Whereas 90s TV hits such as The X-Files have enjoyed a revival in recent times, and the likes of Star Trek and Stargate motor forward in various forms, one big genre show of the decade that’s remained untouched is Babylon 5.
The show ran between 1993 and 1998, and was acclaimed at the time – and since – for its handling of difficult subjects. There’s been occasional talk of new episodes over the years, but nothing’s ever come to pass. And the show’s creator, J Michael Straczynski, has taken to Twitter to explain why.
Warners controls the TV and all the other rights but not the movie rights, I have those, but without access to the TV rights it’s been very difficult to get anyone at another studio to want to commit anything; they want all of the rights under one roof. https://t.co/oxavktXrOr
— J. Michael Straczynski (@straczynski) April 20, 2018
He then added, in response to a question about possibly crowdfunding a revival…
Won’t work. They literally told my agent “We have no plans, and no intentions, of letting anything else be done in terms of television with Babylon 5.” And a kickstarter wouldn’t pay for even a fraction of a season. That won’t change for years, when those execs are dead/gone. https://t.co/NZ80WiIIcR
— J. Michael Straczynski (@straczynski) April 20, 2018
And as for whether Warner Bros would sell the rights?
They won't sell. Because if it were to do well elsewhere, it would embarrass them. And studios don't let out IP. So they're like a monkey with its fist around a nut in a jar, it can't pull it out and it won't let go. https://t.co/04wyxk5rCd
— J. Michael Straczynski (@straczynski) April 20, 2018
So there you have it. That’s why Babylon 5 stays in limbo, and is likely to do so forevermore. Humbug.