Stargate Universe

[Raph's Girl]

HA!! See!! I knew it!!! I knew they'd greenlight this since Stargate Atlantis is over!!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080822/tv_nm/stargate_dc_1

Sci Fi Channel isn't about to let down "Stargate" fans.

The network is set to announce the order of a new series from MGM Television, "Stargate: Universe," that will mark the third entry in Sci Fi's longest-running original series franchise.

The green light comes on the heels of Sci Fi's confirming Thursday that "Stargate: Atlantis" will not receive a sixth-season order. The "Universe" pickup ensures the continuation of the popular "Stargate" franchise, which has been on the air in various incarnations since 1997.

"Universe" -- which will premiere as a two-hour movie in early 2009 and assume a regular hourly slot in the summer -- introduces a team of explorers who find an ancient unmanned ship called the Destiny. Unable to return to Earth, the crew must fend for themselves aboard the ship, which has a preprogrammed mission taking them to the far reaches of the universe.

Brad Wright and Robert Cooper, co-creators of "Stargate: SG-1" and "Atlantis," will serve as executive producers and writers on the new series.

The show will involve more space-based action than "SG-1" or "Atlantis." With the "Star Trek" television franchise having folded in 2005 and Sci Fi's "Battlestar Galactica" airing its final episodes next year, the network hopes "Universe" will become sci-fi fans' new favorite space-travel series.

'YOUNGER VIBE'

"We've had great success with 'Enterprise' repeats on Monday night, and there's an appetite for space opera as 'Battlestar' goes away," Sci Fi president Dave Howe said. "There's an opportunity to keep the space opera as part of our programming strategy."

Howe said the new series will reinvigorate the franchise by targeting a younger audience.

"This is an opportunity to reinvent this franchise and make it relevant to a new generation," Howe said. "We really don't want to be more of the same. It's going to build clearly off the existing franchise but with a cast that gives it a younger vibe."

Said co-creators Wright and Cooper: "In 'Universe,' we plan to keep those elements that have made the franchise a success, such as adventure and humor, while breaking new ground in the relationships between mostly young and desperate explorers, thrust together and far from home. Above all, we believe the Stargate itself remains an enduring icon with infinite potential as a jumping-off point for telling stories."

Also on Thursday, Sci Fi announced an order for a two-hour "Atlantis" movie in lieu of a sixth-season order. Airing two-hour movies of such franchises as "Stargate" and "Galactica" and quickly releasing the films as stand-alone DVDs has been a successful strategy for the network. But the news depressed "Stargate" fans, who saw the long-running sci-fi television franchise, like "Star Trek" a few years back, being retired as a weekly series.

"SG-1" ran for 10 seasons, launching on Showtime in 1997 and moving to Sci Fi after its fifth season. The spinoff "Atlantis" premiered in 2004 and will mark its 100th episode this year. Friday night airings of "Atlantis" have averaged more than 2 million viewers per episode.

So it's another "AAAH!! We're lost and trying to get home!" series ala Stargate Infinity and Voyager. They'd use a Stargate to get back but they can't cuz um..they're in another galaxy?

[ZariusTwo]

...What a crock of s*it. This franchise is dead on it's ass. I have no attention of watching Star Trek all over again...what's the point of having a Gate at all?

The series concept reminds me of this

XukV58Y18m8

Howe said the new series will reinvigorate the franchise by targeting a younger audience.

Stargate 90210?

[Raph's Girl]

A break down of the characters have been revealed and Joseph Mallozi reacts to the fan reaction surrounding the series claiming it's not Voyager 90210. :lol: Filming starts in February.

http://www.gateworld.net/news/2008/09/meet_the_istargate_universei_tea.shtml

Character break down:
Colonel Everett Young – 40's handsome, capable, former SG team leader. Like the Jack O'Neill of ten years ago, but Young's edges have tended to sharpen over time. He requested permission to serve the remainder of his commission on Earth upon marrying his wife, Hailey, two years ago, but for now he's temporary commander of a secret off world base. The loss of two members of his team several years ago has taught him never to take anything for granted, and be prepared for anything. He stays on top of his team so they stay alive.

Tamara Jon – 20-25, all ethnicities (Asian Preferably). SGC Field medic, Captain grade. Off world experience. Beautiful, tough, smart, capable. Paramedic level training. Able to triage serious injury. Modest background. Dreamed of being a doctor but couldn't afford medical school and the Air Force was her best option. She ends up being the most medically inclined person on the ship but is overwhelmed by the lack of knowledge and experience treating seriously wounded and ill patients. She also lacks the medicine and supplies and has to make do..

Chloe Carpenter – 20ish. Stunning and sexy. Daughter of a U.S. Senator. Silver spoon upbringing and a little spoiled but not stupid either. Politically and socially savvy. Dreams of following in her father's footsteps but for now she's a bit of a party girl in her first year at an Ivy League school. Her father's tragic death and the dire circumstances of being trapped on a spaceship seriously tests her character.

Eli Hitchcock – 20-25. Total slacker. Utter genius. Mathematics, computers, anything he puts his mind to. Acerbic sense of humor. A social outcast. Comes from a broken home. Lacks confidence because his true intelligence has never really been recognized like Matt Damon's character from Good Will Hunting with a little Jack Black thrown in.

Lt. Jared Nash – 20-25. Junior S.G.C. team member. Officer material but green and rough around the edges. Every teenage girl's fantasy. Like a college quarterback thrown into his first pro game, he is thrust into the role of leader well before he's ready for the responsibility and must learn to take command, earn respect through action, and manage the diverse personalities on the ship to keep everyone alive. Like Jason Bourne, he is skilled and well-trained however he is mentally unprepared for the urgency of the situation.

Ron "Psycho" Stasiak – 20, all ethnicities. Marine. Big, strong, silent. You want him on your side. You don't want him mad at you. Lacks control over his temper in non combat situations. His past is a mystery but it's clear something dark formed the hard shell around him. Yet, there must also be some moral center because otherwise he'd kill everyone around him. Think Eric Bana's character "Hoot" in Blackhawk Down.

Mallozi's reaction:

http://josephmallozzi.wordpress.com/2008/09/18/september-18-2008-saying-goodbye-to-sga-looking-forward-to-sgu/

Last week, Brad pitched us the series and its first five episodes and, I have to say, it’s a far cry from the shallow confection many fans are imagining. In fact, in many ways, it’s a much more cerebral and mature addition to the franchise. While firmly entrenched in pre-established Stargate mythology, Stargate Universe definitely strikes out in an exciting new direction. It’s a series that will delight veteran fans, but also appeal to newcomers who may not necessarily know the difference between an Alteran and an Asuran. In spite of what the indicators may suggest, this will definitely not be a Voyager 90210.

[ZariusTwo]

Colonel Everett Young – 40's handsome, capable, former SG team leader. Like the Jack O'Neill of ten years ago

Gee, ANOTHER O'Neil-esque character?

FINISH HIM!

UNORIGINALITY!

[Raph's Girl]

Concept art for the ship being used in Stargate Universe:

The Bridge. Kinda has a DS9 feel to it:

http://img.trekmovie.com/images/sfs/stargateuniverseconceptart-1-large-102508.jpg

The X-Men must have designed these hallways:
http://img.trekmovie.com/images/sfs/stargateuniverseconceptart-2-large-102508.jpg

These consoles are kinda funky lookin:
http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/gallery_photos/StargateUniverse_AncientConsole_gal.jpg

[ZariusTwo]

It ought to have a Stargate feel, but this franchise is so dependent on being Star Trek now, why not ape it completly?

[Raph's Girl]

Aaand casting has begun!! Scottish actor, Sir Robert Carlyle has been cast as Dr. David Rush, the leader of the expidition (his name has apperantly been mentioned on Joseph Malozzi's blog but was not on the list of characters).

Robert Carlyle was seen recently in 24: Redemption.

Looking at his filmography I've seen him in: Eragon, Hitler: Rise of Evil (where he played Hitler), The World is Not Enough (where he played Bond villian Renard), and The Full Monty.

So Sir Robert Carlyle has 2 things going for him. He's hot and Scottish! Mmm....Me loves the Scottish accent... :evilgrin:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081215/tv_nm/us_scifi_1

[Raph's Girl]

Ok!! More casting!!

http://www.mania.com/foursome-join-new-stargate_article_112380.html

SCI FI Channel has announced Justin Louis, David Blue, Brian J. Smith and Jamil Walker Smith will join the cast of the highly anticipated new original series "Stargate Universe." The four will enlist alongside Robert Carlyle (Dr. Nicholas Rush) in the latest adventure in the "Stargate" franchise produced by MGM television. Production will begin in Vancouver in February 2009 with an eye toward a fall '09 premiere.

Edgier and younger in tone than the two previous series, "SGU" follows a band of soldiers, scientists and civilians, who must fend for themselves as they are forced through a Stargate when their hidden base comes under attack. The desperate survivors emerge aboard an ancient ship, which is locked on an unknown course and unable to return to Earth.

Justin Louis ("Hidden Hills," "The Fighting Fitzgeralds") will portray Colonel Everett Young, an experienced Stargate team leader. Married, with years of tough decisions under his belt, life has taught him never to take anything for granted. He stays on top of his team so they stay alive.

David Blue ("Ugly Betty," "Moonlight") stars as Eli Wallace, a total slacker, who just happens to be an utter genius with anything he puts his mind to - mathematics, computers, video games. A lack of confidence has left him with an acerbic sense of humor.

Brian J. Smith (The War Boys, Hate Crime) is Lt. Matthew Scott, a junior member of the Stargate team. Green and rough around the edges, he is thrust into the role of leader well before he's ready for the responsibility and must learn to command, earn respect through action, and manage the diverse personalities aboard the ship.

Jamil Walker Smith ("Waynehead," "Sister, Sister") will portray Sr. Sgt. Ronald Greer, a Marine with a temper you don't want to mess with. His past is mysterious but it's clear something dark formed the hard shell around him.

After looking these people up I've seen them in the following:
Justin Louis: ST Voyager (which doesn't help all the people comparing SGU to Voyager :P), 2008's Andromeda Strain

David Blue: Twili er Moonlight (where he played basically the same character he is in SGU...The only difference being that his character was a Vampire :P)

Brian J. Smith: Noob actor. Never seen the only movie he's been in. Altho he's got 2 coming out this year

Jamil Walker Smith: Oh yay... a child actor... how fun....Only thing I've seen him in is an ep of Bones.

[Mandi-chan]

*yawn* The Stargate franchise is really getting dull. I LOVE SG1, but hated the spin-offs (Dic's cartoon and Atlantis).

This spin-off doesn't sound any better than the other two...

[Raph's Girl]

The Promo is finally online.

U can view it here:
http://video.scifi.com/player/?id=924261

and for non-Americans (cuz Sci-fi.com hates you) you can view it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GMzYp6fQoI

[Raph's Girl]

After 2 years of denying he's gonna be in it, Michael Shanks has now agreed to at least be in the pilot of SGU.

http://www.gateworld.net/news/2009/01/daniel-may-appear-in-universe-premiere/

[Raph's Girl]

Lou Diamond Phillips and Alaina Huffman have joined the cast of Stargate Universe. Lou will be playing Colonel Telford, the military leader of the expidition while Huffman (currently known as Black Canary in Smallville) will be playing field medic Tamara Johansen http://www.tvguide.com/News/Stargate-Universe-Casting-1003308.aspx

Also cast is E.R's Ming Na as Camila Wray and Elyse Levesque as spoiled brat Chloe Armstrong. ---> http://www.gateworld.net/news/2009/02/er-smallville-alums-join-stargate-universe/

[Raph's Girl]

Looks like Michael Shanks isn't the only SG1 cast member to appear in SGU!! Richard Dean Anderson will be in it as well... and not just in a cameo role!! He'll be in maybe 3 or 4 eps! :o

http://www.gateworld.net/news/2009/04/anderson-confirms-sgu-appearances/

[Raph's Girl]

Ok.. where's Teal'c?! Now Amanda Tapping and Gary Jones have joined the cast of SGU!! It's like an SG1 reunion!

And apperantly there's gonna be music in this show in the form of singer Janelle Monae (uh she's been nominated for Grammy's apperantly...never heard of her) who will be singing 2 songs.

Also in SGU is Carlo Rota, who'll play Carl Strom, head of the commitee that's in charge of funding for the Atlantis expidition (hmm...wonder if this means some folks from SGA will be in SGU too?? )

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090415/tv_nm/us_stargate_2

[ZariusTwo]

This is overkill. Let the series stand on it's own.

[Raph's Girl]

So... who all's seen Stargate Universe? Here's what the general consensus thinks about it (and I totally agree with this):

http://www.lilformers.com/comics/2009-10-05.jpg

[ZariusTwo]

:lol:

The Last Starfighter should have been a franchise.

[Raph's Girl]

:lol:

The Last Starfighter should have been a franchise.

It is. The movie, the off-broadway musical, video games, comic book series, novel, they're making a sequel.....

[Raph's Girl]

Aaaaaaand Stargate Universe is cancelled.... will they get home at the end of this season?!

http://www.deadline.com/2010/12/syfy-cancels-stargate-universe/