PASADENA, Calif. — The Sci Fi Channel's forthcoming movie "Babylon 5: The Legend of the Rangers" features only one member of the cast of the original "B5" series — Andreas Katsulas will reprise his role as G'Kar, the Narn ambassador.
According to series creator/executive producer J. Michael Straczynski, "We had to pick one person for this particular show. . . . "
"With the most sex appeal," Katsulas interjected.
"And he wasn't available," Straczynski said, trumping his star.
According to the producer, when he got the go-ahead from Sci Fi and began working on the script, he knew he would bring one original cast member back, but he wasn't sure which one.
"I hadn't seen Andreas in, like, two years. . . . I went to dinner at a restaurant, and he was sitting at the next booth 10 minutes later. That's a hell of an agent you got there," Straczynski said, turning to Katsulas. But that sealed the deal in his mind.
"When the universe sends you a telegram that profound, you have to pay attention."
If Straczynski has his way, Katsulas won't be the only "B5" cast member who eventually appears in "Legend of the Rangers."
"I wouldn't be surprised if we saw them again because they are still around in the universe at that time," he said. But that, of course, would require that "Rangers" becomes a series — which it might, according to Sci Fi Channel president Bonnie Hammer.
"Well, it's not that we haven't been talking about it," Hammer said. "We want to see how this movie does, and we expect it will do extremely well. And we're always in conversations about the possibility of continuing."
And if "Rangers" doesn't pan out, Straczynski might still do a series for the channel.
"We are in other conversations — very early stage of development — about doing a new, different series that has never been done before with Joe," Hammer said. "So, whether it is an extension of 'Babylon 5' or . . . a new series, I wouldn't be surprised if, at one of the next TCAs (press tours), you hear us talking about it."
We can only hope.
HE'S STILL MAD: If "The Legend of the Rangers" does turn into a series, it would actually be the third set in the "Babylon 5" universe — the second was the short-lived (13 episodes) "Crusade," which was essentially canceled by TNT before it even went on the air.
So, what is the difference between working for TNT and working for Sci Fi?
"I think the main difference is with the Sci Fi Channel, you're working with carbon-based life forms," Straczynski said. "As opposed to our last experience, where they did not get what science fiction was, didn't understand it, tried to make it something it was not.
"I mean, there are some executives who, like (Sci Fi president) Bonnie (Hammer), get it and some who are to creative ideas as Dachau is to health spas."
Well, tell us how you really feel.
E-MAIL: pierce@desnews.com