After a week of cryptic TikTok teaser videos of Nathan Fillion knocking on the front doors of his old “Firefly” co-stars’ homes, we finally got the official word from Captain Mal Reynolds himself: a new animated “Firefly” series is definitely in the works!
Heralded from Collision33, Fillion’s own production company, and 20th Television Animation, this sci-fi revival brings back the iconic crew of Serenity that we first fell in love with back in 2002.
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The news broke amid an AwesomeCon panel and live taping of Fillion and co-star Alan Tudyk’s “Once We Were Spacemen” podcast. Joining them were original “Firefly” cast members Gina Torres, Jewel Staite, Morena Baccarin, Summer Glau and Sean Maher.
Based on Fillion’s Instagram announcement video, the entire original cast will be featured in this animated venture, including Alan Tudyk’s Walsh, who was sadly killed off in the “Serenity” movie.
This “Firefly” series was apparently set right after the one and only TV season, but before the 2005 big screen movie. Ron Glass passed away in 2016, which would necessitate a vocal recasting if that character is reintroduced. A pilot script is in the can, so it’s time!
Fillion and Co. currently seeking a distribution partner for their “Firefly” work, but with momentum building, fans clamoring, and all the creative elements in place, it shouldn’t be long before a streamer snaps it up fast! Our money is on Hulu/Disney+, but we’ll have to wait and see. And if no one picks it up, I swear by my beautiful flower armor, I will end someone.
Although the space western had a short life on the Fox Network and only ran for 14 episodes before being canceled, it spawned a 2005 feature film, “Serenity.” and has since cultivated a dedicated cult following.
Created and written by Joss Whedon, “Firefly’s” reboot has been given the stamp of approval by “The Avengers” filmmakers. The project will be led by Tara Butters (“Agent Carter”, “Dollhouse”) and Marc Guggenheim (“Arrow”, “Flash”). Animation duties will fall to Oscar-winning indie studio ShadowMachine (“Robot Chicken,” “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio”).
Despite the fact that it’s been over 20 years since the “Firefly” gang galloped around the galaxy, an imaginative collection of prose novels, comics and graphic novels have kept the franchise relevant.
You can watch the original “Firefly” series on Hulu.
