I work in the film/television industry and there could be a number of reasons behind the lack of an announcement. Last I heard, many of the original cast haven't even heard anything first-hand, which would suggest to me that things are quite far from concrete from a studio standpoint. Even if the actors had been signed nothing is locked until the movie hits the screens.
My guess, and this is just a guess on my part based on the details that I have heard about the project, is that WB has commissioned JMS to "develop" the script rather extensively with WB closely examining each script draft and both sides exchanging feedback. Until something is announced I would take that to mean that, even if there was initial interest from the studio in the "idea" of a Babylon 5 feature, that nothing to this point has compelled WB to commit beyond the script process.
That doesn't necessarily mean that they don't like the script. There are a lot of departments within studios that usually need to sign off before a project is given the "green light" to go heavy into pre-production and that can take time. Having said that, if six months from now we hear nothing... then there is a problem.
In general, in a project without a big star, director, or producer pulling things along the scrutiny for a project can be great. Remember that X-Men, Spider-Man, the upcoming Superman and the new Battlestar Galactica series were in pre-production limbo for years before getting studio support to go forward. Each of these projects went from script to script without the studios going forward. I would think the same would hold true for B5 since it isn't exactly the most popular franchise in television history so JMS probably isn't going to get the benefit of doubt that a big star or hot director or producer would be afforded.
Honestly, and I've thought about this for awhile, I wouldn't be surprised if TMoS doesn't end up either as a Sci Fi Channel mini-series or TV movie. If you play devil's advocate and try and punch-holes in B5 as a feature... Well, it's not hard to come up with reasons for a studio to be sceptical when, by nature, science fiction films are VERY expensive. Even if you took a standard B5 episode and turned it into a feature, with no additional cast or production values the cost would increase ten-fold at least! Every actor and member of the crew as well as everyone else even remotely associated with the project are going to get paid several times over what they would make on a per episode basis.
What will most likely be my one post here today, meaning I don't have time and this is the only one that needed posting, will consist of the request to please disregard everything quoted above.
JMS has stated repeatedly that TMoS is a go, read this to mean "greenlit."
They have been and are in negotiations with cast and crew at the moment, please note the PJ statement at the recent con that the film is moving forward and "it might just have a big haired alien in it."
These things do not happen overnight. WB has been very clear (read JMS's posts) that they do NOT want leaks on this.
All is well, and WB and JMS are way past the very early stages JJ mentioned above.
The most logical cause of the delay has been the untimely passing of our beloved Rick Biggs. This caused the project to tailspin briefly while JMS went back to the drawing board to rewrite. JMS has told us this.
There is a production office, which again clearly indicates that they are way past the stage mentioned above by JJ.
You don't have offices in studios in the UK if you haven't gotten the green light yet.
The studio will announce when they're damn ready. Until then no cast or crew, including JMS, can say anything they're not supposed to, and rest assured they all know a lot and cannot say. They can hint and such, but cannot say anything as they are most likely under some form of gag order from WB.
Each production carries its own set of rules, for pre-production, for production, for announcing, for post, for marketing.
TMoS is being handled much more like SF films notoriously are handled. I am by no means worried or surprised by anything going on (or the apparent lack thereof -- PLEASE NOTE I said "apparent" as I'm pretty damn sure that part of the reason we've not heard much from JMS lately is because he's busy as hell).
Having a production office flat out means that they ARE in pre-production. Period.
'Nough said.
CE
