Stargate Universe

New Stargate Series Targeted For Summer 2009 Premiere

New York, NY August 22, 2008 SCI FI Channel and MGM Television
Entertainment have reached an agreement to extend MGM's Stargate brand
with a new series for the Channel. Production on the first season of
Stargate Universe, a weekly series based on the popular Stargate
franchise, will begin in early 2009, with the show targeted to premiere
that Summer. Brad Wright and Robert Cooper, co-creators of Stargate
SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis and who both currently serve as executive
producers on Atlantis, will serve as executive producers and writers on
the new series. "SCI FI has enjoyed tremendous success with Stargate SG-1 and
Stargate Atlantis and we're proud to be the home of the new Stargate
Universe," said Mark Stern, Executive Vice President, Original
Programming for SCI FI & Co-Head Original Content, Universal Cable
Productions. "Universe will continue the Stargate legacy of vibrant
storylines and compelling adventures, but will re-invent the format in
a whole new way." "The Stargate franchise enjoys a loyal and substantial fan
base that welcomes each new installment with fevered enthusiasm," said
Charles Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President and Corporate
Development for MGM. "We are delighted to be working again with Brad
and Robert and look forward to seeing new adventures with the launch of
Stargate Universe on SCI FI Channel next year. Stargate Universe will
continue the longstanding relationship between MGM's stellar science
fiction franchise and cable's premiere destination for all passionate
science fiction fans." Thomas Vitale, Senior Vice President Programming &
Original Movies said, "Stargate Universe is a natural progression for
the Stargate brand and for our network. Stargate SG-1 and Stargate
Atlantis have been key drivers for SCI FI and we are looking forward to
seeing where this next chapter leads, as each new installment of the
Stargate franchise further engages the SCI FI audience." Wright and Cooper said: "In 'Universe,' we plan to keep those
elements that have made the franchise a success, such as adventure and
humour, 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." After unlocking the mystery of the Stargate's ninth chevron, a
team of explorers travels to an unmanned starship called the Destiny,
launched by The Ancients at the height of their civilization as a grand
experiment set in motion, but never completed. What starts as a simple reconnaissance turns into a never
ending mission, as the Stargate Universe crew discovers the ship is
unable to return to Earth, and they must now fend for themselves aboard
the Destiny. The crew will travel to the far reaches of the universe,
connecting with each of the previously launched Stargates, thus
fulfilling the Destiny's original mission. Challenges will arise though
as the ship comes into range of Stargates placed centuries ahead of the
Destiny and the crew is unable to control the ship's navigational
schedule. If someone is left behind, there is no way to go back for
them, adding to the drama of encountering new races, enemies and
adventures. Stargate Universe will debut as a two-hour movie event on SCI
FI. Following its premiere, Universe will assume a regular hourly slot
in Summer 2009.

There was talk of this show in the recorded session of the San Diego Comi-con. I can wait. I hope this show is faster to capture the audiance than Atlantis was.

"while breaking new ground in the relationships between mostly
young and desperate explorers, thrust together and far from home.".............how they cast this will make or break it. Star Trek had so many successful "spinoffs" because each one had new and memorable characters. If they can find actors that fit that requirement it will succeed. And of course a high babeosity factor never hurts...

I'm wondering how Sanctuary is going to be?
Just a few more weeks now!

I've been a Stargate watcher for awhile now so will be likely to give this a shot. Still, I'm suspicious of all the spin-offs that seem to have much younger casts. That isn't doing anything for me.

Interesting...I recognize a lot of those actors, and really like them but...it's just not going to be the same without Shepard, Carson or Rodney.

The only reason I ever got into Stargate was because of John Shepard...I was really sick and thought I was watching some mini-series when it was just a marathon. lol There I was, super groggy and wondering who is this guy and what on earth is he doing...and then I was hooked. I never even liked SG-1 and Sanctuary didn't really hold my interest either.

Did anyone recognize Carson of 24 tonight!? He was the evil Doctor...type casting with a sprinkle of evil... gah!

Lou Diamond Phillips, Ming-Na join Stargate Universe cast


[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Lou Diamond Phillips

SCI-FI Channel announced the casting of Lou Diamond Phillips, Ming-Na, Elyse Levesque and Alaina Huffman in its new original series Stargate Universe, which began production last week in Vancouver, Canada.

They join the previously announced stars Robert Carlyle, Justin Louis, David Blue, Jamil Walker Smith and Brian J. Smith in the latest adventure of the Stargate franchise produced by MGM Television, which is expected to premiere with a two-hour movie in October.

The two-part premiere of SGU is being directed by Andy Mikita (Stargate Atlantis, Stargate SG-1) and shot by Rohn Schmidt (The Shield, The Mist). Brad Wright and Robert Cooper (Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis) will serve as executive producers and writers on the new series.



[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Ming-Na

Here's how SCI FI describes the new show: "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. Faced with meeting the most basic needs of food, water and air, the group must unlock the secrets of the ship's Stargate to survive. The danger, adventure and hope they find on board the Destiny will reveal the heroes and villains among them."

Here's how SCI FI describes the cast:

Carlyle stars as Dr. Nicholas Rush, one of the most brilliant scientific minds, whose motives are not what they appear to be.

Phillips is Col. Telford, a proud lifelong military man, who puts his faith in the chain of command. Stubbornly confident, he's highly regarded by his superiors. He is the chosen leader of the ill-fated
expedition.

Louis portrays Col. Everett Young, an experienced Stargate team leader. Married, with years of tough decisions under his belt, he has learned from life never to take anything for granted. He stays on top
of his team so they stay alive.

Smith 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.

Levesque stars as Chloe Armstrong, the daughter and aide of a U.S. senator. Politically savvy, but
with a wild side, she is considering following in her father's footsteps until she finds herself trapped on
the ship. As tensions rise, her character will be tested and her place among the group revealed.

Blue 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.

Huffman portrays Master Sgt. Tamara Johansen. Unable to afford medical school, the strong-willed
field medic saw the Air Force as the best option. Faced with the mounting pressure and a lack of
in-depth experience, she will be forced to rise to the occasion as she treats the seriously wounded.

Smith portrays Master 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.

Ming-Na is Camile Wray, a human resources executive with the international oversight committee that
governs the Stargate program. Now the highest-ranking member of that division left stranded on the
ship, she carries herself with a misguided sense of superiority over the other military and civilian
survivors.

So who's watching next week?

I'll be there if it doesn't conflict with some other show....I don't know what....but this season's conflicts are getting ridiculous ! I just spent 2 hours catching up with Survivor and The Vampire Diaries online. The only advantage is that they are 42 minutes long without the commercials.

Yes, I'll give it a shot and I agree Banjo, trying to keep up with with it all is ridiculous. Some things will be cut out in favor of watching by dvd from netfliks after the season is over. Or just HULU everything...haven't tried that yet but looks like I might have to.

I can assign a "linear" time period each night, 7 to 10 pm usually to watch any given show or shows that I'm interested in, but when there are 4-5 shows in that period that I'd like to watch, then it doesn't do any good to record some because I'd still need the time to watch them while the 'live' ones are still rolling along and watching them online creates the same time availability problem. Oh me , oh my, don't we have just the worst problems in the world ? [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Yes, but it's sad...with as many shows as I like....there are none that I LOVE. Roswell really was in a class of its own. :flower:

Tonight is the premiere episode of Stargate U. I'm watching it now. So far so good. Plenty of action and some good actors.

I didn't know it was going to be on last night but caught the last 3/4ths. Looks pretty good. It said it was the "encore" of the first episode....when does it normally air ? I didn't see anything in the local TV guide.

I loved the 2 hour premier! It will be shown again this Friday at 6:00.

The regular timeslot looks to be Fridays at 8:00, before Sanctuary.

I tivo'd the 9am Sunday showing. Otherwise, it would have had to be at 9pm or 11pm Friday..and I'm happily watching Dollhouse at 9pm. I love how Scifi reruns everything. SG-U looks better than Warehouse or Sanctuary so far but the jury is still out.

I'm just hoping that ABC will keep that reshowing of FlashFoward on Friday night at 8..I don't wanna give up the Vamps.

Isn't TV just :lostit: this season?!?! I'm taping so many shows I lose track!

I continue to like this show. Cool bits....when they body switch to go visiting...the flowy wind person who helps them find water...and that 2 of the members of the crew just decide to go off on their own. Yes, interesting eppie.

Oh....I just stated my opinion of last night's ep on the Sanctuary thread.... [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Banjo wrote:Oh....I just stated my opinion of last night's ep on the Sanctuary thread.... [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

If you want I can move it over here for you. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]


I have to confess I wasn't enthralled with the first part of the premier and didn't even watch the second part. But they replayed the 2hour premier last nite right before the new episode and when I'd watched all together well...I'm a fan now. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] I did and I didn't get the body switch thing and that one dude with the weird eyes...yikes! I think it's going to be good and worth watching. It will probably knock Warehouse 13 off the radar for me.

I really liked the premiere on this one. I had a had time getting into Atlantis, but this one looks way better. Looking forward to the next episode. I've been a Robert Carlyle fan since Trainspotting and The Full Monty. I was intrigued when I heard he joined the cast. Not sure about Lou Diamond Phillips yet.

I really like David Blue...the nerdy gamer dragged from his home to help.

Me too even if his character is a little too sterotypical for me. Like his performance. Dead on.

I agree with you both. His character could be very pivital if they work it right. I'd like to see that.