The beloved mid-’90s sci-fi series, Babylon 5, is making a highly anticipated comeback. This time, it’s returning as an animated movie titled Babylon 5: The Road Home. Fans of the original show, known for its compelling five-year story and evolving characters, are eagerly awaiting this new instalment.
The news of the animated film took the sci-fi community by storm. The series creator, J. Michael Straczynski, and Warner Bros. and The CW confirmed the revival of the beloved show. The announcement revealed that the movie would be animated and feature several original cast members. This decision to continue the story in animated form allows for exploring new possibilities and the seamless integration of beloved characters.
The first full trailer for Babylon 5: The Road Home recently dropped, giving fans a glimpse into the captivating storyline. The trailer reveals that the movie will take us on a thrilling journey through time and space. Our protagonist, Sheridan, is depicted as being “whipsawed through multiple timelines and alternate realities.” One of these alternate realities showcases a world where Babylon 5 lost the Shadow War, a pivotal conflict in the original series. This intriguing premise promises to deliver a fresh and captivating narrative.
Watch the trailer below.
The return of familiar faces
One of the most exciting aspects of Babylon 5: The Road Home is the return of many original cast members. Bruce Boxleitner, who portrayed Captain Sheridan in the original series, will reprise his role. Joining him will be Claudia Christian as Ivanova, Peter Jurasik as Londo, Bill Mumy as Lennier, Tracy Scoggins as Lochley, and Patricia Tallman as telepath Lyta Alexander. However, due to the unfortunate passing of some cast members since the ’90s, new voice actors will portray Delenn, G’Kar, security chief Garibaldi, Dr Franklin, and the original Babylon 5 commander, Jeffrey Sinclair.
Fans of Babylon 5 will be delighted to know that the enigmatic character Zathras will appear in Babylon 5: The Road Home. Zathras, often referred to as a temporal engineer, played a crucial role in the original series. His return in the animated movie suggests that time travel and alternate realities will play a significant part in the storyline. Zathras’s presence will surely bring a smile to the faces of diehard Babylon 5 fans.
Streaming and home release options
Fans can look forward to streaming Babylon 5: The Road Home from various platforms, including Amazon, Apple TV, Vudu, and YouTube. Preorders for the movie are already available on most of these platforms, with a price tag of $20. The film is set to be released on 15 August and will be available to stream in 4K. Both 4K and 1080p Blu-ray versions will be released, with listings already appearing on Amazon UK.
According to the listing on Apple TV, Babylon 5: The Road Home will run for 1 hour and 20 minutes. The movie’s format, whether widescreen or adheres to the original aspect ratio, is yet to be confirmed. However, fans can anticipate a visually stunning experience, especially with the option to stream in 4K.
While the official release date for Babylon 5: The Road Home is set for 15 August, series creator J. Michael Straczynski has hinted that the movie may premiere earlier at Comic-Con in July. Comic-Con, the renowned convention for all things sci-fi and fantasy, would be the perfect platform to showcase this highly anticipated animated movie. Fans should watch for updates regarding the premiere date and any exclusive content that may be revealed during the event.
The live-action Reboot: A separate endeavour
Beyond the animated movie, there are also plans for a live-action reboot of Babylon 5. However, this project is currently facing obstacles, including the Writers Guild strike and other factors. While fans eagerly await further updates on the live-action reboot, the animated movie provides an exciting opportunity to revisit the beloved universe of Babylon 5 in a new and engaging way.
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