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Awesome Con 2026: Firefly Animated Series in Development

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Firefly character design

After a lot of buildup and teases, Nathan Fillion announced during Awesome Con 2026 that he and 20th Television Animation are in advanced stages of development on a new animated series based on the beloved cult sci-fi franchise Firefly. The reveal came during a panel and live taping of his podcast “Once We Were Spacemen” during Awesome Con in Washington, D.C., where the news was met by a packed, standing-room-only crowd with thunderous applause and enthusiastic cheers.

Fillion made the announcement alongside his former Firefly co-star and podcast co-host Alan Tudyk, joined by fellow original cast members Gina Torres, Jewel Staite, Morena Baccarin, Sean Maher, and Summer Glau that amplified speculation already building online.

The reveal followed a viral social media campaign featuring a series of cryptic videos starring Fillion and several of his “Firefly” co-stars. In the first clip, Fillion knocks on what appears to be a production trailer door as Torres asks, “Does this mean it’s time?” Fillion responds simply, “It’s time.” Subsequent videos featured Baccarin, Maher, Staite, Glau, Baldwin and Tudyk, which ignited intense fan speculation and generated tens of millions of views across platforms.

Since the videos have surfaced online, they have garnered over 28 million views on various social platforms. The original “Firefly” series has surged to the top of the streaming charts.

The animated reboot is being developed through Fillion’s production banner Collision33 in partnership with 20th Television Animation, which controls the underlying rights to the franchise. The proposed series is set in the timeline between the original 2002 television run and its 2005 feature film continuation, Serenity, expanding the universe while preserving continuity with the established lore.

A script has been completed, and early concept art has been developed in collaboration with the Oscar and Emmy award-winning animation studio ShadowMachine. The fully assembled package is expected to be taken out to buyers shortly.

Married writing-producing team Marc Guggenheim and Tara Butters are attached to serve as showrunners, marking their first formal professional collaboration as a duo.

Originally produced by 20th Century Fox Television and created by Joss Whedon, Firefly aired for a single season before developing a long afterlife through DVD sales, streaming platforms, and its theatrical continuation in Serenity. The animated format provides an opportunity to revisit the franchise’s original ensemble dynamics while allowing for expanded storytelling within the established timeline.

Teen Titans Go! vs. Teen Titans Gets an Official Trailer

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In Teen Titans Go! vs. Teen Titans, the comedic modern-day quintet takes on their 2003 counterparts when villains from each of their worlds join forces to pit the two Titan teams against each other. They’ll need to set aside their differences and work together to combat Trigon, Hexagon, Santa Claus (that’s right, Santa!) and time itself in order to save the universe.

Teen Titans Go! vs. Teen Titans features the beloved multi-series cast of the past 17 years: Greg Cipes as Beast Boy, Scott Menville as Robin, Khary Payton as Cyborg, Tara Strong as Raven, and Hynden Walch as Starfire. The cast also spotlights Kevin Michael Richardson as Trigon/Hexagon, Robert Morse as Santa Claus, Grey Griffin as Mrs. Claus, Rhys Darby as Master of Games, Sean Maher as Nightwing, and four-time Grammy Award winner “Weird Al” Yankovic as Gentleman Ghost and Darkseid.

The movie is out soon on blu-ray and digital.

Firefly: Browncoats Unite Premieres on 11/11

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After months of intense buzz and two blockbuster panels at both San Diego and New York Comic-Con, it’s finally time for the main event – Firefly: Browncoats Unite on November 11 at 10 PM (ET/PT), Science Channel reunites Joss Whedon, Nathan Fillion and the entire renegade crew of the Serenity for the first time ever to provide the complete oral history on the franchise that continues to explode in popularity – despite meeting its end a decade ago.  The 60-minute special includes secrets from the set, exclusive cast interviews, and footage from this year’s colossal Comic-Con panel that dominated the pop culture conversation.  Joining Whedon and Fillion for Firefly: Browncoats Unite are Serenity crewmembers Sean Maher, Summer Glau, Adam Baldwin, Morena Baccarin, Alan Tudyk, Gina Torres and Jewel Staite; along with executive producer Tim Minear and executive story editor Jose Molina.

This summer, Firefly creator Joss Whedon triumphantly exclaimed to a crowd of thousands at San Diego Comic-Con that “the story is alive.” Legions of fans across the world couldn’t agree more, proving that a series which is comprised of only 14 episodes had endured the test of time.  Guided by Entertainment Weekly senior writer Jeff Jensen, Science Channel re-created the set of the Serenity for this epic gathering capturing the insights and memories of space’s most-rebellious flight crew – including the moment they realized they were canceled and where they believe the Firefly universe could live next.

Science Channel’s Firefly Sunday extravaganza begins at 7AM ET/PT with an all-day marathon of the series.  Then, at 10PM ET/PT, the event Browncoats everywhere have been waiting for – Firefly: Browncoats Unite premieres on Science Channel.

Firefly the series is set in the year 2517, in a new star system and follows the adventures of the ragtag crew of Serenity, a “Firefly-class” spaceship. The ensemble cast depicts nine distinct characters who, have all banded together for very different reasons.  Led by Captain Mal Reynolds (Fillion), who fought on the losing side of a civil war, viewers engage with characters who, are now living on the outskirts of society.

NYCC 2012 – Firefly 10th Anniversary Event

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At New York Comic Con the queuing hall leading into the IGN was packed and you could feel the energy of the crowd. This wasn’t over the excitement of The Walking Dead panel taking place and shown on big screens, this was in anticipation for the Firefly 10th Anniversary Special event hosted taking place after. Hosted by Entertainment Weekly’s Kyle Anderson the panel started with cast members Jewel Staite and Sean Maher. Nathan Fillion joined in by phone, but after some audio issues, the actor revealed himself causing the crowd and two actors he joined to burst out in excitement. This was the type of honest spontaneous emotion and reaction that peppered a panel celebrating a show that was canceled after running just 1 season.

And the cancellation was brought up numerous times by Anderson in the beginning much to the playful joking and irritation of the actors on stage. And boy did that topic dominate the first round of discussion. You could tell there was some pouring of salt on wounds, but it’s important to talk about. One wonders how the show would have fared if it had continued longer. That discussion lead into the first clip from the show the panel was there to pitch. The clip was the actors talking about…. cancellation.

The panel really was a pitch for the upcoming Science Channel anniversary event which airs November 11, but watching the actors interact and reactions to questions, you could feel the appreciation and amazement they feel towards the fans of the television show referred to as Browncoats. It was very much a celebration. While Fillion said they know it was a “special experience” and that the show was an “underdog” their validation and proof it was as cool as they thought, was the fandom that followed and coming to packed crowds at convention after convention.

Staite said the day of the cancellation was the first time she’d ever seen creator Joss Whedon angry and clearly shaken. All of the actors praised Whedon working with him made them better at their craft. Maher said there was no script when he came on board and that Whedon’s enthusiasm when they met is what sold him. Staite said she wanted to play River Tam as it was a meatier role but Whedon had a vision for her to play Kaylee. Fillion said he had a deal with 20th Century Fox and was forced upon Whedon. They chatted for 45 minutes and Whedon had ever detail worked out. This sold Fillion on the role and series.

Maher praised Fillion for his leadership on the set saying he really set the tone for the series. Fillion knew everyone’s name and made it a fun experience. Fillion following up in discussing if he’d knew the experience would really be a “family” experience. Fillion, choking up and fighting back tears, responded “you can’t imagine that.”

I’ve never watched Firefly, but the fun those three actors exuded on stage and the warmth and excitement that glowed from the audience, I think I might finally find out what I’ve been missing.

Sean Maher Added to Chicago Comic Con

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Official Press Release

Sean Maher Adds To Robust ‘Whedonverse’ Presence At Wizard World Chicago Comic Con

Felicia Day, James Marsters, Julie Benz, Morena Baccarin Also Among 10 Joss Whedon Characters, 500+ Celebrities And Artists, August 11-14 At Donald E. Stephens Convention Center

Sean MaherNEW YORK and ROSEMONT, Ill., July 15, 2011 – Sean Maher, best known for his role as “Simon Tam” in the science fiction television series “Firefly” and follow up movie SERENITY, will be a special guest at Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, August 11-14 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.  The addition of Maher adds to the already huge presence of Joss Whedon characters, with 10 scheduled to attend, including headliners Felicia Day, James Marsters, Julie Benz and Morena Baccarin.

In addition to his roles in “Firefly” and SERENITY, Maher played the ill-fated lead character “Brian Piccolo” in the 2001 remake of BRIAN’S SONG and has had recurring roles in popular series “The $treet,” “Party of Five” and “Make it or Break It.”  He has also recently made guest appearances in “The Mentalist,” “Human Target” and “Warehouse 13.”

Eight actors and actresses from Whedon’s “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer” will be in Chicago next month.  In addition to Day (who portrayed “Vi”), Marsters (“Spike”) and Benz (“Darla”), fans can meet Nicholas Brendon (“Xander Harris”), Charisma Carpenter (“Cordelia Chase”), Kelly Donovan (“Xander Harris”), Clare Kramer (“Glory”) and Mercedes McNab (“Harmony Kendall”).

Baccarin played “Inara Serra” in “Firefly” and SERENITY.

“The stars of Joss Whedon’s shows and movies are huge hits at Wizard World shows,” said Gareb Shamus, Wizard World CEO.  “The collection from ‘Buffy,’ ‘Firefly’ and SERENITY at Chicago Comic Con will be a real treat for fans of his work, as well as those who know these talented performers from their many other roles.”

Chicago Comic Con is the seventh stop on Wizard World’s 2011 North American tour.  Hours are Thursday, August 11, 5 – 9 p.m.; Friday, August 12, noon – 8 p.m.; Saturday, August 13, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; and Sunday, August 14, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  Tickets are available in advance online at http://www.wizardworld.com/chicago.html at a savings over tickets purchased at the door.  Advance adult single-day tickets are priced at $25 ($35 on site); four-day all-session tickets are $50 ($60 on site), and tickets are free for children age 10 and under when accompanied by a paid adult (limit two children per adult).  VIP packages with special entry and exclusive items are also available on a limited basis.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests. Wizard World also produces Wizard World Digital, an online publication covering new and upcoming products and talents in the pop culture world, and is distributed on a weekly basis to online and iPad users worldwide.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

***** SAVE THE 2011/12 DATES *****
August 11-14, 2011 – Chicago Comic Con
September 24-25, 2011 – Los Angeles Comic Con
October 22-23, 2011 – Mid-Ohio Comic Con
November 11-13, 2011 – Austin Comic Con
January 28-29, 2012 – New Orleans Comic Con
March 24-25, 2012 – Toronto Comic Con
April 28-29, 2012 – Anaheim Comic Con
May 19-20, 2012 – Big Apple Comic Con
June 1-3, 2012 – Philadelphia Comic Con
October 2012  – New England Comic Con
December 8-9, 2012 – Miami Comic Con