Sci-Fi Storm

Bryan Singer (X-Men) is going to produce a 4-part, 8-hour miniseries involving the legendary Bermuda Triangle for the SCI FI Channel, with the idea to be to “make kids scared of [the Bermuda Triangle] again.” He will work with genre vet Dean Devlin (Stargate, Independence Day).

There is a report that the SCI FI Channel has postponed any decision on the future of Battlestar Galactica until the new year. The main cast contracts have been extended until Jan 31st, so there should definitely be a decision by then. Apparently they are worried about the cost.

Dark Horizons has a report on a rumor that Star Trek: Enterprise‘s third season may be cut short by two episodes, with implications that either this season or next could be the last for the show, which has had disappointing ratings despite being reworked with a better storyline. In the meantime, the Programming Insider at Mediaweek mentioned a rumored move of Enterprise to Fridays, but then said that UPN said they have no plans to move it.

Russell T. Davies, who is developing the the return of Doctor Who, dropped a few hints on the differences you’ll see in the new Who. First off, the female companions won’t be “screaming girly companions” (I’m still convinced the only acting Bonnie Langford, who played “Mel”, could really do was scream), citing Buffy, the Vampire Slayer as to why that won’t work. And don’t expect too many old monsters – he wants to make new ones. Even the Daleks may have a tough time getting a job.

The SCI FI Channel’s live-action spinoff of Stargate SG-1, Stargate: Atlantis will go into production early in the new year and debut with a two-hour crossover movie in next summer. The shows will apparently be paired on the schedule as well as SG-1 goes into it’s eighth seasion. Given that Don S. Davis (Gen. Hammond) is apparently not signed for SG-1, perhaps he could be heading to another galaxy? The spinoff involves the discovery of a base on Earth used by the Ancients, the creators of the stargate network, in the ruins of Atlantis. This base leads to another galaxy, where they find primitive humans threatened by a brand new enemy.

Raetsel writes “According to Ain’t It Cool News, there are rumors flying that “4 to 6 new episodes” of Farscape are being produced! This excited buzz comes as a result of Wednesday’s Dark Horizons news update and a TV Guide Online announcement of a press conference that apparently didn’t happen. (The fact that it was posted to Fark doesn’t hurt the buzz factor either!) Should be interesting to see what develops.” This would be most cool.

According to Variety, the WB has ordered a pilot for a new version of the venerable undead soap opera Dark Shadows, with original producer Dan Curtis joining with John Wells (ER, The West Wing), and aiming for a 2004-2005 prime-time slot. The original ran from 1966-1971, starring Jonathan Frid as Barnabas Collins, and was briefly resurrected in 1991.

The WB suspended production on new series Tarzan after only eight episodes have been produced. Two episodes remain to be aired and will do so, and the network will decided based on the ratings of those episodes what will happen next. However, with its disappointing ratings so far (averaging 3.9 million viewers), it is unlikely to return.

I came across some of the latest news about the new Who series over at Outpost Gallifrey. First, after rampant speculation about stand-up (and apparently frequently transvestite) comedian Eddie Izzard being the next Doctor, Izzard himself said it’s news to him – and “I don’t think the BBC would want me. They’d probably rather spit on me and slap me about with fish.” Apparently 4th Doctor Tom Baker started that one in an interview. Current front runner in the rumors is Brit actor Bill Nighy (no, not Bill Nye the Science Guy).

We previously reported that NBC had nixed plans for a new Lost in Space series, due in part to Jonathan Harris’ (Dr. Smith) death. Well, it appears things are moving again. Synthesis Entertainment, the company Kevin Burns (producer of a lot of those A&E Biographies) and Jon Jashni (Anna and the King) put together to resurrect Irwin Allen’s properties, partnering with director John Woo (M:I-2) and writer Doug Petrie (Buffy: The Vampire Slayer series), are planning a new series again, and a “strong response” was received from the networks. It is also aimed as a family drama like the original pilot, set 100 years in the future. Side note: Season 1 of the original series is due on DVD January 6th.

Update 10/9: The WB has order a pilot.