The working title Menace in Space was dropped in favour of Space Probe,
which was then replaced by Space Journey 1999. Various other names for the series were considered including The Intruders,
Space Intruders, Journey into Space, Space Journey and The Space Ark.
The Andersons brought in George Bellak who formed an instant rapport with
writer Christopher Penfold. Together with Gerry and Sylvia, Bellak and Penfold created a new set of characters.
By September 3rd, Bellak and Penfold had taken the project another step
further having prepared a twenty page writer's guide that oulined eleven categories:
1. Introduction,
2. Moon Base Alpha (Layout, organisation, personel),
3. The Sections (Main Mission, M&E, Technical & Enginnering,
Reconnaisance, Security, Service),
4. Alpha Routine (Living, feeding, relaxing),
5. Transport (Travel Tube, MTU),
6. Communications (IDX, Central Computer, Communications Post),
7. Health,
8. Weapons (TSLA),
9. Time Scheme,
10. The Story,
11. Leading characters (John Koenig, Dr Helena Russell, the Professor).
This document would inform potential writers for the series all they needed
to know regarding the characters and situations found on Moonbase Alpha.
Taking elements of Zero G and the new characters, Bellak wrote a feature
length ninety-minute pilot called The Void Ahead that gave more background on Koenig and Russell's characters than would
eventually appear in the filmed pilot.
During September and October, Bellak produced two drafts of The Void Ahead;
however his working relationship with Gerry was under pressure as they had quite different approaches to script writing.
As Bellak was also doing scripts for American TV plays at the same time, Gerry felt that Bellak's commitment to the project
was nowhere near the required level. Before the end of October, George Bellak was back in the United States and would
play no further part in the series.
Abe Mandell insisted that the show have American leads to obtain a coast-to-coast
networking on one of the three Stateside networks of the time: NBC, CBS or ABC. As a result the Andersons considered
Robert Culp of I-Spy fame for the male lead, but during his interview Culp voiced opinions not only to star in the series
but also write and direct episodes. Gerry promptly ended negotiations.
Departing for California, the Andersons and Abe Mandell had an appointment
with Martin Landau and upon meeting him and his wife Barbara Bain not only found their leading man but their female lead as
well.
October saw the announcement in the trade press by Lew Grade that ITC were
about to start shooting a major new film series: Space 1999. This month also saw the arrival of Landau and Bain together
with their two daughters, Susan and Juliet, from Los Angeles. On Bain's recommendation, American director Lee H. Katzin
was brought onto the show. Katzin would have a hand in formatting the series, casting the regular characters and more
importantly he would direct the pilot.
