In a post a few weeks back celebrating Battlestar Galactica creator Ronald D. Moore's plans to kickstart a new sci-fi trilogy, I lamented the lack of original science-fiction at the movies -- that is to say, films that aren't adaptations, remakes or sequels. Now, in addition to Moore's project (which remains shrouded in mystery), we can look forward to Arena from Summit Entertainment and first-time screenwriters Toby Wagstaff and Darren Howell.

The movie is being overseen by the same guy who brought us last year's godawful War, but the concept sounds a lot cooler. Paraphrasing from the Variety squib announcing the project, it's about a group of modern-day soldiers who are suddenly transported to a terrain-shifting battlefield where they must face all the best armies and warriors from the past "in a gladiatorial fight to the death," or else be immediately killed by the omnipotent forces behind the "Arena." Having now spent ten minutes searching in vain for something to which I can compare this idea, I'm forced to conclude that it's legitimately original. (Am I missing something? The best I've been able to come up with is Cube meets Stargate, which is still way off.)

Ronald D. Moore, the main creative force behind the TV show Battlestar Galactica, has signed with United Artists to write a major sci-fi trilogy. The studio is not releasing any details, but I bet that this is nonetheless exciting news for the battalions of Galactica fans out there. It's good news for everyone else, too, because it isn't often that we get an original science-fiction vision on the big screen: almost everything is a sequel, or a remake, or an adaptation. I'm psyched for something epic and new.

I'm sadly not familiar with Battlestar Galactica, which I realize is inexcusable for a self-professed sci-fi buff. It's next on my list of things to watch. But I am a moderate Trekkie, and it's worth noting that Moore co-wrote Star Trek: First Contact, which I consider to be the franchise's finest hour (sorry, Shatner fans). If this new project can be half as imaginative, exciting and tough as that film, it'll be something to write home about.

Moore is also working on a prequel to John Carpenter's The Thing, which several people who write for this blog (hi Scott!) will be very excited about. Did I say "battalions" of fans? I meant legions. Entire armies.