From Aint it Cool News:

On the official Firefly posting board, "AffableChap" is Chris
Buchanan, president of Mutant Enemy. He says:

Browncoats –

Joss emailed me this to me and I wanted to post it IMMEDIATELY
because BIG NEWS is contained within. What a day we had today! But
enough from me now, here's a quote from our fearless leader:

"Hi guys. Just wanted to give you some news but guess what? I can't
get on the site. I have trouble with passwords. So hopefully Chris B
will forward this to you with his wily technical knowledgablosity.

Today was (as I think you know) the first day of filming of
Serenity. Which is pretty big for me (it felt weird to START with
Mal's death, but scheduling isn't my area). It was a blast. Sean
said it was like school was back in session after summer vacation,
which I have decided to take as a compliment. Gina did a happy dance
(and there are few happier sights than Gina doing a happy dance).
We're still flying. And the best part is, that's not even why I'm
posting.

The real news, and you heard it here first, is that Universal has
thrown down an official release date! So mark your calendars,
Browncoats, 'cause if you're planning to get married on April 22nd
2005, you better change the date. Seriously. Who gets married in
April? Just change it.

April 22nd. Exactly when I wanted to open, 'cause it's SOON. I can't
wait for you all to see what we're putting together. It's a crazy-
quilt of infotainment that I like to call a 'film', and it just may
be the best one ever made. Or one of the ones in the middle.
Probably not the worst... I'm thinking middle. High middle. So
buckle up and get ready for that patented Joss Whedon "high-middle"
excitment. It's on its way.

I'm tired, and apparently I have to direct, like, EVERY scene, so
I'm crashing. Thanks again, all of you, for helping me home. It's
good to be back. -joss."

It was a shiny, shiny day!

Best,
Buchanan