Firefly- the animated series? by PerfectParadigm

Someone recently said to me that it might have been better if Firefly was an animated show, because those who like animation/anime would be more open to the concept, style etc of the show.

I personally like Japanese anime - Hayao Miyazaki, Satoshi Kon, and I've seen some other incredibly sophisticated movies done with animation.

Cowboy Bepop is an anime series that has been compared to Firefly, which I have not seen.

With the actors aging the possibility of a live-action show seems less and less likely. But the actors will always be able to pull of the voices, and technically if you've got a really good voice actor the original one may not be necessary.

If they had a really good artist/s, the stellar writing and witty dialogue that Joss has been known for, it just might work...

And it would have to be a Joss project of course - does the fact that he doesn't have much experience in anime matter?

But is Joss still interested?

Edit: I've googled this and found some threads here about this idea, but it would be interesting to get some new discussion.

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Saturday, February 12, 2011 4:26 AM

WHOZIT

This idea comes up every couple of years, my guess is Joss and the cast have atleast heard about it by now.

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Saturday, February 12, 2011 5:06 AM

Two thoughts:

Watch Cowboy Bebop! If you like Firefly, you'll like that too.

And second, PLEASE, someone make a Firefly animated series. Joss Whedon is good with animated screenplays (He was nominated for an Oscar for Toy Story, and he co-wrote Titan AE), and the cast members are actually really good voice actors (Halo, DC's animated movies, etc). I would watch it religiously.

"Always be yourself. Unless You suck." - Joss Whedon

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Saturday, February 12, 2011 5:07 AM

Something I would say about anime/animation is that it's very good for 'creating new worlds' - but even though Firefly has a 'new world', part of the appeal is that it seems real and organic - a mixture of the past and future to make it seem like the present. Can an animation replicate that?

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Saturday, February 12, 2011 5:18 AM

WISHIMAY

My ramble on the subject...

I never been in love with the idea of an animated Firefly. I simply think a lot of the feel would be lost. My hubby would love it. I'm pretty sure most people here would watch anything with a Firefly brand, just because. We maybe could pick up a few others just because of the format. I've got the graphic novels, but I don't remember written word in detail, so I barely remember what they were about but I can recite most of the eppisodes by heart... I had thoughts that a computer generated animated format would be interesting, but I've no idea if a show could even be done that way or how expensive that could get or if technology is to that point yet.

I still have a feeling they'll reboot us somehow, that's why I'm still here. I do wish they'd hurry the hell up, though...

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Saturday, February 12, 2011 5:44 AM

John Lee, conspiracy therapist at Hollywood award-winner History Channel-mocked SNL-spoofed PirateNew.org wooHOO!!!!!!

Quote:
Originally posted by micjwelch:

Watch Cowboy Bebop! If you like Firefly, you'll like that too.

Good advice.

Definitely check out Cowboy Bebop, comedy focused on some episodes, some are very dark, always mystery, always beautiful art, very competent voiceovers. It has at least 1 full-length movie. Mobbed up like Firefly, with more emphasis on the Sopranos and love of the Police State. Earth is nearly destroyed and the Sun's Solar System is now inhabited, no space aliens allowed. The heros are jews, apparently, including a jew mobster. The main spacecraft is very homely and homey, like a Firefly. The small Hammerhead spaceship looks like the landing craft in FF. Now on Cartoon Network Saturday nights. Gratuitous violence. Live-action film is in pre-production with Keanu Reeves.

Episode Guide
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowboy_Bebop

Watch full episodes:
www.google.com/search?q=cowboy%20bebop&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbo=u&tbs=vid:1&s
ource=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wv

This looks interesting too:

Part 1 of 10. For the full playlist, total length: 1 hour, 28 minutes
youtube.com/view_play_list?p=8EEBA46A28DC9750

Star Wars Clone Wars animated series is very good, state of the art "3D" CGI, like Toy Story, excellent scripts. On Cartoon Network Friday nights. Hint to Joss...

http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/starwars/index.html

http://www.starwars.com/theclonewars/
http://www.google.com/search?q=Star%20Wars%20Clone%20Wars&um=1&ie=UTF-
8&tbo=u&tbs=vid:1&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wv

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Saturday, February 12, 2011 3:27 PM

Thanks for recommendations micjwelch and PN - I'll into Cowboy Bepop.

I would be interested to see how they would create the style for Firefly - I think it would be best if the drawings were as realistic as possible, or if they were caricatures of the characters really 'captured their essence' well.

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Saturday, February 12, 2011 7:47 PM

John Lee, conspiracy therapist at Hollywood award-winner History Channel-mocked SNL-spoofed PirateNew.org wooHOO!!!!!!

Quote:
Originally posted by PerfectParadigm:

I would be interested to see how they would create the style for Firefly - I think it would be best if the drawings were as realistic as possible, or if they were caricatures of the characters really 'captured their essence' well.

Star Wars Clone Wars uses at some of the original cast.

So all of the original FF cast could do voiceovers no matter how old they get.

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Saturday, February 12, 2011 10:45 PM

True.

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Saturday, February 12, 2011 11:08 PM

MOOSE

Quote:
Originally posted by piratenews:
Star Wars Clone Wars animated series is very good, state of the art "3D" CGI, like Toy Story, excellent scripts. On Cartoon Network Friday nights. Hint to Joss...

I'll agree with you on that.
Damn fine show.

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Sunday, February 13, 2011 7:15 PM

RIONAEIRE

Beir bua agus beannacht

This would be a way to solve the aging cast problem. I don't really enjoy animation myself, except for a few noted exceptions. But I'd have to give it a try at least. In an animated format I'm slightly (only slightly) less afraid that they would send the show in directions that I wouldn't enjoy. I'm always hesitant about new cannon because the show is amazing the way it is, I don't prefer the BDM so I fear that any new post BDM installments would be more of the BDM stuff that I don't prefer. But if it takes place before the BDM then I'd give it a serious try and might even enjoy it inspite of the animation.

"A completely coherant River means writers don't deliver" KatTaya

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Monday, February 14, 2011 4:26 AM

ZEEK

Hmmm those DC comic movies are a good point. I wonder how much they cost to produce. That could be a really cool way to continue the verse. Direct to DVD animated movies. I'd preorder for sure.

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Monday, February 14, 2011 5:45 AM

TWO

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

From 2006. Unknown origin. Firefly Animated by Capt. Baggytrousers.

And another effort:

The Joss Whedon script for "Serenity", where Wash lives, is
Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/two

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Monday, February 14, 2011 9:06 AM

I'm actually a big fan of this style.

"Always be yourself. Unless You suck." - Joss Whedon

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Monday, February 14, 2011 9:23 AM

TWO

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

Big Damn Heroes by Kristèle Pelland http://kristele.deviantart.com/art/Big-Damn-Heroes-99560670

The Joss Whedon script for "Serenity", where Wash lives, is
Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/two

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Monday, February 14, 2011 10:20 AM

Those are some cool designs. It's too bad that comedy is the only genre that American's will support in animated form.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Monday, February 14, 2011 11:12 AM

CYBERSNARK

Well, there are some good "Saturday morning" cartoons being made (though not actually aired on Saturday morning

), but yeah, the moment you say "adult animation" everything defaults to Family Guy.

The days of NorAm producing a Fullmetal Alchemist or a Last Exile or a Durarara are decades away, if they ever come.

Also:

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Monday, February 14, 2011 11:43 AM

I disagree. I think American audiences are ready for more adult oriented animation. Look at what Pixar is doing. They've made multiple movies with completely grown up themes, and managed to make kids love them too. Another example is the latest DC animated movies. They're all PG-13.

"Always be yourself. Unless You suck." - Joss Whedon

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Monday, February 14, 2011 11:48 AM

Pixar has a 20 year rep to ride on (built almost entirely with comedies). The DC animated flicks are mainly aimed at geeks, and we're talking characters with a MUCH higher profile (and even then they've said that they only turn a profit when they feature Batman or Superman).

I can't think of a single film or TV series that American adult audiences have embraced in the last 20-30 years that wasn't comedy or part of a huge franchise.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Monday, February 14, 2011 11:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Cybersnark:
but yeah, the moment you say "adult animation" everything defaults to Family Guy.

Pretty sad that one of the most juvenile shows in history is the pinnacle of "adult animation" these days...

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Monday, February 14, 2011 4:19 PM

www.fireflyfans.net/sunroomitem.asp?i=23312&nid=32754

John Lee, conspiracy therapist at Hollywood award-winner History Channel-mocked SNL-spoofed PirateNew.org wooHOO!!!!!!

Change:

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Monday, February 14, 2011 4:53 PM

John Lee, conspiracy therapist at Hollywood award-winner History Channel-mocked SNL-spoofed PirateNew.org wooHOO!!!!!!

More gratuitous Bebop...

http://i-d.animepaper.net/thumbnails/showcase/32819/

Lots of free wallpapers in cyberspace.

Nuttin wrong with animated series.

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Wednesday, February 16, 2011 2:27 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Storymark:
I can't think of a single film or TV series that American adult audiences have embraced in the last 20-30 years that wasn't comedy or part of a huge franchise.

Batman: The Animated Series is considered by many to be the definitive Batman, over Michael Keaton's Batman and even Christian Bale's. It was aired right along side Animaniacs and Tiny Toons, so it didn't exactly grab adult audiences at the time, but I think if handled correctly today, something like that would definitely grab adult audiences.

The truth of the matter is that if there were animated Firefly, we'd all watch it. We may have our concerns about it, but we'd be all over it. The fan base for Firefly is so much larger now than it was when the show aired. Considering how much less expensive animation is than live action, I think animated Firefly would do extremely well.

EDIT: I know I'm referring to a huge franchise here. Firefly could turn into a huge franchise too.

"Always be yourself. Unless You suck." - Joss Whedon

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Wednesday, February 16, 2011 6:33 AM

ZEEK

Somehow I doubt we'd ever become a huge franchise. To me Firefly works because the characters are awesome and the humor and drama work together really well. I don't see that working forever. You can't just keep the same characters or the show would get stale. Can you really bring in new characters and keep the magic? I don't know but I pretty much see Firefly as having a shelf life that can't go on forever.

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Wednesday, February 16, 2011 8:26 AM