[Nickolov]

I'm so excited about this. Here's what Wikipedia says:

Quote

According to Cooper, Stargate Universe "maintains the spirit of Stargate, but opens up a whole new 'universe'." It is "a completely separate, third entity" – as opposed to Stargate Atlantis, which was created as a spin-off from the first series Stargate SG-1. Like the first two series in the franchise, Stargate Universe will take place during the present time, not in the distant future.^[3] The show will be "set on a ship that was part of an Ancient experiment" to seed the galaxies with Stargates millions of years ago but that was prematurely ended by the Ancients' ascension. After placing Stargates throughout multiple galaxies, a second ship would follow up and explore. The basis of Stargate Universe is the ninth and final chevron, which previously unknown would serve to get to the first ship.

[poko]

They keep finding these other chevrons. I bet secretly there are 47.

[Kyle Nin]

poko, on Jul 12 2008, 09:09 AM, said:

They keep finding these other chevrons. I bet secretly there are 47.

No, there's only nine. It was even like that back in the movie. It's just that until they went to another galaxy, they only used seven of them.

[kalan]

hmmm

[wildcard1377]

Interesting. I can see this premise as more of a movie or miniseries, but not an ongoing series.

[Nickolov]

They would probably manage it into a series, at least one season. The premise is a nice basis for a long running show. Imagine just how many planets they could visit.

[Kyle Nin]

Nickolov, on Jul 19 2008, 11:46 AM, said:

They would probably manage it into a series, at least one season. The premise is a nice basis for a long running show. Imagine just how many planets they could visit.

They haven't even gone to all the planets in the Milky Way Galaxy and SG-1 was on for 10 years!

[Kyle Nin]

It's official. The third Stargate series has been given the green-light.

Click here: http://www.gateworld.net/news/2008/08/sci_...argate_un.shtml

[Kyle Nin]

Official press release (from Gateworld):

Quote

SCI FI AND MGM REACH FOR THE STARS WITH ‘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.

Universe will be distributed by MGM Worldwide Television Distribution.

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music, and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world’s largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units including Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., Ventanazul, MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching approximately 120 countries and territories around the world. MGM ownership is currently as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), Texas Pacific Group (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit www.mgmchannel.com

SCI FI Channel is a television network where "what if" is what's on. SCI FI fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic Web site (www.scifi.com ) and magazine. Launched in 1992, and currently in 93 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.

[ensign edwards]

I'm pretty new to the world of Stargate (I've only just started watching episodes of SG-1 here and there, and I've only seen a handful of Atlantis) so there are parts of this concept I don't understand (I can only guess what a ninth chevron is), but it sounds pretty interesting. Hopefully I'll get caught up by the time this premieres.

[Kyle Nin]

The chevrons are those things on the stargate that light up when it's dialed.

[Nickolov]

Excellent. Can't wait to see this. I hope we'll see many known faces from the previous two shows.

[Kyle Nin]

Nickolov, on Aug 22 2008, 01:10 PM, said:

Excellent. Can't wait to see this. I hope we'll see many known faces from the previous two shows.

From what they're saying, the cast will be all-new. And since the characters will essentially be stuck on the other side of the universe (or such), there most likely won't be any crossovers from the other shows, barring any time travel or alternate reality episodes.

[aklaus]

I wonder if it's too late for them to find a different title. "Universe" sounds excessively generic while telling us we're supposed to think it's cool. Like Vista "Ultimate".

[Kyle Nin]

aklaus, on Aug 22 2008, 02:19 PM, said:

I wonder if it's too late for them to find a different title. "Universe" sounds excessively generic. Like Vista Ultimate.

Well, they've said that "Universe" is just a working title, but it does describe the series fairly well. The main characters will be travelling around the universe.

What if they named it Stargate: Destiny? (Destiny is the name of Ancient ship they'll be stuck on.)

[aklaus]

That would have the advantage of having more character.

[ensign edwards]

Not that I care what they call it, but Destiny does sound a bit better.

Quote

The chevrons are those things on the stargate that light up when it's dialed.

Ah. Thanks.

[Russell Crowe]

Stargate: This Franchise Should Have Died When Richard Dean Anderson Left, was too long to fit in the opening credits, I guess



That said, I will most certainly be watching this even if it sounds like it's going to be an awful lot like those terrible straight-to-DVD Starship Troopers sequels

[kalan]

Look forward to it.

[Nickolov]

Can't wait for this. But it's too much Voyager. They will roaming through the universe with no way of getting back home.