Battlestar Caprica

Fans won't have to wait until 2010 after all to get their first look at the new "Battlestar Galactica" prequel series "Caprica."

Universal Studios  Home Entertainment announced it would release the feature-length pilot of "Caprica" exclusively on DVD beginning April 21. The studio calls it a "groundbreaking move" to provide the pilot on DVD more than a year before it's scheduled to debut on the SciFi Channel.

"Ever since fans first caught wind of the 'Battlestar Galactica' prequel 'Caprica,' they have been eagerly following its development," said Mark Stern, SciFi Channel's executive vice president of original programming, in a release. "We wanted to give them a chance to see the pilot in its original form and experience the prequel to the BSG story while that series finale was still ringing in their ears. It also affords the creative team an unprecedented chance to get viewer feedback before production on the 'Caprica' series begins this summer."

"Caprica" is based on a non-"Battlestar Galactica" concept created by Remi Aubuchon, and developed for the BSG universe by its executive producers Ronald D. Moore and David Eick. Set more than 50 years before the start of "Battlestar Galactica," "Caprica" stars Eric Stoltz ("Mask"), Esai Morales ("Jericho"), Paula Malcolmson ("Deadwood") and Polly Walker ("Rome").  




"If 'Battlestar Galactica' offered us a way to shatter the conventions of space opera, 'Caprica' will be a show which will challenge the conventions of science-fiction storytelling as a whole," Moore said in a release.

The release of "Caprica" means that fans likely won't see the already-filmed telemovie "The Plan" until the fall at the earliest. "Battlestar" telemovies have to be televised first since Glen A. Larson owns the motion picture rights of "Battlestar Galactica," and a direct-to-DVD production typically qualifies as a motion picture. "Caprica," however, doesn't have that restriction, since it's a property Larson only has limited rights to.

The DVD will be priced at $26.98, with pre-orders beginning just weeks before the "Battlestar Galactica" finale March 20.

Production is set to begin on "Caprica" this summer, gearing up for a 2010 release on SciFi Channel. Details of the DVD can be found at www.CapricaDVD.com.

Universal Studios Home  Entertainment is part of NBC Universal, the company that also owns the SciFi Channel.