Quote:

---

Bright possibilities for Whedon's "Firefly"

Firefly may be grounded, but it's not quite ready to be scrapped.

Created by Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), this Western-in-space spectacular was cancelled by Fox this winter after a mere half-season's run. Whedon, however, remains committed to the show's possibilities-and hurt by it's quick demise.

"I still haven't given up on Firefly," he says, "which may seem strange since its been off the air for months. If I can find a new home for Firefly, TV or movies or any damn thing,it will soften the blow."

While he works for a revival, he at least has found a temporary home for two of the show's stars. Gina Torres, who was Firefly's first mate, has begun a run on WB's Angel as the show's "big bad," Jasmine. And Nathan Fillion, who played the captain, starts a five-episode guest stint Tuesday on UPS's Buffy. He plays Caleb, a cleric servant of "The First."

"They're very different roles," Whedon says. "Gina gets to be all pretty, so she's happy. And Nathan gets to be evil, so he's having a ball."

Whedon also may have found a home for Firefly on DVD. Fox is planning to realise the show on disc in widescreen format, probably in December. Whedon is expected to provide commentary as he did for Buffy and Angel.

-Robert Bianco

---