Amph Our Mission Was the Journey Itself: Stargate Universe

Well, they almost did, with the whole SGC thing.

 

This banner on stargate.mgm.com gives us an early SGU title style based on SGA but with the line made wavy:

[image=http://stargate.mgm.com/images/universe-banner.jpg]

 

Filming starts February 4th and, apparently, production is ahead of the timetable Atlantis was started on- universe's sets and writing will start this fall, whereas Atlantis's sets were still being built while Rising was still being written, in the winter.

I'm seeing indications too that they may have repurposed the proposed SG theatrical film (which would have set up a third series) into a straight-up pilot for SGU. This might explain why TPTB were proposing SGU as an expensive series with a larger budget.

If you recall, the purported notion behind the proposed theatrical film was to have public disclosure of the Gate on Earth, using the explaination/reveal to the public as a means to catch up new viewers and audiences on the 14+ years (I think they've established the movie as being set in 1994, haven't they?) since the events of the original movie.

 

I think they'll still keep things like weaponry grounded, with just some new tech flairs. Even thoguh tey'll probbaly play a smaller role this time around, we still see Earth ships using missles and railguns despite having beam weapons and drones. They still use P-90's- heck, Atlantis teams seem to use stunners far less often than they did in the first couple seasons (though we have Ronon's gun in it's place).

We'll probably see 1 or 2 new things tossed into the mix, though things like P-90's might be less useful in the SGU scenario since they'll have finite amounts of ammo.

 

Meet the Universe Team!

It seems they weren't kidding when they said they'd go with a "young" cast

Casting calls have gone out for the third series' main characters, and today the short character break-downs arrived at GateWorld.

Note that while this information doesn't come from our usual source of casting sides, it does come from a source with a proven track record. But until we have more solid confirmation, it should be considered rumor.

....the cast of characters is made up of young men and women, mostly in their early to mid twenties. (Keep in mind that when Stargate SG-1 began in 1997, Michael Shanks was also in his twenties.)

Also, remember that these character names and details are subject to change as the roles are cast. (Did you not ever meet Dr. Benjamin Ingram on Stargate Atlantis? That's because he was changed to Rodney McKay when David Hewlett auditioned.)

...


Colonel Everett Young
40's handsome, capable, former SG team leader. Like the Jack O'Neill of ten years ago, but Young's edges have tended to sharpen over time. He requested permission to serve the remainder of his commission on Earth upon marrying his wife, Hailey, two years ago, but for now he's temporary commander of a secret off world base. The loss of two members of his team several years ago has taught him never to take anything for granted, and be prepared for anything. He stays on top of his team so they stay alive. STAR NAMES ONLY. SERIES REGULAR;

Tamara Jon
20-25, all ethnicities (Asian Preferably). SGC Field medic, Captain grade. Off world experience. Beautiful, tough, smart, capable. Paramedic level training. Able to triage serious injury. Modest background. Dreamed of being a doctor but couldn't afford medical school and the Air Force was her best option. She ends up being the most medically inclined person on the ship but is overwhelmed by the lack of knowledge and experience treating seriously wounded and ill patients. She also lacks the medicine and supplies and has to make do. SERIES REGULAR;

Chloe Carpenter
20ish. Stunning and sexy. Daughter of a U.S. Senator. Silver spoon upbringing and a little spoiled but not stupid either. Politically and socially savvy. Dreams of following in her father's footsteps but for now she's a bit of a party girl in her first year at an Ivy League school. Her father's tragic death and the dire circumstances of being trapped on a spaceship seriously tests her character. SERIES REGULAR;

Eli Hitchcock
20-25. Total slacker. Utter genius. Mathematics, computers, anything he puts his mind to. Acerbic sense of humor. A social outcast. Comes from a broken home. Lacks confidence because his true intelligence has never really been recognized like Matt Damon's character from Good Will Hunting with a little Jack Black thrown in sptv050769. SERIES REGULAR;

Lt. Jared Nash
20-25. Junior S.G.C. team member. Officer material but green and rough around the edges. Every teenage girl's fantasy. Like a college quarterback thrown into his first pro game, he is thrust into the role of leader well before he's ready for the responsibility and must learn to take command, earn respect through action, and manage the diverse personalities on the ship to keep everyone alive. Like Jason Bourne, he is skilled and well-trained however he is mentally unprepared for the urgency of the situation. SERIES REGULAR;

Ron "Psycho" Stasiak
20, all ethnicities. Marine. Big, strong, silent. You want him on your side. You don't want him mad at you. Lacks control over his temper in non combat situations. His past is a mystery but it's clear something dark formed the hard shell around him. Yet, there must also be some moral center because otherwise he'd kill everyone around him. Think Eric Bana's character "Hoot" in Blackhawk Down. SERIES REGULAR.



Going by those descriptions, I get the impression someones been having a Damon marathon lately..

 

I get the impression they'd want a more marketable name than Eccleston, who isn't that well known in the US beyond Dr Who and a short role on Heroes, and even then, Tennant is more recignizable in the role around here, and it's not a huge hit either.

Plus, it would strike me odd that an SG member would have a british accent (though I'm sure he could work with an American one ala Jamie on BSG, I would assume it'd be easier to act in your natural accent). We've seen some russian teams but they've been more specialized and less "veteran".

 

Scifi has posted the first images of concept art for what appears to be the interior of the Destiny and a shuttle

 

SGU Team is identifiable

"One of the things I'm really excited about is that we're looking for people who are a little more identifiable and contemporary," Cooper told the site. "I always thought one of the things that was attractive about the original series was the 'everyman on the street' point of view that O'Neill had to science fiction. It made the characters identifiable. They were more like we would be in a science fiction situation, and how we would react. And that's what we're trying to do with the new show -- create characters that are going to be challenged by the situation."

The Stargate franchise has always sought to tell stories with present-day, relatable characters going on incredible adventures. But the third series will emphasize that more than its predecessors, putting younger and less experienced men and women into the field.

The team includes a number of unlikely candidates, including a Senator's daughter (Chloe Carpenter) and young, slacker computer genius (Eli Hitchcock), as well as a group of junior S.G.C. officers (story). Their leader, Colonel Everett Young, is an experienced officer in his 40s -- but the rest of the team is still wet behind the ears.

And there's a good reason for that, Cooper hints.

"The team that ends up on the ship is not really who was supposed to go, and in some cases they're very unprepared and unqualified to be in that situation," he said. "So they don't have all the answers as quickly, and the challenges are greater than they would be for people who have seen it all and don't have as far to go as characters when they encounter an incredible situation."

It's certainly a far cry from the world's leading minds sent to the Pegasus Galaxy in the premiere of Stargate Atlantis.

 

SGU Pre-production updates. They mention they're clsoe o finalizing the Destiny's design as well as new MALP-type probes and have been assiging scripts. Also, much like SG-1 Season 9/SGC, SGU will have a 3-parter opening, and some of the descriptions towards the end seem to suggest more BSG than Voyager.

Brad and Rob did a terrific job of kicking things off in thrilling fashion," Mallozzi said of the premiere episode's script. "The script is fast-paced and fun; its characters unique and engaging. My favorite: Dr. David Rush. Oh, he's going to be a handful. Originally planned as a two-parter, Brad and Robert quickly discovered that there was simply too much story for such a tight frame, so the series opener is now looking like a three-parter."

...

The team has left episode nine temporarily on the shelf to discuss episodes 10 and 11, which would typically be a mid-season two-parter for a Stargate series. But "I hesitate to call it a two-parter because, the way these episodes have developed so far, there are a threads that run through all the stories, in essence making this season one big 20-parter," Mallozzi said.

...

"Stargate Universe is a series that draws on established mythology yet blazes a bold, new path for the franchise," Mallozzi told fans. "It's definitely more character-centered and intimate in its exploration of the interpersonal dynamics that will drive a lot of the shipboard developments (and, no, I'm not talking about romance). The premise of this ship hurtling through uncharted territories offers up unbounded story possibilities, yet also forces us to adopt a very different approach toward alien encounters and planetary investigation. Twin themes mentioned over the course of today's conversations: survival and sacrifice."

"The premise of SGU is ... more intimate -- a limited group of people trapped aboard a space ship hurtling through distant space -- and therefore necessitates a more intimate form of storytelling."

 

It's been revealed that the working title for the opening 3-parter is "Air".

Not quite as descriptive or informative as Children of the Gods or Rising. I wonder if it's meant to be taken as a reference to the phrase " a breath of fresh air"?

 

Aaand, as Dr. David Rush, Stargate Universe will star.... Robert Carlyle!

That's completely unexpected casting- I did not think they'd be getting an actor of that calibre for the show.

What's interesting is this character wasn't listed in the casting info from earlier.

Also some new plot info:

Described as edgier, darker and younger-skewing than its predecessors, "SGU" follows a group of soldiers, scientists and civilians left to fend for themselves when forced through a Stargate after their hidden base comes under attack. The survivors, who emerge aboard an ancient ship missing in the far reaches of space, are led by Dr. David Rush (Carlyle), who works to unlock the ship's mysteries and return the group home but also might have ulterior motives

 

You know, I was just thinking about the "real world"/earth plotline aspect of Stargate and how SGU wouldn't eeasily be able to do those episodes like SG-1 and SGA could- they ca't just go back to the gate and I doubt the Destiny is big enough top start feeling like "home" the way Atlantis has in he last couple seasons.

Then came the SGA episode last friday where they brought back up the Ancient Communication Terminal, which reminded me of how they never quite fogured out how those things really work (particularly as how to turn them off).

But...if they could get a working understanding of to operate it, and there happened to be one on (or brought aboard) the Destiny that could somehow link to stones at the SGC, they just might be able to do some kind planned trip home using it, to cover both earth/SGC episodes or even Daedalus/Atlantis crossovers.

 

Is it really an outrageous liberty if they're using existing technology made specifically for intergalactic communication?

I know they wouldn't have them on call and you're right- they'd probably have Walter, Sylar or Dr Lee there most of the time, with maybe a cameo by Landry or Carter.

...unless they take advantage of the shooting schedule for SG-1 DVD #3 and SGA Movie #1 and beyond

 

Well, it's not the first AU story they've done, but interesting observation- then again both shows did go out with what is arguably their best season.

Not necessarily- IIRC, they acquired a third soundstage for SGU (the SGC and SGA sets retained on the first two stages). I'm sure there's some shared/repurposed sets used for general filming, though- such as that big versatile village set they created for Season 9.

As for puddle jumpers- maybe, though I get the impression the whole concept is about using the gate from the ship to get to the seeded gates on the planets. I would rather expect them to acquire a new design of fighter/shuttle in the new galaxy, if anything. It's supposed to be an expensive series, so I would imagine that would lend preference to original designs.