Tag: Battlestar Galactica (1-10 of 16)

Mar 29 2013 08:18 PM ET

WonderCon 2013: 7 fracking nuggets from the 'Battlestar Galactica' panel

Battlestar-Gallactica-Cast.jpg

Image Credit: Anthony Mandler

The notorious fracking L.A. traffic did its best to derail the 35th Anniversary Battlestar Galactica panel that kicked off WonderCon 2013.

Thankfully, star of the original and re-imagined BSG Richard Hatch, scientific advisor Kevin Grazier, and Producer Michael Taylor soldiered on even without Ellen Tigh and Lili Bordan (who arrived about halfway through — just in time for the favorite episode question). Right after a special encore showing of the 30th Anniversary tribute, Hatch and crew went straight to audience questions which ran the gamut from the nostalgic to the technical.

Below, check out a few of the things we learned from the panel.

READ FULL STORY »

Feb 18 2013 10:00 AM ET

'Battlestar Galactica: Blood and Chrome': Ben Cotton on playing Lt. Coker Fasjovik -- EXCLUSIVE VIDEO

BSG-BLOOD-CHROME

Image Credit: Syfy

Last year Syfy took a brief return trip to the world of its deep-space (and deep-thinking) epic Battlestar Galactica with the prequel Blood and Chrome. Originally conceived as a two-hour pilot, Battlestar Galactica: Blood and Chrome was ultimately released as an online series of ten 12-minute acts. Now the whole two-hour movie is set for an unrated, uncut edition on Blu-ray and DVD, which will be released this Tuesday.

Blood and Chrome takes place during the First Cylon War and features an origin story for BSG’s Admiral William Adama. In this prequel, young Adama, recently graduated from the Academy, is assigned to the newest battlestar in the Colonial fleet – none other than Galactica itself. The eager young lieutenant soon finds himself at odds with his co-pilot, battle-weary Coker Fasjovik (Ben Cotton), who is eight weeks away from the end of his tour of duty.

Visual effects for Blood and Chrome were pulled off with digital reconstructions of Galactica, using scans made of the original sets before they were dismantled. Check out an EW exclusive featurette on the project’s effects below. Then read on for our chat with Cotton about how he crafted his character, his experience with Blood and Chrome’s visual effects and what advice he has for BSG actress Katee Sackoff as she enters the Chronicles of Riddick franchise, which he starred in eight years ago.
READ FULL STORY »

Nov 5 2012 04:33 PM ET

'Battlestar Galactica' prequel being released online Friday -- EXCLUSIVE

blood-chrome-luke-pasqualino.jpg

It’s a three-year wait for more Star Wars. Six months for more Star Trek. But guess what? Battlestar Galactica returns in only four days.

Universal Cable Productions’ long-awaited Battlestar Galactica: Blood and Chrome has not only found a distribution outlet, but it’s getting a super-close premiere date. Plus, there’s a rather spectacular new trailer (below).

Here’s the raw essentials: BSG: B&C is a prequel movie being presented as ten, 7-12-minute episodes on young-male-targeted entertainment company Machinima’s YouTube channel, called Machinima Prime. The first episode will be released on Friday, Nov. 9, with the remaining episodes rolled out over the next four weeks. In early 2013, the two-hour version of B&C will air on Syfy, followed by the release of an unrated version on home video.

Such a three-tiered windowing release strategy (online, network and DVD, all within a few months) is considered unique for a TV series. READ FULL STORY »

Mar 21 2012 07:25 PM ET

'Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome': Despite that cool trailer, spin-off will be a 'digital series'

bsg-15-things

Image Credit: Zoic Studios/SyFy

After the one-season demise of Caprica, Syfy quickly greenlit the pilot of a new Battlestar Galactica spin-off prequel. Subtitled Blood & Chrome, the series was to focus on the first Cylon war, with a special focus on the formative war years of Bill Adama. The project had mostly disappeared, with rumors that it was being converted to a web series, until an impressive-looking teaser trailer started making the rounds on the internet after WonderCon. (NBC Universal has since pulled the video from YouTube.) The video resembled the trailer for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, right down to to the use of Trent Reznor’s version of “Immigrant Song,” and featured all of the robo-hunting spaceship-exploding action that the cerebral Caprica notably lacked. READ FULL STORY »

Aug 26 2011 06:52 PM ET

Official: Katee Sackhoff returning to TV in crime drama

Katee-Sackhoff

Image Credit: Chris Hatcher/PR Photos

Katee Sackhoff has found another series. Since Battlestar Galactica ended three years ago, the actress has bounced around from NBC’s short-lived Bionic Woman to stints on Fox’s 24 to CBS’ CSI.

Now A&E has given a series order to her latest project, Longmire — described as a contemporary crime thriller from the producers of TNT’s The Closer. She’ll play a Philadelphia detective transferred to a small Wyoming town. Also in the cast: Robert Taylor and Lou Diamond Phillips. Longmire is set to become A&E’s fourth drama following The Beast, The Glades and Breakout Kings and will premiere next year.

Mar 3 2011 06:17 PM ET

'Battlestar' reunion: James Callis joins Ron Moore's magical NBC pilot

James-CallisImage Credit: Michael Buckner/Getty ImagesThe cast of Ron Moore’s 17th Precinct is getting increasingly familiar. First the former Battlestar showrunner tapped Viper top gun Jamie Bamber, and now Baltar himself James Callis has signed up. This is the drama project about cops patrolling a town where magic exists (let’s use that catchy pitch line one more time: “Harry Potter for grown ups”). Matt Long (The Deep End) is also cast.

May 6 2010 07:25 PM ET

Exclusive: Why Katee Sackhoff said no to 'True Blood'

katee-sackhoffImage Credit: Sylvain Gaboury/PR PhotosThe upcoming third season of True Blood will feature werewolves, same-sex crushes, threesomes, and a new king. But here’s one thing you won’t find on the HBO phenom when it returns next month: Katee Sackhoff. It’s not for lack of trying on the show’s part, though. Allow me to explain… READ FULL STORY »

Jun 8 2009 07:11 PM ET

Scoop: Katee Sackhoff makes time for '24'

Kateesackhoff_l
Suddenly, I find myself counting the minutes until 24‘s new season. Perhaps this is why: Katee Sackhoff is joining the cast!

Sources confirm to me exclusively that the Battlestar Galactica heroine has been tapped to play the series regular role of Dana Walsh, a highly respected and down-to-earth data analyst at the new and improved New York branch of CTU.

Translation: Chloe-Starbuck catfight alert!

This fraktastic casting coup hit a road block last week when Sackhoff abruptly took herself out of the running, prompting me to post this blind item. But late Friday, word surfaced that the BSG badass was once again in the mix.

Here’s more scoop on Sackhoff’s character…

She’s in a relationship with
fellow agent Davis Cole (played by the just-cast Freddie Prinze. Jr.),
and she apparently has a skeleton in her closet she’s trying
desperately to keep hidden.

As I previously reported, 24‘s eighth season — which premieres Jan.
17, 2010 — will be set in the Big Apple and center on an assassination
plot against a visiting foreign leader (Slumdog Millionaire‘s Anil
Kapoor). In addition to Sackhoff and Prinze, new Day 8 blood includes
Forrest Gump’s Mykelti Williamson, Kissing Jessica Stein‘s Jennifer Westfeldt (as a journalist with ties
to Kapoor’s diplomat), and The Starter Wife‘s Chris Diamantopoulos (as
President Taylor’s Chief of Staff
).

Thoughts on Sackhoff’s casting? Is this going to be 24‘s best day ever? Comment away below!

More TV Scoop:
Dollhouse makes room for Summer Glau
True Blood spoilers
Smallville casting Zod?

May 28 2009 04:56 PM ET

Casting scoops on 'Glee,' 'Greek,' 'BSG,' and more!

Castingscoop_l
•    Former Battlestar Galactica toasters Tricia Helfer and Michael Hogan are staying in Sci Fi’s orbit, signing on to guest star on the net’s new paranormal dramedy Warehouse 13 (premiering July 7). Helfer will play a Chicago-based FBI agent, while Hogan has been cast as the father of Warehouse heroine Myka (Joanne Kelly). In a fun little twist, Hogan’s real-life wife, Susan, will play the role of Myka’s mom. And if that’s not enough BSG for you, Mark Sheppard (who portrayed the Fleet’s morally flexible lawyer, Romo Lampkin) will appear as enigmatic figure who represents the organization that controls the Warehouse.

•    Everwood‘s Sarah Drew — whose ABC pilot Inside the Box didn’t make the cut for fall — is taking the crazy train over to Fox’s Glee. Sources confirm that the actress has landed the role of Suzy Pepper, an unstable senior who develops an obsessively creepy crush on her teacher. Drew is booked for one episode, but I hear there’s recurring potential.

•    Rumer Willis is having a baby! At least she’ll be pretending to have one on The Secret Life of the American Teenager. Bruce and Demi’s actress-offspring will play a pregnant teen in an episode to air in mid-August. Secret Life‘s second season gets underway June 22.

•    It sounds like the third season of Greek will be quite the religious experience. The show is casting the roles of a Mary-Elyse, a flirty Catholic girl who tries to recruit Cappie and Dale, and Pastor Dan, a laid-back minister who helps Dale get over his guilt issues. Season 3 kicks off Aug. 31.

More TV Scoop:
Freddie Prinze Jr. finds time for 24
Dollhouse makes room for Summer Glau
True Blood spoilers
Smallville casting Zod?

Mar 22 2009 06:48 PM ET

'The Closer' exclusive: It's McDonnell vs. Sedgwick!

Marymcdonnell_lBring it the frak on.

Ex-Battlestar Galactica prez Mary McDonnell is joining TNT’s The Closer for a multi-episode arc as a police captain who butts heads with Kyra Sedgwick, sources confirm to me exclusively.

It’s a battle of TV’s feminist icons!

McDonnell’s alter ego, Capt. Christina Hatcher, runs the department’s Force Investigation Division and is slated to debut early into The Closer‘s forthcoming fifth season.

This character should not be confused with the lesbian cop the show is (or was) casting. This is a completely different role, one that a Closer insider says exec producer James Duff created specifically for the BSG star.

What do you think? Has Brenda met her match? Do you hope McDonnell’s gig turns permanent? And, switching gears, will this finally be the year Emmy recognizes her for BSG? (It better be.) Sound off in the comments!

Mar 19 2009 03:10 AM ET

Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on 'Grey's,' 'Smallville,' 'True Blood,' 'Ugly Betty,' 'Prison Break,' 'Numb3rs,' 'Heroes,' 'NCIS,' 'Housewives,' Bones,' and more!

Greysanatomyausiello_l

Question: What is up with this supposed marriage that will take place at the end of the season on Grey’s Anatomy? I’m assuming that a Meredith and Derek wedding would be too rushed. –Dana
Ausiello:
You know what they say about people who assume: They make an a out of ss and ume. I hear Der will finally propose to Mer in the March 26 episode titled "Elevator Love Letter" (gee, I wonder where he pops the question?), so, assuming she accepts, that gives the happy couple about seven weeks to pull something together. That’s more than enough time, no?

Question: Enough with the endless Twitter plugs. We get it, you’re twittering. Let’s move on. –Doug
Ausiello:
I’m a step ahead of you, Doug. This week’s AA contains nary a single shout-out to the T-word. I’ll be the first to admit I went a little overboard last week.

Question: This is my first time asking a question, so, for the sake of a newbie’s sanity, could you please give a good Grey’s Anatomy spoiler on Cristina/Owen? –Sasha
Ausiello:
Sorry, but the hazing section of the AA bylaws state that all virgin question-askers must be given an ugly, painful spoiler their first time out. With that in mind, remember me telling you that Owen’s PTSD would cause him to physically harm Cristina? Well, that little scratch last week wasn’t it. The violence I was referring to comes next week when Owen strangles the you-know-what out of her. Everyone join me in congratulating Sasha on getting her first AA question answered! You’re now eligible to join the AA frequent question-asker club. Click here for details on how you can earn points towards free hotel stays, a Macy’s shopping spree, complimentary upgrades on flights, and much, much more!

Question: How long will Izzie’s condition remain a secret on Grey’s Anatomy? –Tammy
Ausiello:
Not long. Loose-lipped Cristina blabs all to Bailey and Alex right before she performs her first solo surgery. BTW, can anyone explain to me why on earth Izzie chose to confide in Cristina and not George? I mean, aside from the obvious: It would’ve required giving T.R. Knight something to do.

Question: The Burn Notice finale was incredible! Got any scoop on season 3? –Jennifer
Ausiello:
Jennifer Esposito’s no longer playing season 3′s big bad! Click here to find out who is!

Question: Dude! What’s going on?! Where’s all the True Blood scoop!? –Ryan
Ausiello:
Chill, bro, I’ve got just the tease for ya — and so does the show. Alan Ball and Co. are currently talking to "name" actresses to appear in just one episode this season (and more in future ones). The character? No less than Sophie-Anne, the 500-year-old queen of the Louisiana vampires. My mole tells me that Her Highness is as bright and witty as she is powerful and dangerous. (Isn’t that always the way?) Michelle Pfeiffer, call your agent — yesterday!

Question: Smallville scoop, please! –Jason
Ausiello:
John Schneider, Annette O’Toole, and John Glover are back! Sort of! The Smallville vets will appear via flashback in the April 2 episode, which delves into Davis’ backstory. Is it old footage? New footage? CGI? No comment, no comment, and no comment! Oh, speaking of Smallville, click here to see Erica Durance in action as Stiletto!

Question: Please give me some information on My Boys. I’m going through withdrawal here. –Krysten
Ausiello:
The season 3 premiere on March 31 resolves the whole Bobby-PJ-Jack love triangle (hint: farewell, Jack!). Meanwhile, Stephanie and Kenny keep their tryst under wraps. For now.

Question: Please tell me the rumors aren’t true about Lynette and Carlos having an affair on Desperate Housewives. –Barrie
Ausiello:
First I’m hearing of that rumor. I mean, she will end up working for him. And he will accidentally see her naked. And he will kind of like what he sees. And she will be flattered by the attention. But an affair? Again, first I’m hearing of it.

Question: Is Ugly Betty killing off Ashley Jensen? –Henry
Ausiello:
Nah. My Ugly mole assures me that a much happier ending awaits Cristina. One that involves a kidnapping, a medical test, and a reunion with the two men in her life.

Question: Do you have anything on Prison Break‘s last episode? –Abby
Ausiello:
Justice will be served to both Pad Man and Christina, although one will involve far more blood than the other. Also, I have some more information on the finale’s Alias-esque epilogue: The closing minutes of the swan song will flash forward four years to show where all the main characters ended up. For more on PB‘s big climax, pick up the new issue of EW (on sale Friday) and turn to page 56.

Question: Please help out a Numb3rs fan out with some good scoop! –Hope
Ausiello:
The show’s 100th episode on May 1 will be stockpiled with Easter eggs that only longtime fans will be able to spot. Or AA readers, since I’m about to slip you three insanely Googlable clues: Rooker, Merrick, and Rossmo.

Question: I just noticed that Numb3rs seems to have dropped Sophina Brown’s name from the opening credits. Any saucy scoop? –Bernd
Ausiello:
Sophina remains a series regular. It’s possible her name was dropped from the credits because she wasn’t in that particular episode; not all Numb3rs regulars are contracted for every episode.

Question: I am hooked on Big Love. I’m begging for scoop on Sunday’s season finale! –Heather
Ausiello:
Bill Paxton dropped by earlier this week to shoot a guest appearance on Ausiello TV (look for that video tomorrow), and he revealed that, unlike last season’s capper, this one ends with a cliffhanger. And here’s a little season 4 scoop: Damages‘ Zeljko Ivanek, who debuted two weeks ago as a creep who may or may not have fathered a child with Nikki way back when, will be back next season in a major way.

Question: I heard through the grapevine that you’ve seen the series finale of Battlestar Galactica. What the frak are you waiting for? Spill it! –Jacob
Ausiello:
Unfortunately, the producers made me sign some lame no-spoiler agreement prior to the screening. Fortunately, the name I signed was Vanity Smurf! I’m a genius! Turns out Ellen isn’t the fifth cylon — Adama’s dead son is! OMGWTF, right? And that’s not even the biggest twist, this is: I’m kidding! (Or am I… )

Question: Got any good scoop for the Battlestar finale? –Andrew
Ausiello:
This much I’ll say: If you’re a fan of BSG‘s third and current fourth seasons, then you’ll probably love Friday’s two-hour send-off.

Question: Brothers & Sisters scoop, please? –Harrison
Ausiello:
There’s a surprise engagement in the finale (Rebecca and Ryan, perhaps?).

Question: I thought you were just kidding about Tommy fleeing to Mexico on Brothers & Sisters! –Jenny
Ausiello:
That raises the inevitable follow-up Q: Was I also joking about him joining a cult? Hmm…

Question: Can you please tell me that Fringe has a chance — a good chance — of being renewed for a second season? –Daniel
Ausiello:
Fringe has a very good chance of being renewed for a second season. And if it’s not, the actor they end up casting in the role of "Dr. Smith" is going to be royally pissed off, since he’s appearing in just one scene in May ahead of what promises to be a major recurring arc next season. Who’s Dr. Smith, you ask? A 55-65-year-old scientist and contemporary of Walter Bishop. Cue the inevitable "Is he Olivia’s stepdad?" speculation.

Question: I need some Heroes scoop, my dear! –Heather
Ausiello:
The working title for next fall’s fifth volume is "Redemption." That’s according to James Kyson Lee (Ando), who told us that production on season 3 wrapped last Friday and the cast is now in the midst of a three-month hiatus. He also called this Monday’s Bryan Fuller-penned episode a "monster" hour of TV. "Ando learns a new trick with his mojo," Lee revealed. "He will not just be a supercharger anymore. He will be something more from that point on. He is becoming a legitimate superhero this season. which is really fun for me to go from powerless sidekick to hero."

Question: Kill the Cheerleader, Save the Show. Please tell me Claire is one of the two for real deaths on Heroes. Her character is annoying. –Bishop
Ausiello:
She is not. Claire will be back next season, although for a few hours late Tuesday things were looking iffy. There was a rumor going around that Ms. Hayden was taking meetings with top TV execs at the major studios. The rumor ended up being true, but it wasn’t acting work she was looking for, it was producing work: She’s pitching a new show and she’s searching for a buyer.

Question: Any chance there’s a sliver of truth to the rumor that Gale Harold is joining Supernatural next season? –Brianne
Ausiello:
Nope, not even a sliver.

Question: Anything you can tell us about the two-part NCIS episode that sets up next season’s spin-off? –Linda
Ausiello:
The eps air on April 28 and May 5, and, according to exec producer Shane Brennan, Gibbs and Co. "travel to Los Angeles and work with the new NCIS team to solve what begins as a murder investigation and turns into something bigger."

Question: Are there any cast changes in store on NCIS? –Kate
Ausiello:
Yes, but they’re additions, not subtractions. The show is introducing two new recurring characters later this season: Thirtysomething ICE agent named Julia Yates and mid-50s FBI director Barry Hutchinson.

Question: Any scoop on 30 Rock for us? –Matt
Ausiello:
"We’re ending the season with some big family revelations about Jack," reveals exec producer Robert Carlock, "that will allow him to ask questions about himself and where he comes from." I’m guessing Jack’s mom will be dropping at least one of the bombshells since Elaine Stritch is slated to return in this season’s homestretch. 

Question: First you did it with Emily VanCamp, then with Brittany Snow, now I am begging you to please work your magic on Heather Locklear. I’d love to see her on Desperate Housewives as the new troublemaker. –David
Ausiello:
I’m pretty sure I’d be wasting my time. Housewives, like every other hour-long series on the air, is being asked to trim costs (see: Nicolette Sheridan’s exit). And Heather Locklear’s special brand of bad girl does not come cheap. Having said that, I’m sure ABC could find enough cash to bring her on for an arc during sweeps. Or at the very least a one-off guest stint. Okay, you convinced me. I’ll make some calls. (BTW, in case you haven’t heard, Locklear has officially said no to Melrose 2.0.)

Question: What’s the latest on Zack returning to Bones? –Will
Ausiello:
The latest is he’s probably definitely most likely going to be in the finale on May 14. And he won’t be the only Bones alum appearing in the ep. "The finale is pretty much going to have everyone who has ever been on the show," reveals exec producer Stephen Nathan, who says Patricia Belcher (Caroline) and Ryan O’Neal (Max) are among the MVPs slated to join Eric Millegan (Zack). "It’s going to be an interesting last episode of the season. Very different for us, but it should make sense in the context of the season."

Okay, that’s a wrap! Send questions/anonymous scoops/early Easter greetings to ausielloscoop@ew.com. And you can also follow me and my scoops at, uh, er, um… nevermind! (Additional reporting by Andy Patrick, Jennifer Armstrong, Lynette Rice, Carrie Bell, and Aly Semigran)

More TV Scoop:
Which characters are getting killed off?
Has Housewives replaced Edie?
Ask Ausiello archives

Mar 6 2009 02:10 AM ET

'CSI' plots fraktastic 'Battlestar' crossover

Katevernon_lIf you had any doubts that CSI‘s creative team was made up of a bunch of rabid Battlestar Galactica fanboys and girls, this next story should erase them.

As first reported by Chicago Tribune, an upcoming episode of CBS’ still-powerhouse procedural will feature guest appearances by BSG‘s fifth cylon, Kate Vernon, and the show’s creator, Ronald D. Moore.

“It’s about a murder at a science fiction convention,” explains executive producer-BSG fanatic Naren Shankar of the April 16 installment, which once again puts the show’s lab rats front and center. “It has a bit of a Battlestar Galactica vibe to it.”

I’ll say. In addition to boasting Vernon and Moore, Shankar says the ep also features, “Hodges (Wally Langham) and Wendy (Liz Vassey) re-enacting scenes from a campy — and entirely fictional — 1960′s era sci-fi TV show.”

As you’ll recall, CSI producers were eyeing BSG‘s Katee Sackhoff to replace Jorja Fox last season, but they were ultimately overruled by execs at CBS and Jerry Bruckheimer Television.

So, what do you think? Are CSI and BSG two great tastes that taste great together? Share in the comments!

Feb 18 2009 12:55 AM ET

An important reminder! Plus: Some 'BSG' scoop

If you’ve recently suffered short-term memory loss, this following message is for you: Ask Ausiello has moved to Thursdays, so don’t go looking for a new column tonight.

This next message is for those of you who felt underwhelmed by the exclusive Battlestar Galactica scene I posted earlier today: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will only cause me to search high and low for another, even better clip. So there.

Enjoy!

Advertisement

TV Recaps

Powered by WordPress.com VIP
Which will you see this weekend?