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Topic: Leslie Stevens: The "Gary Kurtz" Of Battlestar Galactica? (Read 92 times)
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languatron
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February 7, 2004
Does "Battlestar Galactica" have an unsung hero? If you watch the opening title sequence to the pilot episode of "Battlestar Galactica", you will see his name in the credits:
LESLIE STEVENS
Glen Larson has repeatedly stated over the years that the premise for "Battlestar Galactica" evolved from the concept of Howard Hughes and his friends vacating the Earth in a house turned spaceship due to a prediction of global disaster. How this concept miraculously evolved into a "fleet of Battlestars vacating the 12 Worlds in a far off galaxy" is too absurd for words. This is where LESLIE STEVENS enters the picture. I believe that the basic concept of the "Galactica" series we know and love (Battlestars, 12 Worlds, Cylons, Colonial Warriors), were actually the ideas of LESLIE STEVENS. The theatrical background of Leslie Stevens would certainly lend credibility to him coming up with concepts and ideas SO IMAGINATIVE. "Galactica" director Alan J. Levi even CONFIRMED to Susan J. Paxton via interview that the original "Galactica" script (containing the elements I listed above) was written by LESLIE STEVENS, and that LESLIE STEVENS was floating this script around the Universal lot in the SUMMER OF 1977. By some twist of bad luck (it is rumored), this script ENDED UP ON GLEN A. LARSON'S DESK at Universal Studios, IN THE SUMMER OF 1977. THE VERY SAME SUMMER THAT "STAR WARS" WAS KICKING ASS AT THE BOX OFFICE AND REMAKING ALL OF HOLLYWOOD INTO ITS VERY OWN IMAGE.
Leslie Stevens had no involvement with "Battlestar Galactica" once it went to regular series. This would certainly explain why the regular series was not as good as the pilot movie.
I just wish that LESLIE STEVENS had received the recognition he deserved for coming up with the basic concepts for "Galactica" when he was still alive. Glen Larson still claiming sole authorship of the entire enchilada is not respecting the memory of Leslie Stevens. Good taste being a foreign concept in Hollywood.
I'm going to throw Glen Larson a bone here, and say that what we know as "Battlestar Galactica" was actually the MERGING OF IDEAS between Glen Larson and LESLIE STEVENS. From LESLIE STEVENS came the concepts of "Battlestars", "Cylons", "Colonial Warriors", the "12 Worlds", the series title, and the idea of a family serving together aboard a "Battlestar." In other words, LESLIE STEVENS ideas were the FOUNDATION for the series. From Glen Larson came the ideas of incorporating "Chariots of the Gods" into the series, the zodiac signs, the character names, the "Ship of Lights", and the searching for Earth.
LESLIE STEVENS has a soul brother in the form of Gary Kurtz. Gary Kurtz too, is rumored to have been the TRUE CREATIVE GENIUS behind the first two "Star Wars" movies. If you'll remember, the first two "Star Wars" movies released in 1977 and 1980 were enormously entertaining, fun, and filled with brilliant and innovative ideas. The moment Gary Kurtz left "Star Wars" (due to a rumored confrontation with George Lucas), the DROP IN STORY QUALITY evidenced in "Return Of The Jedi" was echoed throughout "Star Wars" fandom and all moviegoers. In a later interview, Gary Kurtz revealed that he DID NOT WANT Luke and Leia to be brother and sister, as it neutralized the romantic events in the first two movies.
In short, when George Lucas is on his own, "Star Wars" is a disaster. When Glen Larson is on his own, "Battlestar Galactica" is a disaster. 
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« Last Edit: December 26, 2004, 01:49:22 PM by languatron »
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languatron
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Posts: 689
Life could be this beautiful without NBC-TV in it.
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I guess I still have some "Ass-Hole" Universal executives still loitering.
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