The rule of thumb in Hollywood is that for every thousand scripts that get written, only a few dozen get into development, and out of those, only one will ever get made...if that.
A little over a year ago, I was approached by a company that wanted to make a Babylon 5 movie. They optioned the rights, and commissioned a script. (It's worth mentioning that I, not WB, own the rights to a B5 movie. When we were negotiating the original B5 deal -- by whose terms I will never see a dime in profit -- the one thing they did let me have were the movie rights, figuring they'd never be worth anything in the long run.)
Anyway...on December 27th of 2003, the script for "The Memory of Shadows" was turned in, and the process began of trying to make the deal work with all the various forces involved. It is, to say the least, a very difficult process on any movie where the studio does not directly take the financial reins. In terms of B5, Warner's position was esssentially, "We only do big-budget movies with big names, so you're on your own." If there were big-name movie actors in the film, they'd get behind it; without that, things become very problematic, especially as far as the financing was concerned. You much have to put together a consortium of international interests and business plans rivaled in complexity only by the Allied invasion of Normandy Beach.
Nonetheless, every attempt was made by the people involved to get this deal in place. This was not being done by Doug or myself, but rather by the company/individuals who approached us and optioned the rights. At times, it seemed we were inches away from a deal...stages were reserved at Elstree, actors were contacted, a director was in place, the script went through many revisions, a few key staff were hired, again not by me...it was really a year-long roller coaster ride. During that time, the people involved, with every good intention, tried very hard to pull the necessary pieces together on the deal. The option expired in late December 2004, but I renewed it without cost, to give those involved more time to try and make things work.
In the end, however, the deal could be put together, and it did not look as if that was going to change at any point in the foreseeable future. So the option has reverted, and to all intents and purposes, the project has dead ended. Nor do I think this particular incarnation will arise again at any point in the future, though prognostication has always been a tricky art, especially if you have to do it without the benefit of hindsight.
This was not the first time someone's taken a run at a B5 feature film, and it will not be the last. Eventually it will happen, because such things are simply inevitable. If they can do a Brady Bunch movie, you can be sure that sooner or later, somebody's going to do a B5 movie. The only thing I can say without equivocation is that when that day comes, as the rights-holder, I will make darned sure that it's done right, because I'd rather have no B5 movie than one that doesn't live up to what fans and I myself would want to see.
To that end...I can wait.
Anyway, just thought you should know the story.
jms
(message content (c) 2005 by Synthetic Worlds, Ltd. Rights to reprint specifically denied to SFX Magazine)
> (message content (c) 2005 > by Synthetic Worlds, Ltd. > Rights to reprint specifically > denied to SFX Magazine)
Much appreciated.
Does this mean that somebody (hint, hint) can give feedback on the effect of the anti-recasting stage of the keepB5alive campaign? Would be nice or usefull to have a reality check on wether or not it had any effect. I did catch some kind of validation of letter-writing when called on the Trek fans to write Paramount about the new Trek Bryce Zabel.
And if the script isn't covered by option, I guess it's time the fans started their own movie company and got a share in the profits. If it can be made to work, and work well, time-wise with the TV show that you're going to run. -- Regards , Vennlig hilsen Gunnar René Řie, EtterOljen.no PGP public key available
Thanks for the great effort... I for one would prefer to wait for a GREAT B5 movie than one of the "Just do it to get it done" type movies that seem to be getting done now (rumors are abound that there will be ANOTHER Rocky and Rambo movie coming to a theater near you..)
Question though... Is there the chance that we might see a book or graphic novel detailing the timeframe between when Crusade ended and Sleeping in Light took place?
Just a wondering mind here in drier than normal Seattle, WA
jmsa...@aol.com wrote: > The rule of thumb in Hollywood is that for every thousand scripts that > get written, only a few dozen get into development, and out of those, > only one will ever get made...if that.
> A little over a year ago, I was approached by a company that wanted to > make a Babylon 5 movie. They optioned the rights, and commissioned a > script. (It's worth mentioning that I, not WB, own the rights to a B5 > movie. When we were negotiating the original B5 deal -- by whose terms > I will never see a dime in profit -- the one thing they did let me have > were the movie rights, figuring they'd never be worth anything in the > long run.)
> Anyway...on December 27th of 2003, the script for "The Memory of > Shadows" was turned in, and the process began of trying to make the > deal work with all the various forces involved. It is, to say the > least, a very difficult process on any movie where the studio does not > directly take the financial reins. In terms of B5, Warner's position > was esssentially, "We only do big-budget movies with big names, so > you're on your own." If there were big-name movie actors in the film, > they'd get behind it; without that, things become very problematic, > especially as far as the financing was concerned. You much have to put > together a consortium of international interests and business plans > rivaled in complexity only by the Allied invasion of Normandy Beach.
> Nonetheless, every attempt was made by the people involved to get this > deal in place. This was not being done by Doug or myself, but rather > by the company/individuals who approached us and optioned the rights. > At times, it seemed we were inches away from a deal...stages were > reserved at Elstree, actors were contacted, a director was in place, > the script went through many revisions, a few key staff were hired, > again not by me...it was really a year-long roller coaster ride. > During that time, the people involved, with every good intention, tried > very hard to pull the necessary pieces together on the deal. The > option expired in late December 2004, but I renewed it without cost, to > give those involved more time to try and make things work.
> In the end, however, the deal could be put together, and it did not > look as if that was going to change at any point in the foreseeable > future. So the option has reverted, and to all intents and purposes, > the project has dead ended. Nor do I think this particular incarnation > will arise again at any point in the future, though prognostication has > always been a tricky art, especially if you have to do it without the > benefit of hindsight.
> This was not the first time someone's taken a run at a B5 feature film, > and it will not be the last. Eventually it will happen, because such > things are simply inevitable. If they can do a Brady Bunch movie, you > can be sure that sooner or later, somebody's going to do a B5 movie. > The only thing I can say without equivocation is that when that day > comes, as the rights-holder, I will make darned sure that it's done > right, because I'd rather have no B5 movie than one that doesn't live > up to what fans and I myself would want to see.
> To that end...I can wait.
> Anyway, just thought you should know the story.
> jms
> (message content (c) 2005 > by Synthetic Worlds, Ltd. > Rights to reprint specifically > denied to SFX Magazine)
So, what of the re-casting rumours and our letter writing campaign? Were we wrong? Because, your post indicates there was never a problem with casting...
> The rule of thumb in Hollywood is that for every thousand scripts that > get written, only a few dozen get into development, and out of those, > only one will ever get made...if that.
Richard Pertwee wrote: > So, what of the re-casting rumours and our letter writing campaign? > Were we wrong? Because, your post indicates there was never a problem > with casting...
Perhaps in this way: WB only wanted to do it with "big names". If the producers wanted to sell it back to WB for WB to do it themselves, that would mean re-casting with "name" actors. So the re-casting rumors might still be correct.
> This was not the first time someone's taken a run at a B5 feature film, > and it will not be the last. Eventually it will happen, because such > things are simply inevitable. If they can do a Brady Bunch movie, you > can be sure that sooner or later, somebody's going to do a B5 movie. > The only thing I can say without equivocation is that when that day > comes, as the rights-holder, I will make darned sure that it's done > right, because I'd rather have no B5 movie than one that doesn't live > up to what fans and I myself would want to see.
Joe,
Is there anything at all the fans can do to increase the chances of a B5 movie being made?
It's been so frustrating being a B5 fan over the last year waiting for TMOS news, but I'm sure we're not ready to give up just yet!
No. JMS noted in his earlier message that the would-be producers own the production, novelization and other rights *to the "TMoS" script*. The only the only thing he retains is the right to reproduce and sell copies of the script itself and to publish the screenplay in book form. All screenwriters have that ability under the WGA separation of rights agreement with the studios. But he could not write (or commission) a novelization without the permission of whoever owns the other rights to the "TMoS" script.
