Browncoats are apparently not pleased that the low-rated, cult-worshipped sci-fi series lives on only in official Joss Whedon penned comic books. Or that the film spin-off Serenity flopped at the box office, therefore not sparking a franchise. So, they’re gonna do what any sensible fans would do. No, not quietly accept disappointment and move on with their lives – they’re starting a fundraising campaign to buy the rights to the franchise.

It started when “Firefly” star Nathan Fillion said in a recent interview, “If I got $300 million from the California Lottery, the first thing I would do is buy the rights to “Firefly,” make it on my own, and distribute it on the Internet.” That sounds like one of those things actors say to be nice, but would have no intention of ever following through on. Hardcore fans took it as a call to action and set-up HelpNathanBuyFirefly.com, which will be used to – did you guess it? – help Nathan buy “Firefly.” Naturally, their Facebook fan page already has over 52,000 likes.

To buy just the series rights, you’re talking millions of dollars. That isn’t Robocop statue money, it’s Hollywood power player / crazy Texas oil tycoon money. Then you’ve got to convince Fox to sell the rights, which they don’t gotta do. Even if they were crazy enough to sell, then you’d have to raise money to produce the series. That could be more millions, depending on the scale.

I’m not saying it isn’t possible. And I’m not saying anyone should stop loving a TV show cancelled after one season in 2002. What I do think is that if you’re gonna raise millions of dollars of people’s money, why not put it to a worthy cause: like funding my $40 million “Family Matters” fan film. I will keep the universe of Urkel, Urkelbot and Waldo Geraldo Faldo alive forever. (Cinema Blend)