Press Releases

"Babylon 5" Gives Birth To "Crusade" 08/04/98

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif., April 8 /PRNewswire/

Netter Digital Entertainment Inc. (Nasdaq: NETT) (Netter) in association with J. Michael Straczynski's Synthetic Worlds, Ltd., announced today that Babylonian Productions will produce an all-new original series for Turner Network Television (TNT) called "CRUSADE" and has started production on the third Babylon 5 original full-length movie, "Babylon 5: The River of Souls," for TNT.

"We've spent the last five years building one of the most complex and carefully thought-out science fiction universes in TV history," explains `CRUSADE' creator J. Michael Straczynski, and creator/executive producer of the Hugo and Emmy award-winning series Babylon 5. "For most of that time, we've been confined to the Babylon 5 station. Now, in 'CRUSADE,' we will have the unique opportunity to go out and explore that universe in considerably more detail, seeing strange new places and encountering ancient, forgotten cities which hold secrets that may mean life or death for Earth. There are million-year old vaults, opened at last; and new races making first contact with humans in addition to explorations of the dozens of worlds established in the Babylon 5 universe."

In "CRUSADE," the threat of the Shadows gone, all is quiet on Earth -- too quiet. An alien race vows revenge for the loss of the Shadows and aims its wrath at humans, unleashing a deadly biogenetic plague. Only five years remain for the inhabitants of Earth unless an Alliance ship, the Excalibur, succeeds in its quest to find a cure for the mutating plague.

"CRUSADE" launches with the spectacular two-hour TNT original film "A Call To Arms." In addition, an ancient vault filled with relics believed to hold the secret to eternal life is the centerpiece of the previously announced two- hour film, "Babylon 5: The River of Souls." Martin Sheen ("The American President," "Apocalypse Now"), Ian McShane and series stars Tracy Scoggins, Jerry Doyle, Richard Biggs and Jeff Conaway will headline TNT's third Babylon 5 full-length movie. "'River of Souls' and 'A Call to Arms' both help to set the tone for this new series by presenting first takes on a new form of science fiction for television: archaeological SF, in which ancient secrets have an impact on current situations, and a more action-oriented tone, with greater humor and more emphasis on characterization. These are for fun, a chance to break out and go nuts. I've been doing angst for five years now; these films are going to be a hoot," says Straczynski.

Douglas Netter, Chairman, CEO and President of Netter, and series creator J. Michael Straczynski will executive-produce the new series and two-hour films, scripted by Straczynski for Babylonian Productions. Warner Bros. licensed the series and film.

Netter Digital Technologies, a division of Netter, which currently provides the special effects for Babylon 5, is creating the effects for the new movies and "CRUSADE" series.

John Copeland, producer of Babylon 5 and executive vice president of Netter says, "In our industry, it is rare to have the level of international success that we have been so fortunate to attain with Babylon 5. Our international audience has been nothing short of steadfast in its devotion to the characters and the stories of Babylon 5. 'CRUSADE' will continue in this vein; striving to break new ground in special effects, character, plot and ingenuity.

"We are pleased once again to have TNT and Warner Bros. as our partners in moving forward in this newer millennium and to know of their plans to produce additional TNT Babylon 5 movies," says Douglas Netter. "We are equally as pleased to have our qualified and dedicated staff, working on these new exciting projects."

Turner Network Television (TNT), currently seen in more than 72 million homes, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s 24-hour, advertiser-supported service offering original motion pictures and series; contemporary films from the worlds largest film library, the combined Turner and Warner Bros. film libraries; exciting NBA sports action; popular television series; and timeless cartoons.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.

Netter Digital Entertainment, Inc. is engaged in the acquisition, development and production of television series, made for television movies, documentaries, theatrical motion pictures and multimedia products. The Babylon 5 television series is produced in association with J. Michael Straczynski's Synthetic Worlds, Ltd. under Babylonian Productions which Netter Digital is the majority owner. The series airs on the TNT Network. The company's wholly owned subsidiary, Videssence, Inc., provides high tech media lighting products for the entertainment, electronic news and video conferencing/distant learning markets. Netter recently entered the business of providing digital media production services to outside clients through a newly formed division, Netter Digital Technologies.

SOURCE: Netter Digital Entertainment, Inc.

and I will include them on the next update.

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