A viral campaign preceded the reveal through cryptic social media videos featuring Fillion and his co stars. In one clip Torres asks “Does this mean it’s time?” and Fillion replies “It’s time.” The videos featuring Baccarin Maher Staite Glau Baldwin and Tudyk generated more than 28 million views online across platforms as speculation grew among fans before.

Fillion is developing the animated reboot through his production company Collision33 with 20th Television Animation, which controls the franchise rights. The series takes place between the 2002 television run and the 2005 film Serenity. The team has completed a script and produced early concept art with the Oscar and Emmy award-winning animation studio ShadowMachine.

Marc Guggenheim and Tara Butters will serve as showrunners, marking their first formal collaboration. Guggenheim previously worked on DC’s Legends of Tomorrow and Arrow. Butters worked on Agent Carter, Reaper, and Law and Order SVU. The production team plans to present the completed project package to potential buyers soon.

Joss Whedon created Firefly, and 20th Century Fox Television originally produced the series. The show aired for one season in 2002 before continuing with the 2005 film Serenity. Nathan Fillion and Alan Tudyk launched the Once We Were Spacemen podcast in November 2025.

The podcast features interviews with former cast members and other creatives discussing the series and its legacy.