In This Section
TV Guide Spotlight
Also on TVGuide.com
|
« TV Guide News Report
Exclusive: Farscape Producer Talks About the Franchise's Future
Ben Browder and Claudia Black courtesy Sci Fi Channel
Last week Sci Fi Channel made the out-of-nowhere announcement that the dearly departed cult favorite series Farscape would be coming back with all-new webisodes. In an exclusive interview, executive producer Brian Henson gave TV Guide some scoop about the upcoming revival, and also indicated that bigger plans for the franchise lie ahead.
A dozen new webisodes of the irreverent 1999-2003 live-action/puppet science-fiction adventure could launch as early as this fall on Scifi.com. Scripts have yet to be written, but Henson says the installments will be three to six minutes long, and “each one is a cool little cliff-hanger scene that takes you on a mind-twisting adventure." He expects some of the series’ actors and writers to return, but as of yet no deals have been signed. As to whether stars Ben Browder and Claudia Black will come back, Henson hints that their characters’ son, D'Argo Sun-Crichton, will likely be featured in the project. “The story will definitely take place in the Farscape universe,” Henson says, “and there will be some characters that the audience knows and some characters that will be new.” (All of the show’s Creature Shop-designed animatronic puppets will have to be re-created, he says, “because all of their molded foam skins have rotted.”)
Although webisodes may not be as glamorous as a TV pickup, Henson is enthusiastic about the chance to bring back the show in any format. Scifi.com “seems like a great place for us to play with new ideas. What we’ll be doing is trying to explore where the next generation of Farscape goes. By that I mean the next series.” That’s right, Henson hopes the webisodes will lead to a TV sequel.
Look for more news on Farscape's future to be announced at Comic-Con later this week. – Reporting by Ileane Rudolph
UPDATE: TV Guide just learned that Browder has talked with Henson about appearing in the webisodes. Browder's spokesperson says, "there's nothing concrete," but, if asked "Ben will absolutely try to make time. Ben has always been in love with the character John Crichton and the Farscape series."
--
Edited by TV Guide Staff at 07/24/2007 1:00 PM
|
TVGuide Links:
|
|
|
|
Jul 24, 2007 3:05 PM
|
|
Can't imagine Farscape without Crichton, Aeryn, and Scorpious. But new Farscape? Woohoo!
|
|
Jul 24, 2007 3:44 PM
|
|
I really have my fingers crossed that we'll get a new series in some form or other. The Magic Eight Ball suggests "the signs look promising:" I can't imagine the tight-fisted folks at Sci-Fi investing even in these webisodes without some ulterior motive, like to test the waters for a new show. With Battlestar Galactica reaching its end, they need something with a proven fanbase. And Ben Browder and Claudia Black are now free of regularly filming the Stargate series. Let's hope this is leading into at least a "sequel" series set in the Farscape universe.
|
|
Jul 24, 2007 4:02 PM
|
You know, I figured it would be a next generation type of thing. Kind of akin to the rumored new Mummy movie. A lot less Rick and Evie and more about their son.
Though my heart leapt when I heard the words "new Farscape" I knew also in my heart that the original magic could never be recaptured. Farscape is a rich and wonderful universe, but for me it was the actors and the characters that wove the tapestry. I just don't know if I could welcome in a new cast of characters to the universe I loved so well. Call me a purist, but this begger can be a chooser.
Denise
|
|
Jul 25, 2007 12:24 AM
|
|
If it is a Next Generation thing, it ain't gonna work.
|
|
Jul 25, 2007 1:06 AM
|
All I can say to any nay-sayers about the coming possible storyline is this: "Trust Brian".
Farscape is his baby and if there is anyone that can pull off the next story in it's tale it's him. I am definitely looking forward to whatever they show us because they (cast and crew) have been able to take cliches and the staples of television and sci-fi and turn them on their head again and again. That is the magic of Farscape.
|
|
Jul 25, 2007 2:56 AM
|
I was hoping the next Farscape incarnation would at least involve 4 or 5 of the core cast from the original show rather than a next-gen spin off with new characters.
I love the Farscape universe but it was really only the back drop to the character driven nature of the series. I think it was the story of John Crichton and other core characters that engaged the audience.
But I do welcome any continuation of the franchise and I'm glad to hear that Ben Browder may be involved in the web series at least.
|
|
Jul 25, 2007 7:44 AM
|
|
Boy...any kind of Farscape return is great news, especially with the ending of Battlestar Galactica. I can't wait to see what they come up with!
|
|
Jul 25, 2007 9:47 AM
|
You know D'Argo Crichton-Sun will get into as much trouble as his father. I'm excited and even more excited to think that Ben might be in these webisodes. I love the Farscape Universe and with Brian Henson at the helm, I'm sure that these characters will be fleshed out just as well as the old gang.
All I know is that I want anything that is written and acted well and this group of writers and producers can do just that.
FARSCAPE LIVES!
|
|
Jul 25, 2007 9:47 AM
|
|
I am so thrilled that SciFi Channel and Brian Henson are bringing back the finest, most original scifi show ever produced and would publically like to say "THANK YOU" to all TPTB that are making this happen. I definitely agree with kazbaby here, trust Brian Henson! I will definitely be watching the webisodes, in whatever form or storyline/timeline they are, in addition to keeping my fingers crossed that these webisodes will lead to a new Farscape series or movie!
|
|
Jul 25, 2007 3:28 PM
|
|
I'd like to give a great big THANK YOU and CONGRATULATIONS to Brian Henson for bringing back Farscape, my absolute favorite TV show of all time! I am thrilled we'll be seeing new adventures in the amazing universe he and all those involved in the original series created. I will love and support anything new created for Farscape, but I dearly love the original cast and hope they will be a central part of the new adventures. I was drawn in to Farscape by the character driven aspect of the show, and I place my trust in Brian Henson to stay true to that. Here's to many years to come of new adventures! Whoo!
|
|
Jul 25, 2007 4:08 PM
|
|
A few weeks ago we didn't have much hope at all for new FARSCAPE. Now, it's a whole universe of possibilities, and I couldn't be more thrilled. Like most everyone I'd love to see as much of the existing cast as possible return, but as long as Brian Henson (and hopefully Rockne and DK) are involved, how could it be anything but great?
|
|
Jul 25, 2007 4:35 PM
|
Thank you for continuing to cover Farscape so fully. I'm really excited at what Brian Henson has up his sleeve for the future. The webisode concept is catching fire and it is so like The Henson Co. to be at the front when it comes to taking advantage of new technologies. I can hear the excitement in your interview. It saddens me a little that what we'll be seeing is "the next generation" Farscape, but on the other hand, your little addendum about Ben Browder's possible participation has me jumping up and down.
Thank you again for your great interview. I can't wait for what information is revealed during ComicCon.
|
|
Jul 25, 2007 7:41 PM
|
|
Thank you for the best birthday present ever! I'm so excited and so happy to hear that my Fav show Farscape is returning! YAY!!!!
|
|
Jul 25, 2007 7:54 PM
|
I am so excited by the thought of new Farscape. I can only hope that it lives up to the promise of its parent series, and never meets the lows.
Thank you, Brian Henson, Ben Browder, and all others involved in bringing this marvelous creation back to life.
|
|
Jul 25, 2007 9:09 PM
|
|
|
