I recently attended the GoMainLine Battlestar Galactica Convention in Fort Washington, PA on August 28th and 29th. It was a legendary event featuring 6 main cast members from the original show and Richard Hatch's Revival presentation and updated trailer. The attendees were Richard Hatch (Apollo), Dirk Benedict (Starbuck), John Colicos (Baltar), Herb Jefferson Jr. (Boomer), Anne Lockhart (Sheba), and Jack Stauffer (Bojay) . They were all available to chat, take photos, and sign autographs both days and they were all incredible to meet. This was the first time this many principal characters were assembled at one time and the fans could not get enough. Both days a panel was held with all of them in a question and answer session, they told stories and answered questions about their experiences on the show and their other projects since. It was almost overwhelming to me to meet my childhood heroes and hear their perspective on the show. Some of the interesting topics included how they were cast, funny behind the scene stories, other projects they have worked on, and some of their experiences while on the show. They also answered questions one on one at the autograph tables and took pictures with all the fans that attended.

The other focus of the Expo was Richard Hatch and his efforts to revive the show in its original format. He showed the updated and completed 4 1/2-minute trailer for his project Battlestar Galactica : Second Coming. The fan reaction was extraordinary and the trailer was greeted with a 5 minute standing ovation. Mr. Hatch then gave an inspiring talk about the revival project and the making of the trailer. He discussed how the trailer was made for very little due to the incredible work donated by many effect technicians, designers, and other production staff who helped put it together. Mr. Hatch and co-producer Sophie LePorte were able to assemble some of the original cast to appear in the trailer and he explained how the project was painstakingly put together over the past year.

He then discussed how the revival effort was progressing and what his plans for it were. He and his team have been in countless meetings with many Universal officials, trying to convince them of the projects viability and how he has raised over $60 Million dollars in commitments to fund the project. He envisions a feature film, television series, CD-Rom or some combination of the three that would capture the heart and spirit set forth in the original show. He intends to use as many of the original cast as possible and follow the story line that his two novels, Armageddon and Warhalk, were leading two. He stressed that the project would not be based directly on the book story line, but rather the direction in which they were leading. This would be a story 20 or so years after the episode "Hand of God" and would continue the Galactica's quest for Earth and a new threat from an "evolved" more deadly breed of Cylons. It would also be a marriage between two generations, the original cast as well as a new team of young Colonial Warriors, born in space and trained to fight a threat they have not yet encountered. Mr. Hatch stressed the importance of fan support and that he and his team are listening to what we have to say. They want to make the new Galactica everything the fans hope for and they will use the new main Battlestar Galactica site (http://www.battlestargalactica.com) as a forum to share ideas and give updates on the progress of the project. The new site also features production stills from the trailer and links to other Battlestar sites like my revival site.

Mr. Hatch then answered questions about the revival and had some interesting comments about the other competing project let by Glen A. Larson and Todd Moyer. He mentioned how was surprised when they announced in March their intention to remake the show and how he does not feel they are taking the show in the direction the fans want to see. He discussed how their project seems to focus on the Pegasus and how they intend to use an all-new cast and follow a completely different course then the original show. Mr. Hatch was very diplomatic and said that he wishes them well on their project, the more Galactica the better, but that his intention is to proceed with the "Second Coming" project with the original cast and themes in tact. He also briefly discussed some of the rights issues that have come up recently regarding the ownership of the show. As far as he is aware, Universal still owns the rights to any feature film or television show based on the original premise of the show. No one at Universal has said otherwise in any of the meeting they have had, and from a discussion he had with Mr. Larson two years ago, it appeared that he had sold the rights to Universal 20 years ago. Mr. Larson may still have retained some back end participation rights and separation rights, which may allow him to proceed with his proposed Pegasus project with Todd Moyer. Mr. Hatch also expressed the importance of fan involvement in the revival effort, and he stressed no matter which project you support, be vocal and be active in helping bring Battlestar Galactica back. He feels the letters writing campaign, started by the fans, could be critical in helping Universal make a decision regarding the "Second Coming" project. After the question and answer session he showed the trailer again, and once again the fans went wild.

My personal opinion of the trailer was very positive. After seeing it 4 times over the two days and hearing what Mr. Hatch had to say about it's production I was astounded at how good it looked and I was excited about the possibility of Galactica being brought back in this way. The trailer featured appearances by Richard Hatch (Apollo), John Colicos (Baltar), Jack Stauffer (Bojay), Terry Carter (Col. Tigh), George Murdock (Dr. Salik), Richard Lynch (Count Ibli). Mr. Hatch had mentioned he would have had more of the original cast, but to time constraints and scheduling this was the best they could do for the trailer. Richard Lynch was not reprising his role as Wolfe from the episode "Gun on ice planet zero", but playing a Count Ibli. It was nice to see this classic character actor in the trailer. Baltar was extraordinary and the whole feel of the trailer really captured the original spirit and emotion that existed in the original series. Many attendees, including myself, actually had tears in their eyes due to the powerful themes and emotions rekindled by this trailer. The effects were good but at times did not appear to match well. Some were fantastic and feature film quality, while others were simply very good PC game quality. This was of course due to the many different people who donated their time for free to create these effects and keeping that in consideration it was quite an accomplishment.

The trailer begins with an opening voice over telling how it has been 20 years since the Cylon threat disappeared and how the human civilization was reborn, but how a new threat has emerged and the human race in once again in jeopardy. It then shows a cool laser weapon and Clyon silhouette which then speaks and says "By your Command". The trailer continues with some great effects shots and flashes to different brief snippets of dialog and continues with more varying space battle shots. There is a rousing original musical score and some good sound effects. The characters mentioned all make brief appearances and some of the space effects shots were quite good. The dialog seems to indicate that the Cylons have reemerged and they have evolved into an even deadlier breed since an internal civil war. There is also mention of Starbuck being missing and that they are trying to find him. The trailer then culminates with a variety of effects shots, had to hand battles with a lizard type creature, and Apollo rallying some young Warriors to battle in an inspiring final call to action. The final shot has Apollo leading a group of warriors towards the screen as a ship (Viper) takes off behind them. The trailer was amazing for a project produced for about the budget of the "Blair Witch Project", and it was surprisingly very professional looking. This was due to the tireless effort of all the production staff who donated their time to make it happen. I'm sure with a respectable budget this project would be all of that Mr. Hatch has promised, it would capture the original spirit of the show and reunite many of the original cast and characters. I wish everyone interested in the Revival could see this trailer, but unfortunately due to SAG (screen actors guild) rules it can only be shown for promotional purposes to the powers that be and the lucky fans at conventions, it can not be sold for profit. The trailer is merely a promotional piece and was created for the sole purpose of getting Universal to agree to the "Second Coming" project. Mr. Hatch and co-producer Sophie LaPorte mentioned they were trying their best to get this renegotiated and they are confident that once a decision on the project is made they will be able to make it available.

The Gomainline convention was an incredible experience and left attendees more excited then ever before about the possibility of a new Battlestar Galactica project. I enjoyed meeting all the guests and getting to ask them all types of questions. I also met up with many other revival supporters who feel the same way I do and support Mr. Hatch's project. Many of the people I met up with were from the Sci-Fi Channel Battlestar Galactica BBOARD and the Battlestar Callisto crew. They included BGR, BSGDAN, Brie, Scifitoy, and SiressEden. It was great to see them for the first times face to face and I think we all agreed that the convention was a huge success. I have the 40 digital photos up on my revival site, so please check them out. BGR (Shawn O'Donnell) also runs a Revival site called Battlestar Galactica Resurrection, and we both agreed that Mr. Hatch was right on the mark with what the fans want to see. The new main site will be a great place to pool our resources and help in the revival effort and I'm sure with the fan's support, Mr. Hatch will be successful in achieving the "Second Coming".

Thanks
Chris Feehan

For more information on the Battlestar Galactica Revival effort please go to…

Richard Hatch's Website

Battlestar Pegasus Revival site

Battlestar Galactica Central site

Battlestar Galactica Resurrection

My Battlestar Galactica Fan Club Site

Battlestar Callisto Revival and Information Website

Sci-Fi Channel BBoard for Battlestar Galactica Information