From: "Robert Ashley Ruiz" (espresso@dnai4tag.com) Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 00:01:11 +0000 Subject: Space1999: Movie Helena I just watched "Tequila Sunrise" and again thought what a perfect movie version Helena Russell Michelle Pfeiffer would make. What a beautifully Patrician woman she is, but with enough of an edge to make her/Helena interesting. I can't think of who would be a good Koenig to pair her up with though. It was weird watching "Tequila Sunrise" tonight because in the movie Michelle drives an Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce just like mine -- even the same color, which is kind of rare (wine, though it looks slightly more brown-tinted in the movie). I'm having a dilemma because as of tonight it's official -- I'm moving to Colorado in the third week of April to create a business with a friend, and I can't decide whether to get something practical for Colorado like a Jeep because I love my car and don't want to give it up. Anyway, any thoughts on a Koenig for Pfeiffer's Russell? Don't just name actors you like, really think about it and about what are the essential characteristics of John Koenig -- then cast him.
From: djlerda@juno4tag.com Subject: Re: Space1999: Movie Helena Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 19:24:46 EST I think that James Woods would make an excellent John Koenig. David J Lerda "Just because we haven't experienced something doesn't mean it doesn't exist" - John Koenig
From: CargoEagle (CargoEagle@aol1tag.com) Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 22:22:11 EST Subject: Re: Space1999: Movie Helena I'd Love to see Bill Pullman as Alan, Gary
Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 21:25:33 -0600 From: Chris Hlady (chlady@escape4tag.ca) Subject: Space1999: Movie Helena Excellent question Robert, although as much as I love Michelle Pfeiffer, I'll have to suspend judgement on making that casting call. I'd prefer to offer the Dr. Russell role to Kim Basinger (capitalizing on her recent oscar success). As for Koenig, some initial impressions are George Clooney (if he's good enough for Bruce Wayne...), Val Kilmer (great Saint), John Travolta (Primary Colors, hmm); maybe even Peter Fonda. Kevin Costner? Jeremy Irons? Long-shot Alec Baldwin (for ironic parallelism, re: Basinger). Tommy Lee Jones? Toss in Sean Connery or Anthony Hopkins as Victor Bergman ;-) Mark's idea of Uma Thurman as Maya is great. Maybe Madonna (developing Mentor would be difficult). The framework of the movie would probably end with the destruction of the moon (ref the fate of Enterprises in Star Trek movies), and the emphasis on superb models might be lost (in exchange for computer animation). It might be neat to see engineers construct a Mechanical moon to occupy the space in the Earth's sky; for when the Alphans return to Earth. For Alan Carter, I'd select Brad Pitt or Pierce Brosnan. Hmm, damn, I like it already. Chris Hlady
Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 22:34:02 -0500 From: Jeff Hudson (jeff@grcmc4tag.org) Subject: Re: Space1999: Movie Helena ...How about Bill Murray as Koenig. :)
From: David Acheson (dkach@hot44mail.com) Subject: Space1999: The Movie Date: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 00:01:33 EST Alphans: The idea of this SPACE: 1999 movie keeps popping up every now and then doesn't it? So I sat down and figured what the hell - might as well add another scenario to the discussion. I find Michelle Pfeiffer okay but would go with Helen Hunt myself if this movie was to be cast at this point in time. I was routing for her Oscar win. Even if she wasn't in TITANIC! Ha Ha. I find she would create a whole new Doctor Russell rather than be a carbon copy of Barbara Bain. Which is what we want isn't it? I concede defeat on John Koenig though. I just couldn't come up with anyone who I thought could do a great job. As for the others. I went whole hog and ended up creating a SPACE: 2099 that would introduce a Moonbase Alpha that is both a exploration post and a secret facility for SHADO. Yes 1999 and UFO combined. The moon would be blown out of orbit after SHADO has to destroy a hidden alien outpost on the far side of the moon. The Alphans risk their own lives with the possible destruction of the moon in order to destroy all the aliens and save the Earth. Big holes in the story I know but after all I was only fooling around and do not intend to write it. So the cast? How about: Tommy Lee Jones as Commissioner Gerald Simmonds Sean Connery as Professor Victor Bergman David Duchovny as Captain Alan Carter Antonio Banderas as First Officer Tony Verdeschi Sandra Bullock as Data Analyst Sandra Benes William Hurt as Colonel Ed Straker Kathleen Turner as Colonel Virginia Lake and James Earl Jones as the voice of Space Intruder Detector (SID) Of course, if James Cameron directs it at an astronomical cost and it runs 4 hours it should be a megahit. Only joking. Now back to our normal lives. David Acheson
Date: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 00:18:48 -0600 From: Chris Hlady (chlady@escape4tag.ca) Subject: Space1999: The Movie The uniqueness of Space: 1999 defies a movie adaptation. For personalities, it was a Martin Landau/Barbara Bain vehicle. For production, it was typical Gerry Anderson style x toys fiesta. (by the way, whatever happened to Keith Wilson, production designer?) For a revival, ala Lost in Space, all bets to replicate the 70s magic would be long indeed. What was it that made it so special? The Science Fiction vacuum? Repackaged Doctor Who ideas? Tremendous music, fashion, style, and charisma? The real threat of nuclear waste storage? Supermarionation done with real people? Here, we are 535 days until September 13, 1999; and lo how the world has changed. Style-substitutes jut out from the catwalks of ill-conceived "creators." Special effects are vomited out like toilet paper. For grace of a sort, there needs to be a Titantic effort. There is no "DANGER WILL ROBINSON" to signal a kitschy revival campaign. What are we going to do: kill the lover's moon? Dramatic yes, but really, truly cynical. Mutation played such a large role in Space: 1999. Mutations drawn out from real human fears. The dialogue between Koenig, Bergman & Russell spoke for the times of awesome destructive power. It was post-Watergate & Vietnam, and people were grasping for stability. The President of the United States was a crook, and yes, by golly, the Earth could even lose her moon. The eighties, fueled by greed, ignored unsolved problems and compounded debt. The nineties, exhausted and burned out, simply gave up. Democratic phonies like Clinton and Blair continue the web of corporate infestation bathing in the rot of decaying civilization. What's up for discussion? Day to day survival. Anything more than that is farcical. Somehow though, the dream of Space: 1999 still excites my fantasy. Those tender moments of cast, and music, and style, and grace are with me still. They are in my appreciative eyes watching people doing neat stuff; taking pride in their excellent crafts. There remains hope that the dream is alive and will be passed on to the youth of tomorrow. Chris Hlady
From: Petter Ogland (petter.ogland@dnmi4tag.no) Date: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 11:26:23 +0000 Subject: Re: Space1999: The Movie > For a revival, ala Lost in Space, all bets to > replicate the 70s magic would be long indeed. Definitely. SPACE: 1999 was a child of its time, much like 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY had been some five years before (1968). In the mid eighties, however, they decided to make 2010, and while this is not one of the worst sci-fi films to have been made, it seems to have very little to do with Kubrick's visions of the world, although it may have been more in line with Clark. if one were to make something like SPACE: 2099 it would be something very different from the original concept, I suppose, and I don't even know if the basic metaphor of the moon going out of orbit would have the same impact today as it had then. It's difficult to say whether a remake of the best episodes like BREAKAWAY or BLACK SUN would be as compelling as the original thing. ALIEN (1979), however, seems to have been a recycling of many of the ideas of SPACE: 1999, both in respects of production design, special effects and story line. Its too bad they didn't put more effort into making the characters more human, showing strong sides to feeble characters and vice versa, like they did on SPACE: 1999. While there are elements in Space: 1999 that certainly seem to reflect the political temperature of its time, the series being British made, I don't think it should be read as a direct comment on Watergate and Vietnam, although some elements of it even seem to reflect things like this. Commisionar Dixon in DRAGON'S DOMAIN does seems to mirror aspects of both Nixon and Kissinger, but is not presented as a "crook", and neither is Simmonds, I think, although EARTHBOUND does not have very much positive to say about politicians. There are many global fears and worries that were touched upon, however, like the problem of nuclear waste (BREAKAWAY), global disasters (BLACK SUN), the emerge of computers (GUARDIAN OF PIRI), social impacts of drug addiction (FORCE OF LIFE), power psychosis (END OF ETERNITY), the emerge of "new-age" biological thinking (THE TROUBLED SPIRIT) etc. Even the problem of fear itself was discussed (WAR GAMES). The main theme of the series, the loss of meaning in the seventies as a consequence of rapid technological development and social change after World War II, was perhaps best illustrated in episodes like THE LAST SUNSET, I feel. While being topical, few of the episodes seem dated today, I think. The moral impact of episodes like RING AROUND THE MOON, GUARDIAN OF PIRI and THE INFERNAL MACHINE are perhaps more accessable now then before. An episode like BLACK SUN is very much a re-writing of the TITANIC story, as has been elaborated on by many on this list. Year Two of SPACE: 1999 perhaps reflects the eigthies more in its optimistic approach to life. Maya, change in character approach, change in style of music and production values gives the series a very different feel, but it would perhaps be safer to say that it reflects the latter part of the 1970s more than the 1980s. While there were significant changes, people like Johnny Byrne were still on the set, contributing their best to make it work. Some of the worst scripts, such as ALL THAT GLISTERS, were even saved by stylish direction, although the best episodes were perhaps things like THE BETA CLOUD that gives the most insight into the psychology of Fred Freiberger who seemed to be very much in control over the general development. From a 1990s point of view, I feel the first season makes better resonance. There is much of a day to day survival feel to episodes like BREAKAWAY, MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH, BLACK SUN and others. The unique blend of action, drama and philosophy in SPACE: 1999 makes it all work out quite well. In spite of the melancholy of Barry Gray, and the general hopelessness in the situations the Alphans are thrown into, the writers, directors, designers and actors seem to have been working, sleeping and eating Space:1999 with such an enthusiasm that it really sparks of from the TV screen at times. It is definitely one of my fondest TV memories, and one of those series that make me think even today. Petter
Date: Sat, 28 Mar 1998 14:53:25 +0100 Subject: Space1999: SPACE: 2099 From: Ekmar Brand (Ekmar.Brand@t-online-4tag.de) Hi all! Since six years I have very good contacts to PANASENSOR, a German film company. The owner is Bernd P. Kammermeier. He is now working on ASTRO SAGA, a 80 million dollar sci-fi movie. ASTRO SAGA starts April 1999 (one month before STAR WARS episode 1) in the USA. Three years ago I wrote together with Bernd a script for the movie RUECKKEHR DER ORION (RETURN OF THE ORION), a sequel to RAUMPATROUILLE - DIE PHANTASTISCHEN ABENTEUER DES RAUMSCHIFFES ORION (SPACE PATROL - THE FANTASTIC ADVENTURES OF THE SPACESHIP ORION). RAUMPATROUILLE was very successful seven-part TV series in the 60's, starring Dietmar Schönherr and Eva Pflug. I know that Bernd P. Kammermeier is a fan of Gerry Andersons works. Perhaps we can start another campaign for the revival of SPACE: 1999. I think it must be a remake with new actors and more realistic storys. Perhaps we can get some of the old actors as gueststars (as other characters). 1999 is a good year for start filming a new TV series. Because we will have already 1999, the series must get a new name. SPACE: 2099, SPACE JOURNEY or MOONBASE ALPHA could be a title for a new show. Connections with UFO would make sence, because that was originally planned. I realized that many people have similair ideas like me. Here are some ideas for characters, story and spaceships: Regular characters (all seasons): Commander John Koenig (Moonbase Alpha), Dr. Helena Russell, Chief Pilot Alan Carter, Sandra Benes, Dr. Robert Mathias, Professor Victor Bergman, Paul Morrow, David Kano, Maya, Tony Verdeschi. Commander Walter Straker (Moonbase Beta) and other people. Story of SPACE 2099: 511 people are living on the moonbase Alpha. Alpha is a scientific base. A second base is under construction: Beta, a military base. The Century Spacedock is in orbit of the moon. Mankind is preparing the first mission to the planet Meta. The Earth is bringing nuclear wast to the moon. Professor Victor Bergman is experimenting with the Hawking Machine, an invention which can create wormholes. Bergman's goal is to send the Meta probe through a wormhole to the planet Meta. Nuclear waste is the energy source for the Hawking Machine. A sun storm is the cause of a computer malfunction and so Professor Bergman doesn't know that he uses to much nuclear waste for the experiment. The result is fatal: The machine creates a big wormhole which catapults the whole moon together with the Century Spacedock into another galaxy. The Alphans don't know where they are: another solar system, another galaxy or another universe. Only the Hawking Machine can bring them back to Earth, but the problem is: They don't konw how to go back. The Alphans can't control the Hawking Machine and don't know where they go next. A collision course with a sun is possible, and it takes at least 48 hours to restart the Hawking Machine... In one of the first episodes Maya comes to Alpha as a regular charakter to Alpha. The uniforms are always the same, and crew members do not vanish without any explaination. The scripts had to be logical. I want to reduce scientific errors. SPACE: 2099 should be a great dramatic show with fantasitc scripts, very good actors and many special effects. Technical equipment and crews: Moonbase Alpha (crew: 511 people): 155 Eagles (crew: 1-20 people), 115 Swallows (crew: 1-18 people) Moonbase Beta (crew: 320 people): 60 Hawks (crew: 2 people), 20 Eagles (crew: 1-20 people), 15 Swallows (crew: 1-18 people) Century Spacedock (crew: 225 People): 1 Meta Probe (crew: 12 people), 55 Hawks (crew: 2 people), 55 Eagles (crew: 1-20 people) Moonbase Alpha: scienticfic base. This base includes a factory for Eagles and Swallows. Moonbase Beta: military base (under construction) for alien defence. This base includes a factory for Hawks. Century Spacedock: scientific station with military assistance Eagle: Typ 1 - Eagle Transporter, Typ 2 - Eagle Freighter, Typ 3 Rescue Eagle. All Eagles be be equiped with different containers und additional boosters. Weapons: 2 laser cannons Hawk: Typ Mark IX Fast fighter with two heavy laser cannons Swallow: Shuttle with wings. Constructed for flights in the atmosphere. Meta Probe: Spaceship with big scientific equipment. No weapons. For a SPACE: 1999 remake we must try to keep most of the charakters, the look and the atmosphere. The design must change only minimal to keep some things better (colour monotors, new computers, etc.) The "mirror telescope" (which was used in some episodes as a laser cannon) must change to a "real" laser cannon. The fans must identify an Eagle as an Eagle. What do you think about my idea? Ekmar
Date: Sat, 28 Mar 1998 09:42:58 -0600 From: Jim Small (eagle1@mb.sym44patico.ca) Subject: Re: Space1999: SPACE: 2099 Well, I don't know about you all out there, but I REALLY like the idea. Especially in mentioning that the overall look of the show shouldn't change. In fact, I would like to see many of the designs left totally alone with no changes. Here's my rationalle... A lot of rehashes of old shows like "Star trek" and now "Lost in Space" had to see design changes take place to make them more believeable and more realistic because the original designs by today's standards look very "dated". Look at the "Jupiter Two" for example on Lost in Space. It's just a silver saucer. It's very difficult to get away with that today! With the hardware in 1999 this is most definitely NOT the case, so well were they designed! The overall look of Alpha sets could remain totally unchanged except for making consoles look more functional instead of things like buttons with no identification and lights that apparently blink on and off for no reason! The commlocks and stunguns are still a great design, the Eagles still look like they make sense and there is nothing whatsoever dated about the look of the exterior of the Alpha base! In fact even the costumes as seen in the second series still for the most part look great and functional, just get rid of the bell bottoms and platform shoes! The idea of the different coloured sleeves must remain intact for sure!!!! Some may argue that some designs would have to be changed so as to avoid people thinking they're just seeing the same old thing. I disagree. I think with today's special effects technology the same style of models could look much more dynamic because the shot's wouldn't be limited to the simplest optical effects. Just an Eagle flyby could look really dynamic with motion control and interesting backgrounds! The rocket exhausts can now be simulated with more force and authenticity, instead of just a wispy freon trail. People could interact with the ships more often and more convincingly. Also, the action can be filmed more powerfully as well! Anyhow, it would be interesting to see this happen and I hope it does. But I won't hold my breath! L8er! -- It's not the time it takes to take the takes, it's the time it takes between the takes that take the time to take! __| _ \ | | / | __| _` | _ | | _ \ | | _ \ _ \ | ( | ( | | __/ | | | | __/ ___| \__,_|\__ | _|\___| ____/ _| _|\___| |__/ E. James Small
Date: Sat, 28 Mar 1998 20:38:39 +0100 Subject: Re: Space1999: SPACE: 2099 From: Horst Noll (HNoll@t-on44line.de) Hallo Ekmar ! Wo hast Du nur diese Ideen her ? Wenn das wirklich realisiert werden könnte, würde mit Sicherheit eine sehr interessante "neue" Serie entstehen. Kann man diese Sache irgendwie unterstützen ? For our english-speaking friends : Where do you get your ideas ? If your iedeas could be realized, there would certainly grow a very interesting "new" series. How can we support these ideas ? Horst
Date: Sat, 28 Mar 1998 12:13:57 -0500 From: Jeff Hudson (jeff@grcmc4tag.org) Subject: Space1999: Re: new series I like the idea for the wormhole- a good explanation for how the moonbase could cover so much space. Also, having things split between a scientific and a military base is good. It's almost like a way to reconcile the differences between series 1 and 2. I think that they would want to update the hardware somewhat... like touch sensitive buttons instead of those big square ones, etc. They could include some new things like nanotechnology or virtual reality. Perhaps Kano would have some new ways to interface with the computer. Definitely better shapeshifting for Maya and so on but I don't think they would need to change things that drastically. Definitely not to the extent that they overhauled Lost In Space. I would love to see a new Space: 1999- or 2099, especially done well. They've done so many awful remakes and sequels, it would be great if somebody attempted one with respect for the original.
Date: Sun, 29 Mar 1998 18:13:27 +0200 Subject: Space1999: SPACE: 2099 From: Ekmar Brand (Ekmar.Brand@t-on44line.de) Hi all! It could be possible that some fans don't want a remake or a sequel. I remembered the controverse dissussions when STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENEARATION started. To the diehard fans of the original SPACE: 1999: You should see SPACE: 2099 like an adventure in a mirror universe (like ANOTHER TIME, ANOTHER PLACE). Something we must think about: If no one makes a remake one day, SPACE: 1999 perhaps would be forgotten one day. See the cancellation of the EXPO convention. I know many remakes which are same as good as the originals or possible better: THE THING, INVADERS FROM MARS, THE FLY, THE BLOB, SUPERMAN, BATMAN... But a also know bad remakes: KING KONG and the new FLASH GORDON animated series. It is very important to know HOW to make a remake and keep the atmosphere of the original. I saw some pictures of the LOST IN SPACE movie. The design of the movie has nothing to do with the TV series. The costumes look like DUNE and the robot looks like Maximilian from THE BLACK HOLE. The movie LOST IN SPACE has not started yet in Germany, so I can't write much to this. For a SPACE: 1999 remake we should try to keep most of the original look. Where did I get my idea? I stole it from Roland Emmerich's movies INDEPENDENCE DAY, GODZILLA, MOON 44, HOLLYWOOD MONSTER and JOEY... Of course not! My idea based on new scientic theories (Stephen Hawkings), the realistíc technique of 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, some episodes (especially BREAKAWAY, SPACE WARP and THE METAMORPH), the original concept to combine UFO and SPACE: 1999 and, of course, my own ideas. How can we support these ideas? I heard that Brain Johnson wants the make a remake of SPACE: 1999. I think, it would be a good idea to write him, what we want, but I don't know his address. Ekmar
From: David Acheson (dkach@hot44mail.com) Subject: Space1999: Be thankful it wasn't Networked Date: Sun, 29 Mar 1998 12:07:29 EST Alphans: It seems pretty ironic how things turned out for many sci-fi programs - SPACE: 1999 in particular. It was always ITC's dream to capture the American market with 1999 and the initial attempt was to get a network commitment. All three major US networks turned the show down. Fortunately, ITC was able to get a highly unusual set up for syndication for those times - over 100 independent stations airing the series across the nation. A virtual reality network so to speak. Large syndicated runs are an alternative to network and cable fare today but was not heard of in those days. So why am I bringing this up? Well, watching LOST IN SPACE last night made me think about the whole issue about creative control over such programs. Despite the success SPACE: 1999 had in the US during year one, ITC felt it was not good enough and acted in much the same manner I believe a network would have if they had picked up the show. One can't totally put the blame on Fred Freiberger for the changed direction of the show for year two. The overwhelming fact is that much of the executives do not know much about sci-fi and believe it should be something warm and friendly and suitable for the widest possible audience. I often wondered why ITC felt so pressured to change the show for year two if the US was the place where it had its largest success in year one? While Gerry and Sylvia Anderson's trademarks can be found in the first year I belive Gerry Anderson lost much creative control in year two and caved-in to the pressures from the executive level the second time around. Still, 1999 might not have gone as far as it have if it was networked so we should be glad it got a 48 episode run. Which brings me to sci-fi in general. Its a well-worn story that STAR TREK was a nightmare for Gene Roddenberry during its low-rated three year run on NBC. However, he did not cave in a lot to the network. LOST IN SPACE was a prime example of a show that was changed due to network pressure - for the worst. Last night Space: The Imagination Station ran the original unaired pilot that CBS apparently rejected. (The station had a LOST IN SPACE marathon in advance of the new movie opening soon). I was totally amazed at how excellent it was - a well scripted adventure with a cerebral approach and a haunting score from Bernard Hermann. Very unusual stuff for network TV for sure. There was no robot and no Dr. Smith. I just could not believe that the network actually thought that the eventual comic book approach the series was directed towards would be better fare. I can almost cry when I think how LOST IN SPACE could have turned out. I believe though that its only been the last 10 years where syndication and sci-fi can walk hand in hand without network or executive changes. STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION and BABYLON FIVE are prime examples of dedicated projects with little outside control. THE X-FILES is a network show but I believe, in a rare move, that Chris Carter was given carte blanche. Thus I must say looking at TV sci-fi history I am glad 1999 was syndicated and that it managed to produce something original (if not accurate) and worth watching 25 years later. David Acheson
From: Tom Miller (tmiller@north44net.org) Subject: Re: Space1999: Be thankful it wasn't Networked Date: Sun, 29 Mar 1998 13:38:52 -0500 Excellant commentary. I Felt the same way about SeaQuest the first year. A great endever into human actions and consequences, only to have lagging ratings change it also to a saturday matinee... Tom Miller
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1998 09:25:05 -0700 From: James Smith (jsmith@ncube.com) Subject: Space1999: Movie Casting Here's a wild idea for casting a possible S99 movie-- how about getting Martin Landau to play Victor? :-) James