No it's not dead, but everyone's a little quiet. I've been working on some more maps, some screens of which are on the maps section in the Lionhead forums:
http://community.lionhead.com/forums/28/1668220/ShowThread.aspx#1668220
I'm betting on BW3 (If ever made) will be set around...1000AD? So the Anglo-Saxons or something :P
(5 games. BW5 is modern day. I'm guessing BW4 is middle ages...)
Surely it doesn't matter? In black and white 1 it would, but in 2 all creatures are the same bar model and skin. For looking cool, though, Tiger or Wolf ;)