JMS Moving to the UK

[LondosHair]

J. Michael Straczynski (@straczynski.bsky.social)

For followers of my work, I have some very exciting news, both personally and professionally. A new challenge. A new beginning. I'm going back up on the high wire, to see what happens next. Details below.

bsky.app

Unsure how this bodes for any future B5 reboot, but personally, it doesn't give me good vibes for the future of B5. JMS is not 70 years old, and Warner Bros. is obviously based in the States. It seems the talks he was having with the new head honcho there have stalled, or are not the priority they once were. This makes me suspect that they want to float the idea to someone outside of Joe's control.

In any event, if living in the UK is his dream, then more power to him. I hope it is all he's dreamt it to be.

BTW - hi.

 

[Looney]

Unsure how this bodes for any future B5 reboot, but personally, it doesn't give me good vibes for the future of B5. JMS is not 70 years old, and Warner Bros. is obviously based in the States. It seems the talks he was having with the new head honcho there have stalled, or are not the priority they once were. This makes me suspect that they want to float the idea to someone outside of Joe's control.

In any event, if living in the UK is his dream, then more power to him. I hope it is all he's dreamt it to be.

BTW - hi.

Personally Looney takes it as good news for the future of B5. Babylon 5 has always had a firm U.K. base of fans. Him living there can only help that when he starts doing more appearances. Let's get him some quick success in the U.K. Entertainment Industry and maybe some eyebrows raise. I believe Warner Brothers still has a U.K. arm who might take notice and send a Memo.

Anyone more knowledgeable than I know why more from the Babylon 5 Universe could not be produced by Warner Brothers U.K.? Just curious. To my knowledge it should not be a problem under WB Corporate, but I don't know how it all works when it gets into International production.

And Hello Londo's Hair.

 

[Springer]

I don't think this has any bearing on the future of B5 – half of Hollywood's output is made in the UK these days anyway (case in point, the new Mission: Impossible, part of which was filmed not too far from where I live), at least until the Orange Man gets his way and clamps down on that kind of thing. By moving to London and getting his work visa, JMS could finally write for Dr Who. He could lead a Blake's 7 revival. He could write for the West End. Stuff he's always said he's wanted to do, but was barred from doing until now.

Plus I don't think that contractually WB can make B5 without him. I don't personally think the reboot is going to happen anyway, regardless of whether JMS is in LA or London (and I'd be delighted to be proven wrong).

I just hope he likes the weather over here. Hopefully he gets chance to get out and about and explore the country, there are much nicer locations than London!

And yes, I am hoping this means we see JMS at more UK-based conventions now.

@Looney: I think WB UK is just a distribution arm. They don't actually make anything to my knowledge.