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 says the V pilot, produced by Warner Bros. Television for ABC, shoots at Vancouver Film Studios until April 9. The studio is also looking to relocate the J.J. Abrams sci-fi series Fringe from New York to Vancouver – should Fox greenlight a second season – due to a sudden end in tax credits in the Empire State.

‘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 the 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 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.

SGU follows a band of soldiers, scientists and civilians, who are transported aboard an ancient ship in the far reaches of space. It stars Robert Carlyle (The Full Monty), Lou Diamond Phillips (La Bamba) and Justin Louis (Hidden Hills).

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.

Fringe, starring Joshua Jackson, has performed well for Fox and CTV, making a second-season order likely. Warner Bros. announced it will move the series north from Long Island City’s Silvercup Studios, since renewal of New York production subsidies in the next budget, due April 1, remains uncertain.

‘We did not come to this conclusion easily, but economic and practical imperatives dictated that this decision be made in a timely manner,’ Warner Bros. said in a statement. The Fringe pilot was shot in Toronto.

Peter Leitch, president of Vancouver-based North Shore and Mammoth Studios, says he has been approached by Warner Bros. about hosting the shoot, but has yet to ink a deal.

Fringe is set in Boston. And although Massachusetts has its own 25% tax credit on labor costs, what made the numbers work for a return to Canada was the falling value of the Canadian dollar against the American greenback.

Other footloose series possibly looking to leave New York for tax credits and locales elsewhere include ABC’s Life on Mars, HBO’s In Treatment and NBC’s 30 Rock.

Files from Etan Vlessing