Joss Whedon’s Firefly is probably one of the greatest science fiction franchises to ever hit television or the big screen.
Unceremoniously cancelled by Fox after only 14 episodes, the cult classic has amassed legions of loyal fans known as “Browncoats” over the years who continue to tirelessly promote the series, an effort obviously much appreciated by Whedon.
In February 2011, Nathan Fillion – aka Captain Malcolm “Mal” Reynolds – joked that: “If I got $300 million from the California Lottery, the first thing I would do is buy the rights to Firefly, make it on my own, and distribute it on the Internet.”
Although the Firefly has yet to be resurrected or distributed free online, Whedon, Fillion and other members of the Serenity crew did reunite for one last adventure at Comic-Con 2012 in San Diego.
“I wanted to create something that felt real. Like history. I wanted to tell an American immigrant story. A western story. But I need spaceships or I get cranky,” Whedon said at the Con panel.
“When Firefly died, I thought it was the worst thing that could possible happen. Now I realize the worst thing that could happen is that if it stayed dead… That it died is okay, [because] the way in which you have inhabited this universe, you’re living Firefly. When I see you guys, I don’t think the show is off the air.”
Footage shot at the Comic-Con panel will be featured during an upcoming Science television special dubbed “Browncoats Unite” on August 11, 2012, alongside an extended Firefly marathon.
