discussion Firefly! Keep on Flyin! (Animated series in development)

[CMetaphor]

Confirmed, just minutes ago:
The entire cast is returning to voice their characters, Joss Whedons blessing, they have the approval to use the name/rights, etc.

Its a win, just not quite the win I think some of us were hoping for. Many, many of us were hoping for a direct sequel, a season 2. Sadly, the reality is that its been a quarter century, the characters -just like the actors and actresses playing them- have aged a lot. So, to avoid spending the entire series just explaining what's happened in the decades since Serenity, it might actually be better this way: an animated series is far cheaper, and lets the characters continue directly after the events of Serenity OR (and better) use the time between Firefly and Serenity (which is my preference, see lower down).

Speaking of the animation: they've apparently got ShadowMachine to do it: they did the award -winning Guillermo del Toro Pinocchio movie, as well as things like Robot Chicken and Bojack horseman. Not exactly top-end anime level, but its certainly a decent start.

What they don't have yet, is a "home". Aka, a streaming content provider. I think Netflix or Disney is most likely, especially since Netflix has been pretty open and willing to bring anime and other animated content to its platform.

What do you guys think? Excited? Disappointed?

Im gonna be blunt: I really, really wanted to see it return as a live-action series. BUT! There is still a chance (I think). If we, the fans, go absolutely crazy for this animated series, it Could become more. Animated series are obviously far, far cheaper to produce. So a season or two of an animated series to "test the waters" might be a great stepping stone to a full live action Season 2. That's why I dont mind having an animated "middle" between S1 and the movie (hell, its a no-brainer, bring Wash back!), and use it to kick down some doors for a live-action revival.

Im glad to be wearing my Jayne hat again.

 

[Caldezar]

The other factor for the animated series that you need to remember is that all of the cast are involved in other productions. Animated series can be voiced from just about anywhere there is a voice capture studio. So they can do this work alongside the other shows they are all working on.

Also, in order to have the story involve Wash, it needs to be before Serenity. (I'm a leaf on the wind.) And the cast is all far too old for that.

I'm personally very on board with an animated series provided it's done well.

 

[Lysrin]

I'm disappointed it's an animated series, not because that's bad on it's own, I just would have preferred live action. But I'll take what I can get!

 

[CMetaphor]

I'm disappointed it's an animated series, not because that's bad on it's own, I just would have preferred live action. But I'll take what I can get!

Same. Shame, but same.

 

[FreeKnight]

Confirmed, just minutes ago:
The entire cast is returning to voice their characters, Joss Whedons blessing, they have the approval to use the name/rights, etc.

Its a win, just not quite the win I think some of us were hoping for. Many, many of us were hoping for a direct sequel, a season 2. Sadly, the reality is that its been a quarter century, the characters -just like the actors and actresses playing them- have aged a lot. So, to avoid spending the entire series just explaining what's happened in the decades since Serenity, it might actually be better this way: an animated series is far cheaper, and lets the characters continue directly after the events of Serenity OR (and better) use the time between Firefly and Serenity (which is my preference, see lower down).

Speaking of the animation: they've apparently got ShadowMachine to do it: they did the award -winning Guillermo del Toro Pinocchio movie, as well as things like Robot Chicken and Bojack horseman. Not exactly top-end anime level, but its certainly a decent start.

What they don't have yet, is a "home". Aka, a streaming content provider. I think Netflix or Disney is most likely, especially since Netflix has been pretty open and willing to bring anime and other animated content to its platform.

What do you guys think? Excited? Disappointed?

Im gonna be blunt: I really, really wanted to see it return as a live-action series. BUT! There is still a chance (I think). If we, the fans, go absolutely crazy for this animated series, it Could become more. Animated series are obviously far, far cheaper to produce. So a season or two of an animated series to "test the waters" might be a great stepping stone to a full live action Season 2. That's why I dont mind having an animated "middle" between S1 and the movie (hell, its a no-brainer, bring Wash back!), and use it to kick down some doors for a live-action revival.

Im glad to be wearing my Jayne hat again.

I'm keeping an open mind, but it could easily be awful. Would have prefered the studio that did Castlevania do it, but ShadowMachine might be alright if they make a unique visual style for it. Quality of the writing will be what sinks it or keeps it afloat IMO.

The other factor for the animated series that you need to remember is that all of the cast are involved in other productions. Animated series can be voiced from just about anywhere there is a voice capture studio. So they can do this work alongside the other shows they are all working on.

Also, in order to have the story involve Wash, it needs to be before Serenity. (I'm a leaf on the wind.) And the cast is all far too old for that.

I'm personally very on board with an animated series provided it's done well.

There's ways they could get Wash in, the Alliance gets his body and clones or 'rebuilds' him, to get a lead on chasing down the Firefly crew after they're responsible for the 'reveal' of Serenity. Or they go lazy with a lost brother/twin and it becomes a too close for comfort for Zoe, etc.

Not saying I think they'll go that route, but after 20+ years I imagine they'll get pretty free reign on what to retconn vs what to keep.


I don't object to animated personally, and think it may be a better choice. You've got to justify a 2 decade timeskip and then somehow they all end up together again for a live action to work. It's not insurmountable (Mal, Zoe and Jayce still working odd jobs, run into River and Simon who are still hiding and looking for a way off planet, etc), but probably better to stick with the animated version.