The V's are not our friends!

The plot for the pilot is now on the net.

See what the Futon Critic has to say.

Here's a brief breakdown of the new characters and, where relevant, their (roughly) opposite number from the original version (in brackets like so []).

It's based on a 61-page script by Scott Peters.

The pilot is one commercial (IE around 42-minutes of actual running time plus breaks) hour.

Casting details, where known, are in brackets.

Erica Evans - FBI Counter-Terrorist Agent.
Tyler Evans - Her son. Joins the Visitor Peace Ambassadors programme [Daniel Bernstein]
Dale Maddox - FBI Counter Terrorist Agent. Erica's Partner.
Father Jack Lowery - Catholic Priest.
Ryan Nichols (Morris Chestnut) - Has a girlfriend and is about to get engaged when the aliens arrive.
Valerie - His Girlfriend and a single Mum.
Mrs Belker - Valerie's blind neighbour. Concentration Camp survivor.
Chad Decker (Scott Wolf) - TV Anchor Man [Christine Walsh]
Anna (Morena Baccarin) - Alien Leader [Diana or, possibly, Supreme Commander John]

More casting and production news as it comes in.

The latest from Kenneth Johnson

Reacting to Variety reports that 'V' is to return to ABC, creator Kenneth Johnson posted the following (oddly in the third-person) on his website.

It's worth noting that while Johnson may have created 'V' he does not own the property.  Warner Brothers does.  Johnson parted company with the studio during pre-production on 'V': The Final Battle and was not involved with the short-lived weekly series.

It's unclear at the moment whether Johnson's statement means the ABC project is not happening.

The posting in full:

Update 10/9/08 -- You may hear reports that Warner Bros TV is attempting to 
“reimagine” V as a television series. This is relatively old news. Last fall their 
new concept, which Kenny in not involved with, was passed on by all four 
networks. Though ABC is again considering the possibility of developing a 
TV pilot project, this does not in any way affect Kenny’s ongoing efforts to 
remake his original classic as a major motion picture.

Kenny’s prime desire is to bring big-screen production values to the new 
movie while protecting the quality, integrity and substance that made his 
original V such a critically acclaimed, international landmark.

More soon. Ignore all other rumors -- the real deal will always be announced 
here as soon as possible.

From: www.kennethjohnson.us/V-News.html

'V' The Novel returns to print

October sees the republication of A.C. Crispin's novel of Kenneth Johnson's original mini-series.  The first time it will have been in print for at least a decade although copies can frequently be found in second-hand book outlets and online.

The original paperback adapted both the original mini-series but it seems the new edition will only include the novelisation of the opening four-hour mini-series with a new conclusion, penned by Johnson, which (we assume) will dovetail in some way with his Second Generation novel (which ignores the events of The Final Battle and the weekly series).

UK publication details are unavailable but copies will be available online.  Large branches of Waterstones and Forbidden Planet carried The Second Generation and may also stock this hardback.  If you see it, let us know and we'll let everyone know.

'V': The Series - Now on DVD in the UK

The timing with the announcement of the (potential) reincarnation must just be chance but Warner Brothers have finally got around to releasing the 1984-85 weekly series on DVD.  This is the first time its' been officially available in the UK since the VHS tapes were deleted back-in-the-day.

As with the US release, this is a vanilla release of the 19 episodes with no extra material.  As with The Final Battle, maybe no-one wanted to talk about it.  Or, more likely, Warner Brothers were unwilling to spend the money on a top-notch release.

As with the VHS tapes, this contains all the episodes of the weekly series including Breakout.  This was originally intended to be the third episode but NBC, for reasons still not completely clear, opted not to show this episode forcing the production team to insert additional scenes into subsequent episodes to ensure that the various characters reach the same point.  When all episodes are viewed in order (and without explanation), this makes it seem like the writers haven't been paying attention and are contradicting previous events.

The release consists of five discs and currently retails around £20-£25.  Most high street retailers seem to have copies suggesting considerable distributor and retailer support and faith.  With the exception of some press advertising, Warner Brothers do not appear to have supported the release with personal appearances by the cast etc.

1st Post: 'V' to return to television?

We start this new blog with some very, ahem, interesting news.

Variety (the Hollywood news bible) is reporting online that America's ABC is developing a new take on the 'V' concept but without creator Kenneth Johnson at the helm.

Details are sparse but it seems that ABC have commissioned Scott (The 4400) Peters to oversee the potential revival after selling the network a spec. script.

The article states that Warner Brothers (who own the property and produced the original mini-series, the sequel and the weekly series) approached Peters to head the project.  Peters had previously written a 'V' script which failed to sell.  He'll Executive Produce alongside Jace Hall, a previous head of Warner's video game division, who will oversee extending the revival beyond television.

Details are obviously still sketchy but it seems this will be a reworking (ala Battlestar Galactica) rather than a direct sequel (as Johnson had hoped to launch) or a remake of the original mini-series.

The new incarnation will revolve around Erica Evans, a Homeland Security agent, who's wayward son accepts the Visitors a little too willingly when their fleet first arrives.  As before, the Visitors will arrive in giant spacecraft positioned over the Earth's key population centres.  As before, their mission will have a secret objective (we don't know if they are after the food and water again).

Kenneth Johnson previously teamed with warner Brothers in a bid to sell a revival to NBC, the franchise's original home.  The network appeared to run hot and cold over the project for several years.  Johnson suggested either a sequel taking place some twenty years after the original invasion (and disregarding the events of The Final Battle and The Series, neither of which Johnson had direct involvement with) or a remake of his initial mini-series.

When Johnson failed to sell his sequel proposal, he turned it into the well-received original novel 'V': The Second Generation.  A revised version of the bestselling novel adaptation of the original mini-series (written by A.C Crispin) is due to return to print this autumn.  

It is unclear from the initial report whether ABC have committed to putting this version into production or have just opted to develop the concept further ahead of a potential green light at a later date.

The original article can be found here - www.variety.com/VR1117993725.html

WE NEED YOUR HELP - We intend to keep track of all the twist-and-turns connected with this (potential) revival as well as Kenneth Johnson's new work with his original creation.  If you see ANYTHING about either, please email us all the details and we'll share with everyone.