As one Stargate closes, another appears to be opening. According to the Hollywood Reporter, SciFi will give a green light to a third “Stargate” series, “Stargate: Universe.”
“Universe” will premiere as a two-hour movie early next year and will assume a regular hourly slot in the summer. 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 new 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.
“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.”
“Universe” 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 preprogramd mission taking them to the far reaches of the universe.
The series will employ a new cast of characters, with the network seeking a known performer for one lead role and fresh faces to play the rest of the ship’s crew. Appearances by former cast members from “SG-1” and “Atlantis” are very possible.
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.”
Sci-Fi will cancel it by season 4.
It’s hard to get excited about “Universe”, when I know it will only exist at the expense of “Atlantis”.
I agree with those post above me….. Can you say ST:Voyager?
The stargate has so many possibilities and this was the best that they would come up with? The pain, the pain.
The returning character that could work are, Zalenka or Lorne
who else is there?
Well, there’s also Laura Cadman, Bill Lee, and Chuck.
These TV networks are really beginning to get annoying:
“We’ve had great success with ‘Enterprise’ repeats on Monday night” – so why cancel it then!!!!
“Appearances by former cast members from “SG-1” and “Atlantis” are very possible.” – but there supposed to be stranded on a ship they cannot control!!! Also, isn’t this just another twist on the ST:Voyager story? Oh wait, the movie and TV industry in the US ran out of ideas around 1999, so maybe this counts as a “re-imagining”.
“targeting a younger audience” – oh great, Muppets in Outer Space (and in the TV company boardrooms)!
YaaaaarrrrrgghhhH!!!!!!!
Oi… I’ve never been that into Star Trek, and I still think Voyager was a piece of… bad-smelling stuff compared to the rest of the franchise.
And after we just finished milking this franchise, lets milk it some more…wooo yay for old safe ideas it gives the networks more money to make…more safe old ideas…..sigh
Howe said the new series will reinvigorate the franchise by targeting a younger audience.
That mean it will be stupid and have more chick in hot clothes. In space…. Give back Atlanta’s you A-holes!!!!
Howe said the new series will reinvigorate the franchise by targeting a younger audience.”
Let’s face it folks, the next thing they will try id WWF in space. Zero G cage matches! Sheesh, I am somewhat glad I am working so much OT now after hearing this. Books are looking like our best hope for quality entertainment.
Tim
Hey…. Watch that Zero G Cage Match talk here Tim…
The network execs may be reading this. I’ll blame you… I’ll blame you man… 😉
Sci-Fi won’t say it but I will.
Stargate: Voyager
Voyager, except for the fact that they won’t be going home.
I thought I was alone thinking this. Keep Atlantis! There are others!
http://www.samepoint.com/?q=stargate%20atlantis
i want to know the proson playing this Ron “Psycho†Stasiak from the new stargate
Forget it lets have a series about the ancients!! expanding the galaxy building the gate network as they go!!