Syfy and THQ have begun production on the two-hour Red Factions; Origins television movie, with stars from Battlestar Galactica, Doctor Who spinoff Torchwood, Stargate Universe, and everyone's favorite liquid metal Terminator joining the cast.


Syfy loves recycling stars, and Red Faction: Origins is continuing that tradition in fine form. The movie, a two-hour movie that could lead to an ongoing series, stars Terminator's Robert Patrick as Alex Mason, some 25 years after leading the Martian colonies to freedom in Red Faction: Guerrilla. Twelve years ago vengeful enemies killed his wife and kidnapped his daughter (Tamzin Merchant from The Tudors), leaving him a broken man.

His son Jake's (Stargate Universe's Brian J. Smith) world is turned upside-down when he discovers his sister is still alive.


A star-studded cast fills out the remaining roles, including Torchwood's Gareth David-Lloyd, Battlestar Galactica's Kate Vernon, The Starter Wife's Danielle Nicolet, and Devon Graye of Dexter fame.

Production of the film begins in Bulgaria this week, with its Syfy debut scheduled for May of 2011.

I'll do my best to remember to watch it, but I can't make any promises. The thought of Gareth David-Lloyd appearing in a role where he's not kissing Captain Jack Harkness full on the mouth leaves me slightly empty inside.