AceShowbiz -

It's officially a go for "Battlestar Galactica" prequel titled "Caprica" which story will take place 50 years before Cylons launch their attack on human civilization in "Galactica" and the first Cylon War begins. Sci Fi Channel will air the new series in 2010, with production being kicked off in the middle of 2009 in Vancouver.

"We want people to come to this who have never heard of 'Battlestar Galactica,'" Sci Fi exec Dave Howe said. "I think, because ('Galactica's') backdrop was space and spaceships, there was a barrier to entry for some viewers. 'Caprica' has none of that. It's an intense family drama set on an Earthlike planet, in the near future, speaking to a lot of the ethical dilemmas that we as a human race are going to have to face very shortly."

"Caprica" refers to an Earth-like planet that has two families, the Adamas and the Graystones, in feud, dealing with the emerging artificial intelligence technology issue and its impact. Starring Eric Stoltz, Esai Morales, Paula Malcomson and Polly Walker, among others, "Caprica" is produced by Universal Cable Prods and the back-door pilot has already been written by the "Galactica" writers Remi Aubuchon and Ronald D. Moore.

"Galactica" itself is counting down to its finale, with 10 remaining episodes left before the show wraps up on March 20, 2009.