Summary
I am disheartened that Peacock has pulled the plug on its long-awaitedBattlestar Galacticareboot – but perhaps, for a series that still feels so alive, it’s for the best until it’s truly ready. The project was announced in 2019 as a cornerstone of the streaming service’s launch. Now, theGalacticareboot is no longer in the works, having never been formally called to series.This is a project that needs to be done right, especially as manyBattlestar Galacticascenes from 20 years agoare still among sci-fi’s best.
TheBattlestar Galacticafranchise has a complex history. The 2003 reboot was a critical and commercial success, redefining the sci-fi genre. However,its inherent cyclical nature poses challenges for future reimaginings. The risk of parroting predictable storylines is high. I’d prefer to see a more distant continuation, building upon the original series' legacy while charting new territory at the same time.
The Battlestar Galactica Reboot: Will It Happen? Everything We Know
Plans to reboot Battlestar Galactica have been floated for years, but will the sci-fi classic ever actually return to TV anytime soon?
A Battlestar Galactica Reboot Wouldn’t Have Worked
The 2003 miniseries that later became a weekly show with twoBattlestar Galacticaspinoffswas, in itself, a reboot of the campy 1970s original. It took the core concept of humanity on the run from robotic adversaries and transformed it into a gritty, character-driven drama that resonated with audiences on a profound level.It’s still among my favorite sci-fi shows.BSGaddressed timeless themes of faith, morality, and the human condition. Its exploration of political intrigue, military strategy, and the complexities of human nature within a high-stakes sci-fi setting set a new standard and has continued to influence the genre.
BSGis inherently cyclical, a narrative loop of survival, loss, and the search for a new home, which they found inGalactica’s divisive ending. I find this compelling, but it presents a pitfall for future reboots.A focus on repetition could inadvertently mirror the real-world cycle of reimagining the franchise itself. By constantly revisitingBSG, even with a contemporary twist, there’s a risk that by retreading familiar ground, the still-relevant impact of the 2000s series could be undermined. To truly innovate, a newBattlestar Galacticamust break free from this cyclical narrative and offer a fresh perspective on the enduring themes.
Battlestar Galactica Needs A Far-Future Continuation Series
I do think Sam Esmail could be the right creator to reviveBattlestar Galactica.The creator ofMr. Robothas shown a tremendous talent for exploring complex themes of identity, technology, and reality. This aligns well with the philosophical core of theBattlestarfranchise. Given his track record of crafting compelling, character-driven stories, Esmail could honor its legacy. That being said, I would expect him to bring something fresh and imaginative to another reboot of the beloved series – and setting it in the far future would be a great way to do this, rather than retell the same story.
Six theorizes that according to the law of averages, humanity might not destroy itself this time around.
After all, the continual mantra ofBSGis,“all of this has happened before and will happen again,”God’s plan as told by Six.In the epilogue to the finale, Six theorizes that according to the law of averages, humanity might not destroy itself this time around, even while the possibilities of robotics are being discovered again. I would love to see how Six and Baltar’s differing outlooks on humanity’s future play out in the far future, the driving tension being whether humans and Cylons alike find a way out of the cycle of creation and destruction.
“There must be some kind of way outta here,”sings Bob Dylan, in All Along the Watchtower. This is referenced in both overt and covert ways throughout the final season.
This would open up the possibility of having cameos of the original cast, such as Gaius Baltar (James Callis), definitively revealed to be human. I think this would be a healthy middle ground.Tricia Helfer, who stars as Six, revealedin an interviewthat Esmail’s project initially felt like“a punch in the gut”with many of the original cast upset they weren’t involved.Having some appearances from the 2000s series would provide positive nostalgia as long as their cameos make sense. I’d also be interested to get an update on how some key characters have evolved since the events of season 4.
Why Future Battlestar Galactica Projects Are Unlikely To Happen
RebootingBattlestar Galacticais risky, as its complexity is not only expensive but also loaded with expectations. For that reason, balancing nostalgia with innovation is crucial. With its checkered history, I can imagine studios are hesitant to invest heavily.The failed spinoff showCapricaserves as a cautionary tale– although, ironically, its prequel premise and focus on AI built from a digital footprint would have more relevance to audiences now. In the season 4 finale, Six discusses Hera, the original hybrid from whom all humans are descended – I’d like to see how this plays out with contemporary debates on transhumanism.
Focusing on the consciousness transfer aspect explored in the Cylon technology of the 2000s series would also reflect what’s being explored in other sci-fi series, such as the upcomingAlien: Earth.
A new series should explore contemporary themes, especially those related to technology and its impact on society. I just hope it’s not a predictably fatalistic take. Sam Esmail’s work onMr. Robotdemonstrates his ability to tackle these issues, making him an ideal choice to be involved in a reboot. In addition, not allGalacticamysteries should be resolved. Starbuck herself said,“I’m done here. I’ve completed my journey, and it feels good.“While I adore Starbuck, I’m not interested in seeing her resurrected a second time.A new show should build uponBSG’s legacy while charting its own course.
I think Esmail’s reflections on not being overly beholden to a straight continuation of the source material are promising. It made me hopeful for what his new interpretation could achieve:
“The focus is the same, which is the fear of tech and how it might take over, but this idea of just “the robots are going to be our overlords” is a very facile and overly simplistic way of looking at it. Now that the audience is more sophisticated about the consequences, I think we have to match that with Battlestar.”
viaThe Hollywood Reporter
Unfortunately, with this indefinitely shelved,it’s hard to say whether these explorations will happen– as such a costly undertaking, it needs to be a network that has faith in Esmail’s vision forBattlestar Galactica.
Battlestar Galactica
Cast
Battlestar Galactica is a science fiction television series that premiered in 2004. The plot follows the crew of the aging Battlestar Galactica as they protect a small fleet of human survivors from the renewed threat of the Cylons, in a quest to find the mythical 13th colony, Earth.
