# Firefly: The Movie! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 7, 2003, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-the-movie/193627 "2003-08-07T17:19:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-the-movie/193627/1 "2003-08-07T17:19:08Z")
[Could it be?](http://www.moviehole.net/news.php?newsid=1871) [Is it fact or rumor?](http://www.fireflyfans.net/news.asp?newsid=392) [I don’t think this is it…](http://us.imdb.com/Title?0028873) Anyone know anything useful and true? About this rumor, that is. Or, just in general, I’m easy. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-the-movie/193627/2 "2003-08-07T17:24:22Z")
Try the [BBC](http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/news/cult/2003/07/16/5761.shtml), **NCB**. ---
**Author:** ![Achernar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-the-movie/193627/3 "2003-08-07T17:32:46Z")
Regarding the DVD: > [@](#): > > It’s b-lls-out deluxe, which I’m really proud of. Thank goodness for Google spellcheck, or this would have driven me crazy trying to figure it out. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2003, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-the-movie/193627/4 "2003-08-07T17:34:49Z")
Good on ya, **Jef** y boy! Now, i have a DVD coming, too! If only the new _Doctor Who_ wasn’t a cartoon… sigh… ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-the-movie/193627/5 "2003-08-08T00:38:18Z")
The thing is, though, if they couldn’t get enough viewers to keep it on the air, even offering it to UPN (or was than another rumor?) why would they spend the money to make the movie? Do they think a lot of people who didn’t bother to watch it “for free” are going to pay for movie tickets? ---
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-the-movie/193627/6 "2003-08-08T01:02:32Z")
**elfkin477** , why don’t you do a little research on a TV show called _Police Squad!_ It failed after only six episodes. We’ll wait here for you. ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-the-movie/193627/7 "2003-08-08T01:04:05Z")
A Firefly movie would be awesome, as long as they kept to the spirit of the series. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-the-movie/193627/8 "2003-08-08T01:08:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elfkin477 \* > \*\*The thing is, though, if they couldn’t get enough viewers to keep it on the air, even offering it to UPN (or was than another rumor?) why would they spend the money to make the movie? Do they think a lot of people who didn’t bother to watch it “for free” are going to pay for movie tickets? \*\* So, there aren’t a lot of _Firefly_ fans right now. There weren’t any _Star Wars_ fans out there before Lucas made the first movie, and that one did okay. I assume that Whedon is going to write the screenplay so as to draw in entirely new viewers with no knowledge of the TV show: he sure as hell can’t be counting on the already dedicated fans to carry the movie. But, there are other factors: if _Firefly_ had gotten half the press and critical acclaim _before_ it was cancelled that it did _after_ it was cancelled, the show’d probably still be on the air. When it came to marketing the show, Fox dropped the ball, big-time. Even Fox executives have admitted to that. Hopefully, the marketing of the movie will be handled better. Also, after the series finale of _Buffy_ and the critical acclaim of the last season of _Angel_, Whedon is seen to be a hot property now. I suspect he could be selling just about any screenplay he wanted to Hollywood, and somebody would be willing to at least take a serious look at it: Whedon has decided to spend that capital trying to ressurect _Firefly_, thankfully. And lastly, it worked for _Star Trek_. Why not _Firefly_? ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-the-movie/193627/9 "2003-08-08T01:27:23Z")
Because _Firefly_ is one of those shows that has been steadily building a cult following, even after it went off the air. After all, _Star Trek_ was cancelled due to poor ratings, and look how that turned out. Firefly was never given a chance. It was put in a bad time slot, its episodes were shown out of order, it was repeatedly pre-empted, and then cancelled before anyone had a chance to see it. Those who did see it are _rabid_ about the show. There are websites devoted to it, the episodes are all over the internet, the newsgroup is still active, there’s fan fiction, etc. It looks like the pilot episode is on its way to a Hugo award this year. In short, the network screwed up. If they had put Firefly on for a full season and given it time for word of mouth to spread and an audience to build, they could have had a hugely popular franchise on their hands that could have dragged in revenue for years to come. But they were short-sighted, and didn’t ‘get’ it. So they blew it. Here’s hoping a movie appears, and gives this great show a chance to find a new audience. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-the-movie/193627/10 "2003-08-08T01:47:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Miller \* > \*\*When it came to marketing the show, Fox dropped the ball, big-time. \*\* A good show getting cancelled because of bumbling on Fox’s part? Will wonders never cease? _gazes mournfully at Family Guy’s grave_ ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Tambo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@Mr\_Tambo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Tambo)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-the-movie/193627/11 "2003-08-08T01:59:30Z")
You know, Joss Whedon first entered our lives when, because he was unsatisfied with the way movie executives had handled his vision of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, he decided to make a TV series based on a failed movie. Now, we’re getting the reverse with Firefly. Has the wheel of destiny and popular culture entertainment come full circle? ---
**Author:** ![Achernar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-the-movie/193627/12 "2003-08-08T02:08:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sam Stone \* > Those who did see it are _rabid_ about the show. There are websites devoted to it, the episodes are all over the internet, the newsgroup is still active, there’s fan fiction, etc. I know you’re right, that the fans are very devoted, but what you say is pretty much true for every show that ever existed. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-the-movie/193627/13 "2003-08-08T02:19:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Achernar \* > \*\*I know you’re right, that the fans are very devoted, but what you say is pretty much true for every show that ever existed. \*\* Sure, if you’re talking about _M_A_S_H\*, or _All in the Family_, or _Dallas_. Shows that had long, successful runs. But how many shows are out there that didn’t even run a full season, and still have a larger fan base _after being cancelled_ than they did when they were still on the air? And not out of some sense of ironic nostalgia, like that surrounding flops like _My Mother the Car_ or _Small Wonder_? And out of that number, how many of them were properties that could be easily converted to the big screen? ---
**Author:** ![Achernar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-the-movie/193627/14 "2003-08-08T02:50:39Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Miller \* > Sure, if you’re talking about MA_S_H_, or _All in the Family_, or _Dallas_. Shows that had long, successful runs. But how many shows are out there that didn’t even run a full season, and still have a larger fan base _after being cancelled_ than they did when they were still on the air? And not out of some sense of ironic nostalgia, like that surrounding flops like _My Mother the Car_ or _Small Wonder_? And out of that number, how many of them were properties that could be easily converted to the big screen? Well, I don’t watch much television, but let me try to think of shows I’ve seen that didn’t last for a full season, and see if I can find fan stuff about them on the internet. Hmm… [_The Lone Gunmen_ fan fiction](http://grilled-cheese.org/gunmen/stories.html) [_Legend_ fan fiction](http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/Set/4012/stuff.html) [The unofficial _That’s My Bush!_ website](http://www.mybush.org/) [A _ROAR_ fanpage, with _ROAR_ news, a _ROAR_ bulletin board, a _ROAR_ chatroom, and links to about 45 other _ROAR_ fan sites. Member of **two** _ROAR_ webrings.](http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/2001/roar.html) I can’t think of any other series right offhand, but you clearly know more television than I do. I just don’t think you should underestimate the internet. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-the-movie/193627/15 "2003-08-08T03:14:14Z")
Well, I don’t know _that_ much more. For one thing, I’ve never heard of half the shows in your list: _ROAR_ and _Legend_. I will say that _Lone Gunmen_ doesn’t exactly count, as it was an _X-Files_ spin-off, and I have little doubt that most of the _Gunman_ die-hards are huge _X-Files_ fans, too. And _That’s My Bush_ has a political component that might be keeping it in play longer than a show of it’s quality and short life span would normally get. Still, that’s kinda nitpicky. There certainly are other shows out there that maintained popularity despite being cancelled, but that’s still a tiny percentage of the number of shows that get cancelled and permanently forgotten every year. Or, maybe I’m deluding myself. _I want my Firefly back, dammit!_ \ ---
**Author:** ![Fiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e274bd/32.png) [@Fiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiver)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-the-movie/193627/16 "2003-08-08T03:17:47Z")
[Wizards and Warriors](http://www.wizardsandwarriors.org/). An utterly forgettable genre show. And yet, evidenced by the link, some refuse to forget it. Your point is well taken, **Achernar**. but _Firefly_ is different. ---
**Author:** ![Achernar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e274bd/32.png) [@Achernar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achernar)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-the-movie/193627/17 "2003-08-08T03:37:26Z")
Okay okay. I’ll go see the movie if it comes out. Maybe a matinee… I guess… No really, I’ve been looking forward to it ever since the buzz on this board while the television show was still on the air. I never got around to seeing it, though. I may even wind up getting the DVD of the series, having never seen an episode. How’s that for faith in you guys? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-the-movie/193627/18 "2003-08-08T03:41:55Z")
Hey, Wizards and Warriors! I _loved_ that show! And have spent the last fifteen years trying to remember what it was called! Thanks for the nostalgia, **Fiver**! ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-the-movie/193627/19 "2003-08-08T15:03:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sam Stone \* > **Firefly was never given a chance. It was put in a bad time slot, its episodes were shown out of order, it was repeatedly pre-empted, and then cancelled before anyone had a chance to see it.** And – let’s be honest – the first two episodes shown pretty much bit. Unfortunately, FOX decided to air them first instead of the brilliant 2-hour pilot, thereby turning off a huge part of the audience. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![Kn\_ckers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/96bed5/32.png) [@Kn\_ckers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kn_ckers)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2003, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-the-movie/193627/20 "2003-08-08T15:54:34Z")
Emmm… I didn’t think the first two episodes bit. They just didn’t make a whole lot of sense out of context. But whatever, I won’t try to account for taste. Point is, Fox is a lot of buttheads. In any case, I’m delighted that Whedon hasn’t given up on Firefly, and I hope the movie brings great things. Kn(trying not to be too optimistic. Disappointment sucks)ckers [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firefly-the-movie/193627.md?page=2)