VANCOUVER — Alien landings are expected in B.C. this spring and summer as the province gears up for a busy slate of sci-fi productions, including a remake of the 1980s invasion series V, a movie sequel to Disney’s cult classic Tron, the Battlestar Galactica spin-off Caprica, and the latest series in the Stargate franchise.

The B.C. Film Commission confirms that the V pilot, produced by Warner Bros. Television for ABC, shoots at Vancouver Film Studios March 13 to April 9.

‘Warner Bros. has a longstanding relationship with Vancouver,’ says B.C. film commissioner Susan Croome, noting that the company also produces its series Smallville and Supernatural in the province.

The reworked V — originally an NBC miniseries, then a short-lived series — focuses on a Homeland Security agent whose wayward son becomes involved with an alien race of lizards who can appear human. The pilot is co-written and co-executive produced by Scott Peters, writer and producer of The 4400, which also shot in Vancouver, and HDFilms principal Jason Hall. Yves Simoneau (Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee) directs.

Tron 2 shoots April through July, according to local Directors Guild of Canada listings, and stars Jeff Bridges (Iron Man), Garrett Hedlund (Georgia Rule) and Olivia Wilde (House). Joseph Kosinski directs. Like the first movie, the feature revolves around a programmer transported inside a computer.

The two-hour pilot for the Sci-Fi Channel’s Caprica, a prequel series to Battlestar Galactica, shot in Vancouver last May. The B.C. Film Commission says they hear the series is slated to start production early summer in the city, although they are waiting on final word.

Meanwhile, production has begun at The Bridge Studios on Sci-Fi’s Stargate Universe, which shoots through to October.

According to a press release, SGU is edgier and younger in tone than the two previous series, and follows a band of soldiers, scientists and civilians, who are transported aboard an ancient ship in the far reaches of space. Robert Carlyle (The Full Monty) stars. Other cast reportedly signed to the MGM series include Justin Louis, David Blue, Brian J. Smith and Jamil Walker Smith.

Croome says that beyond the low dollar and B.C.’s tax credits on labor and visual effects, the province has developed a reputation for producing high-quality sci-fi shows at a reasonable price.

‘Studios have faced layoffs and have less staff, so they don’t have time to micromanage projects. They want sure bets, and that is where our years of experience and expertise in sci-fi is coming to the forefront,’ she says. ‘We have some of the best sci-fi construction teams that can build amazing sets at a great price, crews who have the expertise in this genre, and great special effects artists.’