[dropcap size=small]J[/dropcap] Michael Straczynski is probably best known for his work on the sci-fi series, Babylon 5. After five seasons, a handful of TV movies, books, video games, and comics, it’s safe to say that the franchise was and still is a giant success. It also paved the way for many other series by featuring heavy uses of newer technologies during production. Currently JMS is using his Babylon cred to get audiences behind his latest effort, Sense8.
JMS recently took to his Facebook fan page to drum up some excitement about Sense8.
“We are going to tell a story on a planetary scale. No cheats. In ways no one else has ever done before. We are going to treat subjects that more TV series, and pretty much all SF series have avoided. We are going to present visuals and action in ways that you have simply never, ever seen before. Anywhere. In 2015 we are going to blow the doors off the television business.”
A statement like that might seem a little cocky, but he follows it up by listing the many ways that Babylon 5 broke ground when it debuted back in ’93. It’s also worth mentioning that he didn’t have the Wachowskis by his side back then like he does this time around. I think he has a right to be cocky.
In an interview with Deadline, JMS spoke briefly about the show’s premise.
“The series follows eight characters around the world who, in the aftermath of a tragic death, find themselves linked to each other mentally and emotionally. They can not only see and talk to each other as though they were in the same place, they have access to each other’s deepest secrets. Not only must they figure out what happened and why and what it means for the future of humanity, they much do so while being hunted by an organization out to capture, kill, or vivisect them.”
Sense8 will star Daryl Hannah, Naveen Andrews, Brian J. Smith, Tuppence Middleton, Aml Ameen, Doona Bae, Miguel Silvestre, Tena Desae, Max Riemelt, Jamie Clayton, and Adam Shapiro. Writing credits will be shared by J. Michael Straczynski, Andy Wachowski, and Lana Wachowski, while The Wachowski’s, James McTeigue, and Tom Tykwer will direct.
As for a release date, all we know is that it’ll be coming to Netflix at some point in 2015.
Are you excited? We are!
I am excited. Adam Shapiro, Daryl Hannah, and Brian J Smith are all fantastic casting choices.