Babylon 5... reboot?

[bloodtide]

I was a little unhappy with the idea of a reboot of B5. But JMS is doing it and I think he made a good case for it in his post. He says he will be under his control and won't be some modern trash. So like hopefully they won't change all the characters genders, races(human races), and everything else.

As much as I love B5 it did have lots of problems. As a at the time 22 episode show, it had three types of them:

*Awesome Arc Episodes
*Lukewarm Arc Background Episodes
"Beyond Awful Trash

The Arc ones make B5 what it is, but the Arc background ones are a bit hit and miss. Sometimes they are a decent show, but all two often they just waste time.

And the Beyond Awful shows...ugh, they are hard to watch even once. On a typical rewatch, I just skip them. The monster of Gray 17, Skip!



One big thing though.......I hope JMS is wise enough to "upset" the show. One of the best things from B5 is how things changed.......with "real life writing the plot". To have the good president appoint Sinclar to B5, and then for Clark to "promote" him to Ambassador, and then bring in Sheridin that the Minbari hated, on his first day really was a nice touch. And the Sinclar arc from commander to Ambassador to THE (Ranger) One to Valen really is a perfect arc for the character. And it's one that would never of happened if the actor had not had to leave the show. We would have gotten a lame Star Trek Reset Button -"Wow, cool relelation I will be Valen someday...well Reset Button...lets get back to the Station to be ready for next weeks adventure."

Having actors coming and going gave the show a much more real feel. As opposed to the sad Reset Button in shows like Star Trek where nearly everyone just "stayed on the ship/station" every time.

And I even like the Kefier mini arc. Sure they forced JMS to "add a space fighter pilot to your space show..pew pew", but JMS made it WORK. His mini arc of looking for the Shadow ship was nice and fit into the show well.


So, of the cast that is left.....who do you think should come back to guest star...and "as who?"

Bruce Boxlinter- I think the perfect part for him would be: President Clark.
Claudia Christian- General Hauge, or any high up such Earthforce person...or Morden
Bill Mummy- Any other minbari, maybe Naroon
Peter Jurask- Wow, he'd be perfect as the Centari Emperor, ya think
Jason Carter- any Ranger 'elder' or minbari
Patrica Tillman- any psicop...or the Ironside character

And....for fun....I'd fill the Bester roll with...well, any Star Trek actor that would take the part....to carry on the tradation. Maybe Garret Wang (aka Harry Kim), Jeri Ryan(Seven of Nine).....or...or Wil Weaton. I think Wil could do a great Bester.

 

[Ryujin]

I was a little unhappy with the idea of a reboot of B5. But JMS is doing it and I think he made a good case for it in his post. He says he will be under his control and won't be some modern trash. So like hopefully they won't change all the characters genders, races(human races), and everything else.

As much as I love B5 it did have lots of problems. As a at the time 22 episode show, it had three types of them:

*Awesome Arc Episodes
*Lukewarm Arc Background Episodes
"Beyond Awful Trash

The Arc ones make B5 what it is, but the Arc background ones are a bit hit and miss. Sometimes they are a decent show, but all two often they just waste time.

And the Beyond Awful shows...ugh, they are hard to watch even once. On a typical rewatch, I just skip them. The monster of Gray 17, Skip!



One big thing though.......I hope JMS is wise enough to "upset" the show. One of the best things from B5 is how things changed.......with "real life writing the plot". To have the good president appoint Sinclar to B5, and then for Clark to "promote" him to Ambassador, and then bring in Sheridin that the Minbari hated, on his first day really was a nice touch. And the Sinclar arc from commander to Ambassador to THE (Ranger) One to Valen really is a perfect arc for the character. And it's one that would never of happened if the actor had not had to leave the show. We would have gotten a lame Star Trek Reset Button -"Wow, cool relelation I will be Valen someday...well Reset Button...lets get back to the Station to be ready for next weeks adventure."

Having actors coming and going gave the show a much more real feel. As opposed to the sad Reset Button in shows like Star Trek where nearly everyone just "stayed on the ship/station" every time.

And I even like the Kefier mini arc. Sure they forced JMS to "add a space fighter pilot to your space show..pew pew", but JMS made it WORK. His mini arc of looking for the Shadow ship was nice and fit into the show well.


So, of the cast that is left.....who do you think should come back to guest star...and "as who?"

Bruce Boxlinter- I think the perfect part for him would be: President Clark.
Claudia Christian- General Hauge, or any high up such Earthforce person...or Morden
Bill Mummy- Any other minbari, maybe Naroon
Peter Jurask- Wow, he'd be perfect as the Centari Emperor, ya think
Jason Carter- any Ranger 'elder' or minbari
Patrica Tillman- any psicop...or the Ironside character

And....for fun....I'd fill the Bester roll with...well, any Star Trek actor that would take the part....to carry on the tradation. Maybe Garret Wang (aka Harry Kim), Jeri Ryan(Seven of Nine).....or...or Wil Weaton. I think Wil could do a great Bester.

Of the ones that you listed, I think that Garrett Wang would likely be the best choice, but I think that they skewed a bit too old with that role. Koenig was 60 years old when he played it. Wang it already 52, which is on the high end of what I would like to see. Someone in their 40s would, i think, be a better fit.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned, that I think had a fair bit to do with B5's original excellence, is the use of Harlan Ellison as the "conceptual consultant." Mr. Ego, as I like to call him, contributed a great deal to the feel of the B5 universe. He's gone now, but I would hope that JMS would bring much of what he created to the new version.

 

[Umbran]

Wang it already 52, which is on the high end of what I would like to see. Someone in their 40s would, i think, be a better fit.

Unless the character is supposed to be an Action Hero, I don't see why he should be younger.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned, that I think had a fair bit to do with B5's original excellence, is the use of Harlan Ellison as the "conceptual consultant." Mr. Ego, as I like to call him, contributed a great deal to the feel of the B5 universe. He's gone now, but I would hope that JMS would bring much of what he created to the new version.

JMS is legally the executor of the Ellison Estate. You can probably expect that a goodly Ellison influence will be present in the work.

 

[payn]

So like hopefully they won't change all the characters genders, races(human races), and everything else.

Not even on the list of concerns for me.

So, of the cast that is left.....who do you think should come back to guest star...and "as who?"

Bruce Boxlinter- I think the perfect part for him would be: President Clark.
Claudia Christian- General Hauge, or any high up such Earthforce person...or Morden
Bill Mummy- Any other minbari, maybe Naroon
Peter Jurask- Wow, he'd be perfect as the Centari Emperor, ya think
Jason Carter- any Ranger 'elder' or minbari
Patrica Tillman- any psicop...or the Ironside character

And....for fun....I'd fill the Bester roll with...well, any Star Trek actor that would take the part....to carry on the tradation. Maybe Garret Wang (aka Harry Kim), Jeri Ryan(Seven of Nine).....or...or Wil Weaton. I think Wil could do a great Bester.

I think Jeffery Combs would make a killer Bester, though he already played a telepath in B5.

I dont think Wil Weaton is a very good actor. In his youth perhaps, but much of his guest appearances on SyFy stuff has been pretty wooden and doesnt feel all that natural. Not that hes ever up against televisions best, but his roles always feel weak and distract rather than add to the program.

 

[Umbran]

I dont think Wil Weaton is a very good actor. In his youth perhaps, but much of his guest appearances on SyFy stuff has been pretty wooden and doesnt feel all that natural. Not that hes ever up against televisions best, but his roles always feel weak and distract rather than add to the program.

For a long time (and possibly to this day), Wheaton hated acting - he was basically abused into the profession by his parents, and suffers from anxiety as a result. That's part of why he's moved into more hosting and voice work these days.

 

[Ryujin]

For a long time (and possibly to this day), Wheaton hated acting - he was basically abused into the profession by his parents, and suffers from anxiety as a result. That's part of why he's moved into more hosting and voice work these days.

Agreed. And given that his appearances have been quite frequently "as himself", I'd say the wooden delivery is likely on purpose.

 

[Ryujin]

Unless the character is supposed to be an Action Hero, I don't see why he should be younger.

JMS is legally the executor of the Ellison Estate. You can probably expect that a goodly Ellison influence will be present in the work.

I didn't know that he was the executor. That's very good news.

I'm not thinking action hero, though Bester had his moments in the original series. I'm thinking more up and coming middle/upper manager who wants the top chair. That role tends to skew as mature, but not old to me.

 

[payn]

For a long time (and possibly to this day), Wheaton hated acting - he was basically abused into the profession by his parents, and suffers from anxiety as a result. That's part of why he's moved into more hosting and voice work these days.

I heard this. I assumed it was part of his awkwardness in some of his roles in the last 10-15 years. Im glad he found a niche that works for him.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I’m not necessarily a fan of the “cameo” recastings, but the idea of Garret Wang as the new Bester? That has legs, IMHO.

 

[Stalker0]

I was a little unhappy with the idea of a reboot of B5. But JMS is doing it and I think he made a good case for it in his post. He says he will be under his control and won't be some modern trash. So like hopefully they won't change all the characters genders, races(human races), and everything else.

As much as I love B5 it did have lots of problems. As a at the time 22 episode show, it had three types of them:

*Awesome Arc Episodes
*Lukewarm Arc Background Episodes
"Beyond Awful Trash

The Arc ones make B5 what it is, but the Arc background ones are a bit hit and miss. Sometimes they are a decent show, but all two often they just waste time.

And the Beyond Awful shows...ugh, they are hard to watch even once. On a typical rewatch, I just skip them. The monster of Gray 17, Skip!



One big thing though.......I hope JMS is wise enough to "upset" the show. One of the best things from B5 is how things changed.......with "real life writing the plot". To have the good president appoint Sinclar to B5, and then for Clark to "promote" him to Ambassador, and then bring in Sheridin that the Minbari hated, on his first day really was a nice touch. And the Sinclar arc from commander to Ambassador to THE (Ranger) One to Valen really is a perfect arc for the character. And it's one that would never of happened if the actor had not had to leave the show. We would have gotten a lame Star Trek Reset Button -"Wow, cool relelation I will be Valen someday...well Reset Button...lets get back to the Station to be ready for next weeks adventure."

Having actors coming and going gave the show a much more real feel. As opposed to the sad Reset Button in shows like Star Trek where nearly everyone just "stayed on the ship/station" every time.

And I even like the Kefier mini arc. Sure they forced JMS to "add a space fighter pilot to your space show..pew pew", but JMS made it WORK. His mini arc of looking for the Shadow ship was nice and fit into the show well.


So, of the cast that is left.....who do you think should come back to guest star...and "as who?"

Bruce Boxlinter- I think the perfect part for him would be: President Clark.
Claudia Christian- General Hauge, or any high up such Earthforce person...or Morden
Bill Mummy- Any other minbari, maybe Naroon
Peter Jurask- Wow, he'd be perfect as the Centari Emperor, ya think
Jason Carter- any Ranger 'elder' or minbari
Patrica Tillman- any psicop...or the Ironside character

And....for fun....I'd fill the Bester roll with...well, any Star Trek actor that would take the part....to carry on the tradation. Maybe Garret Wang (aka Harry Kim), Jeri Ryan(Seven of Nine).....or...or Wil Weaton. I think Wil could do a great Bester.

Good old Gray 17. One of the best A plots with Marcus and Naroon, and one of the worst B plots with the weird cult. Hehe one of the episodes I always skip part way through