'Transcendence' Writer Comes Aboard Revived 'Battlestar Galactica' Film

Around the time the rebooted Battlestar Galactica TV series was ending its run on SyFy Channel, Bryan Singer came aboard to helm a big screen version of the original series. But he had actually been working on something even before that, so this seemed like the perfect chance for him to put some of those ideas to work. Nothing has been heard about it in three years, but now Variety reports Universal is moving forward on the Battlestar Galactica film, only Singer may not be involved.

Transcendence and Prometheus 2 scribe Jack Paglen has been hired to write the screenplay for Battlestar Galactica, which also has the involvement of series creator and producer Glen Larson. Paglen takes over from John Orloff (A Mighty Heart), who was intending to merge all of the Battlestar Galactica continuities somehow. Universal wants a "complete reimagining", something more streamlined for audiences unfamiliar with the property, so it makes sense to bring someone new in.

As for Singer, Variety's piece only refers to his past involvement with the project, implying that he's moved. With him spearheading the renewed X-men franchise it's doubtful he would have had time for it, anyway.