Teased for months as a secret, fully completed project, a new Babylon 5 film was formally announced earlier today over on writer and original series creator J. Michael Straczynski’s Twitter, and as an animated project no less! Described as “Classic B5” and a “love letter to fans,” this new project from Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Home Entertainment marks the seventh film in the series, and the first new Babylon 5 project since 2007’s Babylon 5: The Lost Tales.
More details about the film’s release date, production details and so on are expected next week from Warner Bros, although it has already been confirmed all surviving members of the original cast are returning. It remains to be seen if any characters whose actors have passed will return with different voice actors, though it seems unlikely due to prior comments JMS has made related to the irreplaceability of those actors.
Straczynski also noted previously that this is NOT related to the reimagining/reboot currently (potentially) in development at The CW. That project is currently on hold due to the WGA strike began on Tuesday, May 2. For a breakdown on that, see this thread from Adam Conover. And for anyone looking for more of JMS’s thoughts on the announcement, and to get future announcements earlier, his Patreon is the place to be.
Relatedly, fans last week were treated to a revised version of the Babylon 5 logo, which you can see above. Presumably this is for the new project and, might I say, looks great. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more and if you need some additional B5 in your life to tide you over, we’ve reviewed all five seasons (and the pilot.)
