New 'V' mini-series seeks funding

The proposed new V: The Second Generation mini-series is struggling to find funding, according to its writer Kenneth Johnson.

Speaking on his personal website, Johnson, who wrote the landmark V mini-series in 1983, said: "Warner Home Video is working diligently to help cobble together the
necessary nineteen million dollar funding for the mini-series. Hopefully in this
lifetime."

V was a massive success when first screened over two decades ago, featuring overt allegories to the rise of the Nazi party in Germany, along with Holocaust parallels. The plot featured a small group of human resistance fighters discovering the malevolent intentions of seemingly friendly alien visitors, who hide a lizard-like appearance behind their fake human skin. The dramatic appearance of alien spaceships over major cities closely influenced the imagery in the 1996 movie Independence Day.

A follow-up mini series (minus Johnson), called V-The Final Battle, was also a success. Subsequently, a weekly series was launched, but was cancelled after just 19 episodes in 1985 due to dwindling viewing figures. Rumours of further adventures have been in circulation for many years, with Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski commissioned to write V: The Next Chapter in 1989, although this was shelved due to budgetary issues.

In June this year, Johnson summarised his plans for the revival: "As with my original V, The Second Generation will hopefully be an exciting entertainment, but also be a thoughtful look at our society and an intriguing
exploration of how ordinary people react to extraordinary circumstances -- for
better or for worse."

A novel of the sequel has been completed, but is currently embroiled within legal issues that are delaying its release. Earlier this month, Johnson stated: "Warner's Legal Department is trying to get the complicated domestic license deal closed on the novel and they assure me it will happen within the month. We are also beginning to seek a sale for the foreign rights to the novel."