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Successful Remakes - Battlestar Galactica

Successful Remakes - Battlestar Galactica

Almost every year old successful formulas are polished and revitalized. In many cases they are doomed to fail, which threatens to overshadow successful attempts. Time to highlight the successful remakes.
When it comes to remakes, I am always a bit reserved. When you see the final product, you as a viewer are still disappointed with some regularity. Sometimes it is because of the high expectations or the makers of the remake do not handle the source material carefully. Why do you have to change or repeat something that is good and where has the creativity in this industry gone? Just come up with something new! However, remakes can also turn out well. With the right makers and respect for the original, true gems can be created. The first successful remake that I want to highlight is Battlestar Galactica.

Battlestar Galactica is a remake of the 1978 series of the same name. The series deviates significantly from the storyline of the original. The series begins with a short introduction explaining that the humans of the twelve colonies created the Cylons, and that the Cylons have rebelled against their former masters. A bloody war ensues, but eventually a ceasefire is agreed upon and the Cylons disappear to another planet. A space station is built in neutral territory where humans and the Cylons can meet once a year to open diplomatic relations. However, the Cylons never show up. At the time the series begins, it has been forty years since humanity last heard a sign of life from the Cylons.

Battlestar Galactica

In 1978, the TV series Battlestar Galactica tried to cash in on the success of Star Wars. The series was not bad at all and was mandatory viewing for science fiction fans at the time. When the plan to revive the series arose in 2003, it turned out surprisingly well. The special effects were of course considerably better, but the new version also has more interesting characters and strong storylines. What also helped is that the hostile Cylon cans from the original have been replaced by advanced models with feminine shapes. The remake can appeal to the old fans, but also has many younger fans.

There are several reasons why this remake was successful. The remake introduced more complex and emotionally charged storylines. It tackled themes such as the war on terror, corruption, and environmental issues, making it more relevant to a modern audience. Additionally, the characters in the remake are much more dynamic and well-developed. Supporting characters were given more depth and complexity, adding to the overall quality of the series. Finally, the series was politically charged and reflected on contemporary issues, giving it a deeper meaning than the original series.

Battlestar Galactica

There are also clear differences to be noted from the original. Many characters underwent significant changes. For example, Starbuck, originally a male pilot, became a female pilot named Kara Thrace, played by Katee Sackhoff, in the remake. This change brought a new dynamic and depth to the character. The remake had a much darker and more serious tone compared to the original 1978 series, which focused more on adventure and heroic elements. The remake de-emphasized the religious themes that were prominent in the original, and focused more on human survival and ethical dilemmas.

Among other things, these elements made the remake of Battlestar Galactica a groundbreaking series that captivated both old and new fans. The members of MySeries think so too, because with a considerable number of votes this remake managed to obtain a nice score. If you say so, then we can safely say that Battlestar Galactica has become a successful remake.
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Comments (5)

BlackBiker
23 January 2025, 15:36
Nice new idea, Pascal :-)

I can totally agree with you on this one. I also really liked the original series, except for the sequel Galactica 1980, which wasn't really good.
And this new interpretation was also incredibly cool. In some ways even better than the original.

I'm curious what you'll come up with next. Shogun is of course a recent remake. There are also a lot of US remakes of British series. Like Ghosts and Being Human. Enough to choose from.
5Translated from Dutch.
superpassie9
23 January 2025, 21:55
Thanks for your nice comment, that's what we do it for! (And the fun with finding backgrounds and writing of course:))

Great that you're coming up with some suggestions again. Memory refreshers are never a bad thing. I can already tease that the next one is already planned and I'm writing further. Also with another new idea. Curious what you think about it:)
4Translated from Dutch.
tweemaalh
23 January 2025, 17:56
Great idea! I remember writing a column a few years ago about series that are actually remakes, and it was really fun to delve into it (https://www.mijnserie.nl/nieuws/algemeen/9332-corona-crisis-welke-series-moet-je-gaan-kijken-de-beste-series-die-eigenlijk-remakes-zijn/).

Battlestar Galactica has always passed me by a bit (maybe it's age and interest), but the sounds I hear are always very positive.

There are still enough good remakes to write about in the future. I'm curious!
5Translated from Dutch.
BlackBiker
23 January 2025, 18:49
Funny to read that the first thing mentioned under your (otherwise nice) piece is Battlestar Galactica :-)
4Translated from Dutch.
superpassie9
23 January 2025, 22:05
Thanks! In my search for successful remakes I also came across your article. With the visibility on search terms, MijnSerie.nl is doing well:)

Battlestar Galactica is mentioned first in many lists and I saw it pass by in yours as well, so it is indeed not entirely coincidental to start with that.

I continued writing and after your enthusiasm I will definitely continue;)
3Translated from Dutch.
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