Today is going to be a tough one for a certain paper salesman in Scranton, Pennsylvania. After nearly five years of development, Variety reports Peacock is not moving forward with its Battlestar Galactica reboot from Mr. Robot‘s Sam Esmail. But fans of the beloved sci-fi franchise shouldn’t give up all hope just yet. The studio behind the project is expected to try and find the series a new home.
Peacock made sci-fi waves before it officially hit airwaves. It announced in 2019 it was working on bringing Battlestar Galactica back to the small screen. This new iteration was going to build off the franchise’s popular relaunch that began in 2003. It was going to take place in the same continuity of Ronald D. Moore’s mini-series and subsequent SyFy show. However, despite being announced as a part of the streamer’s original slate of planned shows, it never went any further. Peacock never actually ordered the series to air. Now, after years of development, the streaming service has formally moved on from the Battlestar Galactica reboot entirely.
Esmail was the driving force behind the project, but the Mr. Robot showrunner was never going to fill that role with his take on Battlestar Galactica. He was going to be an executive producer, with his Esmail Corp. working under UCP studio. During its development, the project saw multiple creatives sign on to lead the series, with Derek Simonds most recently tapped to head up the show.
Variety‘s report says that while this is the end for the project at Peacock, it’s not the end for the project everywhere. UCP will “shop” the series around to try and find a new spaceport.
During an age where IP is king, it very well might. And if the day comes when it finds a new home, we know someone in Scranton who will be very happy.