The reboot of Battlestar Galactica has the potential to succeed due to its plans to stay true to the original series’ continuity and its bold narrative risks. Sam Esmail is well-equipped to handle the political and technological aspects of the franchise based on his past shows like Mr. Robot.
The trajectory of the Battlestar Galactica franchise has been a wild ride. The original 1978 series was not very successful due to comparisons to Star Wars and other science fiction films. However, the acclaimed 2004 reboot took the series in a bold new direction. Ronald D. Moore created a complex, politically motivated hard sci-fi series that addressed issues such as political corruption, the war on terror, and the rise of artificial intelligence.
The spinoff series Caprica failed to receive the same acclaim, but the new Battlestar Galactica hails from Sam Esmail, the brilliant creator of the thriller series Mr. Robot and the acclaimed Netflix disaster film Leave the World Behind. Given Esmail’s track record and some recent developments, the Battlestar Galactica reboot is something to get excited about.
Battlestar Galactica Cast 2004 (Via IMDB)
Esmail has taken a more active role in producing new shows through his production company Esmail Corp, including Briarpatch, Homecoming, Gaslit, and The Resort. Although Esmail initially mentioned that Battlestar Galactica would not be a remake of the 2004 series, but a new story within the mythology, he later clarified that he wanted to explore the mythology created by Moore.
The First Cylon War could serve as the perfect background for Esmail’s new series. Esmail has proven that he can develop strong character ensembles with complex narratives, and his ability to handle the political and technological aspects of Battlestar Galactica bodes well for the future of the franchise.
“The idea of exploring the mythology that Ron Moore created within the Battlestar Galactica universe is something that I’m very excited about,” said Esmail. “Why mess with perfection?”
