Movie Storyline

[Darrell Lawrence]

Ok folks... time to play "I write the story!" :D

With Larson once again "teasing" about a movie, what type of a storyline would you like to see?

Previous "failed" attempts at the revival do not count, AKA The Second Coming, Larson's previous attempt in 1999 (with the Battlestar Atlantis buried on Earth) or DeSanto's project.

Some ideas of what to think about-

Would you like it to be a fresh start style of movie, ala the first Star Trek movie (we know the STORY sucked, but that's not what I am referring to. What I am referring to is a fresh storyline start), or would you like a story that takes from one of the episodes, ala Star Trek II- The Wrath of Kahn (from the ST ep Space Seed).

Secondly, what placement would you put the characters? Who'd be in charge, etc etc.

Go for it! You're on the clock! :D

[peter noble]

The movie starts with a two Viper patrols in different sectors, one patrol gets destroyed by an unknown enemy, the other finds a derelict spaceship in an asteroid crater.

Meanwhile the Council of 12 votes for the fleet's voyage and quest to stop, and instead of Earth the priority is put on finding the nearest inhabitable planet to sustain the Colonials as the Cylons haven't been spotted in 12 yahrens.

Apollo is stripped of command of the Galactica and his friends want to resign in protest but he tells them to maintain there posts as he has a bad feeling about their situation.

The new commander of the Galactica is an asshole and the crew don't respect him.

The derelict ship turns out to be a ship of the 13th Tribe and a team is sent to investigate it.

Apollo has a dream about Serina, in it she takes him to a frozen, ravaged planet hurtling through space, it's the planet of the Cylons, they've turned the homeworld into a spaceship by cannabalising it's resources to continue their mad dream of wiping out the Colonials.

Sarcophagi from the derelict are brought aboard the Galactica for analysis but any attempt to open them fails and the contents can't be scanned. In the dead of night they open revealing a new generation of Cylon, the Cylons kill some guards and make their way to the engine room to blow up the ship by exploding the TCD. The derelict was a lure planted by the Cylons!

The Cylons are spotted by Starbuck and he tells the acting commander but the guy panics leaving Apollo to assume command and come up with a plan to halt the Cylons who are mowing everything down in their path to get to the engine room.

Just at that moment three Cylon basestars are scanned and they are closing on the fleet...

[Titon]

Ok Peter, keep goin!

:D

[peter noble]

Ok Peter, keep goin!

:D

Got to got to bed now, but of course they stop the Cylons in the engine room and then there's a big frack off battle with all our guys and girls and the Galactica ensnares one baseship in its forcefield a la Experiment In Terra and the thing destroys itself when its energy weapons are reflected back at itself. The other two basestars are dealt with by the G looping round the sun and coming straight at them from behind the sun, the G goes into a roll across her axis and fires a salvo of missiles from one side and all her laser cannons at one basestar and come out of the roll and fires the missiles from the other side at the remaining basestar destroying that too.

In the end they find the derelict despite being a Cylon lure is really a ship of the 13th Tribe and in its data banks there is a hologram of a shining blue planet, a planet called Earth!

[Titon]

Sweew!

That was close!

:D

[Darrell Lawrence]

Next! ;)

[Senmut]

ANY new BSG continuation should, IMNSHO, begin with the funeral of Adama. Stu Philip's score, overlaying shifting scene's from the show, of Adama, from Cimtar all the way to HOG.

[jewels]

If I wrote the story this is some basic drift of where I would go with some backstory:

It's the 40th anniversary of the exile (remember Colonials had 200 yahren normal lifespans). Adama died 5 yrs prior. Tigh is commander but will step down at the Remembrance Day celebration in favor of Apollo taking Command while Tigh becomes Quorum President and is able to devote more time to shaping young warriors as chancellor of the Academy’s War College.

In the 40 yahrens time the cat and mouse game with the Cylons continued on and off for 15 yahren. For another 5 the RTF searched for Earth only stopping for brief resupply missions or to explore newfound ruins. At the 20th yahren they entered a solar system rich in resources with habitable planets (not more than 2, with a mineral rich asteroid belt). The ships were showing wear and the strain of the fly-by night repairs of 2 decades and it was decided to stop and create a temporary settlement.

There was an ever present sense of being able to evacuate this new colony quickly was a part of life, much like tornado or fire drills in public buildings on earth. First the colony was built from on planet materials and the dismantling of ships beyond serviceability. Industries redeveloped to rebuild the fleet and fashion the colony dwellings and facilities. Mineral ships mined necessary ores and foundary ships crafted it into parts for new ships and things needed to build the colony. After 5 yahren the eldest of the fleet's citizens decided the colony New Delphi (named in honor of the Delphian Empire), would become their final stop on the journey. At that point also new warships were built to escort the fleet, 2 guardians, a protector, several gunstars and a protector that was equipped for long-range reconnaissance. Colonial service for the youth was an accustomed stage of life transition, a 2 to 4 yahren term served after Academy training. (Yes, they reopenned the Academy to train their youth, I'm using something similar to how Switzerland staffs their military since the colonial have a period of peace). Dr. Boxey (if there can be an adult named "Boomer" and one named "Jolly" I have no problem with "Boxey") leads the scientific and archelogical parts of the recon mission, Col. Boomer is in command of the ship. Their mission is to scout the path (still the WotG coordinates) toward earth for Cylons and 13th Tribe remains. They are returning from a successful mission as the story starts. One of their viper patrols discovers a derelict Cylon Warstar very early 7th millenia model, nearly a ruin itself. A debate ensues about exploring it or letting the sleeping dog lie and watching it.

Col. Starbuck is over the flight school and viper squadrons. Cassie is now Flight Surgeon of the Galactica and trains new Docs and nurses, much as she was trained by Dr. Salik. At that critical battle 25 yahren past, the Pegasus had rejoined the fleet for 2 yahren. In that 2 yahren Cain had died and Sheba, as a Col. had assumed command of the Pegasus. In the midst of the final Cylon battle the Pegasus was lost with Sheba aboard. Pegasus had not been heard from for 20 yahren. This time, though, when she was lost she was fully battle staffed and had 2 squadrons aboard. This time she’s not a sitting duck carrier without fighters aboard.

The colonists have planned to split their numbers with 2/3 taking once again to the stars and 1/3 remaining at the New Delphi colony within 1/2 yahren of the Protector's return. The fleet has been retrofitted with more defenses and better scanning technology. Vipers have been upgraded. The G herself upgraded. Some warships will remain with the colonies: 1 Guardian and several of the more mobile Gunstars. There are also planet based defenses.

When the Warstar is found the Protector contacts the Galactica on Fleet comline alpha. Suddenly the Protector is under attack and notifies the Galactica of it's distress. Not wanting to reveal the colony's position, it retreats while fighting into a different direction. The distress call is answered by Commander Sheba of the Pegasus. She orders communication silence after informing the protector that the Pegasus is nearby and will be aiding them. Of course her battle tactics are worthy of Cain's daughter. (I’m debating turning this on it’s head, having the distress be from the Pegasus which needs repairs after 20+ yahren and it’s answered by the Protector which must terminate it’s work on 13th tribe ruins to come to Pegasus’ aid. It also would reveal that the colonials have other ships if they come to the Pegasus’ aid)

The Galactica catches enough of the interchange to know that the Pegasus has located their exploration ship. On the Galactica, Apollo & Tigh are helpless to assist but they have problems of another sort. Following a rapid flyby by lighted orbs going incredible speeds, the regular long range viper patrol within New Delphi’s system has disappeared only to reappear a few centons later. Starbuck takes command of a viper squadron to collect the viper pilots when the pilot's conversation is overheard on the bridge. John's name is mentioned along with a comment about white uniforms and that necessitates Starbuck leading the recovery mission.

The message John gave to the young pilots is a warning about the return of the Cylons, that the Alliance is once more in an empire building mode. Starbuck, Apollo, Tigh and Siress Trinia (who over the years became a trusted Council ally) discuss how to present the young pilots warning and the inevitable political battle that will happen when it comes to pressing ALL of the colonials to once again flee to the stars.

Another communiqué is received from the Protector. She and the Pegasus are safe but have battle damage. They will await the fleet, destroying the Warstar ruin after exploring it. On the Warstar, Lucifer is found, nearly inactivated. He still remembers his interaction with Starbuck and the young female officer that finds him reminds him of Starbuck. It’s actually Cassie and Starbuck’s granddaughter and she wangles info out of Lucifer over a game of pyramids he requests.

The Quorum resists only through it’s own incredulity at Apollo & Tigh’s request, insisting on interviewing the young officer. It is decided to allow the colonials to decide whether to stay or flee individually. The lightships flybys intensify, being noticed even on the surface by the New Delphians. Some of the fleet warships are put out for patrol maneuvers long range from the colony to be a buffering rear guard. A patrol from one of these ships is attacked by Cylons and pilots are lost.

The evacuation order is given. The elders that had chosen to stay are included as it is deemed best because of the close proximity of the attacks to leave no one behind. This makes the fleet nearly as crammed as the original rag tag fleet, with disgruntled passengers to boot.

As the evacuation ships are loading the rear guard is attacked all out by 1 basestar which they reduce to debris. Several small battle ships are lost and the fleet jumps to a preset gathering point where the remaining battleships rejoin them. Several of the fleet ships are damaged by raider fire from raiders that got through the defense line. All ships but 1 transport and 1 electronics ship make the jump.

Story closes with 2 young warrior pilots returning to the G commenting about leaving the only world they’ve ever known for a floating metal box in space, unknown light years from that legendary shinning planet, Earth.

(I just thought ending a lot like Saga was a good way to honor what had been. Plus I’m only writing one of these stories IF I do get it done ever.)

Hope you enjoyed. Like I said, it's still gelling. Maybe a year from now it will actually be a flesh-out story you can read. ;)

Jewels

[Eric Paddon]

If I were tackling this kind of project, I know that my own fanfic stories would not work given the realities of what exists now, but I have an idea for a beginning and would then have to commit myself to go further.


Opening-A new version of the "There are those who believe....." narration set to a montage of key scenes from the original series explaining the series. This scene should not last more than 1-2 minutes.

Segue way into opening credits-Ironically, I would not necessarily start with the classic Phillips theme because I think to strike a tone for the next generation thing, a new theme that can come alongside the classic Phillips one can be introduced (in the same way that Jerry Goldsmith's Star Trek I theme is as integral part of Trek lore as the Courage TV theme).

Opening scene-Establish character of Boomer's or Starbuck's daughter as viper pilot on patrol (this to get strong female lead) on some kind of maneuver that lets us see how good her flying skills are.

Transition to the Galactica and the Fleet-Recue the music used that establishes the Galactica and Atlantia in Saga. First use of the classic Phillips theme. Either Apollo as Commander, or Boxey as Commander is making a journal entry in his quarters bringing us up to speed on how things are in the Fleet now. As he finishes, he is interrupted by Sheba, who tells him of the pending Council meeting of which they are both members. They talk about family and Fleet matters (and this lets dangling plot threads regarding Apollo and Sheba from the original to be taken care of by the end of the scene) and then we follow them through the Galactica where we get an exposure to how elaborate the ship and its operations are now (FX department can make a great deal of this).

-Council meeting, where we can also see Tigh still alive. Debate is over whether its time to think of just abandoning search for Earth and settle on first habitable planet since a number of yahrens have passed since last engagement with Cylons and Council critics suggest they have to have given up by now. Apollo/Boxey and Sheba are adamant about sticking to Commander Adama's vision of finding the brother tribe of Earth. The issue is deferred for now but must come up again for a formal vote soon.

-Female warrior lead returns to Galactica from maneuver and then goes to a session of Starbuck giving instruction to new warrior pilots, and Starbuck gets a chance to point out an example of someone who learned everything from him and is on her way to becoming the best. Ensuing conversation over next several minutes dispenses with all lingering plot threads regarding Starbuck/Cassiopeia/Chameleon from original series (the latter taken care of in one line when Starbuck says to the trainees, "It's like my old man, who was quite a con man in his day once said........")

-Establishing scene of Cylons. Baltar (whom I envision as Anthony Zerbe) is still in command after all these yahrens, still determined to hunt down the Fleet. He talks with Imperious Leader (voiced by Jeremy Irons I envision, who I would also see as my recasting for Iblis, since Patrick Macnee is really too old to handle the demands of the part at this point) about how there are listening stations set up by patrols over the last several yahrens along planetoids that he thinks will eventually be encountered by the Galactica, and how at long last they will soon finally expose themselves and be doomed at the hands of his task force.

-With pressure building from the Council to search new planetoids for possible settlement, a team led by Starbuck/Boomer's daughter and the male lead pilot of the story (could be Boxey if Apollo is still commander) investigate one that seems promising. Now the main action really begins that I would need to think more about, but at any rate this is how I would go in terms of establishing some new characters to serve as leads and set the stage for things.

[shugotenshi]

If I was tackling this project I'd take it in a different direction.

I'd set in the future of earth. In this future earth has colonized half the milky way and has a very powerful military that is on par with the colonials and the cylons. And that earth has allies and enemies that are also at the same level.

First ten minutes of the movie would be a cylon centurion reporting to the imperious leader that a cylon baseship was reported lost to unknown hostile forces and the imperious leader ordering ships to the area to investigate.

The next hour would be focused on establishing what the galactica, and the ragtag fleet, has been doing all these years. Introduce new characters, have it explained what happened to old characters, etc...

Would then have the counsel force the commander of the galactica into settling a new world as they haven't seen the cylons in the last 15 years.

Next hour would be the galactica discovering a battlegroup of wrecked cylon basestars and fighters, and ships of unknown origin in the starsystem that the fleet was headed for. After which I would have the communications board light up like a christmas tree with cylon combat frequences in the areas of space surrounding the fleet.

Then have the counsel panic, forcing the commander to attempt to save the day once again. Have the cylons discover the fleet at the same time that the ship of unknown origin discover the cylons. The movie endS with the cylons in retreat and the ship of unknown origin are allies of the planet earth...

[shugotenshi]

In addition, I might toss in a battle scene either while the counsel is talking to the commander, or while some pilots are are getting ready to launch to the starsystem in question...

[Senmut]

A Cylon suicide fighter rams the Galactica, hitting the Council Room. Tigh is left to rule alone, as he had just left them to continue their pointless bickering.

[Sept17th]

There maybe material in this thread for a fan film trailer. :D

[julix]

Is there going to be a fanfilm????

[Sept17th]

Oh yes, maybe two or three...we'll need help.

[Sept17th]

Any CGI/FX types interested in doing a trailer based on Bishop’s idea in this thread?

[oldwardaggit]

Lets see.

Here is an Idea I posted before but still think it would be a cool way to start a new Galactica . At first the Camera shot would be of the sky then it would lower for us to see the great pyramid and Standing in front of it is a Grand child and his grand father.

We hear the young boy say (Grand Dad? where did life come from? ) Then in an all to familiar voice we hear a reply ( There are those who believe that life here begun out there.......... )

Then at the end of that famous intro, The Grandfather turns for us to see that devilish count Ibly Grin and right off the bat we have a mystery that the original fans will clue in to right away but the new fans will know somethings up too just by the look on his face. How did he get there on earth and does he have anything to do with all the bad things going on in the world today. ( Hunger, poverty, murder, theft, re-makes :rotf: )

Then the new Galactica music (Written by Stu Phillips but sounds a lot like the original) cues in and the camera shot rises up to the blue sky. The shot turns dark as we are transported from earth through space with the Battlestar Galactica Logo appearing on the TV screen.

After an opening like that, I could watch a stick for an hour and enjoy it. lol

OWD