Foundation Imaging Developing 'MechWarrior'

Voyager visual effects company Foundation Imaging announced today it will be developing a MechWarrior television series together with Original Series writer Dorothy C. Fontana.

MechWarrior will be a one-hour live-action series, but will also feature computer-generated effects similar to those seen in shows such as Roughnecks: The Starship Trooper Chronicles and Max Steel. It will be based on the popular role-playing game franchise in which players do battle with massive walking combat robots.

One of the creative talents behind the show will be Dorothy (D.C.) Fontana, who co-wrote Star Trek episodes such as the Original Series' 'This Side of Paradise', TNG's 'Encounter at Farpoint' and DS9's 'Dax.' She is currently working on the upcoming 'Star Trek: Bridge Commander' game. "With Dorothy committed, the series will have great characters, romance, political intrigue and high powered action," said Foundation's Paul Bryant, who will be one of the executive producers of the series. "It's Romeo and Juliet in space."

The new series will chronicle the lives of two intergalactic princes as they are forced to work together to repel the return of banished marauders at the edge of the galaxy. "We've pulled together a great team to produce a unique, highly visually exciting and engaging story," said Foundation CEO Michael Wahl, also executive producer on the show. "Who could ask for better partners?"

Besides Fontana, these partners include Microsoft and Fasa Corporation, the original creators of the 'MechWarrior' franchise. Also known as 'BattleTech,' over the past fifteen years the concept has already been taken to video games, board games and novels before now being made into a television show. This will also be done in conjunction with television company Tribune Entertainment, which also produces shows such as Earth: Final Conflict and Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda.

Foundation Imaging was founded 9 years ago, providing groundbreaking computer-generated visual effects for shows such as Babylon 5 and Voyager. In recent years, the company has also started creating its own television shows, including most notably Roughnecks. The company has won Emmy awards for both B5 and Voyager and has been nominated for the 2001 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Animation for Roughnecks. More information about the company can be found at Foundation-I.com.

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