The long-anticipated reboot of the cult classic "Battlestar Galactica" has sadly been shelved at Peacock, as exclusively revealed by Variety. The ambitious project, initially unveiled in 2019, preceded Peacock's official debut, billed as a cornerstone of the streaming platform's inaugural lineup of original productions. Despite the buzz it generated, the reboot never received the green light for series production, lingering in developmental limbo ever since.
The intricacies of its narrative, though shrouded in mystery, were rumored to inhabit the same rich universe as the seminal 2003 series, igniting excitement among fans. At the helm of this visionary endeavor stood Sam Esmail, a passionate executive producer through his Esmail Corp., harnessing the creative force of UCP's expansive partnership. Chad Hamilton, fellow Esmail Corp. executive producer, stood by his side, while Michael Lesslie initially penned the reboot's script in 2020, only to part ways with the project the following year. More recently, in January, Derek Simonds was hailed as the new writer, executive producer, and showrunner, fueling fresh anticipation.
However, the fate of this galactic odyssey has taken a detour, with UCP now actively seeking to relocate the project to other avenues, as an insider privy to the situation divulges.
Peacock's sci-fi offerings have been scarce thus far, with notable exceptions such as Natasha Lyonne's mystifying weekly series "Poker Face" (gearing up for season two), a precursor to Seth MacFarlane's "Ted" universe (also preparing its sophomore run), and the live-action adaptation of "Twisted Metal" (likewise, plotting a second season). On the horizon, Peacock boasts an impressive lineup, including "Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist," a star-studded spectacle featuring Kevin Hart, Samuel L. Jackson, Taraji P. Henson, and Don Cheadle, promising a thrilling ride.
Conceived by the visionary Glen A. Larson, the seminal "Battlestar Galactica" soared onto television screens in 1978, gracing ABC's lineup with a star-studded cast that shone brightly with Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict, the venerable Lorne Greene, and the enchanting Maren Jensen. This groundbreaking series, alas, lasted only a solitary season but left an indelible mark, spawning not just a fleeting sequel titled "Galactica 1980" but also igniting a creative bonfire that birthed comic books, novels, and an array of board and video games, captivating audiences beyond its initial run.
Enter Ronald D. Moore and the Sci Fi Channel (now rebranded as Syfy), who masterfully reignited the "Battlestar Galactica" flame in 2003 with a three-hour miniseries that served as a resounding reboot. This bold endeavor, graced by the talents of Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, and the fierce Katee Sackhoff, ignited a spark that transformed into a full-fledged series, commissioned by Syfy and Sky Television with the return of the miniseries' ensemble. The resulting show blazed its own trail, captivating audiences for four exhilarating seasons, culminating in two TV movies that brought the tale to a triumphant close in 2009.
Further exploring the depths of this expansive universe, "Caprica," a prequel series, ventured onto Syfy's airwaves in 2010, captivating viewers for a single, intense season. In the realm of "Battlestar Galactica," humanity's epic struggle against the Cylons, a race of sentient robots, painted a bleak canvas of destruction as the Cylons decimated human colonies in a distant star system. Amidst the ashes, survivors aboard civilian ships and the iconic battlestar embarked on a desperate quest, their hearts set on a distant, long-lost hope—Earth.
