Paramount+ is reportedly working on a Galaxy Quest-inspired television series alongside Paramount Television Studios. This news comes courtesy of Variety, which reports that the television series adaptation is still in very early stages and, as a result, does not have a story, writer or cast yet.
However, Mark Johnson, who produced the original film, will serve as an executive producer on the planned series. The original film, a science fiction comedy, premiered in 1999 and parodied popular science fiction franchises like Star Trek, and their fandoms.
Since the original Galaxy Quest’s release, there have been talks of a sequel although one hasn’t materialized. In 2015, the conversation changed to a television series with Amazon set to develop and members of the film’s production crew set to reprise their roles.
A script was penned and the cast members were set to sign on for the series. However, Alan Rickman, one of the film’s main cast, passed away due to pancreatic cancer in 2016 and the project was put on the back burner once again.
Rickman’s death meant the series had to be rewritten if it was to go forward. And while there have been many writers attached to the project since then, including Simon Pegg and Paul Scheer, no significant progress has been made.
Fortunately for fans of the cult classic, Paramount+ seems to finally have the ball rolling on the project. Given it is still in the early developmental stage, there is no telling what direction the show will take. However, Rickman’s death probably means that a direct continuation is impossible.
Galaxy Quest chronicled the intergalactic adventures of the cast members of a fictional cult science-fiction television show. Several years after their show ends, they are approached by a group of aliens with no concept of acting and fiction and who, as a result, believed their television show was real. The aliens enlist their help to defeat an evil warlord who is after a secret superweapon in their possession.
Galaxy Quest achieved moderate success upon its release with a $90 million gross against a $45 million budget. The film also received generally positive reviews from critics and was lauded by fans and actors of the Star Trek franchise for its refreshing take and brilliance. While the film did not enjoy much fame upon its release, it has since achieved cult status.
The original film starred a cast of A-list actors that include Alan Rickman, Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Tony Shalhoub, Sam Rockwell, Robin Sachs, Daryl Mitchell, and Enrico Colantoni. The film also marked the acting debut of popular actor, comedian, and businessman Justin Long. Academy Award-winning director Dean Parisot helmed the film based on a script by David Howard and Robert Gordon.
It’s way too early to even take guesses about the show’s eventual release date.
