Peacock has decided to cancel the highly anticipated Battlestar Galactica reboot, originally announced in 2019. This decision has left fans of the iconic sci-fi series disheartened. However, there is still hope as the production company, Universal Content Productions (UCP), is seeking a new platform for the reboot, potentially pitching it to streaming giants like Netflix or Apple TV+.
Despite the setback, the dedicated fanbase remains eager for updates on the project’s future.
Highlights
- Peacock decided to cancel the Battlestar Galactica reboot announced in 2019, leaving fans disappointed.
- UCP, the production company, is now seeking a new home for the reboot, potentially pitching it to Netflix or Apple TV+.
- Despite the setback, fans can still hope for updates on the fate of the highly anticipated Battlestar Galactica reboot.
A popular military science fiction television series was announced to have a reboot in 2019. The reboot was supposed to air in Peacock, but NBCUniversal”s streaming service had a change of heart and decided not to proceed with the project.
Science fiction experienced a rise in popularity in the 1950s due to the rapid pace of technological innovation and new inventions developed at the time, which has continued until today. Sci-fi movies and series have gained solid supporters, which is evident in the success of Star Wars, Star Trek and Jurassic Park. These sci-fi franchises have spawned several series and movies and continued to gain traction. Unfortunately, one anticipated sci-fi reboot has just been axed on Peacock.
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Peacock decided not to push through with the Battlestar Galactica reboot, Variety reported. The project was first announced in 2019, ahead of the video streaming service”s launch. It was part of Peacock”s initial slate of original programming but was never formally ordered to series. There were no details about the program, except that it would continue the 2003 Battlestar Galactica series starring Edward Jones (Commanding Officer William Adama), Katee Sackhoff (Captain Kara “Starbuck” Thrace), Jamie Bamber (Captain Lee “Apollo” Adama) and Mary McDonell (President Laura Roslin). The most recent update was reported in January, announcing that Derek Simonds was attached to the project as a writer, executive producer, and showrunner. Michael Lesslie was originally tapped to write the reboot in 2020. However, he left the project a year later.
The reboot was a passion project for Sam Esmail, who was executive producing via Esmail Corp. under Universal Content Productions (UCP). Chad Hamilton of Esmail Corp. was also an executive producer. An insider with knowledge about the situation claimed that UCP would pitch the project to other outlets. The news about the reboot just happened days after Ronald D. Moore, a screenwriter and TV producer who re-imagined Battlestar Galactica in the 2000s, gave an update about the project. Moore told Cinema Blend that Esmail reached out to him about the reboot.
Moore shared:
It”s just like, godspeed, you know? Like you said, I rebooted and reinvented or whatever the term is we want to use so far. Far be it for me to begrudge anybody else from doing the same thing. And Sam Esmail called me personally to say, ”Hey, you know, I want to do this. Are you ok with that?” I was like, ”You don”t really need my permission, but I appreciate it!” It was a lovely call, and I wish them the best of luck with it.
Peacock axing the Battlestar Galactica reboot was not a huge shocker, considering the slow development from the time it was first announced. It has been five years and there is little to no progress. There was no update about the casting or when production would start. BSG has a solid and passionate fanbase, so many are waiting for the reboot. In fact, due to its popularity in the early 2000s, any show under the BSG banner would have been successful.
However, the insider claimed that UCP is seeking a new home for the Battlestar Galactica reboot. Netflix is a potential home, and the streaming giant has rescued programs with similar genres like Manifest and Lucifer. Netflix is also home to classics like Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise and Legends of Tomorrow. The streaming giant also has great sci-fi originals both series and movies like Stranger Things, 3 Body Problem, Umbrella Academy, They Cloned Tyrone (2023), Spiderhead (2022), Don”t Look Up (2021), See You Yesterday (2019), Tau (2018), Anon (2018), Mute (2017), and iBoy (2017) to name a few. UCP can also pitch the project to Apple TV+. Esmail”s other sci-fi project with Apple”s streaming service, Metropolis, was canceled in 2023 so they could work on the BSG reboot instead. At present, the fate of the anticipated Battlestar Galactica reboot is up in the air, so fans should wait for more updates from UCP.
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Source: Variety
