Alan Tudyk still hopeful for a Serenity sequel - Firefly&Serenity

Hah! It's one man's and one woman's opinion now!

It's a good thing that Joss checks in here for news from time to time. It would be dreadful if he just woke up and found himself directing one morning, all unprepared and flustery.

curlymynci | February 01, 11:28 CET

I've always believed we could get a sequel. I think it's only a matter of time.

electricspacegirl | February 01, 12:06 CET

I think we have more hope now than ever - and just because we've "been there done that" for a lot of campaigns in the past - doesn't mean they've had no effect and that new and continued efforts won't make any difference. Truth is, no single campaign is going to suddenly cause anyone to make a decision, but working on ALL (the reasonable) campaigns and plugging away each day, maybe it will all add up to tipping the decision makers over the edge - on our side of course! Don't give up - that's my encouragement - a sequel will happen in time - thanks to all the efforts the fans have put in - all the promotional work, all the money spent - we just have to keep doing what we've been doing, because it hasn't worked YET doesn't mean it's not having any effect.

Beth | February 01, 12:28 CET

I was in Melbourne when I said it, and I got back to the States and I had a message from Joss Whedon asking how I was planning to finance it.

This made me laugh a great deal.

The Dark Shape | February 01, 12:37 CET

Alan's comments fall into line with the thoughts of a lot of the fans and that is, we remain positive. By comparison, Joss has to be realistic but I don't beleive that's our job.

Seconding Beth'll, if the Browncoat community simply continues to do what they've been doing by spreading the signal, i.e. sending out FF/S(CE) DVDs as gifts and hold charity screenings etc., then something good will come of our collective effort. The wheels of motion started with the aforementioned efforts and I'm a strong believer that we should remain focussed on what we do best.

In 1910, Wallace D. Wattles said in his book;

"There is a thinking stuff from which all things are made, and which, in its original state, permeates, penetrates, and fills the interspaces of the universe. A thought in this substance produces the thing that is imaged by the thought. A person can form things in his thought, and, by impressing his thought upon formless substance, can cause the thing he thinks about to be created."

In summary visualise, focus, continue to do what one does and it shall be!

Somewhere along the line, someone will be introduced to FF/S who can make a difference, be the result a Serenity prequel/sequel or a woman's life will have been saved due to the support given by the community to Equality Now!

shinyscouser | February 01, 13:06 CET

"Tudky"?

That's cute.

I think we should always call him that.

ZodKneelsFirst | February 01, 13:31 CET

There's a musical number in it I reckon "Gee, Officer Tudky, we're very upset ...".

Seconding Beth'll, if the Browncoat community simply continues to do what they've been doing...

That I can manage (nothin' into nothin', carry the nothin' ... ;-).

In summary visualise, focus, continue to do what one does and it shall be!

That ? Not so much.

Course, "Hope springs eternal in the human breast" and "Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies ..." (yep I just put Stephen King in the same arena as Alexander Pope, sue me ;) so you guys keep on keeping on. I'll be over here in the cynical win-win corner (if there isn't one, "yay, I was right", if there is, "yay, a sequel" - i'm like a hope parasite ;).

Saje | February 01, 13:37 CET

I'll be over here in the cynical win-win corner

Which is just opposite my "not a hope in hell of a sequel ever happening* but we did our best, hey that Dollhouse looks like it could be fun" corner.

*the battle was lost on October 2nd 2005 when the figures for the Saturday takings of the first box office weekend came out.

Simon | February 01, 13:42 CET

I hope there won't be a sequel. The only thing Joss will do is kill off more characters.

Awesome | February 01, 14:02 CET

Yeah but look on the bright side Hanselel, if we keep getting sequels then eventually he'll run out of characters to kill. Hang on ... well, it seemed like a bright side when I first thought of it ;).

Which is just opposite my "not a hope in hell of a sequel ever happening* ...

Which you might call the cynicalest win-win corner ;).

Saje | February 01, 14:24 CET

Alan MAY have said about a sequel "..in my opinion there will be one".

But they forgot to quote Alan's line after this which was;
"But *I* won't be in it because the mongrels killed me off!"

missb | February 01, 14:52 CET

Joss said if there's another movie both Alan and Ron will be in it - in what way, who knows! Alan joked that Zoe needs to have some kind of erotic dream to bring him into it LOL

[ edited by Beth'll on 2008-02-01 11:59 ]

Beth | February 01, 14:56 CET

It's all about CGI folks! Just take footage of Nathan from Desperate Housewives, Summer from SCC, Adam from Chuck and so on and edit it together with Serenity in the background!

Of course you'd have to come up with a really good reason for Jayne to be wearing a suit. And working retail.

zz9 | February 01, 16:30 CET

Nelly Negative here - you're all deluded. Serenity/Firefly is done, it was great, but now it's over. That's all folks! Let's look forward to the next work of greatness that we can expect from Joss.

twinkle | February 01, 16:36 CET

It's all about CGI folks! Just take footage of Nathan from Desperate Housewives, Summer from SCC, Adam from Chuck and so on and edit it together with Serenity in the background!

I'll give somebody money if they do this.

gossi | February 01, 17:07 CET

If there is more in that universe, I hope it will be made by someone who wants to give me what I want, not what they think i should have - I get enough of that from our universe.

Pumps | February 01, 18:23 CET

way to keep the hope and positivity flyin' strong Alan! He is such a sweet guy! We could all use some of that happy attitude-SHINY!!!

BrowncoatHeart | February 01, 18:39 CET

He will finance it with all the money he makes off gossi from his youtube mashups. Which means it will also more or less be a youtube mashup.

Sunfire | February 01, 19:55 CET

I've always believed there will be a sequel, as soon as Summer, or Nathan, or Alan himself, become such a big name that Universal realizes that it would be crazy to give up the opportunity to get them into another movie. All our BDHs are beautiful, talented, and potential 'A' list actors who could get a sequel made. It is just a matter of time.

embers | February 01, 20:13 CET

I hope it happens - Wash is certainly a far better role than say the one he was shoehorned into in 3:10 to Yuma. Haven't been able to see Death at a Funeral yet.

I had a message from Joss Whedon
asking how I was planning to finance it.

Bake sales, car washes? Thanks for making me laugh like a drain, Alan.

Tonya J | February 01, 20:28 CET

Sounds like he will be in soooo much trouble again.

Caroline | February 01, 20:35 CET

I hope it will be made by someone who wants to give me what I want, not what they think i should have

That's not the artist's job.

b!X | February 01, 20:58 CET

Hope springs eternal...

Keep Flyin', Alan. I'm right there with you. :)

TDBrown | February 01, 21:23 CET

Why does Alan only say these things to Australians? Hmmmmm.

IrrationaliTV | February 01, 21:29 CET

Crossing fingers, wishing Alan the best!

Madhatter | February 01, 21:39 CET

Given that it's Alan Tudyk, wouldn't he fund a sequel by winning a dodgeball tournament?

KingofCretins | February 01, 22:07 CET

I'd much, much rather Joss work on something else. "Firefly" was great--not his best, though--and "Serenity" was good, but there is no need for another sequel. We need something new from Joss, in addition to the comic continuations of his older series.

patxshand | February 01, 22:13 CET

Why does Alan only say these things to Australians? Hmmmmm.

Maybe it's due to the rush of blood to his head ?

Saje | February 01, 22:34 CET

uh-huh.

ewiggy | February 01, 23:22 CET

Maybe it's due to the rush of blood to his head ?

*snort* Yeah, Saje.

kispexi2 | February 02, 00:50 CET

I'd say that it could happen. I hate to contradict Simon, but so many movies have gone on to become retrospective successes since "Blade Runner" that the opening weekend is really just the tip of the commercial iceberg. I'm frankly surprised that Alan -- whose busy career as a character actor hardly depends on this -- would stick his neck out on this, twice, so it's an interesting sign. It all has to reach a certain amount of critical mass and one thing I've noticed as a relatively casual observer these days whose not too plugged into the fandom is that it really doesn't seem to be going away. Serenity remains a favorite for midnight shows around the country, there's plenty of "Firefly" references in the press to keep you Whedonesquers busy, and all in all the virus continues to spread.

Who knows for sure when/if there'll be a sequel in some form, but far less well known SF films have gotten sequels, so why the heck not? It's just a matter of a number of variables coalescing -- but the continued success of Joss, Nathan, and now Summer sure won't hurt.

bobster | February 02, 01:34 CET

I hate to contradict Simon, but so many movies have gone on to become retrospective successes since "Blade Runner" that the opening weekend is really just the tip of the commercial iceberg.

Good point bobster. And I for one very much enjoyed 'Bladerunner 2'. Waiddaminute ...

;-)

Saje | February 02, 02:03 CET

*the battle was lost on October 2nd 2005 when the figures for the Saturday takings of the first box office weekend came out.

Yeah, because it never made any money since.

Come on, lesser movies that do poorly in the box office get sequels. This franchise has legs, so I don't think it's economically unfeasable. But even it a sequel doesn't get made, I wouldn't blame it on the poor box office.

electricspacegirl | February 02, 02:14 CET

I would definitely blame it on the poor box office. Absolutely.

IrrationaliTV | February 02, 02:17 CET

Yeah, because it never made any money since.

Hope for the sequel rested on a strong box office opening for the first weekend. When the figures showed that Saturday's take was actually less than Friday's take then that was it. We lost. The public wasn't interested and the fandom wasn't large enough for the movie to be a success. Do you not remember the panic of that weekend? Joss desperately trying to rally the Browncoats. Boards on fire with trolls attacking and critics laughing their heads off. Hope disintergrating and fans angrily blaming themselves and Universal. It was an ugly time.

Simon | February 02, 02:21 CET

I had heard of the movie, but didn't have any desire to watch it until it was already out of the theaters. The advertisements for it absolutely sucked. I honestly don't know anyone who saw the movie in the theater, but I do know dozens of people now who would be standing in line for the sequel.

micjwelch | February 02, 02:58 CET

Hope for the sequel rested on a strong box office opening for the first weekend. When the figures showed that Saturday's take was actually less than Friday's take then that was it. We lost. The public wasn't interested and the fandom wasn't large enough for the movie to be a success. Do you not remember the panic of that weekend? Joss desperately trying to rally the Browncoats. Boards on fire with trolls attacking and critics laughing their heads off. Hope disintergrating and fans angrily blaming themselves and Universal. It was an ugly time.

Yes, I remember that, Simon. And even then I was mystified by so many people putting all their hope on the box office that weekend. Nobody was looking at the big picture, and it made me sad. I've always said, give it time. They wouldnt have produced a special edition set if the DVD didn't make any money. It's making money. I say, just be patient. It's not over until they say it's over.

In the meantime, some new Joss stuff is on the horizon, and I can't wait for it.

electricspacegirl | February 02, 03:02 CET

Studios look at the box office for sequel consideration. Longer term, sure, a movie can get a sequel off the back of long home entertainment afterlife - but it takes fucking ages for that to come about. Times change and actors (and writers) move on.

Also, nobody is ever going to say Serenity is over. At all. Ever. It'd be kicking Universal's cash in the... er... wallet?

That said - who knows if Serenity will have made a profit in ten years? Not us. Not Alan. Not Nathan. Not Summer. Not Joss. They don't know. Studio accounting is not public, even to the people who made the thing. Universal execs will know.

In a world where George W. Bush got elected - debately again - anything is possible. Is there a story in a Firefly class transport ship full of older people? Actually, I'd say yes. I can think of a compelling one. It lives in my brain, rustling like a Clanger.

gossi | February 02, 03:13 CET

Serenity is over.

(couldn't resist, soz ;)

And even then I was mystified by so many people putting all their hope on the box office that weekend. Nobody was looking at the big picture, and it made me sad.

Yep, it's depressing and short-sighted, no doubt. It's also, unfortunately, the way the studios (and cinemas) see things. A film that does badly in its opening weekend is less likely to stay in cinemas long enough to make money and if it does badly in its first week, box-office failure becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

'Serenity' and 'Firefly' both seem to be doing fairly well on DVD which is great but if, over a period of years, a company just scrapes a profit on what had been a loss, why would they then rush back into taking a further risk on a similar project ? Course, maybe they're already making a profit, maybe a sequel announcement is imminent, as gossi says, we just don't know.

Saje | February 02, 03:35 CET

With Joss diving into Dollhouse, even if we lived in a alterna-verse where Serenity had even a decent box office and there wasn't a writers' strike, nothing would be close to imminent. IJS

IrrationaliTV | February 02, 06:57 CET

Still, bless Alan for being such a sweetly hopeful guy. I'll be confident right along side him while still eagerly anticipating anything Jossir cares to give us.

Lioness | February 02, 08:48 CET

Can't...stop...the...signal...

Though it sure as hell is gettin' fuzzy.

UnpluggedCrazy | February 02, 10:23 CET

SEQUEL. SEQUEL. SEQUEL.
Hurry up, Joss.

kerfuffle | February 02, 13:03 CET

Is he hogging the bathroom again ? That bugs me too.

Saje | February 02, 13:11 CET

I think those that say Serenity is dead-and-buried are forgetting one important point; the profile of the cast have since been raised considerably.

Nathan starred in Drive, Slither, White Noise 2 and Waitress. Adam's starring in Chuck. Jewel's starring in Stargate Atlantis, Summer is in The Sarah Connor Chonicles and Alan's been in a number of films such as 3:10 to Yuma, Death at a Funeral plus unseen roles like in Ice Age and I Robot. Therefore there's an increased fan base out there who will perhaps be willing to follow their stars (of the aforementioned shows) to any Serenity sequel/prequel.

I watched Serenity before Firefly but I still thoroughly enjoyed the movie although I couldn't follow everything. Many people would have been put off by that but after doing some digging around, I found out it was based on a cancelled TV series called Firefly. One of my major concerns about the movie's failure to make a profit in the theatres/cinemas was the fact that the it didn't star any big name actors.

As I mentioned over in the OB, these 'big named' actors will have to be brought if even just for cameo performances (otherwise the budget will be too large and too risky to invest in). For example, as elder members of the Parliament (Sir Ian McKellan, Patrick Stewart, Terence Stamp, John Hurt etc.) and an operative (Christan Bale) with supporting cast such as David Tennant (star of Dr. Who) who is a known fan of Firefly starring as Badger's nephew.

This will collectively bring in fans of those actors too and the chance of success for a follow-on movie will be greatly improved.

shinyscouser | February 02, 14:59 CET

I am with ember on this one. Since that unfortunate Saturday, I have always figured that the only way that a sequel would happen is if one or more of the cast became A-list, big name movie stars. That is a big if, but not out of the realm of possibility. Having higher profiles and being respected in the business won't do it. They need to be high enough profile that it can be marketed around them, and bring people in on that basis.

...so I'm expecting River will have outgrown that awkward stage. ;-)

newcj | February 02, 19:12 CET

Sorry, guys, but this is science fiction. No sci-fi show ever does so badly that a sequel is totally out of the question.

Highlander just had another movie. The X-Files is making the return many thought was never going to happen. Stargate just won't die. Farscape has a new lease of life with the webisodes that may lead to a new series. Buffy and Angel continue in comic form and the possibility of the Ripper spin-off.

Will there ever be another Serenity movie for the big screen? Almost certainly not. Does that mean that there isn't the chance of some kind of direct-to-dvd movie? I don't think so. We have a cast and crew who adore the show and would come back (schedules allowing) without a thought and you have a relatively small but rabid (I use that term in a positive sense ;)) fanbase, who will always be ready for more from the Sereniverse.

I'm not saying that it's a sure thing but I'd also have to believe that it's not as impossible as some might think.

RokkRage | February 02, 22:07 CET

Re: financing

Put me down for $100

Chirp | February 03, 08:54 CET

Re: financing

Put me down for $100

Me too. But I want an Exec Producer credit.

/And an assistant. And a trailer. And one of those chairs with my name on the back. And Summer's phone number.

In fact, forget the movie, just give me Summer's phone number.

zz9 | February 03, 09:05 CET

February 01 2008