As one Stargate closes, another opens up. Though fans of SCI FI Channel’s Stargate: Atlantis were saddened to hear that the series wasn’t picked up for a sixth season, they can look forward to a new entry in the science-fiction franchise. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the network has ordered a new series titled Stargate: Universe. The MGM Television production will apparently be more of a space opera, which means more visual effects work.
Gunning for a younger audience, Universe will revolve around a team of explorers who venture into a Stargate and find themselves inside an ancient unmanned ship on a pre-programmed mission to the far reaches of the universe. No casting information has been released. A name actor is being sought for a lead role, but the rest of the crew will consist of largely unknown performers. Fans can also expect appearances by actors from other Stargate shows.
Stargate: SG-1 and Stargate: Atlantis co-creators Brad Wright and Robert Cooper will serve as exec producers and writers on the new show, which they hope will fill a void left when the popular Battlestar Galactica concludes its run next year. A Battlestar prequel titled Caprica is in development, but will take place mostly on the ground.
Based on the 1994 theatrical release titled Stargate, the series first aired in 1997 with Richard Dean Anderson taking over Kurt Russell’s role of Major General Jack O’Neill, a soldier chosen to lead interstellar missions using an ancient portal discovered in Egypt. Late in the series’ run, Anderson stepped aside to let Farscape stars Ben Browder and Claudia Black bring a fresh vibe to the show.
Stargate Atlantis, which debuted in 2004 earned a Gemini Award last year for for its visual effects work and will reach 100 episodes this year. The property will continue as a series of two-hour movies that will air on the network and quickly hit retail on DVD. MGM has had success with recent feature-length Stargate: SG1 and Battlestar Galactica adventures.
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