Firefly Movie Greenlit as ‘Serenity’
March 4th, 2004 at 1:18 pm (Uncategorized)
An article on Dark Horizons gives us an update on the planned movie based on Joss Whedon’s (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) short lived Sci-Fi show ‘Firefly’
Well with “Buffy” and “Angel” gone, Joss Whedon fans will be happy to know that at last the rumours are true - his defunct western/sci-fi “Firefly” series is coming to the big screen in movie format
Retitled “Serenity” to differ/space it from the show, Whedon confirms he will direct and all the original cast of the TV show are set to reprise their roles when filming begins in June for a 2005 release through Universal. The story will be set six months after the show when two passengers come onboard ship and cause trouble for the crew.
Whedon is quick to point out that the film is being designed primarily for audiences who haven’t seen the show - “It was important that people understand that the movie isn’t the series. The movie is bigger, more epic than anything you can do in a series. You’re not going to bring people into a movie if you’re explaining all the time what happened before”.
sven said,
March 5, 2004 at 12:14 pm
I was royally pissed when Firefly got cancelled — Fox was doing what they so frequently seem to do, screwing a good show over by regularly displacing its spot in the schedule with “TV events”. Bah.
I didn’t catch it from the first episode. I tuned in just a little, then suddenly realized that the writing was killer, and that I needed to get addicted to this one pronto. So here’s my big praise: “better than Buffy”.
No, really. You have to watch one or two to realize how great it is — that’s always the case with a new show. But, see, it didn’t even have the typical embarassments of a first season. It reworked the sci-fi genre beautifully — doing the post-modern thang of identifying cliches and then poking fun at them, and then by having a pretty darned original and convincing universe.
I love Trek, Babylon 5 — anything with spaceships and a monster-of-the-week — and this one made me feel embarassed for the quality of my other vices. Seriously go watch it on DVD. And try to forget that I ever recommended it to you — it would be a shame if you were under-impressed because I’d overhyped the thing.
Leopoldo said,
March 31, 2004 at 8:18 am
We all know that Joss takes care of his own, and he is out to prove it again. Gina Torres told a crowd gathered for Sci-Fi Slam in Pasadena that Whedon is working on getting David Boreanaz (whose show Angel was cancelled earlier this year) a role in the Serenity movie.
Softy said,
April 13, 2004 at 9:31 am
Dumb question, but why is Ron Glass (Sheperd Book) conspicuously not listed in the films credits? Is there any confirmation that he’ll be returning?
Leopoldo said,
April 13, 2004 at 9:44 am
That is actually a very good question. I had not noticed when I made my first post because I had never seen Firefly. Since then (and through the good graces and ample DVD library of my friend Sven) I have had opportunity to see the first 3 episodes and have plans to see the series though in the next couple of months. I do not know where Shepherd Book will be at by the last episode but from what I have seen so far he does seem to be a rather integral part of the show. It is very possible that Ron Glass may not be interested or available for a feature movie length schedule (though his entry in the IMDB does not show any other work in progress). Since the movie is still in pre-production and will not start shooting until June I find it more likely that casting details are still preliminary and that the cast listed in the IMDB will be updated as more details are released. I guess we will just have to wait and see.
Leopoldo said,
May 3, 2004 at 3:50 pm
I just read confirmation that the full cast of Firefly will be appearing in serenity. According to: Dark Horizons: “Serenity”/”Freddy” Updates (May 3rd, 2004):
arkady said,
July 26, 2004 at 5:45 pm
Awww . . . I was kind of hoping Badger would be in the movie. I enjoyed him quite a bit. I think Joss should have a cameo with Spike and Angel bumping into the regulars, maybe in a bar fight or something. They wouldn’t even have to say who they were, but it would be very cool.
Andy said,
October 21, 2004 at 5:14 pm
I’m currently working my way through the series boxset and I like what I see. Living in the UK the series came to me by word of mouth. Joss will be busy with a proposed Angel movie as well as Serenity in the pipe line.
I just hope it is a cinema release and not a TVM for Serenity. The franchise deserves another chance.
NaniAkuUsagi said,
October 30, 2004 at 6:47 pm
I think it would be ridiculous decission of the behalf of Joss to cast David what’s-his-name from Angel. Both my husband and myself hate Buffy. It sucks. Period. And we loved the fact that Firefly was not all kiddy, poppy, and fake (so to speak) like Buffy.
I have watched every single episode of this series in order, and now own it on DVD with all the extras. I hope they explore the idea of taking profit from the movie and reinvesting in the television series.
Hats off to Joss, you rock for creating Firefly, but it hurts that a “fan,” so to speak, would praise your beautiful creation with “Better than Buffy.” It is…but it deserves more…
Jonnis Gray said,
November 24, 2004 at 10:13 am
The question I have is that if the movie does well which I hope it does will there be any chance for a start of a new season of firefly?
Leopoldo said,
November 24, 2004 at 11:06 am
That is very unlikely. To my knowledge only a couple of shows in history have been re-instated after cancellation, even after massive fan movements.
Rachel said,
February 7, 2005 at 11:15 am
Hey, the series “The Family Guy” was cancelled, but the dvd sales were so great along with the fan base support that they reintroduced the series to tv.
Rob said,
February 9, 2005 at 11:17 pm
While Family Guy is an example of a show that has been reinstated after cancellation, I think comparing Firefly to Family Guy is comparing apples and oranges. To bring Family Guy back to TV as compared to bringing back Firefly, would not require as much capital expenditures. Sets would have to be rebuilt and there are numerous salaries for the studios to dish out for the production to begin. With Family Guy its merely the artist and the voice actors.
As much as I really, really, really want to see Firefly return, I don’t see it happening. I don’t see Fox caring that much for a small segment of its viewing population (and I know there are a lot of fans out there) to reinstate Firefly to TV. I think the best hope is either the movie does really well (which I believe would require each fan to go see it numerous times, ala Titanic) or for another network to buy the license from Fox. Either way I think the future of Firefly is resting immensely on the success of the movie.
So, in conclusion, go see the movie at least ten times when it comes out!
Just my $.02
Chris mankey said,
September 16, 2005 at 7:02 pm
I think it would be ridiculous decission of the behalf of Joss to cast David what’s-his-name from Angel. Both my husband and myself hate Buffy. It sucks. Period. And we loved the fact that Firefly was not all kiddy, poppy, and fake (so to speak) like Buffy.
Well I Think you and your husband suck. Period.
Tru said,
September 21, 2005 at 12:46 pm
hey i was just looking up stuff for “Serenity” and i found this site. i was wondering if anyone knew for sure if theres gonna be an Angel movie cuz that would seriously rok! i really want to see wat happens after the last episode, i mean how unfair was that? they didnt even show the war!!! anyhoo ive only seen one episode of firefly it was pretty good although i still luv buffy way more and the movie seems REALLY good! ( oh and i agree with the comment obove! who hate buffy? thats just wrong!!)