'Babylon 5' Creator Shares First Character Images Of 'The Road Home' Animated Movie

These are the characters' first appearances in 25 years

Image source: Warner Bros.

It’s only been a month since Babylon 5 was getting an animated movie, called The Road Home. Even so, a summer release window means any marketing will come fast as the days barrel toward that summer season.

Creator J. Michael Straczynski, who wrote the film and is an executive producer, attended the Phoenix Fan Fusion convention and, at a panel, presented the logo and three images from the film. With permission from Warner Bros. of course, which extended to bringing them online to social media afterward. The identical message read “Folks have been asking what style would be used for the #B5animatedmovie. During the Phoenix Fan Fusion convention, with Warners permission, I showed the first images from the movie seen anywhere. They have now kindly given the go-ahead to post them online as well, so here we go!”

The images are very character-focused, with nothing hinting toward plot details to be found. The first image is an older Dr. Stephen Franklin, voiced by Phil LaMarr. The second features Captain John Sheridan, voiced by Bruce Boxleitner returning to his role, his wife Delenn, voiced by Rebecca Riedy, and her infatuated aide Lennier, voiced by the returning Bill Mumy. This image most certainly looks like mid-series form, giving the impression that it’s set in the present day of the film, and thus the starting (and finishing) point for the film’s plot. The third image is of Zathras, who is Zathras and voiced by Paul Guyet. As for that sought-after art style, it’s very clearly got Gen:Lock’s style and is pretty good for it.

Images via Warner Bros

Why “older” Franklin and “present-day” characters are important distinguishers comes from what’s been revealed about the plot. The logline reads “Travel across the galaxy with John Sheridan as he unexpectedly finds himself transported through multiple timelines and alternate realities in a quest to find his way back home. Along the way, he reunites with some familiar faces, while discovering cosmic new revelations about the history, purpose, and meaning of the Universe.” Also reprising their roles are Claudia Christian as Susan Ivanova, Peter Jurasik as Londo Mollari, Tracy Scoggins as Elizabeth Lochley, and Patricia Tallman as Lyta Alexander. Guyet will also be voicing the previous captain of the station Jeffrey Sinclair. His roles were originated by Tim Choate and Michael O’Hare, passing in 2004 and 2012 respectively. Dr. Franklin was originally played by Richard Biggs, who died in 2004, and Delenn was played by Mira Furlan, who died in 2021. Anthony Hansen voices Michael Garibaldi, the station’s chief of security originally played by Jerry Doyle, who died in 2016. Andrew Morgado voices Narn ambassador G’Kar, originally played by Andreas Katsulas, who died in 2006.

Babylon 5 was produced by Warner Bros. Television and ran on the Primetime Entertainment Network (PTEN) for four seasons before the network collapsed. It was rescued by TNT for the fifth, each running 22 episodes for 110 total from 1993-1998. There were also six TV movies after the pilot film and a spinoff series Crusade. Matt Peters, who directed Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons, directs this, and Rick Morales is supervising producer. Sam Register, who is President of Warner Bros Animation, is also an executive producer. Babylon 5: The Road Home is rated PG-13.