Time for a Big Screen Remake?

I think either one would work. (Remake or continuation)

Remake argument: Let's face it, not that many people will have seen or remember this series. It's available on DVD, yes, but it's not being syndicated that I know of, so people aren't exposed to constant reruns as with the various Star Trek franchises. It would be possible, with good writers, to do a complete rewrite and yet be faithful to the basic premise of the original series.

Continuation argument: It wouldn't be too hard to insert a quick backstory into the beginning of the movie for anyone who hadn't seen the series. I mean, it's a pretty quick synopsis... Earth is convinced we're alone, and placing the first extrasolar colonies on nearby star systems, unknown aliens attack, and so on... But references could be made to most of the original characters in higher command positions. The main cast could all be commanders, etc. Maybe McQueen could be the Earth president! :) Obviously any movie would need new actors, but this way the story is a continuation rather than a remake.

My only demand: PLEASE get the show a longer, more complex music theme! Ha!

I'd make a mixture of both: A remake of the key-storylines of the first (with all due respect, there are some episodes/stories, that could be ignored or picked up later), but also an early step forward (maybe after the mid-season) into the events that happened after the end of the original show. And don't forget, that the cliffhanger was not the end the authors had in mind. Therefore I'd suggest to the grab the "essence" of the original season, create a few tense episode with it and than move on.

Further changes I'd apply:
1. Change the title of the show to "Above and Beyond" to attract non-SciFi-folks. If there's "Space" in the title, the people might think "Naaah, not another boring SciFi-show!" (there have been many disappointments lately).

2. Don't create another "The US of A save the day - again"-story. The people outside the US are sick of it. The show should reflect modern wars, modern alliances and how they could look like in the future. If the Chiggs attack Earth in 2063, it will be a world wide alliance, which will fight for the survival of mankind. That necessarily mean, that a squadron has to contain soldiers from the U.S., Europe and Asia. It could be the Wildcards again, but it should be clear, that the U.S. forces are part of alliance (with all the downsides, that could at to the depth and drama of the show).

3. If RDM will be the head behind the remake (there've been rumours): Please leave the religious stuff in the church! A little religion here and there is fine. That's part of our culture. But don't make everything point towards god and/or angels (like in BSG and DS9).

4. The Chiggs should not have an origin on Earth. That's complete nonsense (Like highly-developed humans mingle with prehistoric humans to create a new civilisation! Do you hear me, RDM?).

I agree, this show does not need to be "remade", it is still awesome as it stands. The Scifi network really dropped the ball back in 1990 whatever when this show was their highest rated rerun and they did nothing to try to continue it, they could have had a "Battlestar Galactica" type series 6 or so years before they actually made BSG. This goes on my list of one of the biggest TV mistakes ever by it not being continued.

Disagreed. FX or Space or Sci-Fi could buy up the original rights, update the CGI and make it all in HD. Re-run it three times in weekly specials during the off season and have two marathons two weeks before the beginning of the new TV season. Start the series off as a continuation of where it left off.

Have General or Admiral McQueen in charge of the military. Have West or whomever in a Colonel type role. Do it how you want.

Don't do an uneasy truce, but have it become an obvious war of attrition. There was a lot of direct comparison to WW 1 and 2 in this series. It would be logical to make a 1984 style conflict between Earth and the Chigs. They could still be fighting 20 years after the fact, with no real explanation as to why they are still fighting, no one really remembering what even started the war. Except for West who would still be looking.

As a film it could easily be the franchise that never was. The 58, in spite of everything, were the ones who initiate the peace process by warning the caretaker of the coming battle. They protected a sacred place, albeit unknowingly, and that served as the catalyst. Aerotech was the real enemy and the divisions that could come from a powerful corp(oration) vs a military corp, with alien enemies serving as allies, and a common planetary origin opens the door to a multitude of stories no matter who is cast. And as much as we love the 58, no doubt there were others with significant stories. But again, as the ones whose actions led to the revelations and a certain amount of peace, they should get some kind of honors. Yes, a franchise film series gives you freedom to start fresh, but bring in any living character from the original any time you want.

Sounds more like 'Wing Commander'--the game NOT the movie....

new things they REALLY need to add I think:

new space fighters
maybe space bombers /anti-ship space craft
better ground vehicles the only tank we see for mankind is UGLY as sin.
maybe no more multi-tasking marines makem just pilots