After Battlestar Galactica, Another '90s Space Opera's Reboot Is Bound To Be A Hit

Battlestar Galactica is a rare reboot that worked incredibly well. More often than not, reboots come off as forced cash grabs that struggle to be half as good as their parent shows. The 2004 reboot of Battlestar Galactica could have fallen into the same trap. However, it proved that, if handled carefully, even the reboots of seemingly outdated cult classics can etch a new identity for themselves.

Speaking of sci-fi cult classics, Babylon 5 is another iconic space opera from the 1990s that was going to get a modern reboot. Even the show's original creator, J. Michael Straczynski, was involved with the project, which made it seem incredibly promising. However, over the years, little has been said about the planned reboot.

It now seems like Babylon 5's reboot is stuck in production hell, leaving an air of ambiguity surrounding its future. Considering how much potential a Babylon 5 reboot holds, though, it is hard not to hope that it will eventually see the light of day. If it eventually happens, it will have the potential to be as ambitious and successful as Battlestar Galactica.

A Babylon 5 Reboot Could Work As Well As Battlestar Galactica

Babylon 5 was already way ahead of its time when it comes to ambition. The show featured everything from complex political intrigue and interstellar wars to long-term character arcs. Unfortunately, when it landed on the small-screen, TV productions had significantly limited budgets. Not to mention, even the CGI in the 1990s had many limitations.

Now that TV productions, too, have bigger budgets and access to far more advanced visual effects technology, a Babylon 5 reboot could finally bring its ambitious vision to life with fewer budgetary and visual effects restraints.

Babylon 5 was also among the handful of sci-fi shows from the '90s that followed a pre-planned long-term arc. Most other series of the genre have an episodic reset to allow viewers to step in and watch anytime. After so many decades, serialized prestige TV relies more on the format followed by Babylon 5.

While TV cancellations have become incredibly common, a Babylon 5 reboot could last for five whole seasons if it sticks to the original show's compelling five-year arc.

BSG resonated in the 2000s because it mirrored post-9/11 anxieties and religious extremism. Babylon 5, too, could have similar relevance in this day and age because of its relatable themes of geopolitical tensions, fascism, and imperialism.

Why Has Babylon 5’s Reboot Not Happened Yet?

MovieStillsDB

Almost half a decade ago, in 2021, J. Michael Straczynski (JMS) announced that he was working on a ground-up reboot for The CW in partnership with Warner Bros. Television. Unfortunately, this early announcement was followed up by many production complications and network shift issues that held the rebook back from seeing the light of day.

Nexstar's acquisition of The CW after Paramount and WarnerMedia put it up for sale alone was one of the major contributors to the reboot's development woes. JMS and the studio even tried to shop the pilot script to other networks and streaming services, hoping that it would get a second chance. That, too, however, proved to be an uphill battle.

Babylon 5 also had a complex distribution history when it first premiered. The show was also almost canceled after season 5 before TNT stepped in to keep it alive for its final planned installment. With so many obstacles holding the reboot back, it seems like it will be a while before it happens. When it does, though, it is hard not to see how it will have as much potential as Battlestar Galactica.

• 

  Babylon 5

  Release Date 1994 - 1998-00-00

  Network Syndication, TNT

  • 

    Bruce Boxleitner

    John Sheridan

  • 
• 

  Battlestar Galactica

  

  9/10

  Release Date 2004 - 2009-00-00

  • 

    Edward James Olmos

    William Adama

  • 

    Mary McDonnell

    Laura Roslin