Stargate Universe begins Principal Photography

[JME2]

From GateWorld

The third live-action Stargate series is off and running! Principal photography for Stargate Universe began today at The Bridge Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Universe is getting ready for a fall premiere on the SCI FI Channel in the U.S., and tells the story of a group of military personnel and civilians who find themselves stranded on board the Destiny — a deep space exploratory vessel built by the Ancients many millions of years ago. The ship is on an unalterable, preprogrammed course from one galaxy to another, following up on new Stargates placed by another automated ship.

The series stars Robert Carlyle (Trainspotting, 24: Redemption) as Dr. Nicholas Rush; Justin Louis (Durham County) as Colonel Everett Young; Brian J. Smith (Law & Order) as Lt. Matthew Scott; David Blue (Ugly Betty) as Eli Wallace; and Jamil Walker Smith (Hey Arnold!) as Senior Sgt. Ronald Greer.

Two more main cast members — the women, playing Captain Tamara Jon and civilian Chloe Walker — have not yet been announced, but as far as we know they have been cast. We’re expecting the official news from MGM and SCI FI any moment now.

The large set of the Destiny has been constructed on Stage 4 at The Bridge Studios, home to Stargate SG-1 (Stage 5) and Stargate Atlantis (Stage 6) over the past 12 years. Upstairs in the production office, Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper serve as showrunners and executive producers. Carl Binder (Stargate Atlantis) will also produce, while Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie serve as writers and consulting producers while they continue work on the Atlantis movie.

Former Atlantis writer-producers Martin Gero (story) and Alan McCullough will contribute scripts to the show, but have departed the full-time staff.

Mallozzi also unveiled a new working episode title on his blog this week: “Time,” penned by Robert Cooper.

Production is scheduled to run through October 23, according to the BC Film Commission.

Well, here we go at long last; hopefully it'll be able to measure up to its predecessors.

[The Romulan Republic]

This sounds like Star Gate: Voyager.

[neoolong]

Well, Stargate Atlantis had similarities to Deep Space Nine.

[DrMckay]

There's no Richard Dean Anderson or David Hewlett to entertain us in mediocre episodes anymore.

Do you guys think this franchise has jumped the shark yet?

[Zac Naloen]

Fuck no,

Everything I've read about this series so far suggests it's going to more than "just another stargate".

The stupid press releases are just that, stupid.

Listen to what the cast is saying and you get a very different idea.

[NecronLord]

This sounds like Star Gate: Voyager.

Is there anything on this board that people won't compare to Voyager?

If Doctor Who started today, with an old man and some unfortunates lost in space and time, I swear, we'd get 'sounds like Voyager.'

[Stark]

But that DOES sound like Voyager!

Especially the 'lets brain this caveman and fuck off' part.

[NecronLord]

But that DOES sound like Voyager!

Especially the 'lets brain this caveman and fuck off' part.

Fft. Like anyone in the crew stood up and stopped Janeway's murder efforts.

[JME2]

Actually, the premise reminds me less of VGR and more an old series from Nickelodeon in the '90's; anyone remember Space Cases?

I'm a little worried, but the series has potential and I really hope that they are serious about shifting away from the done-in-one format of SG-1/SGA and more towards a serialized/arc-based tone for SGU.

[Bilbo]

I am just disapointed that I do not see indications that a single person from either show is carrying over into this one. It would be nice. At least SGA had Rodney who had appeared on SG-1 in a few episodes.

[JME2]

I am just disapointed that I do not see indications that a single person from either show is carrying over into this one. It would be nice. At least SGA had Rodney who had appeared on SG-1 in a few episodes.

True; same with Weir. At the very least, however...
Spoiler

According to Michael Shanks, he's been asked to reprise the role of Daniel Jackson for the pilot, so at least we'll have that little nod to SG-1/SGA.

[Bilbo]

I didnt really count Weir since all her previous appearances were by a different actress.

I sure hope more than Michael Shanks is asked to be in the pilot.

[Spanky The Dolphin]

From the various synopses and summaries of the plot, it sounds like the show might end up avoiding all the Ancient baggage that ended up dominating SG1.

[NecronLord]

I didnt really count Weir since all her previous appearances were by a different actress.

I sure hope more than Michael Shanks is asked to be in the pilot.

Actually, Higginson was in one episode of SG1 as Weir too.

[JME2]

Actually, Higginson was in one episode of SG1 as Weir too.

Yeah, "New Order".

I sure hope more than Michael Shanks is asked to be in the pilot.

I expect we'll at least see the SGC sets, which in turn opens the possibility for a cameo by Landry and Walter as well.

[Spanky The Dolphin]

Walter definitely, but I doubt Landry; Beau Bridges hardly seems available for cameos.

EDIT: Actually, Walter should get promoted and join the expedition.

[JME2]

EDIT: Actually, Walter should get promoted and join the expedition.

I second the motion.

[PREDATOR490]

The 'lost in space' angle has been done to death in the Sci Fi genre by various shows which dosent make it that innovative.
It might be new for SG but I will be expecting the standard first season cliche / stolen stories shit.

The bit that really annoys me about this is the sheer amount of writer's fiat this entire series is going to pull off and it will start in the very pilot.
The ship just 'happens' to be on an 'unalterable, preprogrammed course' - right, in otherwords the crew of the ship are going to end up being complete retards, unable to operate the ship which begs the question why they got on the ship to begin with and why someone versed in Ancient technology isnt there.
A.K.A Carter / Rodney / Daniel
The other option is the Ancients once again built a ship with features that are completely retarded like being unable to alter course while having facilities to support a crew... so if an Ancient crew found themselves stuck in the ass end of nowhere they would be stuck for years until the ship eventually goes home ?

Apart from that, I dont see much chance of them encountering any 'epic' villains while this 'unalterable' shit remains in effect. So what, the ship will be flying autopilot while enemy ships blast it ?
If we are going to be subjected to more weak Genii races then this show is pointless. The main reason cited in SG for the lack of technologically developed species is others holding them back. It is going to get really tiresome if this ship discovers yet another generic Wraith / Goa'uld fuckers keeping the population and tech of the local populace to 'Earth levels'.

I'll watch it but I have low expectations about how this series will pan out.

[Kodiak]

I'm guessing that between systems the ship will have a pre-programmed course, but that it will stop at worlds along the way for a specific time period- sorta like Sliders where they had anywhere from several minutes to a few weeks on each stop. One thing that I'm wondering is that if the above is the case, wouldn't they be able to dial earth at least periodically? It might be cool for an entire SG command group to be on the ship doing long-term exploration and research on an ancient vessel.

[JME2]

I'm guessing that between systems the ship will have a pre-programmed course, but that it will stop at worlds along the way for a specific time period- sorta like Sliders where they had anywhere from several minutes to a few weeks on each stop. One thing that I'm wondering is that if the above is the case, wouldn't they be able to dial earth at least periodically? It might be cool for an entire SG command group to be on the ship doing long-term exploration and research on an ancient vessel.

They'll probably will eventually. I still think SGA was wise to have the cut-off-from-Earth angle last only until the start of Season 2; the show couldn't have sustained it indefinitely and neither can SGU.

[Marcus Aurelius]

It will be interesting to see Robert Carlyle do science fiction for TV. Let's hope that the scripts are up to his acting skills.

[tim31]

'Unalterable course through the universe'? This sounds like Space: 1999, but without an awesome theme song.

[Steve]

'Unalterable course through the universe'? This sounds like Space: 1999, but without an awesome theme song.

Oh come on..... Stargate shows always have excellent themes.