Editing J. Michael Straczynski (section)

== Career ==

=== 1970s–1980s ===

==== Early work ====
Straczynski began writing plays, having several produced at [[Southwestern College (California)|Southwestern College]] and [[San Diego State University]] before publishing his adaptation of ''Snow White'' with Performance Publishing.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Straczynski |first=J. Michael |title=Snow White |publisher=Performance Publishing/Baker's Plays |year=1979 |isbn=0-87440-590-4 |pages=49}}</ref> Several other plays were produced around San Diego, including ''The Apprenticeship'' for the Marquis Public Theater. During the late 1970s, Straczynski became the on-air entertainment reviewer for KSDO-FM and wrote several radio plays before being hired as a scriptwriter for the radio drama ''[[Alien Worlds (radio)|Alien Worlds]]''.<ref name="AlienWorlds">{{Cite web |url=http://www.old-time.com/otrlogs2/aw_.log.txt |title=Alien Worlds Radio Show Index |date=2007-07-25 |publisher=Old-time.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040808065436/http://www.old-time.com/otrlogs2/aw_.log.txt |archive-date=August 8, 2004}}</ref><ref name="IGN">{{cite web|last= Plume|first= Kenneth|title= Interview with J. Michael Straczynski (Part 1 of 4)|website= [[IGN]]|date= September 5, 2000|url= http://movies.ign.com/articles/035/035904p1.html|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140413041604/http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/09/05/interview-with-j-michael-straczynski-part-1-of-4|archive-date=2014-04-13 |url-status= live|access-date= November 13, 2010}}</ref>  He  produced his first television project in San Diego, ''Marty Sprinkle'' for [[KPBS (TV)|KPBS-TV]] as well as worked on the [[XETV-TDT|XETV-TV]] project ''[[Disasterpiece Theatre]]''.<ref name="Gale">{{Cite book|editor-first=Hal |editor-last=May |title=Contemporary Authors|volume=109|date=1983|publisher=Gale Research|isbn=0-8103-1909-8|oclc=24564715}}</ref> He worked as a journalist for the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' as a special San Diego correspondent and worked for ''[[San Diego Magazine]]'' and ''The San Diego Reader'', and wrote for the ''[[Los Angeles Herald-Examiner]]'', the ''Los Angeles Reader, TV-Cable Week,'' and ''[[People (magazine)|''People'']]'' magazine.<ref name="IGN" /> Straczynski wrote ''The Complete Book of Scriptwriting'' for ''[[Writer's Digest]]''. Published in 1982, the book is often used as a text in introductory screenwriting courses,<ref name="HUP037_Scriptwriting">{{cite web|url=https://intranet.londonmet.ac.uk/prog-plan/postgrad-line/modules/hu/hup037.cfm|title=HUP037 Scriptwriting|publisher=[[London Metropolitan University]]|access-date=2007-09-13|work=Course Syllabus|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716192329/https://intranet.londonmet.ac.uk/prog-plan/postgrad-line/modules/hu/hup037.cfm|archive-date=2011-07-16}}</ref><ref name="CW3029_Writing_for_Radio">{{cite web|url=http://www.uclan.ac.uk/facs/class/humanities/modules/cw3029.htm|title=CW3029 – Writing for Radio|year=2007|publisher=University of Central Lancashire|access-date=2007-09-13|author=Hart, Liz|work=Course Syllabus|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080121163300/http://www.uclan.ac.uk/facs/class/humanities/modules/cw3029.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive -->|archive-date=2008-01-21}}</ref> and is in its third edition.

He spent five years from 1987 to 1992 co-hosting the ''[[Hour 25]]'' radio [[talk show]] on KPFK-FM Los Angeles with [[Larry DiTillio]]. During his tenure, he interviewed [[John Carpenter]], [[Neil Gaiman]], [[Ray Bradbury]], [[Harlan Ellison]] and other writers, producers, actors and directors. In 2000, Straczynski returned to radio drama with  ''[[The City of Dreams]]'' for [[Syfy#Websites and divisions|scifi.com]].

==== Work in animation ====
Straczynski was a fan of the cartoon ''[[He-Man and the Masters of the Universe]]''.  He wrote a [[spec script]] in 1984 and sent it directly to [[Filmation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/035/035904p1.html |title=Interview with J. Michael Straczynski |date=2000-09-05 |publisher=ign.com |access-date=2011-01-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080820034004/http://movies.ign.com/articles/035/035904p1.html |archive-date=2008-08-20 }}</ref> Filmation purchased his script and several others, and hired him on staff. During this time he became friends with [[Larry DiTillio]], and when Filmation produced the ''He-Man'' spinoff ''[[She-Ra: Princess of Power]]'', they worked as story editors on the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jmsnews.com/msg.aspx?id=1-12077|title=Masters of the Universe|author=J. Michael Straczynski|access-date=2011-01-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://old.he-man.org/cartoon/pop/behindthescenes/shera-breakdowns.shtml|title=She-Ra Breakdowns|author=Filmation/J. Michael Straczynski|access-date=2011-01-04|archive-date=2021-02-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224083659/https://old.he-man.org/cartoon/pop/behindthescenes/shera-breakdowns.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Straczynski and DiTillio worked to create an animated version of ''[[Elfquest]]'', but that project fell through when CBS attempted to retool the show to appeal to younger audiences.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elfquest.com/edits/SeqTart1.html|title=Interview with Wendy and Richard Pini|access-date=2011-01-04|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720160448/http://www.elfquest.com/edits/SeqTart1.html|archive-date=2011-07-20}}</ref>

While working on ''Jayce'', Straczynski was hired to come aboard the [[Len Janson]] and [[Chuck Menville]] project to adapt the movie ''[[Ghostbusters]]'' to an animated version called ''[[The Real Ghostbusters]]''.  When Janson and Menville learned that there was not only a 13-episode order but a 65-episode syndication order as well, they decided that the workload was too much and that they would only work on their own scripts.<ref name="GBDVD">The Real Ghostbusters Complete Collection DVD interview with J. Michael Straczynski.</ref> DIC head [[Jean Chalopin]] asked Straczynski to take on the task of story editing the entire 78-episode block as well as writing his own scripts.<ref name="GBDVD" /> After the show's successful first season, consultants were brought in to make suggestions for the show, including changing Janine to a more maternal character, giving every character a particular "job" (Peter is the funny one, Egon is the smart one, and Winston, the only black character, was to be the driver), and to add kids into the show.<ref name="GBDVD" />  Straczynski left at this point, Janson and Menville resuming the story editing job for the second network season.  Straczynski then began development on a show called ''[[Spiral Zone]]'' but left after only one script, taking his name off the series, because management drastically altered his conception of show.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://groups.google.com/group/rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated/msg/2c7ed07ec5ce509d|title=new jms tv series|author=Straczynski, J. Michael|access-date=2011-12-11}}</ref>

==== Live action and network shows ====
After leaving animation, Straczynski freelanced for ''[[The Twilight Zone (1985 TV series)|The Twilight Zone]]'' writing an episode entitled "What Are Friends For" and, for [[Shelley Duvall]]'s ''[[Nightmare Classics]]'', adapting ''[[The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde]]'', which was nominated for a [[Writers Guild of America|Writer's Guild]] Award.

Straczynski was offered the position of story editor on the syndicated live-action science fiction series ''[[Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future]]''.  Straczynski constructed a season long arc with lasting character changes and wrote a third of the scripts himself. After one season, the toy company [[Mattel]] demanded more input into the show, causing Straczynski to quit.  He recommended DiTillio to take over the job as story editor for a second season, but the toy company financing fell through and that season was never produced.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jmsnews.com/msg.aspx?id=1-14848|title=B5 – Capt Power|date=1994-11-09|author=Straczynski, J. Michael|access-date=2011-01-04}}</ref>

Soon after, the [[1988 Writers Guild of America strike]] began. Straczynski met [[Harlan Ellison]] during this time and later became friends with him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jmsnews.com/msg.aspx?id=1-12638|title=How'd You Meet Harlan|date=1995-03-23|author=Straczynski, J. Michael|access-date=2011-01-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jmsnews.com/msg.aspx?id=1-10766|title=The Harlan Award|date=1998-06-20|author=Straczynski, J. Michael|access-date=2011-01-04}}</ref> Straczynski is an executor of Ellison's collected works.

After the strike ended, the producers of the new ''Twilight Zone'' needed to create more episodes to be able to sell the series into syndication with a complete 65-episode package. They hired Straczynski as executive story editor to fill in the remaining number of needed episodes.

After leaving ''Twilight Zone'', his agent of the time asked him to pitch for the show ''[[Jake and the Fatman]]''.<ref>{{cite book|title=The (Even More!) Complete Book of Scriptwriting|last=Straczynski|first=J. Michael|publisher=Writer's Digest|year=1996}}</ref> Initially wary, Straczynski finally did and was hired on as an executive story consultant under [[Jeri Taylor]] and [[David Moessinger]]. When Taylor and Moessinger left the show, Straczynski left too as an act of solidarity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jmsnews.com/msg.aspx?id=1-13203|title=Looking for Captain Power|date=1995-07-13|author=Straczynski, J. Michael|access-date=2011-01-04}}</ref>

When Moessinger was hired as executive producer for ''[[Murder, She Wrote]]'', he offered Straczynski a job as co-producer. Straczynski joined ''Murder, She Wrote'' for two seasons and wrote seven produced episodes. Moessinger and Straczynski moved the protagonist, Jessica Fletcher, from the sleepy Maine town of [[Cabot Cove]] to New York City to revitalize the show. The move effectively brought the show back into the top ten from the mid-thirties where it had fallen.

Straczynski wrote one episode of ''[[Walker, Texas Ranger]]'' for Moessinger between the pilot episode for ''Babylon 5'' and the start of its first season.<ref name="JMS_1996_0305">{{cite web|url=http://www.jmsnews.net/msg.aspx?id=1-15629|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004142308/http://www.jmsnews.net/msg.aspx?id=1-15629|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-10-04|title=click... *click*... CLIC|date=1996-03-05|publisher=JMSNews, originally published on [[AOL]]|author=Straczynski, J. Michael|access-date=2008-07-12}}</ref>

Straczynski wrote an adaptation of [[Robert Louis Stevenson]]'s ''The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'' for the [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] network, which was nominated for a Writers Guild of America award,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0265408/awards|title=Awards for "Nightmare Classics" (1989)|publisher=IMDB: The Internet Movie Database|access-date=27 August 2012}}</ref> and a ''[[Murder, She Wrote]]'' movie, ''[[Murder, She Wrote: A Story to Die For]]'', which he produced.

=== 1990s ===

==== ''Babylon 5'' and ''Crusade'' ====
In late 1991, [[Warner Bros.]] contracted with Straczynski and [[Douglas Netter|Doug Netter]] as partners to produce ''Babylon 5'' as the flagship program for the new [[Prime Time Entertainment Network]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jmsnews.com/msg.aspx?id=1-7689|title=Official Announcement|date=1991-11-20|author=Straczynski, J. Michael|access-date=2011-01-04}}</ref>

Straczynski and Netter hired many of the people from ''Captain Power'', as well as hiring Ellison as a consultant and DiTillio as a story editor.  ''Babylon 5'' won two [[Emmy Award]]s, back-to-back [[Hugo Award]]s, and dozens of other awards. Straczynski wrote 92 of the 110 [[List of Babylon 5 episodes|episodes]], as well as the pilot and five television movies.  The show is a character-driven [[space opera]] and features an intentional emphasis on realism in its portrayal of space operations. It pioneered extensive use of [[computer-generated imagery|CGI]] for its [[special effect]]s.  ''Babylon 5'' was produced and broadcast for five seasons completing Stracynski's planned story arc.

He wrote the outlines for nine of the [[Canon (fiction)|canonical]] ''Babylon 5'' novels, supervised the three produced ''Babylon 5'' telefilm novelizations (''In the Beginning'', ''Thirdspace'', and ''A Call to Arms''), and is the author of four ''Babylon 5'' short stories published in magazines, not yet reprinted ({{as of|2008|lc=on}}).

In 2005, Straczynski began publishing his ''Babylon 5'' scripts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jmsnews.com/msg.aspx?id=1-17414|title=Babylon 5 Scripts Site Nearly Ready, And More!|date=2005-05-21|publisher=JMSNews|author=Straczynski, J. Michael|access-date=2006-12-24}}</ref> This process ended in June 2008, with the scripts no longer being available from the end of July of that year. His scripts for the television movies were published for a limited time in January 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://campaign.constantcontact.com/render?v=001LDAvtWmYthUfV42TzOKX4NtaLlyfj3eaRajSDGes6vnakAlTLHwOuZ0Lzb9OsxQ5xS3HWuHtHO7_jx-iOT8WrKt0rOcH2zlfz4VNNKbuREs%3D.|title=Babylon 5 Music Videos Just Released|date=2008-12-23|publisher=Babylon 5 Scripts|author=The Babylon 5 Scripts Team|access-date=2008-12-27}} {{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==== Joe's Comics ====
Straczynski has long been a comic fan and began writing comics in the late 1980s. His work in comics includes the adaptations of ''[[Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future]]'', ''[[The Twilight Zone]]'', ''[[Star Trek (DC Comics)|Star Trek]]'' and ''[[Babylon 5 Novels, novelizations, short stories, and comic books|Babylon 5]]''. In 1999 he created ''[[Rising Stars (comics)|Rising Stars]]'' for [[Top Cow]]/[[Image Comics]].

=== 2000s ===

==== Marvel Comics ====
[[Marvel Comics]] signed him to an exclusive contract, beginning with a run on ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man]]'', from 2001 to 2007. He took over the series with Volume 2 issue #30 ([[cover date]]d June 2001).<ref>{{cite book|title=Marvel Chronicle A Year by Year History|last=Manning|first=Matthew K.|editor-last=Gilbert|editor-first=Laura|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|year=2008|location= London|isbn=978-0756641238|page=305|chapter=2000s|quote=TV creator J. Michael Straczynski and comics legend John Romita, Jr. not only exposed Spider-Man to a horde of mystical foes, they also introduced the idea that [Peter] Parker's origin may not be as accidental as he had thought.}}</ref> Straczynski and artist [[John Romita Jr.]] crafted an acclaimed story for ''The Amazing Spider-Man'' #36 (Dec. 2001) in response to the [[September 11 attacks]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Spider-Man Chronicle Celebrating 50 Years of Web-Slinging|last=Cowsill|first=Alan|editor-last=Gilbert|editor-first=Laura|publisher=Dorling Kindersley|year=2012|location= London, United Kingdom|isbn=978-0756692360|chapter=2000s|quote="The most powerful Spider-Man comic of the year was Straczynski and Romita, Jr.'s response to the horrific events of 9–11...Spider-Man's 9-11 story was a highly charged, beautifully produced tribute to the heroes and victims of the attack."}}</ref> He wrote or co-wrote several major Spider-Man story arcs including "[[Spider-Man: The Other]]",<ref>Manning "2000s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 327</ref> "[[Spider-Man: Back in Black|Back in Black]]",<ref>Cowsill "2000s" in Gilbert (2012), p. 304: "The five-part story, written by J. Michael Straczynski  and drawn by Ron Garney saw a vengeful Spider-Man tearing his way through the New York underworld."</ref> and the infamous "[[Spider-Man: One More Day|One More Day]]".<ref>Cowsill "2000s" in Gilbert (2012), p. 307: "Writer J. Michael Straczynski was joined by artist Joe Quesada...for a four-part tale that proved to be one of the most controversial Spidey stories of all time."</ref> He later wrote several other Marvel titles including ''[[Squadron Supreme (Supreme Power)|Supreme Power]]'',<ref>Manning "2000s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 316: "Writer J. Michael Straczynski and artist Gary Frank took a surprisingly dark reassessment of the Squadron Supreme."</ref> ''[[Strange (comic book)|Strange]]'',<ref>Manning "2000s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 323: "Scribes J. Michael Straczynski and Samm Barnes, with artist Brandon Peterson, retold Dr. Strange's mystical origin for a new generation of fans in this six-issue limited series.</ref> ''[[Fantastic Four (comic book)|Fantastic Four]]'', ''[[Thor (Marvel Comics)|Thor]]'',<ref>Manning "2000s" in Gilbert (2008), p. 337: "With his impressive run ending on ''The Amazing Spider-Man'', writer J. Michael Straczynski decided to tackle another of Marvel's iconic pantheon – Thor."</ref> and mini-series featuring the Silver Surfer and a "What If" scenario, ''[[Bullet Points (comics)|Bullet Points]]''.

==== ''Jeremiah'' ====
Straczynski ran ''[[Jeremiah (TV series)|Jeremiah]]'', loosely based on the Belgian [[apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction|post-apocalyptic]] comic ''[[Jeremiah (comics)|Jeremiah]]'', from 2002&ndash;2004. Straczynski ran the series for two seasons but was frustrated with the conflicting directions that [[MGM]] and [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] wanted from the show,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jmsnews.net/msg.aspx?id=1-17559|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004142329/http://www.jmsnews.net/msg.aspx?id=1-17559|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-10-04|title=Aeon Flux Commentary|date=2006-06-13|author=Straczynski, J. Michael|access-date=2011-01-04}}</ref> and even used the pseudonym "Fettes Grey" for the first time since ''Spiral Zone'' on one of the scripts.  In the second season, Straczynski decided to leave the show if things did not improve,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jmsnews.net/msg.aspx?id=1-17197|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004142423/http://www.jmsnews.net/msg.aspx?id=1-17197|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-10-04|title=When Did You Know|date=2004-09-26|author=Straczynski, J. Michael|access-date=2011-01-04}}</ref> and the show ended after two seasons.

==== ''Changeling'' ====
Straczynski wrote ''[[Changeling (film)|Changeling]]'', a psychological drama film based partly on the [[Wineville Chicken Coop Murders|"Wineville Chicken Coop" kidnapping and murder case]] in [[Los Angeles]], [[California]]. Directed by [[Clint Eastwood]], produced by [[Ron Howard]], and starring [[Angelina Jolie]], the film premiered in 2008 and subsequently received eight nominations for the [[British Academy Film Awards|BAFTA Award]], including a nomination for Best Original Screenplay.<ref name="bafta 2009">{{cite web |url=http://www.bafta.org/awards/film/film-nominations-in-2009,657,BA.html |title=BAFTA listing of 2009 award nominees & winners |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203014605/http://www.bafta.org/film/awards/2009,2378,BA.html |archive-date=2012-02-03 |url-status=dead |access-date=2010-06-09 }}</ref> The first draft script was written in eleven days, after Straczynski figured out "how to tell" the story,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/video/2007/08/08/Busy-writer-is-drawn-back-to-23rd-century/stories/200708080260|title=Busy writer is drawn back to 23rd century|last=Eberson|first=Sharon|date=August 8, 2007|website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette}}</ref> which ended up being the shooting draft, after Eastwood declined to make any changes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/united-changeling-123327|title=United for 'Changeling'|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=20 November 2008|access-date=2016-07-24}}</ref> It was optioned immediately by Howard, who at first intended to direct the film but later stepped down after scheduling conflicts.<ref name=":0" />

At first, Straczynski expressed disbelief at the story,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95935010|title=Behind 'Changeling,' A Tale Too Strange For Fiction|newspaper=NPR.org|access-date=2016-07-24}}</ref> but spent a year researching the case, compiling over six thousands pages of documentation. Straczynski claimed that 95% of the script's content came from the historical record,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newsarama.com/1433-how-changeling-changed-j-michael-straczynski-s-career.html|title=How 'Changeling' Changed J. Michael Straczynski's Career|access-date=2016-07-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808045658/http://www.newsarama.com/1433-how-changeling-changed-j-michael-straczynski-s-career.html|archive-date=2016-08-08|url-status=dead}}</ref> and went through the script with [[Universal Pictures|Universal Studios]]'s legal department, providing attribution for every scene so the film would be described as "a true story" rather than "based on" one. On how his journalistic background helped him write the film, Straczynski stated:

{{blockquote|It was hugely important. Usually, when you're asked to tell a true story in film, there's already an article or something where the legwork's been done. In this case, there was nothing available. It was all primary research—City Hall archives, county courthouse archives, criminal records, hospital records. I just sifted through stuff, often spending a whole day paging through records just to find one reference.<ref name="Time; Changeling">{{cite magazine|url=http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1852963,00.html|title=Changeling Writer J. Michael Straczynski |date=October 23, 2008|magazine=Time|access-date=July 24, 2016}}</ref>|sign=|source=}}

==== Feature screenwriter ====
Straczynski announced on February 23, 2007, that he had been hired to write the feature film adaptation of [[Max Brooks]]'s novel ''[[World War Z]]'' for [[Paramount Pictures]] and production company [[Plan B Entertainment]], taking screen story credit on the finished film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/02/24/nycc-07-straczynski-scripting-world-war-z|title=NYCC 07: Straczynski Scripting ''World War Z''|last=Collura|first=Scott|date=2007-02-24|website=IGN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413032848/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/02/24/nycc-07-straczynski-scripting-world-war-z|archive-date=2014-04-13 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2008, Straczynski wrote a draft of ''[[Ninja Assassin]]'' for [[Joel Silver]], which he completed in just 53 hours.<ref name="Kaufman">{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2008/film/awards/j-michael-straczynski-1117987706/|title=J. Michael Straczynski: 10 Screenwriters to Watch|last=Kaufman|first=Anthony|date=2008-06-18|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413033734/http://variety.com/2008/film/news/j-michael-straczynski-1117987706/|archive-date=2014-04-13|url-status=live|access-date=2010-01-31}}</ref> The film was produced by [[The Wachowskis]] and released on November 25, 2009.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2009-11-24 |title=Ninja Assassin |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/ninja-assassin/article793434/ |access-date=2024-03-02 |work=The Globe and Mail |language=en-CA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ninja Assassin |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1583842817/ |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=Box Office Mojo}}</ref>

Straczynski is credited as "story writer" along with [[Mark Protosevich]] for the 2011 film, ''[[Thor (film)|Thor]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0800369/fullcredits#writers|title=Full cast and crew for: Thor (2011)|publisher=Internet Movie Database (IMDB)}} ''J. Michael Straczynski (story) and Mark Protosevich (story)''</ref> He makes a [[cameo appearance]] in the film,<ref name="thorcameo">{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=25296|title=''X-Men'', ''Green Lantern'', ''Red Sonja'': March 18th Comic Reel|date=2010-03-18|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100322192655/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=25296|archive-date=2010-03-22|url-status=dead|access-date=2010-03-18}}</ref> his first appearance in a movie and his second appearance as an actor (the first being "[[Sleeping in Light]]", the final episode of ''Babylon 5'').<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0833089/#Actor|title=J. Michael Straczynski: Actor|publisher=Internet Movie Database (IMDB)}}</ref> Straczynski was part of the writers room (along with [[Terry Rossio]], Patrick McKay, J. D. Payne, Lindsey Beer, Cat Vasko, [[T. S. Nowlin]], and Jack Paglen) to develop ''[[Godzilla vs. Kong]]'', though was uncredited on the final script.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/kong-skull-island-sequel-plans-godzilla-kong-sets-writers-room-984992|title='Godzilla vs. Kong' Film Sets Writers Room (Exclusive)|last=Kit|first=Borys|work=Hollywood Reporter|date=March 10, 2017|access-date=March 10, 2017}}</ref>

==== DC Comics ====
When his exclusive contract with Marvel ended, he was announced as the writer for a run on ''[[The Brave and the Bold]]'' for [[DC Comics]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=21780|title=JMS Confirms ''Thor'' Exit|last=Renaud|first=Jeffrey|date=2009-06-26|website=Comic Book Resources|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817025902/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=21780|archive-date=2013-08-17|url-status=dead|access-date=2014-04-13}} Archive requires scrolldown</ref> He collaborated with artist [[Shane Davis]] on an out-of-continuity original graphic novel starring [[Superman]] titled ''[[Superman: Earth One]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=24120|title=Straczynski Launches ''Superman: Earth One''|last=Renaud|first=Jeffrey|date=2009-12-18|website=Comic Book Resources|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102204433/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=24120|archive-date=2013-11-02|url-status=dead|access-date=2010-05-23}} Archive requires scrolldown</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newsarama.com/comics/JMS-Week-Superman-Earth-One-100216.html|title=A Week of JMS: Day 1: ''Superman: Earth One''|last=Arrant|first=Chris|date=2010-02-16|work=[[Newsarama]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017080900/http://www.newsarama.com/4746-a-week-of-jms-day-1-superman-earth-one.html|archive-date=2013-10-17|url-status=live|access-date=2010-05-25}}</ref> The story features a young Superman and focus on his decision about the role he wants to assume in life.<ref>{{cite book|title=[[Superman: Earth One]]|last2=Davis|first2=Shane|date=October 2010|publisher=DC Comics|isbn=978-1401224684|pages=144|last1=Straczynski|first1=J. Michael}}</ref> On March 8, 2010, it was announced he would be taking over writing duties for the monthly ''[[Superman (comic book)|Superman]]'' title<ref>{{cite book|title=DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|last=Cowsill|first=Alan|editor-last=Dolan|editor-first=Hannah|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]]|year=2010|location= London, United Kingdom|isbn=978-0-7566-6742-9|page=341|chapter=2000s|quote=The 700th issue of ''Superman'' was fifty-six pages long...comicdom's talented writers created very special Superman tales...new ''Superman'' writer J. Michael Straczynski gave a preview of his much-anticipated run that would begin in the following issue."}}</ref> with a story arc entitled "[[Superman: Grounded|Grounded]]", and the ''[[Wonder Woman]]'' title, beginning with issues 701 and 601 respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dcu.blog.dccomics.com/2010/03/08/j-michael-straczynski-to-write-superman-and-wonder-woman-starting-in-july/|title=J. Michael Straczynski to write ''Superman'' and ''Wonder Woman'', starting in July|last=Segura|first=Alex|date=2010-03-08|publisher=DC Comics|work=The Source|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216212747/http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2010/03/08/j-michael-straczynski-to-write-superman-and-wonder-woman-starting-in-july|archive-date=2013-02-16|url-status=dead|access-date=2010-03-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=25119|title=Straczynski Steps Up For ''Superman'' & ''Wonder Woman''|last=Phegley|first=Kiel|date=March 8, 2010|website=Comic Book Resources|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311022732/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=25119|archive-date=2010-03-11|url-status=dead|access-date=2010-03-08}}</ref> Less than a year later he was asked by DC to step away from both titles in order to concentrate on the second volume of ''Superman: Earth One'' and handed them over to [[Chris Roberson (author)|Chris Roberson]] and [[Phil Hester (comics)|Phil Hester]] to finish his Superman and Wonder Woman stories respectively. In 2012, Straczynski wrote ''[[Before Watchmen]]: Dr. Manhattan'' drawn by [[Adam Hughes]] and ''Before Watchmen: Nite Owl'' drawn by [[Andy Kubert]] and [[Joe Kubert]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-02-01/Watchmen-prequel-comic-book-series/52908084/1|title=DC gives ''Watchmen'' a graphic past|last=Truitt|first=Brian|date=2012-02-01|newspaper=[[USA Today]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106185848/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-02-01/Watchmen-prequel-comic-book-series/52908084/1|archive-date=2012-11-06|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://io9.com/5881187/dc-comics-unveils-full-list-of-watchmen-prequel-comics|title=DC Comics unveils full list of ''Watchmen'' prequels|last=Lamar|first=Cyriaque|work=io9 |date=2012-02-01|publisher=[[io9]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204072919/http://io9.com/5881187/dc-comics-unveils-full-list-of-watchmen-prequel-comics|archive-date=2012-02-04|url-status=live}}</ref> A second volume of ''Superman: Earth One'' was released later that same year.<ref>{{cite book|title=Superman: Earth One Vol. 2|last2=Davis|first2=Shane|date=November 2012|publisher=DC Comics|isbn=978-1401231965|pages=136|last1=Straczynski|first1=J. Michael}}</ref>

At [[San Diego Comic-Con]] in 2015, DC Comics announced ''The Flash: Earth One'', a new graphic novel of its [[Earth One (DC Comics series)|Earth One]] line to be written by Straczynski, set to be published in 2016.<ref name="DCFlash">{{Cite web|url=http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2015/07/12/dc-entertainment-announces-two-new-additions-to-earth-one|title=DC Entertainment Announces Two New Additions to Earth One|publisher=DC Comics|date=2015-07-12|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170301151421/http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2015/07/12/dc-entertainment-announces-two-new-additions-to-earth-one|archive-date= 2017-03-01|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="YehlFlash">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/07/12/comic-con-2015-flash-and-aquaman-get-earth-one-graphic-novels|title=Comic-Con 2015: Flash and Aquaman Get Earth One Graphic Novels|last=Yehl|first=Joshua|website=IGN|date=2015-07-12|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170327153100/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/07/12/comic-con-2015-flash-and-aquaman-get-earth-one-graphic-novels|archive-date= 2017-03-27|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="ArrantFlash">{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Arrant |url=https://www.newsarama.com/25179-jms-to-write-flash-earth-one.html |title=JMS to Write ''Flash: Earth One''|work=[[Newsarama]] |date=2015-07-12|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160925101104/https://www.newsarama.com/25179-jms-to-write-flash-earth-one.html|archive-date= 2016-09-25|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}}</ref> As of 2023, it has still not been published.

=== 2010s ===
[[File:J Michael Straczynski- The Julius Schwartz Lecture.webm|thumb|Straczynski's  Julius Schwartz Lecture at [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]], November 2015]]

=== Studio JMS ===
In July 2012, J. Michael Straczynski announced the launch of [[Studio JMS]] to produce TV series, movies, comics and, in the future, games and web series.<ref name="Deadline">{{cite news |title=Comic-Con: J. Michael Straczynski Hatches Multi-Platform Studio JMS |first=Mike |last=Fleming |url=https://deadline.com/2012/07/comic-con-j-michael-straczynski-hatches-multi-platform-studio-jms-298984/ |newspaper=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=11 July 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131014181952/http://www.deadline.com/2012/07/comic-con-j-michael-straczynski-hatches-multi-platform-studio-jms/|archive-date= 2013-10-14|url-status= live |access-date=7 October 2012}}</ref> On March 27, 2013, Netflix announced they would produce the show ''[[Sense8]]'' with Studio JMS and [[The Wachowskis]], which aired on June 5, 2015, and earned a season 2 announcement by August 10, 2015.<ref name="JMS_2013_03_27" />

==== Joe's Comics revival ====
The [[Joe's Comics]] line was revived at [[Image Comics]] in 2013 with the launch of ''Ten Grand'' drawn by [[Ben Templesmith]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=45104|title=Exclusive: Straczynski Goes All In With Joe's Comics & ''Ten Grand''|last=Phegley|first=Kiel|date=2013-04-24|website=Comic Book Resources|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102170226/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=45104|archive-date=2013-11-02|url-status=dead|access-date=2014-04-13}} Archive requires scrolldown</ref> and ''Sidekick''  drawn by [[Tom Mandrake]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=45968|title=Exclusive: JMS Explores Dark Side of Teenage Superheroing in ''Sidekick''|last=Dietsch|first=TJ|date=2013-06-10|website=Comic Book Resources|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015222912/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=45968|archive-date=2013-10-15|url-status=dead|access-date=2014-04-13}}</ref>

Dynamite Entertainment announced in July 2013 a new 12 issue ''The Twilight Zone'' comic book series penned by Straczynski.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=46681|title=SDCC: Dynamite & JMS Enter "The Twilight Zone"|website=Comic Book Resources|date=17 July 2013|access-date=2016-03-11}}</ref> The series ran for its projected 12 issues, from December 2013 to February 2015, with art by Guiu Vilanova. Straczynski was announced as the writer of ''[[Terminator Salvation: The Final Battle]]'', a 12 issue comic book series from Dark Horse Comics, along with artist Pete Woods.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=46690|title=SDCC EXCLUSIVE: JMS Explores Skynet in "Terminator: The Final Battle"|website=Comic Book Resources|date=17 July 2013|access-date=2016-03-11}}</ref>

==== ''Sense8'' ====
''[[Sense8]]'', a science fiction television series created by Straczynski and [[The Wachowskis]] was ordered straight-to-series by Netflix in March 2013.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2013/03/netflix-picks-up-wachowskisgeorgeville-sci-fi-drama-sense8-with-10-episode-order-462329/|title=Netflix Picks Up Wachowskis/ Georgeville Sci-Fi Drama 'Sense8' With 10-Episode Order|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=27 March 2013|language=en-US|access-date=2016-03-11}}</ref> ''Sense8'''s first season debuted in June 2015 on Netflix, from [[Studio JMS]] and [[Georgeville Television]]. Straczynski executive produced and co-wrote all 12 episodes of the first season with fellow creators, executive producers, and directors Lilly and Lana Wachowski.<ref name="JMS_2013_03_27">{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/only-on-netflix-sci-fi-giants-the-wachowskis-and-j-michael-straczynski-team-up-to-create-sense8-200215501.html|title=Only On Netflix: Sci-Fi Giants The Wachowskis And J. Michael Straczynski Team-Up To Create ''Sense8''|date=2013-03-27|publisher=Prnewswire.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928022625/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/only-on-netflix-sci-fi-giants-the-wachowskis-and-j-michael-straczynski-team-up-to-create-sense8-200215501.html|archive-date=2013-09-28|url-status=live|access-date=2013-03-27}}</ref> In August 2015, Netflix renewed ''Sense8'' for a second season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/netflixs-sense8-renewed-season-2-814098|title=Netflix's 'Sense8' Renewed for Season 2|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=8 August 2015|access-date=2016-03-11}}</ref>

=== 2020s ===

==== Artists Writers and Artisans ====
In 2020, Straczynski was named head of the Creative Council for the new comics publishing company [[AWA Studios|AWA]], where he was responsible for creating the shared universe used by many of its writers.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://awastudios.net/people/j-michael-straczynski |title=J. Michael Straczynski |publisher=AWA Studios |access-date=2020-12-13 |archive-date=2020-08-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809083652/https://awastudios.net/people/j-michael-straczynski/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Following the publication of his autobiography ''Becoming Superman'' in 2019 from [[HarperVoyager]], the novel ''Together We Will Go'' was published in 2021 by Simon & Schuster's Scout Press, and ''Becoming A Writer, Staying A Writer'' was published in 2021 by Benbella Books.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Becoming A Writer, Staying A Writer - Official Best Indie Book Awards |url=https://bestindiebookaward.com/live/product/becoming-a-writer-staying-a-writer/ |access-date=2024-03-02 |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Return to ''Babylon 5''===
In 2022, Straczynski announced that a reboot of his series ''Babylon 5'' was in the works at The CW, with the pilot script written by him. Following a buy-out of the CW by NextStar and strike action by the WGA, work on the project was stalled.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Comments |first=Ray Flook {{!}} |date=2023-04-17 |title=Babylon 5 Reboot Made "Some Significant Progress" Before Strike Moves |url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/babylon-5-reboot-made-some-significant-progress-before-strike-moves/ |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=bleedingcool.com |language=en}}</ref>

In 2023, it was announced by Straczynski that a fully animated ''Babylon 5'' feature film, ''[[Babylon 5: The Road Home]]'', had been produced in secret and was scheduled for release in the summer of that year, reunited the surviving members of the original cast. It was released in August 2023.

===Return to Marvel Comics===
Across 2021 and 2022, Straczynski contributed short stories to several anthology and milestone editions of comics published by Marvel Comics, this led to him writing a mystery six issue event mini-series for the publisher. In June 2023, it was announced Straczynski would write the next volume of ''[[Captain America]]'', beginning in September of that year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=J. Michael Straczynski Returns to Marvel in 'Captain America' #1 |url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/j-michael-straczynski-returns-to-marvel-captain-america-1 |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=www.marvel.com}}</ref> Straczynski also returned to the ''Spider-Man'' franchise around this time, contributing a short story to the anthology mini-series ''Spider-Man: Black Suit & Blood'' as well as penning guest appearances by the character  in storylines for ''Captain America''.

In October of 2024, Straczynski confirmed on social media that he would be departing ''Captain America'' in December of that year, while the mystery six-part event announced some years back was ultimately revealed that same month as being an anthology series pairing up two different 'unlikely' Marvel characters per issue.