Serenity the Sequel or TV show?
POSTED BY: TragicStory
UPDATED: Monday, April 12, 2004 20:18
VIEWED: 9732
PAGE 2 of 5
Quote:
Originally posted by TragicStory:
2. Joss wanted to wrap things up in the BDM. EVERY movie after Porky's 2 that made any decent profit has spawned a sequel. If Joss wraps things up, then it it very hard to make a sequel.
The story Joss and co came up with was due to run for 5+ years on TV (or else why bother). Wrapping up the story? I doubt it - the movie will be self contained, but there will be options for sequels aplenty. The movie is designed as a franchise, TV or otherwise.
I hate to say it guys, but if Serenity does well enough to warrant a movie sequel, we are unlikely to see it back on TV - time taken to film a series - 8-10 months. Time for a movie? 2-3 months at most. Pay for the movie likely to be the same as for the series, if not more, and exposure to audience hopefully even bigger. Who would choose to go back to a TV series?
Quote:
Anyone know of a series that was turned into a movie and then ressurected as a series?
Star Trek.
Firefly:The Next Generation
Quote:
Who owns the rights to Firefly or better yet, how much control does Joss have? Can he just take it and walk or does it no longer belong to him in any way?
I've read a JMS quote on this (re:B5) that I'm guessing will be the same here, but nada, zip, sweet fa etc. The series creator has no right to say they can't make the series without them (see Chris Carter and X-Files when he said he was leaving but the show might go on), and the copyright they own is limited - if I can fish out the JMS post I'll put a link up.
"I threw up on your bed"
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Quote:
Originally posted by Astriana:Quote:Seriously, no snarkiness intended here... If you're playing devil's advocate by arguing AGAINST a new series and in favor of a sequel, could you also flip the coin and argue FOR a new series AND a sequel?
Originally posted by TragicStory:
****I am playing devil's advocate so no hate mail please******
~A~
...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.
OK My arguements FOR a series:
1. Awards. Firefly would get an ASSLOAD of awards. Execs would grab their ankles and lube themselves up for an award.
2. Merchandising. Nothing makes more money than Merchandising and as has been told to me on a previous thread, "rehashed crap slapped with a "serenity" sticker" would sell like crack in a ghetto.
3. Money. If, I REPEAT if, done right, this thing will make many people richer than God. See #2.
4. This is the most original, insightful and believable sci-fi story ever brought to the screen. (but we all know that Fox didn't care about that)
-----------
"Societies are supported by human activity, therefore they are constantly threatened by the human facts of self-intrest and stupidity." --Peter Berger
NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
So here is my idea. If God forbid, I am right, I suggest kidnapping Joss, the actors and several bottles of good scotch and having an old fashioned campfire story telling. How much would you pay for a chance to hear Joss spill out 5 years worth of ideas in one night amidst 40+ proof bottles and some pipes of "special tobacco"?
-----------
"Societies are supported by human activity, therefore they are constantly threatened by the human facts of self-intrest and stupidity." --Peter Berger
NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Prediction:
Firefly: Serenity will be a top-ten grosser for the year 2005.
Why? Because "Star Wars III: The Inevitable Conclusion" will bomb. Remember -- those of you old enough to remember the first trilogy of the SW saga -- that Anakin becomes Darth, the universe is plunged into the utter darkness of evil, the Jedi are destroyed ("You are the last of that dead religion, Lord Vader", cough,cough, choke), Amidala dies/runs for her life with her twins Luke and Leia because of Darth, etc. Total downer ending for the franchise.
The next factor: In addition to the growth of the civilian fanbase of Firefly through DVD sales, proselytization by fans (me included), and the efforts of sites like FFFn (good job Haken!), our military men and women have found a resonance in Firefly's story and characters and will be at theaters in droves. It'll be a love-fest between Browncoats and our heros of American freedom.
So, between the spillover of those disappointed by the stilted dialogue, wooden acting and utterly depressing conclusion of Star Wars wanting to see thrilling, thoughtful, and witty sci-fi, and the turnout of Firefly Faithful and their beloved American heros, I think we'll get boffo box.
I also believe it will then return to network TV. Universal said, "Write it for return to TV", and then Joss did. As to whether FOX owns it or not, I know JW/ME shopped it around to other nets; so is the argument that he was shopping it for Fox? They must have given him the release to try to sell it to others...
That's my prediction, and you can throw it up to me anytime you like. Anybody who disagrees, just let me say, "I find you're lack of faith... Disturbing".
Respectfully,
zoid
_________________________________________________
"River didn't fix faith. Faith fixed River."
- Senator Richard 'Book' Wilkins, Independent Congress
author of A Child Shall Lead Them: A History of the Second War of Independence
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
With regards to the movie, I think it will be a big hit. With Joss at the helm, how can you go far wrong? Universal Studios is a well respected and credible company that puts out some top-notch flicks. UPN will most likely pick up an updated version of the tv series after the first movie has grossed over 100 million dollars. Production of tv series eps will start about one year after movie release. With the sluggish scifi activity on tv and the movies lately, I think Firefly will be a breath of fresh air. With the amount of time that has passed since F-- Network cancelled the show, I think audiences will have a fresh perspective on Firefly. Lets face it, Firefly was and is a good show, we all know it! I look forward to seeing my favorite show on the big screen soon. (Also, on the small screen if all goes well.)
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Quote:Big Screen movies? I think the closest analogy to Firefly would be Battlestar Galactica. I think, however, that many (some?) of you may be a little young to remember the original. Once upon a time, there was a TV serious called Battlestar Galactica loved by Star Wars fans nationwide. Then it was cancelled and later came out at the theaters as Battlestar Galactica the Movie, which was really just the premier touched up for the big screen. I remember seeing it at the drive in theater. Later, I believe, it returned to TV as the widely unsuccessful Galactica 1980. Not really a glowing endorsement of the Firefly to come, but hopeful Firefly will have better success then Galactica.
Originally posted by TragicStory:
Now two questions:
Anyone know of a series that was turned into a movie and then ressurected as a series?
Who owns the rights to Firefly or better yet, how much control does Joss have? Can he just take it and walk or does it no longer belong to him in any way?
As far as who owns Firefly, I think that largely depends on how the contract was written, but since the movie is being made, I would think that Universal currently owns it. The amount of freedom they offer him is directly proportional to how big they expect the movie to be and indirectly proportional to how much money they are putting into it.
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
This is what I understand about this. Universal wanted Joss working for them. Fox has exclusive TV rights with Joss and Mutant Enemy, so Universal made a movie deal with him. He pushed for Serenity as his first movie project, and after seeing the success of the DVD set, they greenlighted the film.
Here's what I think will happen. If the Serenity is a success (and I believe it will be), Joss will lobby for another Firefly/Serenity(?) series. If that is to happen, it's up to Fox to greenlight, not Universal. Universal may have the movie rights, but Fox still retains the TV rights. It's complicated, and we don't know the details of either contract, so we'll just have to wait and see.
Personally, I hope that Firefly is given a second chance, and that it ends up on a network like Sci-Fi, where the ratings demands aren't as strict as with the major networks. WIth a home like that, it will have time to build a wider audience.
I'd given some thought to movin' off the edge -- not an ideal location -- thinkin' a place in the middle.
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
There is a third possibility: TV movies. Smaller budget than a big-screen movie and takes just as short a time to film. Plus, Joss can string together a series of TV movies over the course of a few years or so.
Also, I'm sorry, but I don't see Serenity being a huge success at the box office. If I'm correct (and judging by the series I think I am), the story will be deep, chalk full of interesting characters and dramatic situations with some nice action here and there...not the kind of shallow rollercoaster ride movie-goers flock to see. Serenity will be overshadowed by the likes of Star Wars Episode III and the vast amount of fans so blinded by loyalty that they couldn't tell how crappy Episode II was. I think Serenity will do well enough, but I don't think it'll be a huge hit.
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Quote:
Originally posted by SadLittleKing:
I don't see Serenity being a huge success at the box office. If I'm correct (and judging by the series I think I am), the story will be deep, chalk full of interesting characters and dramatic situations with some nice action here and there...not the kind of shallow rollercoaster ride movie-goers flock to see.
Your description of Serenity could be used for some very sucessful movies like:
Titanic (where the only action really happens in the last reel). World-wide Box Office $1,835,300,000
Forrest Gump. World-wide Box Office $679,400,000
The Sixth Sense. World-wife Box Office $661,500,000
Ocean's Eleven. World-wife Box Office $444,200,000
Etc., etc., etc. The list goes on. Sure, big action movies do seem to top the box office, but there are plently of exceptions. There's a little movie that none of the studios thought had any chance for decient returns, that's currently on track to beat Titanic, called "The Passion Of Jesus Christ". Now I don't want to start a theological debate, but it's hardly a "shallow rollercoaster ride movie".
I'd given some thought to movin' off the edge -- not an ideal location -- thinkin' a place in the middle.
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Quote:
Originally posted by jgsugden:
Networks are intereted n series that can go 100 episodes and do well in syndication. That is why Angel was cancelled this season: It reached 100 episodes, but it looked to be failing as a syndication option, so it was bypassed. Fox would have been far wiser to hold off on syndicating it until it could be paired with Buffy on FX, reenergizing the Buffy viewings and supporting a stronger base for Angel views ...
Actually that has nothing to do with why Angel was cancelled. Angel has been airing in syndication this past year, since September, after striking a deal last May. Angel reruns were put into syndication after only 88 episodes, IMO due to the influence on DVD's on television.
Angel was cancelled because of Twentieth Century Fox's high and rising licensing fee, the high cost to ratings ratio (especially taking reruns into account), and the WB's strategy for revamping their network.
NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME