What do we know about Stargate Universe?

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Someone asked me recently if I knew where they could find out all the latest about Stargate Universe so I decided to put together some info right here. I’ll expand on this post as time allows.

Stargate Universe Plot

Stargate Universe is about a group of soldiers, scientists and civillians who find themselves stranded on an Ancient Ship after their secret base is attacked and they are forced through the Stargate. They have to fend for themselves while the ship continues on an automated path seeding stargates throughout the galaxy and are unable to return to Earth. Universe is said to be “edgier and younger” in tone than Stargate SG1 and Stargate Atlantis.

The official press release from MGM announcing the new series in the Stargate franchise reads:

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 Air Date

Production will begin in Vancouver in February 2009 with an eye toward a fall ‘09 premiere. Stargate Universe will commence with a two-hour episode, the story will be continued in a third episode.

Stargate Universe Episode Titles

• Air pt 1 & 2
• Air pt 3
• Fire
• Water
• Earth

Stargate Universe Crew

Executive Producers

• Brad Wright
• Robert Cooper
• Carl Binder

Writers

• Brad Wright
• Robert C Cooper
• Joseph Mallozzi
• Carl Binder
• Martin Gero
• Alan McCullough

Creative Consultant

• John Scalzi

The Stargate Universe Cast

Justin Louis	Justin Louis (42) – Col. Everett Young [IMDB] 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.
Robert Carlyle	Robert Carlyle (48) – Dr. Nicholas Rush [IMDB] (Carlyle was the first cast member to be announced, we posted about this here) Best known for his roles in “24: Redemption”, “The Full Monty”, “Hamish Macbeth” Dr. David Rush is a brilliant scientist.
David Blue	David Blue (30)- Eli Wallace [IMDB] 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	Brian J. Smith (28) – [IMDB] 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	Jamil Walker Smith (27) – [IMDB] 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.

Miscellaneous Stargate Universe Info

• The Universe sets are currently being built and will be housed in stages 4 & 5 at Bridge Studios. The Stargate Command Center (SG1) has been dismantled to make way for the Universe set. (Ref: Joe Mallozzi’s Blog)
• There will be more CG or digital aliens and/or sets in Stargate Universe and new locations including New Mexico will be used for filming (Ref: Brad Wright Q&A)
• Stargate Universe won’t have “a single dominant race of bad guys”, it will be “about the people on the ship”. (Ref: Brad Wright Q&A)
• Despite the series being based on a ship, there will still be use of the stargate.
• No directors have been scheduled yet.
• The aliens in Stargate Universe will not all be human and will not all magically speak English.
• Typically the alien worlds will not look like a Vancouver forest.
• Communication with Earth will be possible through the use of an Ancient communication device (seen previously in both SG1 & Atlantis).
• Robert Picardo (Mr Woolsey) may appear as a guest in the series.

Stargate Universe Links

• Discuss Stargate Universe on our Forums
• Stargate Universe Official Site at MGM (contains initial press release)
• Stargate Universe on Wikipedia
• Joseph Mallozzi’s Blog