Fans of the popular 1990s science fiction series Babylon 5 were thrilled to read a Twitter post by creator J. Michael Straczynski today announcing that he has been working on an animated feature based on the show. Although details were scarce, he noted that the movie is classic B5 and that is has a “raucous” heartfelt story.” He added that the animated project, which is completely finished, is the most “B5-ish project” since the original show wrapped in 1998. The show creator also noted that we’ll be getting the official movie title, release date and other pertinent information next week!
BABYLON 5 ANIMATED MOVIE coming from Warner Bros. Animation & WB Home Entertainment! Classic B5: raucous, heartfelt, nonstop, a ton of fun through time and space & a love letter to the fans. Movie title, release date and other details coming one week from today. #B5AnimatedMovie pic.twitter.com/5ylImI65mm
— J. Michael Straczynski (@straczynski) May 3, 2023
Babylon 5 premiered in the U.S. in January of 1994 and ran for five 22-episode seasons and five made-for-TV movies on Warner Bros.’ now-defunct network PTEN and TNT. The Hugo and Saturn Award-winning show followed the adventures of a human military staff and alien diplomats based on a space station, which was built in the aftermath of several inter-species wars as a neutral ground for galactic diplomacy and trade. Featuring long story arcs and plotlines revolving around intra-race conflicts and upheavals, the show dealt with big themes such as personal change, loss, oppression, corruption and redemption. The cast included Bruce Boxleitner, Michael O’hare, Claudia Christian, Jerry Dyole, Bill Mumy and Tracy Scoggins.
Back in 2021, Straczynski announced plans for a reboot of the series in conjunction with Warner Bros. TV to air on The CW, but that project hasn’t materialized yet. The prolific writer began his career in animation, writing for shows such as He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, She-Ra: Princess of Power, Captain Power and the Soldiers of Fortune and The Real Ghostbusters. He then moved to the live-action world, writing and producing shows such as Twilight Zone and Murder, She Wrote, before creating Babylon 5. He also created the shows Jeremiah and Sense8 and wrote the screenplays for Changeling and Underworld: Awakening and has story credit on the features Thor and World War Z.
Win 'The Art of DreamWorks Dog Man'! 
