"Battlestar" boss to write sci-fi films for Cruise

By Gregg Kilday

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Looking to develop its own homegrown franchises, Tom Cruise's United Artists banner is embarking on a space odyssey with Ronald D. Moore, the man behind Sci Fi Channel's "Battlestar Gallactica."

The studio has signed Moore to create and write an original sci-fi trilogy for the big screen.

Moore is an executive producer of "Battlestar Gallactica," whose April 4 season premiere attracted more than 2 million viewers -- 40% more than the Season 3 finale.

His writing credits include the features "Star Trek: Generations" and "Star Trek: First Contact" as well as episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," "Roswell" and "Carnivale." He also received a story credit on Cruise's "Mission: Impossible II."

United Artists, an MGM division that Cruise runs with business partner Paula Wagner, released its first movie under new management, the box office disappointment "Lions for Lambs," last year. Its next release is Cruise's oft-delayed World War II thriller "Valkyrie" in February 2009.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter