by Entertainment Weekly, who also confirm that Singer will in fact be directing as well as producing.
HitFix has the exclusive scoop that Universal is reaching out to Bryan Singer to develop and produce a new feature film based on Battlestar Galactica. There’s also the chance that Singer could direct the new film, under the right circumstances.
If you’re not aware, Singer was actually the one developing Galactica for Sci Fi back in 2001, even having concept work completed on the project (Image at right is a Cylon concept, click to go big). Then the September 11 attacks occurred, and given the nature of the show — particularly how it begins — everything was delayed, and eventually everyone moved on to other things until Ronald D. Moore and David Eick were brought in for another go of it.
As you’ll recall, it was announced a while back that Universal was developing a new movie based on the original 1978 TV show, with original show creator Glen A. Larson writing and producing the film. It seems pretty obvious that they aren’t making two separate movies here, so this must be the project that they’re bringing Bryan Singer in for. Kind of like everything coming around full-circle — quite fitting, if it does all work out.
No word yet on when we might see this movie or what direction that Singer might go with it.
When the news of a movie based on the ’78 series was announced, many seemed very much against it. Does the involvement of Bryan Singer make you more interested in seeing what they do, or is it still way too soon to have another Battlestar Galactica?
Having been a fan of the original tv series, and then being a rabid fan of the SyFy series of Galactica, I sure hope they don’t make a totally different movie. It will lessen them all. I am all for making movies based on the SyFy show, like the have done with the Star Trek series like Next Generation, but to make a movie now based on the original, would like remaking the original Star Trek mo…. oh Frak, no I’m confused. That worked out pretty cool with Star Trek, but, but…Oh hell, lets see what they’ve got! Frakin toasters just won’t quit!!
Comment by graywolfpack5 — August 12, 2009 @ 8:56 pm
How about making a movie of the new BSG which replaces that crap they did for the last show!
Comment by Stromm Sarnac — August 13, 2009 @ 10:06 am
It just sounds like SyFy is desperate for new material.
Comment by Jeff R Hall — August 13, 2009 @ 1:44 pm
Well, I was very very young when the original Battlestar was originally aired, and I vaguely remember watching it thru a kid’s wondrous eyes… but never again got back into it at all… until the SciFi reimagination came around and *that* became one of my all time favorite series (small missteps it took aside).
I guess what im trying to say is: let’s leave it at that, while i greatly respect Bryan Singer’s work (except for Superman Returns); i don’t think another iteration of the BSG themes is needed or even desirable; not now and maybe never…
I’m now eagerly looking forward to The Plan and Caprica; why get *another* BSG on top of everything else? There’s plenty of books and other original material waiting to be adapted people…
Comment by Diego — August 13, 2009 @ 1:45 pm
The time for working with the old BSG series has passed. If they’re going to do anything with the property, it has to be part of the new series.
Or they could, oh I don’t know, create a completely new story that isn’t tied to a franchise.
Comment by Bevans — August 13, 2009 @ 2:30 pm
@Jeff R Hall
It’s not SyFy — they’re busy doing Caprica.
This is from Universal and is a new movie based on the old show. It has nothing to do with the SyFy series.
Comment by The Movie God — August 13, 2009 @ 3:56 pm
I gotta admit this is a surprise, I wonder how the licensing for this will work out. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see another conflict over movie rights once the production has been completed
Comment by DrNecropolis — August 14, 2009 @ 2:50 pm
Other than Dirk Benedict and Richard Hatch being excited about the prospect of a continuation of the ultra cheese fest that was the 70s series, who else really wants to see this project come to light?
Lest we forget, in the original theatrical release of Battlestar Galactica the survivors of the Cylon genocide on the 12 Colonies promptly stopped off at the Casino Planet to party. Daggets anyone? Bottom Line: the original 70s BSG was a cringe fest of bad acting, horrible writing, and F/X meant to feed off of the Star Wars frenzy at the time.
I love Bryan Singer and the work he brought to X-Men before “The Last Crap” ruined all the good that came previously, but really, if there’s a franchise in need of his talents, it’s the kids at the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters, not BSG.
Comment by burning_chrome — August 15, 2009 @ 4:48 am