'Dragonriders Of Pern' Production Halted

Even while production on Ronald D. Moore's 'Dragonriders of Pern' pilot was already well underway, the WB network has halted production on the series, adding yet another setback to the troubled development history of the series.

Former DS9 writer Ronald D. Moore had left the WB series 'Roswell' to develop 'Dragonriders of Pern', based on the well-known series of novels by Anne McCaffrey. A pilot script already existed, featuring well-known characters such as Lessa, Jaxom, F'Lar and F'Nor. Though no casting announcements had yet been made, a lot of work had already been done on the series, and last month the series was still scheduled to start shooting in late March or early April. Unfortunately, now production has been halted over what insiders called 'creative differences', according to Variety.

This isn't the first time attempts have been made to bring 'Dragonriders of Pern' to the small screen. Originally, Alliance Atlantis Entertainment was developing a series based on the novels, but it let its option lapse in March 2000.

Though production on 'Dragonriders of Pern' has now reportedly been halted, this does not necessarily mean that it has also been cancelled completely. Sets for the show have already been constructed, either partially or completely, and much pre-production energy has already been expended on it. Even if the WB chooses not to air the series, studio Fox Regency could try to shop around the series to another network. With a bit of luck, the Dragonflight may yet happen.

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