If a sequel can happen, it will happen. Even if one of the principal actors from the original has died and they were originally a major factor of that proposed sequel idea. At least, that's what Tim Allen hopes for given a sequel was written years ago to his 1999’s sci-fi comedy Galaxy Quest by that film's co-writer Robert Gordon. Yet, despite the fact the film was put on hold when Rickman died, Allen has spoken today on his hope it might still happen. Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, he had this to say:
“It’s a fabulous script, but it had a hiccup because the wonderful Alan Rickman passed. So it all got very sad and dark because [the script] was all about [Lazrus] and Taggart. It was all about their story. It doesn’t mean they can’t reboot the idea, and the underlying story was hysterical and fun.
I haven’t reached out to anybody in the last week, but we talk about it all the time. There is constantly a little flicker of a butane torch that we could reboot it with. Without giving too much away, a member of Alan [Rickman]’s Galaxy Quest family could step in and the idea would still work.”
While Allen gave little idea to what the script was actually about, he did comment on how the film's plot revolves around light-speed space travel:
“[The sequel] could happen now or in five years and it doesn’t matter at all because when you travel at light speed when you come back it can be like only 20 minutes, but 20 years have passed, right? That part is wonderful for the sci-fi freak in me. But right now it’s in a holding pattern.”
In addition, the original film's director Dean Parisot was also on board for the sequel so the issue only seems to be how to honor Rickman. Given Hollywood's increased penchant for continuations of older properties, anything can happen. Stay tuned!
20 years too late
Make it happen! Galaxy quest was an underrated hilarious comedy! They can recast Rickman's character or make some excuse why he looks different now.