| From: | Erik Jameson <erikj@****.COM> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | OT: Babylon 5 news |
| Date: | Fri, 1 May 1998 13:14:13 -0400 |
I'm not going to include spoilers, but if you don't want to know that a
major character WON'T be in Season 5, skip the next paragraph.
First, regarding Claudia. From what I've heard and read, James Ojaste
basically had it right. She wanted time for movies, she and her agent
wanted it in her contract and still be paid for the full season (essentialy
asking to renegotiate for a higher wage). JMS said he couldn't give that
guarantee, he could write her out of an episode or two (something that has
been done dozens of times), but the contracts had to essentially stay as
is, and scripts HAD TO be written, or the entire 5th season would start out
behind schedule (not good when you've got a new boss (TNT). Apparently the
change in scale from syndicated TV to Basic Cable also meant a potential
drop in money for the actors, but all of them reportedly had zero problem
with that, except perhaps Claudia. It included cast members calling
Claudia to convice her to stay, media reports that Claudia said she was
quitting, and a lot of sturm and drang on the various B5 lists, groups, and
web sites.
Second, on the bittersweet side, for those that aren't aware, the final
episode finished principal shooting on March 20th. Apparently, the final
shot is in the Zocolo and if you look closely, you can see nearly everyone
who works on the show, from the Optic Nerve special affects folks to
costumers to interns to producers and so on.
Now, onto much much happier news.
On July 19, the second made for TNT movie, "ThirdSpace," will air. TNT has
taken this, and B5 items, on an 8-city US tour, hitting the big cities. I
suspect it's either over by now, or wrapping things up, but check out TNT's
B5 web site to double check; I know it was in LA about a month ago or I think.
On March 23, another made for TNT movie was announced, entitled "The River
of Souls." Reportedly big-time movie actor Martin Sheen is set to star in
it, along with the regular B5 cast.
A FOURTH!!! made for TNT movie, "A Call to Arms" was announced April 6.
When TNT bought the rights to broadcast B5 (and that's ALL they own, they
don't own the creative concepts or anything) they had a deal for two films,
with thoughts of a third. But now there is going to be a fourth B5 film made!
All of this indicates that TNT really is ecstatic about B5; it's one thing
to say you support a show, but another to actually pump time and money into
it. This all makes the B5 Rangers series an extremely strong possibility
(it's probably up to JMS at this point).
For all you furriners...I would suggest e-mailing Sandra Bruckner, editor
of Universe Today, the B5 fan club newsletter. She should be able to at
least refer to you to someone knowledgeable about the broadcasting of B5
outside of the States. Her address is: bruckner@**********.com
And now back to your regularly scheduled ShadowRN discussions...
Erik J.
