See if you can tell which one is the alien.
Stop us if you've heard this before--a network is bringing back a popular 1980s sci-fi property about aliens coming to Earth for a modern-day remake. Last October, ABC unveiled its plans to revive V as a shiny, new series for today's audiences. But because network execs share one collective brain, V won't be the only xenophobic blast from the past coming to a TV near you.
SciFi Channel (don't forget to update your contacts to "SyFy" when the network officially changes its name on July 7) is giving a second chance to Alien Nation, reports Variety.
Alien Nation began as a 1988 feature film about an alien race that comes to Earth as refugees and assimilates into human society. The movie starred James Caan as a Los Angeles police detective who is partnered up with an alien, played by Mandy Patinkin. The movie was spunoff into a television show -- which ran for one season -- and five made-for-television movies.
SciFi is spinning the new Alien Nation as a science-fiction program grounded in reality and modern-day themes--much like the revived Battlestar Galactica (also on SciFi) touched on today's issues of war and politics during its critically acclaimed run.
Scribe Tim Minear, whose previous credits include Angel, The X-Files, and Firefly, is setting the series 20 years after the "Newcomers" have landed and placing it up in the Pacific Northwest instead of L.A.
Let's hope they still get hammered on sour milk.
Comments (26)
I dont know whats this show is, but at least they are going to have Warehouse 13 (which looks pretty good)
I loved the original. Hopefully this will be done as well and doesn't get cancelled too soon.
The original was great full of possible stories we never saw. If the series is well done maybe we'll see some of those stories told this time around.
The move to the Pacific Northwest setting makes me suspect they're going to be filming in Vancouver. Of course if this kind of thing keeps up in 20 years the TV schedule will consist entirely of remakes of remakes of 20 year old TV shows.
This as with all remakes must be a wait & see. Do they improve on the story the fans enjoyed or do they hip hop/PC it so much that there none of the old story left but the name and makeup.
Wow! I can't wait! I was a big fan of the original series!
I don't like old one. But remake show will be excited..
These people are so tired, where are all of the NEW ideas?!?!
I really enjoyed the original show (still watch my dvds), so I'll reserve judgement until I see the new show. Now I've got the theme song running through my mind!
sounds interesting
Unlike V and Battlestar Galactica, the original Alien Nation series was actually good (one of the first Fox shows besides The Simpsons that I watched regularly, and the main writers went from that to Northern Exposure), so I'm having a hard time thinking how Tim Minear would be improving on it. After 20 years, I'd imagine the Visitors would be more assimilated into society than they were after 5 years. Are we talking "Due South in Twilight Zone drag"?
Oh great -- another tired retread! I guess the formula certainly worked for Battlestar Gallactica! I just wish they could support some new shows with the same enthusiastic zeal as they show for the "re-makes".
I loved the movie and tv series -- kudos to SciFi!!
Like many other posters, I really enjoyed the series back in the day. I was a little worried when I read the headline, but I'm looking forward to it now that I know Tim Minear's on the case. I also have to agree with shocker713's comment about Matt getting pissed in the car being one of the greatest opening credits scenes ever.
with that being said, moving it to the Northwest is a nice and interesting touch (however the LA setting is now more relevant than ever, and I always liked that they filmed it and placed it often in the relevant east and downtown LA areas). So I dunno how to feel about that. As for the 20 years later thing....so, is it still a "remake"? Cause it can be 20 years later ANYWAY considering how long it's been since the movie.
they're changing their name to "SCYFY"??? For a split second I thought tv.com was making a bad joke.sheesh, aside from bringing back the anime (although not playing it on Saturdays like they used to), can that channel do ANYTHING right? I dont have a lot of faith for this Alien Nation remake, heck it might not even come out, much like the Quantum Leap movie that never happened, and if it does it may go below my lowest expectations much like the two Bruce Campbell movies they did, or just about anything they do.
Minear is a brilliant, but cursed writer. All his shows get cancelled in the middle of the first season. Hopefully this survives!
I loved this show/movie back in the day as a kid, so I'm hoping that it turns out well. Also excited about 'V' another great program from the 80's but really, someone needs to starting thinking about original programming, there aren't too many good shows from the 80's that they can bring back. Although; something tells me it wont be long before we hear Miami Vice is being brought back *sigh*
Really liked Alien Nation, so I hope they do it justice, it could be good to see it get a modern touch though it wasn't as old of a property as Battlestar Galactica. Now, if someone could do Sliders the justice of a modern remake - the special effects alone would benefit the programs. Either way, casting and writing are key.
Love the show, love the movies, love the books (especially Day of Descent which should be made into a movie/episode) can't wait to see if the new version lives up to the original
Matt getting pissed in the car = greatest opening credits sequence ever.
Yea.. looks like all the good series are either boxed up early, and then brought back to life after they realise what they could have done with it...Tv Execs need a good kick in the head, hopefully then they will finally grasp what the writers were telling them in the first place.
I remember this show, really brings me back
I loved that show!
From here on in it seems we are destined to only watch remakes and sequels at the movies and remakes and spin offs on tv. Bye original ideas. :(
I can't wait. I really liked the movies and show. Well at least I did when I was 12.