Principal photography for the third Stargate based television series, Stargate Universe, kicked off at The Bridge Studios in Vancouver today.  Production is expected to run through until October 23.

Although filming is underway, two final cast members remain to be officially announced (relating to characters Captain Tamara Jon and civilian Chloe Walker).  The roles have apparently been cast and are expected to be announced shortly.

More details available at Gateworld.

It seems the new Stargate series will be taking a leaf out of the popularity books of both Battlestar Galactica and Lost.  In an interview with About.com Consulting Producer on the new Stargate Universe series, Joseph Mallozzi, has stated that the new series will focus on larger story arcs rather than one off pointless filler episodes.

“It’s going to be a little bit more — I don’t want to use the word ’space opera’, but it is more relationship-based, it is more arc-driven, it’s less monster- or situation-of-the-week.  We’re focusing less on — in fact, we’re not even focusing at all on going to the planets and meeting the humanoid, English-speaking aliens,” Mallozzi said in the interview, “It’s less that focus on Our Hero and more on an ensemble cast.”

Mallozzi has stated that Stargate Universe will “blaze a bold, new path for the franchise” which is music to my ears.  Although I was a big fan of SG-1 and Atlantis, I was never a big fan of the same old medieval village scenario’s and one off episode fillers that had little or nothing to do with an overall story arc.  Apparently MGM are giving the producers of Universe a heap of freedom, allowing them to really expres their creativity – and that means more depth to the story, plain and simple.

“I want to liken it to something on TV, but I can’t really — I guess you can liken it to Battlestar Galactica, in that it’s science-fiction and it’s more arc-driven, but in terms of tone, in terms of situation, in fact in terms of the story it is very unlike Battlestar.”  Mallozzi continues, “I’d say it’s more Lost than Battlestar, but even then I’m reluctant to make that comparison.”

Mallozzi might be reluctant to make such a comparison but if its even remotely there to be made then this is music to my ears. Battlestar Galactica and Lost are two of my favorite shows, if not the top two. There’s a reason why they are so popular, and if the crew on Stargate Universe can take what makes those shows great and weave them into new creativity for Stargate Universe, then, well, things are looking good for the new series.  Read the full interview at About.com.

Well this is pretty mad.  This is an actual mirror designed in the shape of the Stargate that can be hung in the home.  It has a diameter of 9 3/4 inches (roughly 23 cm) which isn’t as large as I would like but hey, it’s a Stargate mirror no matter what size it is!

It comes with an insertable event horizon that has been printed on clear-blue molded plastic apparently created using the raw CGI files used from MGM’s studio.  This printed plastic snaps into place to create a really cool Stargate event horizon look.

People who have reviewed this say its very beautiful to look at.  Some people seem to think its a fan thing only, but I don’t know, the design is pretty cool.  If you’d never seen the show it would still be a very cool looking almost Egyptian style mirror if you ask me.

I think if you’re into Stargate this is a collectable must-have.  Check it out here.

Veteran actor  Robert Carlyle has been named the leader of the new Stargate team in the third Stargate franchise, Stargate Universe.  Stargate Universe will chronicle the story of a group of soldiers, scientists and civilians as they survive being trapped aboard an ancient alien spacecraft in the deep space.

Reaction to Carlyle’s appointment has been mixed amongst fans, although I’m quite surprised by this.  He’s an excellent actor and his face is very recognizable after top notch performances in movies like 28 Days Later and Trainspotting.  Personally I think any poor reaction to the fact that Carlyle is the new face of Stargate is nothing short of foot in mouth syndrome.  Serious Stargate fans should rejoice that a high calibre actor will be taking part in this brilliant series.

Well, I say ‘brilliant’ series because Stargate Atlantis has catapulted itself to the second place on my favourite Sci Fi shows list, falling just short of my love for Battlestar Galactica (and just ahead of my love for Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles).  Read the rest of this entry »

Hot on the heels of the news that Stargate Atlantis would wrap up at the end of season 5, Stargate fans have been treated to some great news.  As of 2009, a new Stargate series will hit television screens, titled Stargate Universe.    The new series will premiere as a 2 hour movie in early 2009 and will introduce a team of explorers who discover an ancient and abandoned ship called Destiny.   Destiny will be on a pre-programmed mission to the far reaches of the Universe, leaving the team unable to return to Earth.

According to reports, the show will include a lot of space based action, and be less land based than either of the previous two Stargate series.  In what might be great news, series producers have stated they don’t intend to just remake the first two Stargate series, but intend to reinvigorate the new series completely. Read the rest of this entry »