Variety is reporting that the Sci-Fi Channel has greenlit “Caprica,” the highly-anticipated prequel to the hit TV series “Battlestar Galactica”. Premiering with a TV miniseries in 2003, and the follow-up TV series in 2004, “Battlestar Galactica” is revamped take on the classic and sometime cheesy cult 70’s show about space pilgrims fleeing a race of deadly conqueror robots known as the Cylons, as they search for sanctuary on the long-lost planet Earth. It has become one of the cable channel’s biggest hits.

“Caprica” will star Esai Morales, Eric Stoltz, Paula Malcomson and Polly Walker, and will be set 50 years prior to the start of “Galactica’s” and the Cylon invasion. The show will focus on the Earth-like planet of Caprica, and two rival families dealing with the rising technology of artificial intelligence and its broader implications.

“Battlestar Galactica” masterminds Ronald D. Moore and David Eick will be executive producers on “Caprica”, along with Remi Aubuchon. It will be produced by Universal cable Productions. The pilot was co-written by Aubuchon and Moore and directed by Jeffrey Reiner.

Having already produced a two-hour pilot, the Sci-Fi Channel is aiming for an 2010 premiere for “Caprica”, with production starting mid-2009. Both “Galactica” and the spinoff’s pilot were shot in Vancouver, where shooting on the “Caprica” series will probably also take place.

Stay tuned to Shockya.com for more Sci-Fi and Battlestar Galactica news.

By Costa Koutsoutis, (Source: Variety)