SyFy will screen the film on Sunday and an unrated DVD and Blu-ray release will arrive in stores on Feb. 19.
Luke Pasqualino of "Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome."
“Battlestar Galactica” returns to television on Sunday in the form of a new movie, “Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome.”
But don’t look for Edward James Olmos’ Admiral William Adama or any other familiar faces from the Peabody Award-winning 2004-2009 series. “Blood & Chrome” is a prequel film, set decades before the events depicted in the popular series.
Set during the 10th year of humanity’s first war with the robotic Cylons, Luke Pasqualino portrays young, eager-for-action Ensign William Adama, who is teamed with the battle weary Lt. Coker Fasjovik (Ben Cotton). It will air on SyFy at 8 p.m.
Speaking by telephone on Thursday, Pasqualino and Cotton said they had respect for the predecessor series, but did not delve too much into it in preparation for their roles.
A self-described “Battlestar virgin,” Pasqualino exchanged casual emails with Olmos and watched the failed 2010 prequel series “Caprica.”
“It helped me a lot to see where our show fit in the mix,” Pasqualino said.
Cotton, who had a bit part in the “Battlestar Galactica” movie “Razor” in 2007, said he screened a few episodes, but then “opted to pick my battles.”
The two actors developed a fine onscreen chemistry, which they credit to the story by “Battlestar Galactica” veterans Michael Taylor, David Eick, Bradley Thompson and David Weddle, as well as the direction of Jonas Pate (“Prime Suspect,” “Caprica”).
“There was a lot of freedom on this set to let it go and play off each other,” Cotton said. “It was really fun.”
“Blood and Chrome” was screened online on YouTube in November. An extended, unrated version of the movie will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on Feb. 19.
While there are no announced plans for a new series or further movies, Pasqualino and Cotton said they were hopeful the franchise would continue.
“We had a great time working on it,” Pasqualino said. “To carry on with it would be fantastic.