James Marsters Joins "Caprica" - News Release from NBC Universal Today at 6:16am
JAMES MARSTERS JOINS SYFY’S CAPRICA
New York, NY – August 19, 2009 – Fan favorite James Marsters has been cast in Syfy’s upcoming series Caprica as the dangerous terrorist leader Barnabus Greeley. Driven by moralistic and yet carnal desires, this unpredictable villain is constantly torn by his conflicting motivations.
Humanity's storyline takes completely new twists with Caprica, which follows two rival families and their patriarchs – Daniel Graystone (Eric Stoltz) and Joseph Adama (Esai Morales) – as they compete and thrive in the vibrant realm of the 12 Colonies, a society recognizably close to our own. This original, standalone series will feature the passion, intrigue, political backbiting, and family conflict in an omnipotent society that is at the height of its blind power and glory…and, unknowingly, on the brink of its fall. Caprica also stars Paula Malcomson (Amanda Graystone), Polly Walker (Sister Clarice Willow), Magda Apanowicz (Lacy) and Alessandra Torresani (Zoe Graystone). The series is from Universal Cable Productions and is executive produced by Ronald D. Moore, David Eick and Jane Espenson. Jonas Pate serves as co-executive producer and director. Jeffrey Reiner (Friday Night Lights) directed the pilot. Caprica premieres January 22, 2010.
Marsters may best be known around the world for his ever popular cult character "Spike", the punk-goth vampire he played on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel for seven years. After working six years on the hit show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, he made the move to Angel for the last season it aired. Marsters has received and been nominated for numerous awards worldwide.
Marsters recently had recurring roles on three television series: “Without A Trace”, “Smallville” and the UK hit “Torchwood.” When he joined the cast of "Smallville" as Brainiac in 2005, his appearance saw the ratings rise by an estimated 50%. Initially hired for just one episode of “Torchwood”, the creators immediately recognized a good thing and signed him up for two more.
UNIVERSAL CABLE PRODUCTIONS was established to create a sustainable pipeline of quality content and derive the greatest value from it across multiple platforms. The studio will be an industry leader in unique and innovative programming for USA and Syfy, and all cable networks.
Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in 95 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)
Is 'Caprica' on the Verge of Cancellation? A source tells CinemaSpy that script problems are plaguing the series By Robert Falconer | Sunday, September 13, 2009
When the announcement came that there would be a Battlestar Galactica spin-off series entitled Caprica — which would chart both the society and the evolution of the Cylons on the titular planet some 50 years before Battlestar — many fans were excited at the possibilities. The pilot, however, never quite seemed to gel for some of us; continuing much of the same dark, philosophical navel-gazing that many felt had marred the first part of Battlestar Galactica's final season.
The announcement last month that Buffy alum James Marsters would be guest-starring as a dangerous terrorist leader by the name of Barnabus Greeley for at least three episodes buoyed anticipation for many, but now it seems as though any optimism may be premature. A trusted industry insider informed CinemaSpy on Saturday that production faces suspension on Caprica due to serious script problems/shortfalls, and that the future of the series may well be in jeopardy. From what we've been told, the producers haven't been altogether happy with the caliber of the stories.
Frankly, this came as a bit of a shock to us. Moreover, we should point out that we've been unable to corroborate the information independently. However, our source is well placed within the Vancouver film production community; in a position to know; and has been 100 percent accurate with information in the past.
If true, we hope this is only a temporary glitch, because we believe that the concept for Caprica is strong, and that the tone of the pilot wasn't necessarily a fair measure by which to judge the tone of a forthcoming series—changes are often commonplace once a show ramps up for production.
Meanwhile, we'll keep you posted on any further developments if and when we get them.
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Are you looking forward to Caprica, or had Galactica already left you sated by this universe?
Showrunner: No Need To Worry About 'Caprica' Production could halt, but not because of anything bad -- unless the Olympics are a bad thing By MICHAEL HINMAN Sep-16-2009 Source: Airlock Alpha
It doesn't take much to stir up fandom, but if there's one word of advice: Be wary of uncorroborated information.
CinemaSpy this week kicked up some concern that the new "Battlestar Galactica" spinoff series was in trouble. Using a single anonymous source they said had been "100 percent accurate" in the past, the site described the behind-the-scenes of the show that is set to premiere in January as if it were a part of the new Roland Emmerich film "2012."
"A trusted industry insider informed CinemaSpy on Saturday that production faces suspension on 'Caprica' due to serious script problems/shortfalls, and that the future of the series may well be in jeopardy," site reporter Robert Falconer wrote. "From what we've been told, the producers haven't been altogether happy with the caliber of the stories."
The issue is that how the producers really feel is the exact opposite of what CinemaSpy suggests, and our source should know, because she's the executive producer of "Caprica," Jane Espenson.
"I'm one of the producers and I'm absolutely thrilled with the work my writers have done," Espenson told Airlock Alpha.
There is a possibility that production could in fact shut down, but not for the reasons that recently plagued the ABC series "V." In fact, the shutdown really has nothing to do with the show itself. It has more to do with the fact that Vancouver, B.C., where "Caprica" is filmed, will soon be overrun by international athletes in town for the 2010 Winter Olympics.
"The Olympics might require a couple scheduling adjustments," Espenson said. "Those are probably being misunderstood."
Over the years, Airlock Alpha has established some strong sources inside Syfy and NBC Universal, including those who correctly informed us that when NBCU picked up "Battlestar Galactica" for just a half-season in its fourth season with the option to pick up more episodes, if the network were to order the back half of the season, it would be to wrap up the series.
Soon after NBCU picked up the back-half of the season order, it announced it would end the show after four seasons.
These same sources, however, have not expressed any concern for "Caprica," and instead have been glowing about how production is coming together under Espenson, who is getting her first crack at a showrunner's position. And just to add that production shutdowns are most typically ordered by the studios, not producers, and usually come with some sort of a creative shakeup.
Even Espenson, who wrote some memorable episodes of "Battlestar Galactica" and has been involved in other genre series such as "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Dollhouse," has been excited about what's to come on the show.
"'Caprica' moving ahead so fast," Espenson wrote on her Twitter feed over the weekend. "Eps nine, 10, 11, 12 on their way ... 13 taking shape! Season 1 is going to be all wrote up!"
"Caprica," a new drama from Syfy, will make the film-festival rounds before it debuts on Jan. 22.
The two-hour "Caprica" pilot, which was written by Ronald D. Moore and Remi Aubuchon and directed by "Friday Night Lights" veteran Jeffrey Reiner, will be screened at the San Diego Film Festival, the Woodstock Film Festival and the Austin Film Festival this fall.
Dates for the screenings are as follows:
San Diego Film Festival, Sept. 26 Woodstock Film Festival, Oct. 2 and Oct. 4 Austin Film Festival, Oct. 24 (there will be a screening as well as panel discussions from Reiner and star Esai Morales)
"Caprica" is a prequel series that takes place five decades before the events of "Battlestar Galactica." It follows two rival families, the Adamas and the Greystones, and no previous "Battlestar" knowledge is required to watch the new show. "This ...standalone series will feature the passion, intrigue, political backbiting, and family conflict in an omnipotent society that is at the height of its blind power and glory…and, unknowingly, on the brink of its fall," according to a description from Syfy.
My review of the "Caprica" pilot, which is already out on DVD, is here.
Moore talks a bit about the project, which also stars Paula Malcolmson, Eric Stoltz and Polly Walker as powerful members of Caprican society, in this video.
Patton Oswalt, James Marsters and "FNL" alumni Scott Porter have all been cast in recurring guest roles on "Caprica," which also has several "BSG" alumni on its writing and production staffs. (To see what various "Battlestar" alumni are up to -- and some of them have written and directed "Caprica" episodes -- look at this story.)
Five things you should know about 'Caprica' 11:02 AM
Last weekend I moderated the Caprica panel at the Austin Film Fest. As you know, I'm a big Battlestar Galactica fan, so I was eager to hear star Esai Morales and director Jeffrey Reiner talk more about the prequel series.
Here are some tidbits to keep in mind before the show's Jan. 22 premiere on Syfy. If you haven't watched the pilot, add it to your Netflix queue or download it now.
1. It doesn't look like Battlestar. If you've seen the pilot, you already know this. Reiner said he had a lot of freedom with the show, which is great, because he also helmed another series with a specific look: Friday Night Lights.
"As a director I look for projects I can put my stamp on," Reiner said. "I knew I didn't want to shoot it in a verite style like Battlestar. My idea was that Battlestar was post-apocalyptic, so the world had become unhinged. I wanted to have this world somewhat ..."
"... hinged," Morales finished.
Among Reiner's visual influences: photographer David LaChappelle, painter Francis Bacon, architect Arthur Erickson, the 1940s (for wardrobe) and punk rock.
"Any club scene I've ever wanted to do, I harken back to a scene from Sid and Nancy or my days in the punk scene," Reiner said. "So I was like, 'OK, I have to get that energy.'"
2. No BSG experience is required. You don't need to watch Battlestar to understand Caprica, and neither Reiner nor Morales was familiar with BSG before making the show. Morales said he still hasn't seen the series: "When you do a prequel, it's almost better to not know. Because no matter what you do, someone's gonna go, 'Oh, yeah. I saw Admiral Adama in that look you gave.'"
3. Bring on the Stoltz. Morales said they're halfway through filming the season, and star Eric Stoltz spends time behind the camera as director. He added, "Eric is very cerebral and extremely protective of his privacy. We're still getting to know each other."
In related news, no confirmation on whether Edward James Olmos will direct an ep (that had been an earlier rumor). Reiner only directs the pilot; he now works on NBC's Trauma.
4. Good news for Buffy fans. James Marsters plays a villain in several Caprica episodes, and former Buffy scribe Jane Espenson is running the show. Said Morales: "You're gonna see a lot of her influence in the first half of the season -- the youthful aspect of the show, hot teens running around, some of that."
5. Prepare for some futuresex. Again, if you've seen the pilot, you know certain scenes are too steamy for TV. Morales said Caprica will take it a few steps further in future episodes: "There's some characters with sexuality ... I don't want to give it away, but it's different than what we expected. The headmistress' home life -- well, it's not just polytheism."
Woohoo! I was watching the Ghosthunters special on SyFy tonight and they just showed a preview for Caprica and James was in it! Even had Barnabus say a line...let's see..."Someone is going to die...you have to choose" Something like that...cool.
SJ has also posted the James bits from "Lie To Me" which is still uploading as I write this so I can't post the link yet, and there is also another video she made which she is uploading next, so be sure to go back and see "Macking on James" as well!!!
Enjoy!! And be sure to feedback, SJ is a lurker, but she loves feedback!!!
"Macking on James", SilentJ's other video is now up. Enjoy!!!!
From our Silent J research department with a little help from our Patti we have a couple screen caps from Caprica staring James. He made the trailer, which is a good thing because they almost killed him. He should get top billing. I also thought he should get combat pay as well. Anyway, Thank you two for your research. I know its a tough job but someone has to do it.
Tuesday, 3 November 2009 New Caprica trailer, with James Marsters
A new trailer for Caprica has appeared on YouTube. It includes previously unseen footage and a first look at James Marsters' character, terrorist leader Barnabus Greeley.
Also, io9.com has several new pictures from the Caprica set here.
Syfy has released a new trailer for Caprica, and it includes the first footage of James Marsters as terrorist leader Barnabus Greeley. It's a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment, but it's worth keeping your eyes peeled for when Marsters says that "Someone's dying today." (And the rest of the trailer ain't too shabby, either.)
James Marsters Gets Smacked Around in New 'Caprica' Trailer 11.05.09 By: Mike Moody
Spots for the Battlestar Galactica prequel Caprica have been popping up online for a week or so now. Most of the clips feature stars Eric Stoltz and Esai Morales at odds with each other, trying to keep their families together. The latest trailer finally gives us a peek at James Marsters as bad guy Barnabas Greeley.
He was one of Buffy's biggest bads, he manipulated Clark Kent as Brainiac on Smallville, and he single-handedly kicked off Torchwood's second season with a bang. Now, Mr. Marsters is set to enter the BSG universe as a complicated and dangerous terrorist leader ... who gets smacked around by girls half his size?
Head after the jump to view the trailer.
View trailer above
Marsters isn't the only reason I'm looking forward to Caprica. The two-hour DVD premiere was great, and it looks like the show could turn out to be another bold and captivating sci-fi drama ala BSG.
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