Battlestar Galactica Movie Reboot Finds Writer, Close to Signing Director - Report

A movie version of the classic sci-fi TV show Battlestar Galactica has been in development for a long time, but it now seems to be moving forward. It has been reported that a writer is on board, with Hunger Games director Francis Lawrence close to joining the project.

According to Deadline, Lisa Joy is working on the script for the film, with Lawrence in consideration to direct. Joy has been heavily involved with HBO's upcoming sci-fi series Westworld, while Lawrence helmed three of the hugely successful Hunger Games series, namely Catching Fire, and Mockingjay Part 1 and Part 2.

Battlestar Galactica was created by the influential TV producer Glen A. Larson in the late 1970s, and the original series was broadcast by ABC in 1978. Initial plans to revive the show for the big screen were put on hold after Syfy produced the highly acclaimed TV reimagining in 2003. That show ran for four seasons, followed by the short-lived spinoff Caprica in 2010.

The original show was very much part of the wave of sci-fi shows and movies that followed in the wake of Star Wars. Similarities between the two properties led Fox, who produced Star Wars, to sue ABC, but ultimately, the case was settled in the network's favour.