New interview with Tony Head about "Ripper." - BtVS

Best news I've heard in a long time! That's fantastic.

RIPPER!

That was going to be the entirety of my comment, but I don't interpret the news as "confirmed" except in the post title. The actual quote seems more "almost-almost-confirmed, big critical step accomplished" to me?

Although Fox may have given a nod to “Ripper,” it’s still a long way off coming to fruition as the go ahead for development is still a few steps short from a commitment to the series.

It is fantastic news nonetheless. I look forward to the adventures of Mr. Giles.

Sunfire | August 26, 21:51 CET

“ 'It’s more likely than it has been for some time,' Head told SyFy Portal’s Alan Stanley Blair during the recent Collectormania convention in Glasgow, Scotland. 'Joss [Whedon], I think I’ve actually got to talk to him to find out if he’s got it. It’s all about Fox now, whether Fox will give permission but the BBC [is] up for it.' ”... "However, Head said the project was finally moving ahead and that producers have received a green light for the series to be developed."... "Although Fox may have given a nod to 'Ripper,' it’s still a long way off coming to fruition as the go ahead for development is still a few steps short from a commitment to the series. But as Head himself says, it’s a lot more than fans had before." ... “They’ve only made an announcement that they’ve given the go ahead for development,” he said. “But that’s a lot further down the line than we were a year ago. It’s a good story, too. [Whedon's] told me … but there is no script.”

Just to be clear, within the article itself, ASH says both that he has to talk to Joss to "find out if he's got it," that it's "all about Fox now, whether Fox will give permission but the BBC [is] up for it..." and that "producers had received a green light" for series development - so it's a little unclear whether Fox has given that nod, and exactly who made that "announcement that they’ve given the go ahead for development..."

I'd love to get excited - very interested in this - but "confirmed" yet not sure about Fox's permission seems a little back-and-forthy, just within one article, and therefore a tad premature.

ET: fix typo

[ edited by QuoterGal on 2007-08-27 04:10 ]

QuoterGal | August 26, 21:58 CET

I'm sure this is more likely an issue of misinformation than breaking awesome news, but I thought I'd quote it anyway:

Since then however, the project went cold and the proposed two-hour backdoor pilot was never produced. However, Head said the project was finally moving ahead and that producers have received a green light for the series to be developed."

Hrrm. Anyway, it sounds like 20th Century Fox has been pretty generous to Joss in the past, particularly--if I recall correctly--in letting him try to sell Firefly to other networks or something like that? So I hope you'll excuse me if I've gotten my hopes ridiculously up.

sumogrip | August 26, 22:01 CET

Could someone please change the title of this post? It's completely misleading! (even though it's what the SyFy Portal article is called, maybe we should be the ones to tone down the hysteria?)

I am as excited now as I was when Joss talked about it several weeks ago. This article basically reiterates the same news. It's no more confirmed today than it was then.

crossoverman | August 26, 22:05 CET

More good news, though not the 100% confirmation the headline suggests as others have mentioned.
But still a hopeful sign.

zz9 | August 26, 22:15 CET

Damm exciting on all counts.

cheryl | August 26, 22:27 CET

Hey I'll take an "almost confirmed"...now how about that big damn sequel???

kballgetlost | August 26, 22:27 CET

I'll take an almost confirmed too. It's much better than what we've gotten in the past. lol

maje | August 26, 22:32 CET

I'm curious as to how "Ripper" will fit into the canon that is the Buffy Season 8 comics. Personally, I'll be in front of the TV with popcorn waiting a week before the premiere (should it happen), but I would think that poses a challenge to the writing process.

Cris | August 26, 22:32 CET

Added the "Almost" is deference to reasonable arguments. It does sound like ASH is talking it up as if it's about to happen. That's better than we've heard for years.

Nebula1400 | August 26, 22:37 CET

I think adding in all the quotes from Head to make it seem more authentic is a bit confusing since they're all from different interviews presumably over a series of years, and the only quote relevant to the title wasn't actually a quote. Sounds pretty cool though!

I don't really see why Boreanaz would be needed for a cameo if it ever comes through though. Sarah Michelle Gellar on the other hand might be handy now that the season 8 comics have come about, and even more than since we first heard of this series back when Buffy was busy with her own show. (Was it back during season six-ish? Wow)

orangewaxlion | August 26, 22:42 CET

Sounds like we are getting closer.I also wonder if this will tie-in to Buffy season 8 especially if Buffy herself appears.Actually if DB also makes a cameo,would this tie into Angel:After The Fall too?

Buffyfantic | August 26, 22:49 CET

Wait...did I miss something? When did this 90 minute TV movie turn into a series? Even if not confirmed....I'm really excited :) Just saw Band Candy tonight...one of my favorite Giles moments ever!

Harmalicious | August 26, 22:57 CET

It sure would be lovely to hear more from Joss on the subject. ;)

Daburcor | August 26, 23:03 CET

Wait...did I miss something? When did this 90 minute TV movie turn into a series?

I was wondering the same thing. I know I will be extremely happy if that turns out to be the case, though.

Wolf Ram and Hart | August 26, 23:10 CET

I don't really see why Boreanaz would be needed for a cameo if it ever comes through though. Sarah Michelle Gellar on the other hand might be handy now that the season 8 comics have come about, and even more than since we first heard of this series back when Buffy was busy with her own show. (Was it back during season six-ish? Wow)

I don't know. In the comics, it seems that the Scoobies haven't really seen each other much in the past year or so. The series (or movie; still confused as to which) could progress without much (or any) appearances by the others.

ETA: Besides, I really don't see SMG or DB making an appearance. Not to be cynical, but they've moved on.

[ edited by deepgirl187 on 2007-08-27 05:12 ]

deepgirl187 | August 26, 23:11 CET

I could see DB and/or SMG doing a cameo as a favor for Tony,schedule permitting.It's not like they would be starring in the film or co-starring.

[ edited by Buffyfantic on 2007-08-27 05:26 ]

Buffyfantic | August 26, 23:23 CET

Or as some sort of passing-the-torch thing. Like, "Hey we've both had our own series, now you go do it too!" I mean, not that Buffy or Angel were ever just SMG or DB, but you know...

sumogrip | August 26, 23:28 CET

I can't see ASH saying that they might make an appearance if a certain creator hadn't mentioned it in passing. :)
I think SMG and DB have moved on in the same sense that we were forced to move on. There was nothing knew. Moving on was pretty much critical to their careers.

I have little doubt that if the script is great and we all know it will be, they will both be there if Joss wants them.

cheryl | August 26, 23:33 CET

When did this 90 minute TV movie turn into a series?

I don't think it did. My suspicion is that the writer, who understood that the idea, years ago, originally was for a series simply assumed that's what the current proposal was as well.

After all, it was just last month at Comic-Con that Joss mentioned it as a 90-minute thing.

Pretty sure this is a writer error.

@theonetruebix | August 26, 23:42 CET

Darn. Moving heart out of throat and back into chest now.

Craig Oxbrow | August 27, 01:14 CET

Judging from the comments and the amount of hits on this article, people are really excited. But I think that the article has some what jumped the gun a bit and is a bit misleading (through no fault of its own though).

So I tweaked the headline and added the Tony quotes to reflect where the stage where Ripper is actually at (i.e. it still hasn't been greenlit).

Simon | August 27, 03:03 CET

But I think that the article has some what jumped the gun a bit and is a bit misleading (through no fault of its own though).

That was my reaction when I read this. Not only did they get a lot of facts wrong, but the whole article is based on hearsay. Also, I'd bet that the premise of Ripper has changed a bit in the last 5 years or so, since the Buffyverse mythology has changed (no, Giles cannot go back to Sunnydale, because now there is no Sunnydale!). Also, I'm pretty sure Joss was calling it a movie at Comic-Con and not a series.

Oh, and SMG and DB guest starring? Ha! Are there gold and leprechauns at the end of that rainbow?

[ edited by ElectricSpaceGirl on 2007-08-27 10:53 ]

electricspacegirl | August 27, 04:47 CET

With the best will in the world to the writer, I think it is slightly through the article's own fault Simon if the author chose the headline since what it claims is (IMO) pretty far from what's actually happened.

And as others have said, the quotes are a bit ambiguous. "whether Fox will give permission" then "they" have given the go ahead - is that the Fox "they" or the BBC "they" or Mutant Enemy "they" ? Colour me confused (but try to stay inside the lines, this T-shirt's clean on ;).

I can't see ASH saying that they might make an appearance if a certain creator hadn't mentioned it in passing. :)

Except ASH doesn't say might he says could. As in, it's not impossible, don't rule it out not, to me, as in, we've approached them about it or even that it's actually a serious consideration at the moment. I could maybe see SMG doing it as a personal favour to ASH but on the other hand I don't really see him asking for it as a personal favour, given her public comments and evident wish to move on it'd be gauche in the extreme to put her on the spot like that and he strikes me as having better manners.

“If all things are equal we’ll do it next summer,” Head later told fans at the event. “It could involve her, it could involve him but it doesn’t hinge on that.”

(my emphasis)

Bearing in mind Joss hasn't written it yet I think planning things like cameos are a ways down the line. Basically, as ASH says, we're way further forward, things are looking very positive but nothing is confirmed. Yet ;).

Saje | August 27, 04:50 CET

If anyone else comes back, it should be Robin Sachs. Or Harris Yulin.

To paraphrase the First Slayer: "Death is a career move."

My money's on Robin. I love the way he delivers the line "Hello, Ripper."

And his character has had at least three years to escape from the Initiative's Nevada Section. He must be out by now / then.

If it came to a series, Ethan would make an excellent Big Bad.

[ edited by malcolm on 2007-08-27 12:05 ]

malcolm | August 27, 05:35 CET

Ethan's, er, dead.

daylight | August 27, 06:36 CET

Right, so it depends on when Ripper is set :) Plus, with Buffy, who is ever really dead? Besides Jesse (who probably has a mini-series from Dark Horse on the way any day now...).

zeitgeist | August 27, 07:05 CET

The writer wrote this based on an interview he had with ASH over the weekend. How is it heresay and a combination of quotes from other articles? I'm taking Alan's word for it that this was a bonafide Q & A he had with ASH.

Ethan's, er, dead.

When is dead ever really dead in the Whedonverse?

Nebula1400 | August 27, 07:51 CET

I feel bad for not remembering how Ethan died, I guess I have some serious Buffy rewatching to do.

Trying to hold in my excitement on this for now, but it seems to be getting more and more hopeful. I hope we at least get a pilot episode.

ChromeShark | August 27, 08:23 CET

I feel bad for not remembering how Ethan died, I guess I have some serious Buffy rewatching to do.

He didn't die on the show.He was killed in issue 4 of the season 8 comics.

Buffyfantic | August 27, 08:30 CET

"He didn't die on the show.He was killed in issue 4 of the season 8 comics.
Buffyfantic | August 27, 14:30 CET "

Oh, the comics, that's not canon * runs away*

I'll believe in Ripper when it gets greenlit, funded and filmed

So many things spend so long in development hell and never get made

debw | August 27, 08:54 CET

Quick everyone, run after debw with official, Joss endorsed rotten fruit and vegetables !

(could've been worse, could've been canon balls [sic]. Badum dum ;-)

Saje | August 27, 08:59 CET

The preferred weaponry is "various fruits and meats"

Death isn't necessarily fatal.

However Development Hell invariably is.

One of those 100 years = 1 day places.

[ edited by malcolm on 2007-08-27 15:02 ]

malcolm | August 27, 09:00 CET

I've grabbed the babies and the beadwork and headed for the hills :)

debw | August 27, 09:09 CET

If "Ripper" stalls, can we have "Olaf"?

Episode 1: "Ooo, Ale!"
Episode 2: "Bartender! I need more Ale!"
etc etc

[ edited by malcolm on 2007-08-27 15:24 ]

malcolm | August 27, 09:17 CET

Interesting thing here. Garth Ancier who is BBC America's head honcho used to run The WB. Ancier has recently helped out with finances for BBC's Jekyll (The brilliant A State Within was also co-produced by BBC America...but I do not know if that was before Ancier joined BBC America.)

What do you Brits, think. Does this not sound a lot like a "pilot". Bothe Inspector Lynely, Inspector Lewis and Murphy's Law started as "pilots/TV-movies".

If any "verse" characters will show up I BET it will be Spike. James Masters already has a working relationship with BBC and if he can seek in an appearance between other jobs...well...why not. (Makes me think that the much talked about Spike TV-move could be next...please, please say it is so).

I have to ask though. Would this be a Mutant Enemy UK production, or josh working with BBC's in-house production house, or collaborating with someone like KUDOS (who seem to be MORE then interested in working with US companies)...or....

[ edited by Jonas on 2007-08-27 15:42 ]

Jonas | August 27, 09:40 CET

And if "Ripper" and "Olaf" fails, can we have "Suits"???

Episode 1: "We need to make more money. Let's have wrestling on our SciFi outlet."

Episode 2: "All our money-makers are getting sooo two weeks ago. We need something fresh. How about a reality show where kids are abandoned in a deserted town?"

Episode 3: "I need new alligator shoes, and my third wife wants a new Mercedes... Jack up the advertising rates."

quantumac | August 27, 09:44 CET

What do you Brits, think. Does this not sound a lot like a "pilot".

I don't know. We Brits crave disappointment. Just look at Torchwood.

malcolm | August 27, 09:46 CET

Was Torchwood disappointing? I have not seen it yet?

Jonas | August 27, 10:06 CET

Agonisingly so. But in a funny way!

Craig Oxbrow | August 27, 10:09 CET

But in a funny way!

I wish.

@theonetruebix | August 27, 10:14 CET

I still like the back half, but avoid Cyberwoman at all costs... Ouch... Ouch... Ouch...

zeitgeist | August 27, 10:22 CET

I'm with Bix on this one... I found it disappointing in more of a stab out my eyeballs way. Then again, I did marathon the whole series.

MindEclipse | August 27, 10:24 CET

Will you people stop with the Torchwood bashing? You're making me paranoid about watching it. And I've been waiting for it all summer...

deepgirl187 | August 27, 10:25 CET

Don't worry deepgirl187.

Fair to say that Tucker's brother, Andrew has a stronger grasp of sexual tension than the Torchwood script writers.

Can't wait for James Marsters's appearance. Planning to watch from behind the sofa.

malcolm | August 27, 10:44 CET

If "Ripper" stalls, can we have "Olaf"?

Episode 1: "Ooo, Ale!"
Episode 2: "Bartender! I need more Ale!"
etc etc

I like it! What would the seasonal arc be? Something to do with ale?
And wouldnt it be "Serving Wench" rather than bartender? The one with the child bearing hips?

Personaly I'm still waiting for the "April The Robot" spin off. Shonda Farr is a hottie.

zz9 | August 27, 11:10 CET

"Torchwood" wasn't so bad. Granted the second half of the season was far better than the first half, but I enjoyed it.

Nebula1400 | August 27, 11:34 CET

Torchwood is great (for what it is). Don't worry, deepgirl187, some folks here just had expectations that were too high. I quite enjoyed it and am planning to watch every ep a second time when it starts on BBC America next month. Yes, even Cyberwoman.

IrrationaliTV | August 27, 11:44 CET

I had no expectations whatsoever. And they were ably met.

@theonetruebix | August 27, 12:33 CET

We do have a Torchwood forum over at Whedonesque.org where people can chat about it to their hearts' content.

Simon | August 27, 12:44 CET

But Simon, I thought we previously established that Captain Jack was The Immortal from "The Girl In Question" and thus Torchwood and Doctor Who are part of the Buffyverse continuity.

MindEclipse | August 27, 12:58 CET

Established is a pretty fuzzy term in this case ;)

zeitgeist | August 27, 13:11 CET

But Simon, I thought we previously established that Captain Jack was The Immortal from "The Girl In Question"

Ummmm no that was Captain O'Neill from Stargate.

Anyhow moving back to Ripper, I've been thinking about British actors I'd love to see appear on it. So with out further ado.

Some top British actors who should appear in Ripper by Simon aged 33.

1) James Nesbitt as the villain. His dad taught me maths so this is a given.
2) David Thewlis. Most underrated actor ever. Perhaps as Giles' sidekick.
3) Edward Fox as a former Watcher.
4) Peter Vaughan as another former Watcher.
5) Geoffrey Palmer. Playing a sceptic. Geoffrey Palmer should really be in everything.
6) As should Stephen Fry. He was a revelation in V For Vendetta.

Simon | August 27, 13:27 CET

I would second Simon's list. Damon, aged 31... and a half.

zeitgeist | August 27, 14:24 CET

7) James Purefoy as E. Yecandy

Caroline, aged 12.

Caroline | August 27, 14:33 CET

How greenlit would a project be when it hasn't been written yet?Is this more of a spring-greenlit as opposed to a forest&/or army-greenlit?

Lioness | August 27, 14:35 CET

Perhaps Captain Jack will be making a guest appearance in a stand alone Season Eight issue to come, with that other Buffy look-alike, partying in Italia.

toast | August 27, 14:35 CET

... but seriously. I'd love to see Peter Firth and Nicola Walker in it, who played Harry and Ruth in Spooks.

Caroline | August 27, 14:36 CET

....
Episode 3: "Succulent Babies"
Episode 4: "Ha Ha! Puny, Villagefolk!"....

Anyhooo...

Presumably we could have Ripper set between S6 Ep 8 and Ep 20, although that feels like a backward step. Better for everyone to move on.

Would be fun to have Giles working at the British Museum, or in Oxford. Essentially, Ripper could work as a modern continuation of Quatermass without the British Rocket Group.

malcolm | August 27, 14:51 CET

I have so many casting ideas I'd like to see in this show.

(Four years running an RPG series about Watchers in Britain pre-Season Seven will do that...)

Craig Oxbrow | August 27, 14:54 CET

... but seriously. I'd love to see Peter Firth and Nicola Walker in it, who played Harry and Ruth in Spooks.

Yes, yes, yes. Ruth from "Spooks" should be in everything, never mind the guy from "Butterflies". She always reminded me of a younger, more attractive version of Connie from the Le Carré books (one of Smiley's "People"). And Keeley Hawes while we're at it. And Matthew MccFadyen. Oh, and Jenny Agutter. Actually, y'know what ? How about we find out MI5 has a section for Paranormal Security (Section X ?) that Ripper heads up and we just cross the entire cast, past, present and deceased over every other episode ? Works for me.

Or what about that English dude from Buffy ? He'd be good in it I reckon.

Saje | August 27, 15:26 CET

"She always reminded me of a younger, more attractive version of Connie from the Le Carré books (one of Smiley's "People")."

Oh wow, yes.

Caroline | August 27, 15:42 CET

Simon wrote: 1) James Nesbitt as the villain. His dad taught me maths so this is a given.

Yes, I agree he would be brilliant...and COOL, What is his dad like?

I always thought Colin Salmon would be perfect as a watcher. Maybe Don Gilet as well.

I do not know WHAT he should play but I can easily see Mark Warren in some thing verse related.

Alex Wyndham..WHO some of you might say. he was in Rome and just did a Swedish movie and what I have seen looks very good....well, he looks cool and dense carrying a sword....
:-)

[ edited by Jonas on 2007-08-28 00:49 ]

Jonas | August 27, 16:42 CET

1) James Nesbitt as the villain. His dad taught me maths so this is a given.

Excellent thought. He blew me away in Jekyll.

6) As should Stephen Fry. He was a revelation in V For Vendetta.

Fry should indeed be in everything. That goes without saying.

Niels van Eekelen | August 27, 17:10 CET

Stephen Fry once said I was a 'stand up chameleon'. So yes, he should be in all and everything.

Caroline | August 27, 17:39 CET

I want Wesley's ghost as Giles's sidekick. Please, please, pretty please.

Maddyanne | August 27, 17:49 CET

Or what about that English dude from Buffy ? He'd be good in it I reckon.

Spike? Yes, he would be an awesome sidekick.

*runs away*

Sunfire | August 27, 17:57 CET

Spike and Giles? Talk about a remake of the ODD COUPLE.

quantumac | August 27, 19:11 CET

I want Wesley's ghost as Giles's sidekick. Please, please, pretty please.

I was thinking the exact same thing.

Melisande | August 27, 19:26 CET

I want Wesley's ghost as Giles's sidekick. Please, please, pretty please.

Yet somehow it would have to be the ghost of early Wesley. Pre-rogue-demon-slayer-and-getting-his-throat-slit-by-his-best-friend Wesley. That guy was a riot! The post one would compete with Ripper's cool factor.

klevermore | August 27, 19:32 CET

Well, as long as we're fantasizing, anyone for Hugh Laurie?

deepgirl187 | August 27, 21:40 CET

Eddie Izzard would be fun to see.

mister0 | August 27, 22:27 CET

Alan Rickman, Hugh Laurie, Eddie Izzard, Geraldine McEwan, Emma Thompson, Helen Mirren, Michael Gambon, Judi Dench, Tom Conti, Tracey Ullman, Robbie Coltrane, Miranda Richardson, Anthony Hopkins, Juliet Stevenson, Ian McKellen, Zoë Wanamaker, Emily Blunt, Maggie Smith, Pam Ferris, Stephen Fry, John Rhys-Davies, Prunella Scales, Minnie Driver, David Thewlis, and the late Ronald Coleman, Googie Withers, Margaret Rutherford, Dame May Whitty, Nigel Hawthorne, Alastair Sim, Ray Milland, and Basil Rathbone. For starters.

Oh, and please throw in the late Dame Judith Anderson, for good luck. While we're at it. As long as we're talking...

QuoterGal | August 27, 23:06 CET

Ah, well, if we're talking late too, then the inestimable (but sadly) late Ian Richardson would just have to play some kind of officiously malevolent hold-over from the old Watcher's Council (assuming it's set post 'Chosen'). He was never less than brilliant (and frequently even better).

Also, Richard Harris as a Commander Caine style legendary Watcher that disappeared years ago on some seemingly impossible mission (though I doubt he'd thank me for throwing him in the "British Actor" category, bit of a liberty, hope he doesn't haunt me ;). And it's impossible to mention him without Richard Burton popping up. I'd say Anthony Hopkins but he's now apparently an American citizen so he forfeits the chance along with his nationality.

And the very happily non-late Emma Thompson too.

Saje | August 28, 01:14 CET

Roy Dotrice cause the real Roger Wyndam-Pryce would be interesting to see.

Simon | August 28, 01:14 CET

So basically what we're saying is...we want the entire adult cast of the Harry Potter movies in this thing.

UnpluggedCrazy | August 28, 06:25 CET

Amazing how slowly these things move.

Pumps | August 28, 06:57 CET

So basically what we're saying is...we want the entire adult cast of the Harry Potter movies in this thing.

Ripper: 'arry Potter crossed with House crossed with Izzard. Ciao!

Likely: budget so small Joss will play all the characters. Come on BBC: show us the money.

gossi | August 28, 07:16 CET

Well, if we're trying to keep the costs down I suggest Fingermouse, possibly with a cameo by The Clangers. Sweep can play the villain and Basil Brush the slightly dotty, slightly over the hill but still sharp as a tack mentor figure that Giles goes to for advice.

And if there's a way to squeeze Big Ted from 'Playschool' in they'd be fools not to. He can really bring that dark 'Ripper' edginess. The things he's seen ...

Saje | August 28, 07:36 CET

Giles vs The Clangers. There's a fanfic if ever I saw one.

gossi | August 28, 07:57 CET

Saw? Don't you mean 'wrote in secret while downing 16 or so down the pub', gossi?

Also, this:

7) James Purefoy as E. Yecandy

Caroline, aged 12.

Makes me laugh out loud :)

zeitgeist | August 28, 13:44 CET

Arthur English as Rippers' dad...

Mild Mike | August 28, 15:13 CET

Late, late, late,

Anyhow moving back to Ripper, I've been thinking about British actors I'd love to see appear on it. So with out further ado.

Terrence Stamp is still active, though he's getting a tad ancient. I read he's marvelous in the new Jon Voigt movie September Dawn. Wonder if he'd do television.

Tonya J | August 28, 23:27 CET

Well, his voice does 'Smallville' (he plays Jor-El) and presumably it speaks for both of him ;).

(just speculating but I bet he'd do a pilot/one-off drama if the script was right even if he wouldn't necessarily commit to an ongoing series)

And you suggesting Stamp brought Malcolm McDowell to mind (who definitely does TV).

Saje | August 29, 00:58 CET

For a brief moment today the error page at www.bbc.co.uk/ripper was getting redirected to the error page at www.bbc.co.uk/arts/ripper/.

And yes I am really bored at work and like to put 2 and 2 together to come up with 5.

Simon | August 29, 03:57 CET

At least it's an intriguing 5, Simon.

UnpluggedCrazy | August 29, 06:31 CET

August 26 2007