As mentioned by Tim in this week’s show, the Kosh for President campaign has some competition as a couple of formidable tickets have thrown their hats into the ring. The folks over at b5scripts.com and cafepress.com have enlisted Londo and G’Kar under the banner of “How much worse could it be?” They seem to have the support of JMS, but that may not be exactly what it appears. The two ambassadors offer a flexible approach to governing, promising on their website, “Should the electorate find themselves not happy with the slate as elected, whoever is in second position will gladly assassinate the other in order to bring about a referendum.” Between Londo’s oratorical flair and G’Kar’s well-known appeal to the fairer sex, the Vorlon will have to manipulate, I mean, sway, many minds to come out on top.
Analysts are unsure what effect the third ticket will have on the election. Zathrus and Zathrus have also announced, under the banner of “Zathrus trained in crisis management.” They also promise “in times of economic belt-tightening by electing one Zathras you elect all Zathras, nine for the price of the One.”
More on both campaigns, along with ways to show your choice, are available here.
This post from JMS just came up on the newsgroup (in response to a post about “The Changeling”, the film he wrote for Clint Eastwood.)
From a general article on Clint Eastwood came the following:
TOUR DE FORCE
Next month, Eastwood starts filming “The Changeling” starring Angelina Jolie, about a woman whose child is kidnapped. When the child is returned, she suspects a swap has taken place.
“It’s a great tour de force for a woman … with John Malkovich and a lot of very good actors,” Eastwood said.
Here’s the other part of it.
For the last year, very much under the radar, I’ve been working with two film makers who have created some of the biggest SF movies in the last twenty years on a television project. (I can’t reveal their identities, but pick any three of their movies and you have box office of over two billion dollars.) We’ve been quietly writing and creating the first three scripts for a new SF series that would pretty much revolutionize the form, and which have gone out to the networks for auction. Offers are coming in. Whether or not the offers are enough to make the project work — it’s huge — remains to be seen. Where this goes will be determined in the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned.
jms
I know it’s not the Lost Tales news we’ve been waiting for, but pretty intriguing, none the less. Let the commenting and speculation begin!
Thanks to our friends over at ISN News, we got word of an interview JMS gave to Starburst Magazine in their July issue. The folks over at TrekWeb have a small excerpt here. The whole magazine can be purchased here. For those who don’t feel like clicking through (or spending $10.99), the crucial exchange is this:
Are you thinking about the next stories [for the next DVD] ? Would a Garibaldi story be in the mix if there’s another DVD ?
JMS : Yeah, if we do another one I would definitely put the Garibaldi (Jerry Doyle) story in and probably a Londo (Peter Jurasik). That would be my preference for the next two [...].
Now we just await word from Warner Brothers to turn JMS’ “if” into a “when”!
It seems Jeffrey isn’t the only one with B5 swag still stashed away. The good folks over at babylon5scripts.com have delayed the release of Volume 12 to accommodate JMS’ discovery of archives that pre-date the pilot. As a result, Volume 12 can still be ordered at the discounted price of $10 off the usual $39.95 until September 18. In addition to JMS’ introduction and bonus material, this volume covers scripts from “A View From The Gallery” though “Phoenix Rising” and can be ordered here.
Click below to see the full memo from JMS and the Scripts Team.
Read more
JMS is asking for help from all fans in a (geographic) position to do so. Without further preamble, here’s JMS:
Though in this case the historical entity being reclaimed is…well, me, basically. I’ll explain in a moment.
First, an apology and explanation for being absent for so long. The last few months have been probably the most hectic in terms of deadlines and work in the history of my career. The work has been great, but there’s just been a bucket of it and it’s all been due at once. I’ve turned in the latest draft of World War Z and it’s now going out to directors, I’m now on the third draft of the Silver Surfer movie which is also being fast-tracked, Changeling starts shooting in almost exactly two months, I’m hip deep in comics work and finishing the final touches to a TV project that we will be taking out to sell early September, and I’ve started the screenplay for They Marched Into Sunlight for Paul Greengrass and Tom Hanks company. All of this, in addition to a personal tragedy – the recent loss of my father in law – has put me way behind the eight ball of late. But I’m finally digging out from under…which brings me to this note.
Maggie Egan’s new website is up and running @ maggieegan.net, thanks to the magical ministrations of our web Wonder Woman, Summer. The site had been inactive since 2002. If any of you out there have old newsletters or other information to fill the gap between then and now, please email them to Summer.
Maggie’s not the only B5 actor with a presence on the web. Our own Jeffrey Willerth and Pat Tallman both have sites hosted by The Galactic Gateway.
The Official Bruce and Melissa Site is the site for our favorite captain turned president and his wife (both here and on B5). Claudia Christian can be found at claudiachristian.net. Bill Mumy’s site covers everything from his music to his 48 years(!) in show biz.
The website for Jerry Doyle’s radio show is here.
For Crusade and Lost Tales fans, Peter Woodward’s site is here. Carrie Dobro can be found here.
IGN has posted video interviews from Comic Con with JMS, Bruce and Tracy, and producer Sara Barnes. Tracy reveals she’a a self-proclaimed geek, and Bruce gives us his “spartan” list of favorite movies this year. And, of course, their thoughts on THE LOST TALES and how it felt to return to B5 after almost 10 years. Check them out for a preview of things to come on the podcast.
(Thanks to Phil from LI NY from the forums for tracking these down.)
Link: IGN Comic Con interviews
JMS and Warner Bros. have taken the opportunity of THE LOST TALES launch to honor the memories of Andreas Katsulas and Richard Biggs. There are memorial reminiscences included on the DVD, in addition to the special comic mentioned below.
In that spirit, I wanted to let everyone know about, or remind them of, the very moving tributes to both of them produced by Z-Team Productions at the times they passed beyond the rim.
(Quicktime 7 required)
Webpages
In Memorium, Andreas Katsulas (Galactic Gateway)
ISN News Memorial Page: Tim Choate Memorial Fund info, Johnny Sekka
ISN Anchor Desk Memorial page: Full listing of those who wait in a place where no shadows fall
TLT, Lift-off
The San Diego Comic Con, held over last weekend, served as the launchpad for THE LOST TALES. There was a Lost Tales panel Friday, with JMS, Bruce Boxleitner, Tracy Scoggins, Peter Woodward, producers Samm Barnes and Doug Netter in attendance. JMS had a solo panel on Saturday, covering the many projects the Great Maker has cooking. There were B5 signing sessions throughout the weekend, with even Doug Netter, who usually prefers staying behind the scenes, sitting in on the Lost Tales signing! Claudia Christian and Pat Tallman were also at the Con. For the B5-centric, there is a full report on the proceedings at the Comic Con thread, over at the JMSnews forums. Great work by Jan (moderator and queen of the B5 script collectors), Jon (SmileOfTheShadow) and Joe Nazzaro, who moderated the Lost Tales panel. Additional reports can be found at Beyond The Rim and The Futon Critic.
Best Buy is including a big bonus with the Lost Tales DVD, a small comic memorializing Andrea Katsulas and Richard Biggs. It was given out at Comic Con and is only available in limited quantities. If you haven’t pre-ordered (or if your pre-order was delayed), dash right out and get your copy, while they last. Sales will determine whether we get more Lost Tales. JMS and Doug Netter again made that clear this weekend.
Meanwhile, interviews have been appearing in the leadup to the launch. As Tim mentioned, SciFi Weekly interviewed Bruce, Tracy, and Peter. SyFyPortal talked to Bruce, and both Dreamwatch and TV Zone talked with Tracy.
That’s all, folks! (for now.)
Happy launch day, everyone!
TLT, -1 day
The CG Society has released Part 3 of their “Lost Tales” production diary. Page One shows off some familiar ships in their new hi-res glory, plus Sheridan’s new flagship, IA-1. Also, more on the expanded docking bay.
Page Two does contain a plot spoiler, as it continues the montage of the New York composite shot shown previously. Wait until you’ve seen it, then go back to see how it was all put together.
Link: CG Society “Lost Tales”, Part 3
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