Sci-Fi Storm

Despite Paramount’s previous statement, TrekToday says that Enterprise production could move to Canada in a co-production deal which also involves fan group TrekUnited, and report that Paramount may actually be considering the deal. Seems highly unlikely, but the fans are determined…Updated 4/18: The plug has been pulled. With all the questions regarding TrekUnited’s openness and the constant rebuffs from Paramount, the efforts have ended.

The SCI FI Channel has announced new series for 2006-2007, which have some pretty mainstream names associated with them. The list doesn’t say which are full series and which are limited/mini-series, but it includes an update Time Tunnel; Heroes Anonymous, a comic book adaptation; Urbane Arcana, based on the Worlds of Wonder role-playing game; and 3:52, a show about what happens after 2 billion people simply disappear.

The official Star Trek site has posted a letter to Tim Brazeal, founder and campaign leader for SaveEnterprise.com. It says that Paramount and the producers are “flattered and impressed” at the support and ability to raise funds to produce another season of Enterprise, but the decision to cancel the show is “final.” I’m sure there was also some legal issues with the acceptance of the money.

The BBC is apparently apologizing for several things said to the press in the announcement that Christopher Eccleston was leaving Doctor Who after one season. Apparently Eccleston had only planned to for season, and the Beeb knew it but had agreed not to reveal that fact, which it ended up doing – without talking to him first.

Wow. First the BBC announces a second series and christmas special of the new Doctor Who, but then title star Christopher Eccleston he’s quits the show – after only one episode has aired so far. Already bookmakers are placing odds on a replacement, with David Tennant (Casanova) leading at 1-to-10, with previous rumored Whos Eddie Izzard, Alan Davies and Bill Nighy as contenders. Billie Piper (Rose) is expected to be back.

The long rumored “Starfleet Academy” project apparently does exist – it was pitched to Paramount last year – by none other than William Shatner. He also apparently went right to the top brass, skipping long-time Trek runner (who some say burned it out) Rick Berman, but was turned down. However, Pocket Books has asked him to turn the idea into a couple of novels which may come out next year. The idea was to follow a younger Kirk, Spock, and McCoy at Starfleet Academy.

The BBC reports that they tracked down the source of the recently leaked Doctor Who episode “Rose” to a 3rd party company in Canada, which was working for CBC in Canada (and is a production partner). The person responsible was fired. The premiere in Britain is this Saturday. Alas, with no distributer in the US, are illegal torrent downloads the only way we’ll see it?

UPN has released some details of the upcoming two-part series finale of Enterprise, obth airing on May 13th. The first part, “Terra Prime,” deals with the beginning of the Federation and a human isolationist (played by Peter Weller) who threatens to destroy Starfleet Command. Then “These Are the Voyages” takes place 6 years later, with the Enterprise returning for decomissioning and the signing of the Federation charter. And yes, Jonathan Frakes and Marina Sirtis will guest star.

Steve Sansweet, Director of Content Management and Fan Relationsfor Lucasfilm, has confirmed that they are looking in to a number of TV projects for the Star Wars franchise, both in animation and live action. Exactly what form it will take (series, TV movies, etc.) he didn’t say.

BBC News is reporting that an episode of the upcoming revival of Doctor Who has been leaked out on the Internet. The episode titled “Rose” (the name of the Doctor’s new campanion, played by former pop star Billie Piper) hit the Internet three weeks before the show makes its debut on BBC1. It is unsure if this is the final version, or how it got out. Still no word about the show in the States.