Fans launch 'Help Nathan Fillion Buy Firefly' movement

billybob476 · February 23, 2011, 04:29:03 AM

This sounds interesting...

QuoteFans launch 'Help Nathan Fillion Buy Firefly' movement
by James Hibberd

Firefly fans have launched a Web site and Facebook page trying to rally support to help Nathan Fillion buy the rights to the canceled Fox series.

Earlier this week, Fillion told EW he'd be willing to reprise his Firefly role as Captain Mal again. Then he added: "If I got $300 million from the California Lottery, the first thing I would do is buy the rights to Firefly, make it on my own, and distribute it on the Internet."

Well, be careful what you wish for, because Firefly fans think that's a great idea! And they're not the only ones...

Jose Molina, a producer on Syfy's Haven, former Castle producer and author of two Firefly episodes tweeted Friday regarding Fillion's comment: "For what it's worth, I've told him I'd drop what I was doing and follow."

Then Jane Espenson, writer of a Firefly episode, a producer on Battlestar Galactica and co-creator of Warehouse 13, replied to Molina: "I'm there, if needed."

Now, there's a couple different sentiments going on here so let's look at each separately.

Buying the rights: $300 million wouldn't be necessary. Terminator rights sold for about $30 million (and, as much as we love Firefly, let's face it, Serenity was hardly T2 at the box office). Still, we're talking a shiny chunk of change. Then the show still needs to be produced (= more money).

The only problem (well, not the only problem, but a significant one) is Firefly studio 20th Century Fox probably isn't willing to sell the rights. The Terminator owners were bankrupt, while 20th is doing just fine and holds its properties as long-term investments (remember George Lucas talking 20th Century Fox out of the Star Wars sequel rights back in the 1970s? Yeah, they don't fall for that anymore). One insider said he couldn't think of a case of 20th outright selling the rights to a property.

The fan site is not accepting actual donations, just pledges (wisely), waiting to see if it can drum up enough support. Still, Fillion's Lotto quote is probably being taken too literally. It's one thing for the actor to say, you know, answering a reporter's hypothetical question between takes on Castle, "if I won the lottery," it's another to be faced with the prospect of fans passing around the hat.

In other words: Even if fans miraculously raised millions, the studio is not likely to part with the rights to Firefly — if anything, such an act would prove to them the rights are worth keeping. However: Like all studios, 20th is generally open to new opportunities to make more money from its existing properties if given an assured path to profitability. Which brings us to...

Rebooting Firefly: This sentiment, one suspects, is more likely what the Firefly writers and most fans are responding to. And there's few things more durable and renewable in media than a beloved sci fi brand. If all everybody who bought the Firefly DVD set during its first year of release (500,000 strong, according to one report) declared they were willing to shell out $40 in hopes of resurrecting the franchise as, say, a two-hour TV movie+DVD or something, well, you'd certainly get the studio's attention. But that's if the show's very busy creator Joss Whedon and Fillion, etc. would be willing and contractually available in the first place, and that's if the studio were on board — and those are real Ifs.

BTW: Firefly ratings back in 2002? About a 2.0 in the adult demo. Which nowadays is considered survivable even on broadcast. Not that the space-western would likely get the same numbers if on the air today when there's so much more competition from cable, but it's interesting to think about.

http://insidetv.ew.com/fans-launch-help-nathan-fillion-buy-firefly-movement/

Bryancd · February 23, 2011, 04:44:43 AM

Just in the abstract, but would it even be Firefly without Joss? I mean, the actors were terrific but it was the writting that made that show.

Rico · February 23, 2011, 05:37:38 AM

I admire what they are trying to do, but it probably has little chance of succeeding. They tried something similar when "Enterprise" was canned. I really think a more likely scenario in the future for shows are having them become "fan paid for" and subscribed to via the internet. Many websites have pledge drives. What if a series to get another season put out a call to the fans to donate ahead of time? I really see this model as working at some point. I think we already are seeing a blurring of the lines with some content out there. It will be interesting to see how this continues to evolve.

billybob476 · February 23, 2011, 05:40:35 AM

Right, this paragraph kind of outlines the realities:

QuoteRebooting Firefly: This sentiment, one suspects, is more likely what the Firefly writers and most fans are responding to. And there's few things more durable and renewable in media than a beloved sci fi brand. If all everybody who bought the Firefly DVD set during its first year of release (500,000 strong, according to one report) declared they were willing to shell out $40 in hopes of resurrecting the franchise as, say, a two-hour TV movie+DVD or something, well, you'd certainly get the studio's attention. But that's if the show's very busy creator Joss Whedon and Fillion, etc. would be willing and contractually available in the first place, and that's if the studio were on board — and those are real Ifs.

Maye this won't work for Firefly, but if Fillion can convince Joss to pull off a fan-funded Doctor Horrible-esque venture I think that would go far to continue to legitimize web productions (which the Guild and others have already come a long way in doing).

Rico · February 23, 2011, 05:44:53 AM

Definitely Joe. And I think Joss both understands the fans and also may be fed up a bit with the "studio way" considering how they handled "Firefly" and also "Dollhouse." Studios are still grasping to the old way of doing things and they better realize "times are changing." Don't underestimate the power of rabid geeks! :)

Bryancd · February 23, 2011, 06:36:12 AM

Quote from: Rico on February 23, 2011, 05:44:53 AM
Don't underestimate the power of rabid geeks! :)

Nor how profoundly cheap they are! :) The problem is we have grown far to accustomed to getting a lot of online content for free, it might be a challenge to get people to open their wallets when the mentality might be "let the other guy pay and I'll pirate it for free."

Rico · February 23, 2011, 06:47:08 AM

Quote from: Bryancd on February 23, 2011, 06:36:12 AM
Quote from: Rico on February 23, 2011, 05:44:53 AM
Don't underestimate the power of rabid geeks! :)

Nor how profoundly cheap they are! :) The problem is we have grown far to accustomed to getting a lot of online content for free, it might be a challenge to get people to open their wallets when the mentality might be "let the other guy pay and I'll pirate it for free."

Some are cheap, yes. But keep in mind these are the same group of folks that spends hundreds or thousands on collectibles, comics, costumes, DVD sets, going to cons, etc. There are some that won't pay, but I think you might be shocked at how many would open their wallets up and give generously.

billybob476 · February 23, 2011, 07:03:33 AM

While I think that people are used to getting things for free on the Internet, I think people would also be willing to pay for quality content. Also I don't think the fan-funding is the be all and end all. Look at the Guild. It started off fan-funded and once it was successful it picked up sponsorships. Once that happened, bigger money started coming in and the production quality of the show went waaaay up.

Jobydrone · February 23, 2011, 11:40:41 AM

It brings to mind an interesting question: How are the sales of popular shows that can originally be found for free on the internet? Setting aside the fact that pretty much everything can be found for free on the internet these days, I'd be very curious to know how the DVD sales are/were for Dr. Horrible, or The Guild, for example. I'm sure the DVD sales of South Park full seasons are huge, even though every episode is offered streaming for free on the creators website.

People certainly are willing to pay for what they love. How many of us here bought the DVDs of the Trek fan film created by Tim Russ and featured many of the actors from the various series. (well probably not many of us but I know I'm still getting emails from the company asking me to buy it).

Rico · February 23, 2011, 11:44:53 AM

I certainly try and support the fan efforts. The Trek fan films, Star Wars fan stuff, the Guild, etc. I like buying their products to show my support. The DVD's are typically better quality than streaming net stuff too. Although I still want hidef. versions of some of this too! Hint - hint! :)

Geekyfanboy · February 23, 2011, 03:32:35 PM

Well The Guild and Dr. Horrible for that matter puts extras that can only be found on the DVD's. And like Rico said.. the quality is much better and some folks just enjoy having an actual DVD. For me like Rico I buy them for the extras but mainly to show my support for the show.

Geekyfanboy · February 23, 2011, 03:34:15 PM

As for the topic.. I don't see this ever happening.. would love if it did.. but I can't see Fox ever selling the rights to Firefly.

Feathers · February 24, 2011, 05:37:44 AM

Quote from: Geekyfanboy on February 23, 2011, 03:34:15 PM
As for the topic.. I don't see this ever happening.. would love if it did.. but I can't see Fox ever selling the rights to Firefly.

Nor can I see this provoking them to pick it up again and make any more (which I'd have thought was a marginally more likely outcome).

Rico · February 24, 2011, 05:48:19 AM

Geek fans need a cause. Back in the 60's it was demonstrations at NBC to get the original Trek a 3rd season. It was a letter writing campaign to get the first Space Shuttle named Enterprise. Hot sauce for more "Roswell." Subway for more "Chuck." We should be proud that we are part of a passionate fan base that doesn't take defeat or the word "no" easily. I wish them luck and at the very least maybe Fox execs will have a meeting or two about those "weirdo fans" and their "Firefly" obsession. :)