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The Battlestar Galactica: The Second Coming project was a proof-of-concept, professionally-created mock movie trailer created, produced, directed, and starred by Original Series star and Galactica spin-off author Richard Hatch. Under his production company, Su-Shann, Hatch leveraged the talent of many TOS stars, including John Colicos, in an effort to convince Universal Studios, the owners to the rights of the Battlestar Galactica franchise, to greenlight a new series or motion picture.
The elaborate trailer features new concepts, impressive acting, and very exciting special effects. Hatch visited many science-fiction conventions to show the trailer and it proved to be a hit among fans that viewed it.
However, Hatch never succeeded in getting Universal's attention. The BSG project revival would be first given to Tom DeSanto and X-Men director Bryan Singer in coordination with Fox Studios and USA Television in 2001. After that project dissolved primarily due to the withdrawal of Fox Studios as well as Singer's commitment to a second X-Men movie, USA Networks chose Ronald D. Moore and David Eick to create a new project, which would be a near-complete rewrite of the series, with familiar names, characters, and places, but with none of the original actors as their original characters, and with a much darker overtone.
Despite initial doubts about the series, Richard Hatch was happy to join the new Battlestar Galactica TV series cast as the recurring character of terrorist-turned-politician Tom Zarek.
Summary[edit]
The four minute trailer begins with a shot of outer space, and a voiceover by Hatch:
"It was the seventh era of mankind. Twenty yahrens have passed since the last great war. A civilization was reborn, an enemy had grown, and now a new generation will have to face an old foe. I must prepare them for the second coming." The foot of a Cylon steps onto the screen, and then a group of Cylons. They all look very similar to the originals. The one in the center says, "It is done, Imperious Leader." Viewers then see the face of Baltar wearing a hood. He says "Hello." Moments later, he continues: "There has been a Cylon civil war and a new breed of Cylon has emerged. And only I can lead you to safety." Viewers see shots of Colonial Warriors battling Cylons, and an Imperious Leader with a new look. Then Dr. Salik (played by George Murdock, the original actor) treating Apollo in the life station. Salik says something to the effect of, "It's been five yahrens since I last saw a Cylon, they no longer pose a threat." and Apollo answers, "No. They have evolved."
There are shots of Colonial Warriors training, doing one-arm pushups. Colonial Vipers hang above them. Bojay says to Apollo, "Your son, Troy, will make a fine warrior." There is a close-up shot of Troy, who is not played by Noah Hathaway (The name of Troy was borrowed from Galactica 1980). Athena is played by someone new, and she looks similar to Maren Jensen. She tells Apollo that he is leading everyone the wrong way. There is a shot of an entire planet exploding and a brief shot of Apollo standing next to Tigh, but no words are said. Viewers see a Colonial city on a planet, so apparently the Colonials have settled.
There are space battle scenes with Colonial Vipers and Cylon Raiders. There is a Super Cylon basestar, which is about six times larger than the regular Cylon basestar. The Vipers and Raiders look very close to the originals. A few upgraded Vipers appear.
A hologram of Adama is speaking to Apollo. He says, "We're in a life and death struggle for survival. We need heroes." (This is from "The Living Legend") There is a shot of Colonial Vipers shooting out of Galactica's launch tubes. The Gemini freighter is destroyed (which also happens in Galactica 1980), and there is a space battle between Vipers and Raiders among ships of the Fleet.
Near the end, Baltar appears again and says, "Your friend Starbuck, he was alive last I saw him. I'm sure he's dead by now." Apollo challenges Count Iblis, who is played by Richard Lynch (the same actor who played Wolfe in "Gun on Ice Planet Zero" and the time-traveling villain Xaviar in "Galactica Discovers Earth"). Apollo says, "You care about no one but yourself in your lust for power!" Moments later in another segment, Apollo tells Athena he believes Starbuck is alive, and she says that if he leaves, she will take command from him. There is a new version of the Ship of Lights. Colonial vipers are launching toward a large phalanx of upgraded Cylon Raiders. One of the pilots says that they are going to save Starbuck. Galactica then destroys a Cylon basestar. It all ends with close-up shots of the main characters, and then the words "Battlestar Galactica: The Second Coming."
Cast[edit]
- Richard Hatch as Apollo
- John Colicos as Baltar
- Jack Stauffer as Bojay
- Terry Carter as President Tigh
- George Murdock as Dr. Salik
- Richard Lynch as Count Iblis
- Phil Brown as Council Elder
- Szilvia Naray as Col. Athena
- Mickelean McCormick as Lt. Troy
- Ali Willingham as Ensign Cienna
- Nicholas Walker as Sire Talamon
- Jere Jon as Capt. Temel
- Don Hughes as Lt. Tristin
- Athena Demos as Capt. Kir'oss
- Frank Ruotolo as Lt. Atilla
- Jane Leigh Connelly as Nurse
- Allan Hagan as Reptilian Cylon
- Eric Melson as Cylon #1
- Dr. Kevin R. Grazier as Cylon #2
- James Logan as Set (Blue Alien)
- Damien Metz as Pegasus Officer
- Kathy Pillsbury as Bridge Officer
- David G. Foster as Galactica Crew (uncredited)
- Andy Wolf as Viper Pilot (uncredited)