Bryan Singer to produce Battlestar Galactica revival

Director Bryan Singer (The Usual Suspects, X-Men) will executive-produce a “reinvention” of the cult TV series Battlestar Galactica for Studios USA, reports Variety. Singer has made a deal to rework the old show, which premiered on ABC in 1978, and executive-produce the series with Tom DeSanto; Singer will also direct the pilot if it doesn’t interfere with his X-Men 2 shooting schedule. “The lesson I learned on X-Men is to have a healthy respect for the fan base of sci-fi fantasy franchises, and I’m confident that the Galactica brand is a sleeping giant,” said Singer. No word yet as to whether or not the director will cast his frequent collaborator, openly gay actor Sir Ian McKellen, in the role once played by Lorne Greene.