Re: FOX, SyFy in talks to bring back "Firefly"

[elzbet]

On Sun, 01 Apr 2012 22:19:46 +0100, Ken Wesson wrote:

> Longer version at source:
>
> http://www.twop.com/news/2012-04-01/fox-syfy-talks-bring-back-
firefly.aspx
>
> A few weeks ago, SyFy quietly began putting out feelers for the
> acquisition of rights to fan-favorite TV series that had performed
> poorly on network television. Possible targets included "Threshold",
> "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles", "Dollhouse", "Firefly", and
> "Defying Gravity".
>
> Now, representatives have confirmed that SyFy and FOX have drafted a
> possible deal that, if concluded, would grant SyFy the television rights
> to bring back "Firefly". The fourteen originally produced episodes would
> be aired over the summer while production of new episodes would begin.
> The long-belated season 2 of "Firefly" would debut on the cable science
> fiction channel in early October.
>
> Several obstacles remain before the deal can be finalized, SyFy
> spokeswoman April Stultidiem warns. "We are currently haggling over the
> price," she says. "FOX's most recent offer was too high. We're hoping
> they will accept a lower figure if we throw in a cut of the ongoing
> advertising revenues from the show." Other potential problems include
> the likely need to recast several of the roles. "We do hope that Summer
> Glau will be available to reprise her role as River Tam," Stultidiem
> says, "but Morena Baccarin's 'Homeland' commitments may preclude her
> return." Baccarin could not be reached for comment.
>
> The story would continue "where it left off", according to SyFy. TWOP
> was unable to get more details, including whether this would relegate
> the movie continuation Serenity to the status of non-canon, add new
> story between the last original television episode and Serenity, or take
> place after the events of Serenity. TWOP was also unable to confirm
> whether the continuation would be created by Joss Whedon or by somebody
> new. The second season would be "based primarily" on existing unproduced
> episode scripts "with a few changes"; subsequent seasons would take the
> story "in new directions from there".
>
> If the deal goes ahead, SyFy would receive an exclusive television
> license. FOX would retain the rights to develop Firefly content for
> other media and there would be a termination clause that could be
> invoked after two years in the event that SyFy failed to deliver a
> viable "Firefly" continuation on cable. FOX would then be free to shop
> the television rights around to other cable channels, sell them
> overseas, or sit on them doing nothing with the property for another ten
> years.
>
> If the deal falls through, however, it likely spells the end of any
> likelihood of an official continuation of the "Firefly" story.
>
> Meanwhile, SyFy also continues aggressively negotiating with ABC for the
> rights to "Defying Gravity", which could return to television as soon as
> summer 2013 ... for viewers with a cable subscription.

All I can say is "holy ... shit." That and crosspost this into a few
other newsgroups that might be interested.