For years Babylon 5 has been in this incredibly frustrating limbo with Warner Brothers. Every other year there seems to be some rumor the studio wants to make a movie, or (gag) reboot the series. Maybe, once and for all, that will end. At the Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas last Friday, Walter Koenig (Bester) revealed that over dinner with J. Michael Straczynski:
He told me that he is in negations to re-acquire the rights to Babylon 5 and it looks pretty good. Now what that portends I am not entirely sure. It could be a new series or it could be a feature film, but he was quite animated about it. He seemed very excited and Warner Brothers is dealing with him in good faith. So you might see another Babylon 5 in the not too distant future.
Creator control can be a blessing (The Guild) and a curse (Star Wars prequels). However, I think Babylon 5 was always at it’s the best when there was little studio executive interference. Here’s to hoping for a bright future for the Third Age of Mankind.
I’m fairly certain that what Walter was referring to was the failed project that JMS talked about at Comic-Con. Whatever else may be under discussion, JMS said that talks are only informal and nothing may happen for a year or so.