For some time now Richard Hatch and his production company Su-Shann Productions has been exhorting the Battlestar Galactica fans to write to the various networks and production facilities expressing their opinions on the revival of the show. Unfortunately, there is a lack of accurate information as to who has the right to do what, and who plans to do what. Many fans that just want the show back, and do not care who produces it, are unaware that there are serious consequences if the right team isn't allowed to make the New Battlestar Galactica. After a lot of careful snooping and talking to several highly placed informed sources within Universal, I have been able to find out what is really going on.

Firstly, here is the information that has been reported publicly.

1) Richard Hatch has for the last few years consistently told the fans that his ideas for the revival of the show are consistent with the original premise. Galactica 1980 is an aberration and is ignored. He has written two successful books that continue the Galactica story. His plot line will continue the saga twenty years after the demise of the show, contain the original cast, and add a younger generation of Galactica characters. He has financed and produced a trailer using his own funds to present his scenario to Universal. He is currently negotiating with Universal to either have them produce a new series or feature or release the rights so he can produce it independently. He has always admitted that he does not own the rights to the show. Mr. Hatch currently has all his financing and his creative team in place.

2) Late in 1998 it was reported in Variety that Glen Larson and Todd Moyer had formed a partnership and were going to film a $40 million Battlestar Galactica feature in Luxembourg the following summer. The plot would revolve around the Battlestar Pegasus and feature a new youthful cast and state-of-art special effects.

The Real Truth

The Glen Larson/Todd Moyer collaboration surfaced in 1998 after Todd Moyer had already approached Mr. Hatch about a partnership. The announcement in Variety stating that they were going to make a $40 million Battlestar Galactica feature was misleading at best. In reality, it was a paid advertisement. It was not freely published by Variety. Furthermore, the tone of the announcement implied that:

1) Glen Larson and Todd Moyer had permission from Universal to go ahead with their project.

2. They were ready to proceed i.e. their resources (script, financing, cast, etc.) were firmly in place. Again, this information is less than accurate. First, Universal has asked the Larson/Moyer team to do the same thing they requested of Mr. Hatch-make a trailer showcasing their ideas. Second, financing has yet to be guaranteed, and scripts, casting, and other production necessities are far from complete.

THE RIGHTS TO BATTLESTAR GALACTICA BELONG TO UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, THEY DO NOT BELONG TO GLEN LARSON!

What Mr. Larson is actually claiming: In accordance with WGA (Writers Guild of America) guidelines, he, as the original creator of the show, still retains "separation of rights" to certain characters and events-specifically the Pegasus and its characters. This is why they are hyping the story line around that ship. Larson and Moyer could possibly make their movie, but they would have to call it "Battlecruiser Pegasus" or something similar to that.

What the Larson/Moyer movie would need is a title like "Battlestar Galactica: The Pegasus Saga" thus Mr. Larson is negotiating with Universal to allow him to use the registered title "Battlestar Galactica" and the designs of the ships in order to give his project a recognizable name. This is a cruel joke to play on the many fans that eagerly await the show's return. Also what people don not know, is that Mr. Larson is also offering to relinquish the merchandizing rights back to Universal in return for that company preventing any other "Battlestar Galactica" project from being made. This would effectively eliminate Mr. Hatch's project.

Additionally, the proposed plot centers around the Pegasus immediately following the escape from the Cylon fleet. Since Lloyd Bridges is no longer with us, and the original cast is twenty years older, it is unlikely the fans would see any of them. Unfortunately, what the public would see wouldn't be "Battlestar Galactica", it would look more like "Wing Commander 2".

What Larson and Moyer are doing is not illegal or even considered unethical in the entertainment industry "it's just business." It is their intention to make a quick buck on a film at the expense of the fans. They have absolutely no loyalty to the original concept that is unique to "Battlestar Galactica". They would destroy BSG just like Mr. Larson almost did with "Galactica 1980".

What can be done? The reason Larson/Moyer could possibly succeed in their effort is because Mr. Larson has played studio politics a long time, and he is quite good at it. Mr. Hatch for all his intentions and enthusiasm is inexperienced in this area & would do well to ally himself with an experienced reputable producer who is adept at studio infighting.

The rest will be up to the fans. Now that you know what is going on & what could occur, you need to express your feelings. Write to Universal, write to the Networks. Let them know you want the REAL "Battlestar Galactica" back, not a new video game.