Lost in Space

:See also Lost in Space (disambiguation)

Spin-offs

Cartoon

A Saturday morning animated special one-shot version of Lost in Space was broadcast sometime in the 1970s. Dr. Smith was about the only character used, while the Robot could be recognized, although employed in flight control rather than a support activity. The spacecraft was launched vertically by rocket, and Smith was not a saboteur for getting lost.

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Film

In 1998, New Line Cinema produced a feature movie adaptation, starring William Hurt as Professor John Robinson, Mimi Rogers as Dr Maureen Robinson, Heather Graham as Judy Robinson, Matt LeBlanc as Major Don West, Gary Oldman as Dr. Smith and Lacey Chabert as Penny Robinson, and once again Dick Tufeld as The Robot's voice. Angela Cartwright, June Lockhart, Marta Kristen, and Mark Goddard from the original series all had cameos (Lockhart and Goddard interacting with their successors), but Jonathan Harris refused to participate. Bill Mumy was at one point considered for a key role in the film (one that would have allowed him to interact with the new Will Robinson), but another actor was cast instead. (Guy Williams had died some years earlier.)

Related Topics:
1998 - New Line Cinema - Feature movie adaptation - William Hurt - Mimi Rogers - Heather Graham - Matt LeBlanc - Gary Oldman - Lacey Chabert - Dick Tufeld

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Lavish special effects were incorporated, and the story was similar to the more dramatic first episodes of the TV series. While marginally successful, audience reaction was mixed and box office results were insufficient to justify a planned sequel. A short-lived series of original novels did follow, however.

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The new Jupiter II was launched from Houston in a launch shell, called the Jupiter I, that is an obvious homage to the series spacecraft, complete with rotating propulsion lights. Even with the careful planning that created a spacecraft capable of containing the (rather roomy) interior shown, the creators gave such sort shrift to exposition, that audiences were left confused about the purpose of the mission. Earth is deteriorating, and the rescue plan is to colonize Alpha Prime (the only other known habitable planet in galaxy) by sending the Robinsons on a 10 year journey there. Once they arrive, they are to build a hypergate identical to one on Earth through which travel between the planets will be instantaneous. The new Jupiter 2 has a hyperdrive, but without gates (according to the film), travel through hyperspace is random and could drop the ship anywhere in the galaxy. This is, of course, exactly what happens when the ship is sabotaged and the crew must choose between a random flight through hyperspace or plunging into Earth's sun.

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One critic failed to see why the Jupiter 2 wasn't filled to capacity with hardware to build a hypergate. This also was given short shrift in the film. During an interview in one of the opening sequences of the film, Commander Robinson tells reporters, "once we have rendezvoused with the research colony on Alpha, I will supervise construction of a second hypergate." Apparently, an entire research colony has already left for Alpha Prime ahead of the Robinson family, presumably with the all of the equipment and engineers necessary to complete the task.

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2nd TV Series

In late 2003, a new TV series, with a somewhat changed format, was in development in the USA. It was intended to be originally closer to the original pilot with no Doctor Smith, but including the robot. A pilot was commissioned by the WB network, produced by Twentieth Century Fox TV and Regency Television, and screened to executives in May of 2004.

Related Topics:
2003 - WB network - Twentieth Century Fox - Regency Television - 2004

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The pilot script featured the characters of John and Maureen, but an elder son, David, was scripted, as well as Judy, Penny and Will. There was no Doctor Smith character, but the character of Don West was described as a "dangerous, lone wolf type".

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The confirmed cast included Brad Johnson as John Robinson, Jayne Brook as Maureen Robinson, Adrianne Palicki as Judy Robinson, Ryan Malgarini as Will Robinson and Mike Erwin as Don West.

Related Topics:
Brad Johnson - Jayne Brook - Adrianne Palicki - Ryan Malgarini - Mike Erwin

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It was not among the network's series pick-ups confirmed later that year.

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However, the producers of the new Battlestar Galactica show bought the sets. They were redesigned the next year as the Battlestar Pegasus, as creating whole new sets would have been too expensive.

Related Topics:
New Battlestar Galactica - Battlestar Pegasus

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