The Hardest Question Ever!!!

[kingfish]

I am going to ask the hardest question posed to fandom. What if we don't the continuation we are striving for? Larson could pick up the story from where Hand of God left off with a whole new cast that keeps both the characters and storyline we still love to this day intact.

[Eric Paddon]

My vote on that is no. I would only agree to a new cast same storyline if they started over at the beginning and remade the important first season episodes culminating in HOG before proceeding anew. I think it is essential that Galactica maintain a consistent visual universe, and that means that a new cast would be far more appropriate for a "next generation" concept set a generation or two later in which important storyline points from the immediate post-HOG period can be addressed during the very first episode (Did Apollo and Sheba marry? Did Starbuck and Cassiopeia and did Starbuck learn the truth about Chameleon?)

[The 14th Colony]

I would be dismayed by another Galactica "remake". I love the concept and storyline of the Larson BSG but for me mainly it's the actors who brought the characters to life that endeared the show in my heart all these years. Without the same actors, regardless of the same ships and storylines and Larson himself behind it, it's not the same BSG to me. It would be like George Lucas actually making Star Wars Episode 7, 8, and 9, and recasting Luke, Han, and Leia.

It might be from the same creator, with the same characters and storyline, but without the same actors we grew up with in our hearts, it's not BSG. IMHO. That is how I feel at this time. BSG did not endear me with just the story and cool ships, it endeared me with the characters that the actors brought to life, who became heroes to me. Without the same actors (or most of the same, those still living), it'll never be the same BSG to me.

Sorry Mr. Larson. You put wonderful words on the page, but the actors were the ones who brought the characters to life.

[radama]

Originally Posted by kingfish

I am going to ask the hardest question posed to fandom. What if we don't the continuation we are striving for? Larson could pick up the story from where Hand of God left off with a whole new cast that keeps both the characters and storyline we still love to this day intact.

I see where kingfish got the idea from.
http://www.5yearmission.com/STNV_WEB_files/index1.htm
If your a "Star Trek" fan as well as a "Galactica" fan see this fan series before you make your decision.

[kingfish]

Actually no Radama. I have never been to that site. I just decided the time was right to pose such an intellectual question.

[Charybdis]

Using different actors but bringing the same storyline??? That would be totally unacceptable!!!

As 14th Colony so eloquently stated, it was the actors in those roles that were special. You put different actors into the same roles and it is not BSG anymore. Just look at the new mini, sort of the same roles, but different actors...for me, its' not BSG...

[ernie90125]

I don't like the idea of new people starting where HOG left off....

I am not sure if Larson would do this - he re-cast Apollo and Starbuck for 1980. Basically that is what Troy and Dillon were, just with different names...

But he reportadly didn't like the Mini.

I hope he wouldn't try it. However, with Maren Jensen probably out of the picture, what do you think fans would prefer ?

Athena dead or re-cast ?

[jewels]

Actually there's a really cool way to do both:
have a recasting, show selected events between HOG and now just to bring the new audience up to speed, bring it up to the present told by Starbuck and Apollo--OUR Starbuck and Apollo--to warriors in training or children of the fleet. the last 2/3 of the movie is in the present. heh.

You're going to tell me that I didn't answer the question, but you know what? I just gave them a plotline that could continue 2 ways. They'd have a cast that could do the entire middle of the journey story or they have the TOS warriors + new warriors that could take it from where ever Mr. Larson wants the "present" to be.

[Eric Paddon]

I think I'm at a loss to understand why the simplest solution of a next generation approach in which TOS actors are there in supporting roles for continuity but this is 25 yahrens later in the same universe would be difficult for some to consider. To me, a continuation story does not have to center exclusively on Apollo, Starbuck etc. so long as the script covers critical points of what became of them and are they still around.

[ernie90125]

None of you have answered my question.... In a TOS Continuation it is very unlikely Adama or Baltar characters would be re-cast.... Because of their age, it could easily be explained they were dead of old age.

But Athena being absent would need explianing in a storyline way. Unless you re-cast her.

I am undecided as to which might be best, writing out a good character, or re-casting her ?

We all presume of course, that all the actors would return to their roles, if the series gets a Continuation !

[amberstar]

Originally Posted by kingfish

I am going to ask the hardest question posed to fandom. What if we don't the continuation we are striving for? Larson could pick up the story from where Hand of God left off with a whole new cast that keeps both the characters and storyline we still love to this day intact.

The "PURIST" in me would be totally crushed once again if Larson would re cast the original characters .

A continuation set 20 some years after HOG seems to be the most logical path to take. Including original storyline and original actors, along with a new generation of warriors. Too many loose ends need to be tied up also I want to see how Boomer, Jolly, Starbuck and EVERYONE ELSE has grown over the years.

Adama, Baltar, and Athena could be explained away or using old video and computer technology have flashbacks of how they are no longer with us.
Re casting Athena would be just wrong.
14th colony is right......the storyline was great but without the Original cast it would not be BSG! One without the other is like having only half of an umbrella in a down pour..........IT JUST DOESN'T WORK!!!!!!

To reach the full potiental of a viewing audience for a major movie I think it would be wise for Larson to capitolize on every "ace" he held.
Jane Seymore, Dirk and Richard are all names everyday people can recognize, even if they never heard of TOS BSG. The actors names alone would sell some tickets, with these actors the current fanbase would also support the movie.

Just my rambling thoughts....... sorry the post was so long

[Eric Paddon]

On the subject of recasting, I think there are two parts where I could accept it in a 25 yahrens later storyline. Athena, because Maren Jensen is never going to act again, and Baltar, because the character still offers possibilities in storytelling that I think should be resolved by having a live actor in the part, but with TOS actors in all other parts that would be returning.

[PlaidSquadron]

I think a recasting would be fine. While I have come to love the old characters, new actors in that role would be OK by me. I think the idea of having the originals in some sort of "future" also makes sense. But if we pick up the story 25 yahrens later, eventually someone is going to say "what happened in between?"

It used to bug me about the 25 yahren gap. I thought that might be too long for a nomadic group to remain on the move. Then I thought about Larson's biblical overtones in the original, and realized the Galactica has 15 yahrens to go before she finds Earth

My preferred Continuation is exactly what Kingfish described. I wish they would just start a TOS season 2 right where things left off. Because the TOS actors aged 25 years the roles would all have to be recast. I do think it would be possible to recast some of the original younger actors into the older roles if they were interested and didn't demand a king's ransom (Herb Jefferson as Tigh, Hatch or Benedict as Adama or Baltar, Lockhardt as Tinia).

I think despite the original storyline most web fans would not support it. There is a strong element of the actor cult in all fandom. I actually think to some extent this is what Moore actually did. He changed the names so people don't type cast the roles, see the plot coming, increase publicity (false Starbuck/Bommer sex change -- they are actually playing the roles of Sheba and Athena!), and don't force the new actors to be under comparitive pressure. The mini was just something to get the novice up to speed but the character end state is pretty much where we were at the end of Hand of God, except the Cassie versus Athena storyline can be started anew in the characters of Callie versus Boomer.

[Eric Paddon]

Herb as Tigh etc. would if anything be even more of a cheat to fans like me. If you've got them to act, put them in their *actual* parts and nothing else.

I do not see the need to pick up right where things left off in a continuation. Resolving matters like Starbuck and Cassie and Apollo and Sheba can be dealt with by (1) showing Apollo and Sheba married and their own children are now established supporting characters and (2) Starbuck's child by Cassiopeia can be an established character too. TOS fans can be satisfied that a true continuation has (1) not forgotten the storylines that existed when the series ended and (2) moved things forward to continue the saga with the next generation.

And sorry Antelope, but there is nothing remotely similar between Moore's Starbuck and Sheba and Moore's Boomer with Athena.

[Winemaster]

A continuation with a new generation of characters with some of the TOS chacters in Important supporting roles is my first choice, however I would support a movie described by Kingfish if that what was offered

[ernie90125]

Sorry antelope, I can't agree with you. To be honest, I'd hate that !

Boomer as a Col. didn't knock anyone out in Gal80 !

If Larson did change actors like Kingfish asked, it might confuse my loyalties as a fan. Maybe others will as well, and I wouldn't welcome this....

I have seen this subject come up before. The reaction to kingfish's question however does confirm in my mind that for a majority of web Galactica fans nothing would be acceptable except a continuation with the original actors in the original roles based on however many years we are from 1979 at the moment it is made. There's nothing wrong with that opinion but it does make you wonder if all the talk about anything being "true to the spirit of TOS" is really just a way of saying nothing is acceptable but the "TOS actor" scenario.

I would love to see the continuation based scenario that most support. I do think Battlestar Galactica as a concept is bigger than the individual TOS actors however. I am glad we have what we have today. I wish everyone could get more of what they wanted but I do think the discussion is framed with a bias toward the "TOS actor" scenario.

I think the "TOS actor" based continuation scenario is great. I do not think it is best. I also think there are many ways to make a good Battlestar Galactica in the spirit of TOS. I think Moore has found one of them. It is not the best way but I understand why he did what he did.

[kingfish]

My two cubits:

I want a continuation above all else with Richard, Dirk, Anne , and as many of those tos actors who want to participate. However I am open to some compromise. I could understand if they decided to do some recasting to allow for such a story to take place such as hiring new actors to play Adama( Ian McKellen, Peter O'Toole), Baltar (Gene Hackman), and Cain ( I would say Sean Connery or Bill Shatner).

[Eric Paddon]

Anthony Zerbe I think would be the perfect recast Baltar, but that' s as far as I would go in a series where TOS actors return.

Antelope, I think you have to realize one thing. After what Moore has done, there are people like me who will not accept *any* other "reinvention" concept, because from my standpoint, one was bad enough. Two "reinventions" without the original cast would be an even bigger insult from my standpoint and would not have my support just as Moore does not.

[warhammerdriver]

I'm not hung up on specific actors playing specific roles. I would actually prefer a TOS continuation to start right after HOG.

I'm not too crazy about the whole "continuation X years later" concept. I didn't like it with STTNG and I really don't think it would work all that well with BSG.

[Dawg]

As much as I hate to say it, ( ) I have to pretty much agree with Eric here, as far as an ideal situation is concerned.

Richard Hatch IS Apollo - he has been for 25 years. Same with Dirk Benedict - he IS Starbuck. Therefore to see anyone else play those roles would make as much sense as, oh, for example, some short haired blonde bimbo as Starbuck rather than Dirk.

Therefore, the hue and cry from the fans is for these characters, played by the actors who gave them "life" in the first place, be part of the production - ergo, the story picks up 25 yarhen later.

To do anything else is to deny the positive aspects of the original series. And to, for all intents and purposes, laugh in the faces of the fans who have been adamant for many long years for what they want.

I am
Dawg

[amberstar]

I totally agree Dawg!!!!!! Well said



Amber

[julix]

Hi all
I have to agree with dawg, amber and eric and forgive me whoever else said they want a continuation with the original actors. I fell in love with everything about the original BG and want to see what has happened to them come to life. I also agree the actors are what made the characters so special.

[The 14th Colony]

Excellent way to say it, Dawg. I agree wholeheartedly and completely, as well as entirely and totally. I also agree with what that dude 14th said on the prior page.