Slashdot Mirror
Interviews: Ask J. Michael Straczynski What You Will
J. Michael Straczynski has written Thor, World War Z, and Changeling among many other films. He created Babylon 5 and has worked on numerous comic book titles including Superman and The Amazing Spider-Man. Most recently, he has teamed up with the Wachowskis for an original Netflix sci-fi series, Sense8 . He's agreed to take a break from his busy schedule in order to answer any questions you may have. As usual, ask as many as you'd like, but please, one question per post.
Can we PLEEEEEASE have HD Bab5? if you crowd-fund it, we will pay.
Have you considered rebooting Babylon 5 with a new cast a la JJ Abrams Star Trek? If not yourself at the helm of such a project, would you ever cede control of those characters to another creative team?
Is there any chance of a Babylon 5 movie, or even a series reboot?
Why did you make a movie and then name it World War Z when it had nothing in common with the source material except for a title?
Never heard of him. How boring.
What would have been different with the last two seasons of Babylon 5 had you known for sure you had a full 5 seasons?
So about that set burning down in Uganda, was it going to be featured in any good movies?
Or was it Kenya?
Have you ever considered revisiting the Babylon 5 universe? Perhaps in animated form?
With all the movies based on old cartoons these days, wouldn't this be a good time for a Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors movie?
Circumcision is child abuse.
I've often noticed that if an actor played a speaking character in one scifi series, while looking mostly humanish, any other series they are in they have a pretty concealing costume. For Instance Mr Katsulas played a rather humanish Tomalok on Startrek, whereas his G'Kar had a pretty intense costume.
Is this done intentionally, or just coincidence?
Will the plot summary for the end of the show be published ever again?
It was up briefly years ago but seems to have fallen into the memory hole.
What were you planning on doing with the PsyCore in B5? (and their mothership hanging in hyperspace)
Why did you take all the wonderful content in the book World War Z and flush it down the toliet? I like to think the movie you made was another movie all together but the studio had the rights to the book so they made you use the title. Otherwise you really hacked up some of the best Zombie story lines out there.
Only posting as AC because I don't have a slashdot account, but someone HAS TO ASK THIS QUESTION!!!
You've written for both, so... DC or Marvel?
If there had been another season of She-Ra and you had been able to write what you wanted for it... how would things have gone?
Why was the film version of World War Z so drastically different from the book? They both shared the same title and that was about it.
Numerous posters are decrying the lack of the original book's content in the final screenplay, so I'll ask a slightly different question.
One of the problems cited with adapting the book was the structure of the narrative, since it was essentially a series of interviews. But movies consisting of interviews and recollections, and their non-linear construction, have been done before. (The most obvious example is "Citizen Kane".) As problems go, this one didn't look insurmountable from here.
So...what am I missing? Is there something else in the book's story arc that posed a problem? Or do Hollywood studios regard the average audience member as just a whole lot dumber these days?
--- The American Way of Life is not a birthright. Hell, it's not even sustainable.
Are you related to the unabomber?
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
If you were given the chance to write for another Ghostbusters series, no restrictions and given the free reign to write whatever, what do you think that would look like/what would the viewers expect? I've loved the episodes you've written and it's been a fun trip watching them again now that I'm older.
For me, you are the father or grandfather of social TV, meaning the way you promoted Bab 5 (before, during and after) the series is more or less the methodology that many TV shows and movies have adapted. You maybe have been using NNTP (Network News) instead of Facebook or Twitter, but for me you are the first.
My question: in that context: What are show producers/runners not doing today with Social Media that they could or should be doing to engage and interact with fans?
http://www.hawknest.com/
Showing Jason, captain of the Whitestar?
SJW: a person who perceives an injustice, and while correcting it, commits a greater injustice.
When you look back at how you used tools like NNTP to engage with your audience regarding Bab 5, is there anything you would have done differently today?
http://www.hawknest.com/
I consider your use of online technology for Bab5 to have been both Evolutionary and Revolutionary.
My question: Which if any other shows, writers, producers and show runners did you emulate or follow or get inspired by when you took to the Internet to promote Bab 5.
http://www.hawknest.com/
Years ago, you mentioned that you signed on with Ron Howard to write a screenplay for a movie based on E. E. "Doc" Smith's Lensman series. Is that project still in the works?
Once upon a time there was going to be a Rising Stars miniseries/movie. Any word on that? What about more comics in that franchise?
Also, Midnight Nation...any word on a miniseries or movie of that?
(Also, for any Slashdotters who haven't read Rising Stars and Midnight Nation, both are very much worth reading.)
...but it's being eaten...by some...Linux or something...
Here's my question - What's the deal with the Forbidden Planet prequel/sequel/remake/reimagining/whatever your name was linked with some years ago? I've heard all kinds of rumors. One was that you finished a script but it got stolen and posted on the internet and that killed the project, Other rumors have this being a prequel, a sequel, a film set in the same universe and all kinds of things. I love the original film so if there's ever a chance of you being involved in something related, I'd love to know whatever you can tell, even if it's not much.
A highlight of my early days online was when I asked (and your replied) to a question I had about how the Narn defeated the Shadows the previous war. I'm sure that many people had a similar reaction when you interacted with them. I was elated for days.
Has there or will there be an effort to edit/catalog and compile all of the fan interaction as part of the history of Bab 5? [This seems like a great task to hand over the your fans].
http://www.hawknest.com/
Didn't Slashdot just do this a few months ago?
Would you ever take on running Doctor Who if it were offered to you?
No good deed goes unpunished.
Michael O'Hare
Jeff Conaway
Andreas Katsulas
Tim Choate
Richard Biggs
Paul Winfield
a number of secondary actors as well.
Putting questions of whether there is an actual curse aside. As the Creator of Babylon 5, how do such lossess influence your present creative works?
I'm surprised no one here has yet mentioned Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future -- a spectacular kids show that had a surprisingly complex plotline considering the goal of the show was mostly to sell toys.
We had only one season, which essentially ended with a cliffhanger (although it was pretty obvious "Pilot" died), but, if there had been the funds to do a second season, any thoughts about where you would have gone with the show?
If telephones are outlawed, then only outlaws will have telephones.
First off, I want to say thank you for your work on Babylon 5! It was one of my favorite TV programs growing up, and it definitely helped influence my getting into the sciences as a profession. I always saw that show as a good example of "hard" science fiction, versus other programs at the time. I never saw rotation-made artificial gravity on Star Trek!
Babylon 5 had some pretty intense story arcs, especially apparent in seasons 3 and 4, so it required a lot of forethought and planning prior to production. What influence has this sort of "arc planning" had on your more recent projects, and in what way do you see the influence of Babylon 5's level of writing on scfi-fi programs in the near future?
Thanks for having an interview with Slashdot!
Silver Surfer vs Superman, no holds barred, who wins?
Did you create the B5 universe to be a space for new stories in the future, or was it all built around the specific tale you wanted to tell? The spinoffs seemed to go off on tangents away from that show's characters, organisations, and setting.
No kidding!!! What do you say at this point?
Sense 8 brings together one of my favorite creators of worlds, with one of my favorite authors, and one of my favorite companies....
What has it been like to work with the Wachowski siblings and Netflix? Has working with Netflix provided a freer avenue for creativity than a traditional television network experience offers?
Many on here are no doubt wanting a sequel of some sort. Honestly, I'd like to know where Lennier ended up, and did he ever redeem himself?
m
In the immortal words of Socrates, who said; 'I drank what?'
How about doing a spin-off from Babylon 5 involving a Vorlon game-show? I'm thinking of something like Takeshi's Castle.
You're a temporary arrangement of matter sliding towards oblivion in a cold, uncaring universe
What would the dialog be in a confrontation between Zathrus, Thor, and Loki? If you cannot tell us for legal reasons, what would it be in a meeting between not-Zathrus, not-Thor, and not-Loki, who happen to resemble the characters they are not?
Why do you have such seething hatred for fans of your work, as displayed in your petulant screed(s) on this widely-respected B5 fanpage and others of its ilk?
Respectfully,
-Still waiting to hear from your "six-figure lawyers"
Do you make an active effort to craft something that will inspire future science and exploration with your storytelling? Or do you approach it as just something implicit in having spaceships and aliens and futurey type things?
IIRC... some of it was filmed in NTSC. Sometimes it changes from pillarbox & back again in the same scene.
At the moment there is not a single TV show in space? Since the ending of the BSG reboot and Stargate: Universe cancellation, TV has been essentially "spaceless".
Why do you feel that is?
And what do you feel it would take to bring "space" back to television?
"Is there a way fans can submit ideas, in this intellectual property right sue happy system we have?"
Even when a fan is willing to give up all rights to the idea, just for the chance of seeing it maybe happen. It seems that such is prevented by all the legal suits.
How can one go about submitting an idea? When one does quite have the developed skills to write out a script and pitch it to studios.
& kick JJ Abrams in the balls next time you see him?
See how many lens flares you get.
I first remember hearing you as a recurring guest during the Mike Hodel era of Hour 25 on KPFK in LA.
Any great memories of those days that you'd care to share?
G.
Do you ever feel that you'd like people to remember you for something else besides just Babylon 5 and if so, what do you yourself feel you'd wish people to remember you for?
Any chance of Jeremiah being released on Blu-Ray? Both seasons in widescreen...?
Who are you?
What do you want?
Is there any chance to have a series about the Technomages?
Is there a chance to revisit the Babylon5 universe?
Do you have another story to tell in that universe?
After I was turned onto Babylon 5, I looked you up and found out you were involved in TV shows I enjoyed as a kid. For example, "The Real Ghostbusters" often had compelling plots and dialogue that were noticeably different from your average cartoon. But my curiosity was really piqued when I read you played a large part in creating the short-lived live-action "Captain Powers" series. Assuming the rights could be secured, is there any interest on your part in either continuing/rebooting the story in some form or wrapping things up for those of us who are still dying to find out what happened after the good guys' home base was destroyed?
Stay sentient. Don't drink bad milk.
So, what is the story with Jeremiah? I only saw the first season and haven't been able to track down the 2nd, but I rather enjoyed what I saw of the show.
I read an interview you did http://www.republibot.com/cont... where you mention that you finished the 2nd season and wrapped up what you could as best as you could and then ran like hell. What happened?
First I wanted to thank you for B5, It's views in offering a society and philosophy that was NOT Star Trek but more real, which really spoke to me and influenced me in several ways through my life (I think for the better).
My question is about the philosophy from B5, the underlying belief that "We are all 'star stuff''" became more of a guiding virtue. I found this most appealing, can you share what your source was for this universal belief system and if it is one that you subscribe to?
hate our chilrdren so much and wont give them good sci fi? Why did the studios hate us so much when they started to kill all the sci-fi shows in the late 90's. Wont someone think about the children?
As much as people would love the see updated or redone Babylon 5 for nostalgia reasons, please don't, that's a show that needs to be matched like it was created.
by TheSpoom (715771) Uncaring Linux user here. I have nothing to add to this but please continue. *munches popcorn*
over completing rising stars - all you did was hurt the readers
In every show there are cases where something external to the show necessarily ends up forcing changes to the plot of the show (an actor leave unexpectedly, network demands some change, etc.). We know there's a number of cases where something like that ended up impacting Babylon 5. In your opinion, what forced change had the biggest impact on how the show came out, and what would have happened differently if things had worked out the way you had intended them to?
JMS:
I'm going out on a limb here. :) I hope only for the comments and particular view you hold in relation or thereabouts.
So if accept that the soul is a measurable discrete entity, and we accept that in lower energy forms it is to be placed in a vessel or body that then becomes it's "home" for the duration of time the vessel can contain it, until death, then clearly the soul is somewhat a localized entity. As a body dies and decomposes, returning its material to the land from which it came, we can easily assimilate an idea that a soul would also return to its source.
On earth, its arguable that the source of almost all life/energy is the sun; it illuminates and heats our world, it is the power behind photosynthesis from which emerges the basic essential and energy of all foods through the food chains. We can call the sun a sort of energy portal where energy and life passes into this realm. Presumably we can even extend this analogy to suppose that souls, as higher level energy patterns, also transit this portal when incarnating a body and possibly would transit back to source when the body/vessel containment aspects collapse at or about the moment of death.
A great deal has been claimed about sacred geometries present in some form in all things, especially living things, on earth. A few artificial things, artifacts, The pyramids of Gaza and the Aztecs have sacred geometries built in them. Personally, I find a sacred geometry of striking coincidence in the sky observing the moon. It has the exact same aspect size and shape as the sun, it only shows one face to earth, a result of another coincidence of having the same rotational period as orbital period, and recently speculation that it may be an artificial satellite of sorts that was put in place sometime between 20K BC and 15K BC raises further speculation about what it really is. One could put forth a claim that there are too many coincidences about its existence for it to be purely natural, and yet, if one where to look into the sky and gaze across the moon, most wouldn't notice it to be out of place.
But the coincidence of being of the same aspect size as the sun is the basis of my question to you being that its aspect size may be related to "antenna" type characteristics of another kind. Can you imagine, if energy could channeled in a similar way to energy that is channelled from the sun, operating with a function similar to a portal, such that this energy would attract a disoriented soul recently liberated from its body that has just died. Perhaps attract such a soul much like a candle attracts a moth. A trap of sorts, that prevents the soul from rejoining with its source on the other side of the natural portal, the sun? As a part of an intergalactic struggle? Have you heard of such a thing elsewhere?
I remember hearing your name being attached to a Forbidden Planet remake.
If this is true, can you talk about the project at all?
Forbidden Planet is my all-time favorite movie, and I would love to see someone (more specifically you) make a modern version that's true to the original. It was cerebral Sci-Fi at a time when Sci-Fi was mostly for kids. Given how Sci-Fi is enjoying a resurgence in the main-stream, now seems like the perfect time to bring this classic about the dangers of the human subconscious mind back into the public eye.
It's probably safe to say that you have a broader range of mediums (comics, network TV, movies, and now non-network TV) than most if not all modern content creators. What would you say the best (and worst) parts of each medium are for you as a creator?
Warning: Teh poster of this messaeg is lysdexic
Or even Netflix, Amazon, or some other form of episodic content.
The problem was that Max Brook's World War Z was a bunch of interwoven stories. Some of them didn't end so well. (eg, the story w/ fuel air explosives).
They *did* have someone trying to get to the bottom of what had happened, but in the book it seemed that it was years after the fact, as interviews, rather than as things were going south.
Build it, and they will come^Hplain.
Please
He also did a slashdot interview last year:
Build it, and they will come^Hplain.
In the series you made allusion to the poor down in "brown sector" being cut off from the economic flow of the station. In a way, this is related to my objection to the "Dune" ecology postulated by Frank Hebert, that is, where are the plants that support the infrastructure. In terms of story, how do you resolve these "blanks" providing no service or product to the economic ecology of the station, yet somehow staying alive in the complete absence of any socialist activity by the management? I guess the question is, what to do with 'dangling characters' in stories (or in reality I suppose)?
In Babylon 5 you took on the concept of the Nightwatch. What are your thoughts regarding the current global monitoring by the NSA? What actions do you feel Americans could be taking to voice their opposition and stand against our present "Nightwatch"?
Galaxy Rangers sequel?
How hard was it to get acceptance for telling a long epic story instead of the usual "single story, push reset" that was the basic fare in the 80's?
Before B5 what we had was a bunch of loose episodes in a season. The only "story arc" was an occasional two-parter, usually the end-of-season cliffhanger episode resolved in next seasons first episode. We would probably not have had series like Battlestar Galactica or Game of Thrones today without B5 showing the way (to be fair there is a slight possibility that someone else could have done something similar later).
It must have been hard to convince the network to go for this?
I'd like to add a thank you for B5 (and Spider-man, Supreme Power, The Twelve etc.). It's without doubt the best tv experience I've had so far. I saw most of the series on NTSC tapes that I manged to borrow through a friend (who somehow managed to get this recorded and sent from US). This was before the it was possible to buy DVD's of series immediately after they where showed and it took years before anything reached norwegian tv (if they came at all). Actually it's one of the best DVD experiences I've had as well now that I think about it. All the little hints and portents I'd missed the first time made re-watching the series a great joy.
I know that there are a few things in B5 that were mentioned, maybe touched briefly, that were hinted at and that did eventually not get the attention that I felt they were supposed to get, either because of time constraints, because actors decided to jump ship or because of reasons that I (or even we, as a whole) don't know about.
Are there any plot ideas that you were quite fond of that you could not flesh out the way you wanted them to? Any "loose ends" that you really wanted to tie up and give closure but couldn't during the series run? And, of course, why couldn't you?
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
What effect did Babylon 5's non-union and later forced unionization have upon the process of making the show and getting (or not getting) renewed?
Any chance of you being involved in some form of spaced based show in the near, not-so-near, or entirely not near future at all?
I would probably kickstart the hell out of some more Farscape being brought back to life with you as a writer. How about some of that?
Why of why did you have a hand in that insult called World War Z.
What possessed you to have a hand completely ignoring the book while creating what arguably could be called the worst movie of all time?
Don't get me wrong. I was a huge fan of Babylon 5 (well seasons 1-4), but the treatment done to WWZ was utterly ridiculous and wrong. How did you feel it was appropriate to buy the rights to a story and then dispose of every last bit leaving only the title?
Sorry, teleporters just kill you and then make a copy. A perfect, soul-less copy.
When I look back at the 90s, there was so much good science fiction on TV, Babylon 5 included. The writing was good, the stories were human and often inspirational, and above all they required a thinking audience. Nowadays, science fiction on television has become mainly action fantasy more than anything. Most of it takes place in the present day rather than the future. The shows that do start get quickly canceled off, and it seems like they're mostly pessimistic and dumbed-down. I seriously doubt a show like Babylon 5 could ever get made today, much less last more than a single season.
How do you view the current state of science fiction on television, and why has it become this way?
-mrxak
Onions Will Kill You
I always felt that B5's s4e06 needed to end with Sheridan leading the allied forces in a chorus of 'Yub Nub'.
No question here, I just thought you needed to know that.
I heard at one time you proposed to do a Star Trek movie (before the current reboot). What direction did you want to take the franchise?
Coder's Stone: The programming language quick ref for iPad
What are your thoughts on the "SciFi" channel becoming the "SyFy" channel?
Coder's Stone: The programming language quick ref for iPad
Are you still attached to the remake of forbidden planet and where is the project?
As long as it's done as professionally as the Star Trek TNG Blu-Ray releases!
What the hell happened to the series of Crusade, what the hell happened? books?
Having been inspired up by some of the hard science in Babylon 5, I can't help but think back now and wonder about the similarities to the movie and book 2001: A Space Odyssey. Examples I've noticed include rotation-based artificial gravity, inertia-realistic spaceflight, and the design of Earth spaceships. Did 2001 (book and/or movie) have a significant inspiration on you during the creation and production of Babylon 5?
Thanks for B5, and all your other works!
IIRC, JMS once mentioned that there was something in the Babylon 5 Pilot, possibly related to the graphics, a scene or the imagery, that he would have changed if he could do it over. From the quote, it seem like it may have been one of those "once you see it, you can't unsee it" kinds of things. I've watched the pilot many times, but I've never spotted it. What was it?
I deeply admired Babylon 5. What do you think of starting a spin of like Babylon 4? You already introduced it and created a story around it. From my point of view it would be a perfect successor to B5.
I very much enjoyed the series, particularly season 2. From what I understand, MGM's administration interfered greatly, injecting staff that you didn't want. I have heard you were disappointed with the ultimate creation and I would like to hear an expansion on that.
How would you have liked it to have come out? Would the general plot and content have been different or just the internals of particular episodes?
Furthermore, how do you now protect yourself from that sort of interference? In fact, can you prevent that sort of interference?
Have you got her phone number and can I get an introduction please ?
In concert with the Wachowski siblings, has a plan been formed for Sense8 as a series, or are we in for more run-of-the-mill monster of the week with no goal in sight? Long time Babylon 5 fan wants to know.
"It's here, but no one wants it." - The Sugar Speaker
Idiocracy.
At one point in Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors Gillian reads a marker:
Between the candle and the stars, between the storm cloud and the sun, we ride the thunder, light against night, from now until forever, we are the Lightning League!
Satai Delenn in Babylon 5 chants the following incantation when she joined the Grey Council:
Summoned, I come. In Valen’s name, I take the place that has been prepared for me. I am Grey. I stand between the candle and the star. We are Grey. We stand between the darkness and the light.
What is the meaning of the candle and the star? What is the connection between these characters?
Will we ever see a Midnight Nation film or TV series? It's my favorite graphic novel.
Joe, If you could ask Christine Collins any question while she was still alive, what would you ask her? Dan_DD
On the Lurker's Guide to Babylon 5, on the episode page for "A Voice in the Wilderness, Part I", there is a quote of something you said:
> I tried to develop a basic language structure for each of the races on B5. There are certain commonalities to the structure of names. I came up with some prefixes and suffixes, and assigned meanings to them, the same as real names. For instance, Rathenn (referred to by Delenn in "Voices") and Delenn have the same suffix, which has a specific meaning. You can break it down; Ner-oon (Legacies), Del-enn, Rath-enn, Der-onn, and so forth. The various parts do have specific meanings, but I generally keep that to myself, just for amusement.
Please, what meaning have you given to those name prefixes and suffixes?
(Additionally, I have previously asked this on SciFi.stackexchange.com, and it would be amazing if you could also enlighten us there!)
During this cooperation do you communicate in Polish and eat dumplings? ;-)
J. Michael, why are you so awesome?
If a train station is a place where a train stops, what's a workstation?
The Narn telepaths drove them off, and as a result of said action the Shadows pretty much wiped out all of the Narn telepathic lines. Hence, Narns being one of the few races with no current telepaths.
That he essentially pitched a reboot of the series, featuring the same characters but different actors. Arguing that the story was bigger than the actors.
Apparently, they agreed, because that's exactly what they did, except as movie instead of TV series.
JMS,
If you had the chance, would you go back and do stories about the last great war, Valen, and the role that B4 actually played in the series history?
B4. I think i get it now. :)
Also, the future that was touched on in the last episodes, would you ever want to flesh that out?
And what DID happen to JS when he died and went beyond The Rim?
PS: Thank you for the finest show in Sci Fi history.
Huh?
Rewatch S1, and skip the A story in TKO (but not Ivonova's B story). You might be a little surprised.
The trick is knowing it's going somewhere, and knowing Sinclair's full storyline. At least, I assume you mean Sinclair and Talia, they were the only changed cast members.
B5 isn't the only excellent show with hit and miss first season and an excellent run afterwards. Tends to happen when you're doing something groundbreaking.
B5 was filmed with widescreen, in mind but presented in 3x4 because widescreen wasn't broadcast yet (Toaster scenes were 3x4, though, which is why things seem cut off sometimes in the widescreen CGI...to make that widescreen, they had to clip top and bottom)
"Filmed in NTSC" has nada to do with it.
Abrams was hired to reboot per PARAMOUNT. The studio was doing it (to squeeze money out of it, that's what studios do with tentpole IPs), they got Abrams (Bad Robot) to produce. When he saw the script, he changed his mind about directing and wanted to do it. He never had a vision, wrote it, or did anything excent oversee production and direct at the request of the studio, just like 95% of directors and producers out there.
You're confusing a director/producer hired by the studio with a visionary showrunner with a passion for his material who nearly killed himself getting it made.
That's not apple and oranges, it's apples and an endangered species in the wilds of the Amazon.
And then there's the beginning and the ending of the story. Joe keeps trying to do more B5, it runs into problems. There was a beginning and ending of THAT story, yes...and if you notice, S5 seems off. The reason is because they thought they weren't going to get S5, so he made sure the story got told...then they got S5, and he had to come up with an extension to the story.
Hi M. Straczynski, I'd like to know at which point in the B5 series did you decide to have the Babylon 5 show self-contained, instead of keeping you original ending (B5 destroyed by the Shadows, and Sinclair and Delenn having B4 move forward in time) that could have lead to the Babylon Prime spinoff?
what insanely badly?
with no redeeming features?
pissing all over it's legacy?
by becoming a completely talentless hack of a director, that makes Michael Bay look like Ridley Scott (Before senility made him make Prometheus)?
At some point during the run of Babylon 5 you were said to have passed a record for number of episodes written by one person for a series that had stood since Rod Serling was writing for the Twilight Zone. I've always wondered: who do you think had the harder task? You, with the concerns of story arcs and continuity, or Serling, who had to create new characters and a new schtick for each episode?
You're probably right...
Maybe that's why we're so into Superheroes right now too. We want something that can save us.
Kind of funny that you cast two "programs" (TRON - & CROM, Bruce Boxleitner & Peter Jurasik) in Babylon 5.
The first 1986 TRON was one the biggest imaginative influences for me as a child. I'd love to know your thoughts regarding both the original TRON, and the more recent sequel.