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Stargate Movie News: It Has A Working Title

Bruce Simmons — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:08:34 +0000

For most of this year, I’ve been hovering and watching for any news about any Stargate movies. Various articles or snippets around the internet suggested one thing or another.

Back in September, Amanda Tapping mentioned that the Stargate SG-1 movie was approved and could start filming after Stargate Universe is done filming.

Now comes news that the working title for the next Stargate SG-1 movie is called Stargate: Revolution and it includes bringing Jack O’Neill back “in a big way.”

Brad Wright and Carl Binder penned the script and the story in the script takes place in the time between Stargate: Continuum and Stargate: Universe.

The original plans were to shoot the movie this fall but the economy put that off. Now we just need to wait for Universe to stop filming, and if everyone sticks to the rumored schedules, we’ll be having ourselves a new Stargate movie.

I personally can’t wait to see a new movie. I can’t get enough of the old-styled Stargate show. I don’t mind Universe, when I don’t try to compare it to the 15-year track record that Stargate developed. But I need some of what we’ve become accustomed to and it’s great news to hear that they’ve got a working title for the Stargate movie project.

I hope they keep Stargate: Revolution as the title. Catchy title, for whatever that might mean!

Source: GateWorld

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What TV Shows Do You Want More Coverage Of?

Anthony Ocasio — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:19:33 +0000

We here at Screen Rant are here to cater to you, the reader. Now, that doesn’t mean that I’m going to be bringing over any freshly baked ice cream cone cupcakes (remember those? Awesome.), but that does mean that we like to hear from you about what you like, what you don’t, what you watch and what you’d like to see more coverage about.

Over the past few weeks of the fall season premiere, we have played around with reviews and discussions on a variety of television shows – and while some received the expected responses (Stargate, Flashforward, Smallville), others did not (CSI, CSI:NY, Criminal Minds, MythBusters). And then there were some shows that nobody expected to receive the amount of response it did (Ghost Whisperer).

If we went with writing about the top rated shows, we’d be left with this…

NCIS
Dancing with the Stars
NCIS: Los Angeles
The Mentalist
CSI
Grey’s Anatomy
Desperate Houeswives
CSI: Miami
The Good Wife

While I know a couple Screen Rant writers that just love Dancing with the Stars, we’re not sure that you’d want to read about it. I’m not going to lie, we watch our fair share of television and that means we have the ability to cover many of your favorite shows. The only thing is, we don’t know what you favorite shows are or if you’d want to read more reviews/recaps/discussions of those shows. So, instead of staying the course and writing about shows that are our favorites, we’d like to know what yours are.

If you could list the top 5 shows you’d like to see recaps and discussions on, what would that be? Now we’re not talking about regular news. If James Earl Jones decides to join Cougar Town, you’ll probably hear about it.

For all you manly men out there, don’t’ be afraid to say The Hills or The City. Sure, we’ll mock you for it, but this is all about being open and honest and from my experience there’s usually fair amount of mocking in being open and honest. Especially when it’s about your favorite MTV scripted “realty” TV shows.

So, what have you? What 5 shows would you like to see recaps and discussions on?

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Stargate Universe Premiere Overnight Rating Numbers

Bruce Simmons — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 17:41:27 +0000

We’ve been discussing our experiences about the Stargate Universe premiere in our review and discussion thread on Friday’s episode and I’ve been enjoying the different perspectives and thoughts on the premiere..

Now, we finally have some ratings numbers for the newest chapter in the Stargate franchise and they prove interesting at best.

Stargate Universe overnight numbers drew in just over 2.3 million viewers, helping the newly renamed Syfy network continue its trend of hitting worthy ratings numbers for a … for cable outlets.

From these estimated 2.3 million viewers, 1.1 million viewers were adults 18-49. That’s less than half of the estimated total viewers out there that are between 18-49. That leaves a lot of numbers outside that bracket!

What has been noted is that this premiere was the best performing Stargate franchise season premiere since the 2nd season of Stargate Atlantis in 2005.

I found it interesting that in the Syfy press release, they tossed out there that SGU’s 2.3 million viewer numbers beat out Dollhouse’s 2.1 million viewers for Friday night. As it stands, the 2.3 million mark from Stargate Universe (Starring Robert Carlyle) overshadowed previous premieres of Stargate SG-1’s 10th season & Stargate Atlantis 3rd, 4th & 5th season premieres. Of course, those were continuation premieres of established series’ as opposed to this being a brand new chapter for the franchise.

My presumption is that these premiere numbers for SGU included franchise fans and new, curious fans. Now, we wait and see how the show does in holding those 2 million viewers over the next several weeks.

Source: TV By The Numbers

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Stargate Universe Premiere: Review & Discussion

Bruce Simmons — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 14:46:05 +0000

Upfront: Stargate Universe premiered to a lot of hype that wasn’t completely fulfilled. The episode was dark, as expected, but lacking in the energy I needed to really get hyped about it. The acting wasn’t stiff, but I think the background music kept things in a very mellow state.

My devotion to the franchise kept me riveted and though I don’t think tonight’s episode was a stellar hit as some would lead you to believe, it delivered an interesting situation that will have me coming back for more… if anything, just to see if things improve or as I get more involved with the characters than I did tonight.

I don’t give everything up, but there are spoilers included below.

A Bit Of A Recap

The Stargate Universe opening scene has viewers watching a ship (the Destiny) drift towards them. The scene has a rather epic looking feel to it and what I didn’t know at the time was that this might have been the best scene of the show.

We go inside the ship and watch it slowly powering up the hallways, eventually finding ourselves looking at a Stargate powering up itself up and the event horizon bursting forth from the ring. People start to come flying through it, piling in on each other in an obvious state of panic.

Meanwhile, Dr Nicholas Rush (Robert Carlyle) is on a balcony, looking down on the scene, almost looking pleased.

We then experience a series of flashbacks interjected with the developing real-time plot (ala Lost) that help explain some back-story on some of the characters and the developing scenario.

We see boy genius Eli Wallace (David Blue) get recruited because he solved an online game that was designed by Dr. Rush from Stargate Command. After Wallace solves the game, Lt. General Jack O’Neill (Richard Dean Anderson) and Dr Rush show up at his door the next morning. Anyone ever see The Last Starfighter? I’m just saying.

When Wallace gets on board, he’s shown a series of videos to get caught up on the history of the Stargate program. LOL – “Hi, I’m Dr. Jackson (Michael Shanks), and behind me is a Stargate.” I felt like I was watching the DNA video from Jurassic Park.

The rest of the Stargate Universe premiere shows us the attack that forced the impromptu evacuation, focusing on the people on board the Destiny as they try to comprehend their new situation situation – between each other and between them and the ship/environment they now find themselves in.

The Destiny is a ship built by the Ancients. Apparently, the Ancients sent these automated vessels out into the universe to plant Stargates, but then they ascended and kind of forgot about the ships. The Destiny is in mechanical disarray and it reminds me of my 1969 Mercury Cougar, where it will be needing a lot of duct tape.

The creative team behind Stargate Universe, Brad Wright and Robert Cooper, tries to pull the viewer into the dark and desperate atmosphere the survivors are in. Much like the desperate plight humanity found itself in on Battlestar Galactica.

It wasn’t very distracting to me, but if you remember, they were going to use a different filming technique that was inspired by how Joss Whedon filmed Firefly. They used a lot of hand-held camera angles and it complemented the desperate situation the people were in. If they don’t get too carried away with this technique, it should be acceptable for viewers throughout.

Another difference I noticed only took place once in this 2-hour premiere; When we came back from a commercial break, we experienced a flashback, then we jumped into a different scene where there was a seriously steamy interaction between two people. If you were expecting a family friendly show like all the previous incarnations of Stargate, even if it was one scene, it was there. And from what I’ve read in other sources, it won’t be the last time they throw a curve ball at the viewer in the sexuality department.

I don’t like Dr. Rush, and that’s a compliment to Robert Carlyle’s portrayal of the role. The scientific greed that Dr. Rush exhibits makes me dislike or distrust this guy. It’s Rush’s fault they ended up on the Destiny. During the unexplained attack on the base that forced the evacuation, Rush interrupted the emergency dialing of Earth to try a new idea he came up with about the 9th chevron. Guess it worked.

Click to continue reading about the Stargate Universe Premiere…

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Reminder: Stargate Universe Premieres Tomorrow

Anthony Ocasio — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 01:12:19 +0000

Dust off your portal, dial in the symbols and make sure the seventh chevron is locked (sometimes it sticks) because Friday, October 2nd marks the two-hour premiere of the highly anticipated fourth entry into the Stargate series, Stargate Universe.

If you’re a fan of the Stargate series, then I don’t have to persuade you to tune in. You’re probably already donning your Teal’c costume trying to figure out if the gold paint will come off of your forehead (yes, but you have to rub really hard).

If you’re not a fan then you probably haven’t understood one thing I’ve said so far, but if you’re still reading this you might as well tune it, you’ll have fun. I promise. (I can’t guarantee that last statement. I can’t be held responsible If you’re a Negative Nancy.)

With this month marking 15 years since the release of original Stargate film, it’s amazing to see what all this franchise has accomplished. In the past 15 years, they have made a total of four films (including the original), 5 novels, 12 comic books and 4 television series’ (including Universe) lasting a total of 17 seasons with 342 episodes between them. That’s prettying good for a franchise that started out with Kurt Russell and James Spader. I don’t see any Tango & Cash: Atlantis or Pretty in Pink: PP1.

If you haven’t noticed Screen Rant’s coverage of Stargate Universe then you really haven’t been paying attention. If you’re interested, you can check out a 4-preview of tomorrows premiere, read about the planned webisodes to accompany the series or check out pictures of the cast and set.

Have you fill of Stargate Universe yet? No? Alright… Check below for a video of Robert Carlyle (Dr. Nicholas Rush) answering fan questions about the series:

So, that being said, will you be tuning in tomorrow? I know I will. Expect to see a very nerdy review and discussion of the Stargate Universe premiere shortly after it airs.

You must watch (it’s the law) Stargate Universe, 9PM on SyFy.

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Stargate Universe Sneak Peek Preview

Bruce Simmons — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 05:55:16 +0000

A 4 minute sneak peak from the premiere of Stargate Universe has been released by Syfy.

It’s a moment in the show when the attack that forces an evacuation from the base they’re on is taking place and the group of humans whom we will be coming to know in the series are dealing with the attack and figuring out a gate address to dial.

Pardon the upfront ad in the video. It’s not our doing.

Stargate Universe premieres on Friday, October 2nd on Syfy.

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Amanda Tapping Says Stargate SG-1 Movie Is A Go

Bruce Simmons — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 03:58:31 +0000

A few weeks back, I was rummaging around IMDB (The Internet Movie Database) working on a small task and I noticed something very interesting. Actors Amanda Tapping, Richard Dean Anderson and Michael Shanks all have an “Untitled Stargate: SG-1 Project” in their credits.

Now mind you, IMDB isn’t the end all to all information but it’s a pretty decent start to most news.

So I had been wondering about this in the back of my mind because I thought the projects, though approved, were put on hold. Then I came across a tidbit on Sci Fi Wire where Amanda Tapping says that a new Stargate SG-1 movie could start getting underway as soon as Stargate Universe filming comes to a close.

Martin Wood is slated to direct with Carl Binder and Brad Wright writing (Per IMDB).

The last time we heard about the Stargate movies around a month ago, the strength, or lack thereof with the DVD market was weighing in on their decision on whether or not to move ahead with these projects. But the news about the newest Stargate SG-1 movie getting the green light is great news.

They must have heard the fans clamoring for more and now I find myself looking forward to when the next Stargate Atlantis film might get underway as well! Sorry… getting greedy.

Sources: Sci Fi Wire, IMDB, Cinema Static

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Stargate Universe Might Be Good (Plus Some SG Comic News)

Bruce Simmons — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 19:00:33 +0000

Somehow Syfy overlooked me when they sent out their screeners for Stargate Universe, so I have to live vicariously through others. More importantly, I need to convey to you, the selective Screen Rant readers, what I’ve learned about the show.

From what I’m reading from sites I trust, Stargate Universe is not going to disappoint when it lands in our living rooms. That does not surprise me, since Robert C. Cooper and Brad Wright have been successfully bringing us 15 years of Stargate. They know what they’re doing.

So, despite our dour first take on the marketing efforts, we might just end up pleasantly surprised.

Syfy has finally put up a website for the show at Stargate Universe (click the link to see the page), which gives us plenty of time to look things over while we wait for Stargate Universe to premiere on Syfy on October 2nd.

Stargate Comic Tidbit:

If you’re also a comic book fan, Dynamite Entertainment will be debuting it’s anthology comic, Stargate #0, in October.

The comic will contain stories from Stargate Universe, SG-1 and Atlantis. The 3 tales will spin-off into their own ongoing titles after that.

The Atlantis title picks up where the series finale left off. The Universe title will be tied into the TV series and SG-1, they claim, will be a glimpse into the near future, and will make us say “What?”

I Have A Question:

I have to wonder – do comics really translate into something you like to follow when it’s associated to a show you like? They don’t really do it for me. When I like a show, I like it for the actors and the story. To see an actor’s likeness in a comic book is OK for me, but doesn’t transcend my barrier of enjoyment enough to get me to pick up an issue. Curiosity will get me to consider an issue or two, but really, is it the same thing?

Let me know what you think about the comics, or the reviews of Stargate Universe.

Sources: io9, Airlock Alpha on Twitter, Digital Spy

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The Dark Knight Tops 2009 DVD Critics Awards

Ross Miller — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:51:20 +0000

The results have been revealed for the 2009 DVD Critics Awards, which are presented every year (for the last five years) by Home Media Magazine, honoring DVD and Blu-ray titles from the previous year. The awards are usually held in conjunction with the Home Entertainment Summit, but the latter has been delayed due to scheduling conflicts. Nonetheless, the awards were given out and the critically acclaimed and much-loved Batman film, The Dark Knight, scooped up the most awards.

For the first time in five years, a TV DVD set has taken the top “2009 Critics Awards’ Title of the Year” in the form of The Sopranos: The Complete Series, which also earned the award for Best Collection/Multidisc set. But apart from that, The Dark Knight dominated with four awards. The awards were a mix of critics and judges’ votes, and online consumers (the latter in special categories such as “Best Superhero Title”). It’s not a surprise to hear that TDK dominated in the consumer categories.

Take a look at just how well TDK did, along with the rest of the results below:

2009 DVD Critics Award Winners:

• Title of the Year: The Sopranos: The Complete Series, HBO Home Entertainment
• Best Theatrical Title: The Dark Knight, Warner Home Video
• Best TV DVD: Mad Men: Season One, Lionsgate
• Best Classic/Catalog Title: The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration Gift Set, Paramount Home Entertainment
• Best Collection/Multidisc Set: The Sopranos: The Complete Series, HBO Home Entertainment
• Best Nonfiction Title: Young @ Heart, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
• Best Animation Title: Wall-E, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
• Best Kidvid Title: Tinker Bell, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
• Best Nontheatrical Title: Stargate: Continuum, Fox/MGM
• Best Extended Cut/Director’s Cut: Step Brothers, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
• Best Extras: Hellboy II: The Golden Army, Universal Studios Home Entertainment
• Best Packaging: Masters of Horror: Season Two, Anchor Bay Entertainment
• Best Blu-ray Disc: Planet of the Apes: 40-Year Evolution, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Consumer’s Choice Categories:

• Consumer Favorite DVD/Blu-ray Release: The Dark Knight, Warner Home Video
• Funniest DVD/Blu-ray: Robot Chicken: Star Wars, Warner Home Video
• Best Action Title: The Dark Knight, Warner Home Video
• Best Sci-Fi Title: Wall-E, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
• Best Superhero Title: The Dark Knight, Warner Home Video
• Best Western Title: 3:10 to Yuma, Lionsgate
• Best Period Piece: Band of Brothers (Blu-ray), HBO Home Entertainment
• Best Single Extra: The Making-Of Documentary on Sleeping Beauty: Platinum Edition, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

I bought The Dark Knight Special Edition DVD as soon as it came out late last year, and have watched it (and its excellent special features) many times since. It’s really no surprise it won so many of these awards, considering how much of a hit it was with critics and fans alike. I’m just surprised people didn’t try to vote for it in the comedy category – you know, because some of The Joker’s lines were hilarious…

What do you think of the results of the 2009 DVD Critics Awards? Was The Dark Knight worthy of winning the most awards? I think we know the answer to that, but let us know anyway.

Source: HomeMediaEntertainment (thanks to ScreenCrave)

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New Stargate Movies on Stand By

Paul Young — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 10:31:23 +0000

Very few TV shows make it to the magical tenth season; especially those of the sci-fi genre. So, when Stargate SG-1 called it quits after their tenth season, I, along with thousands of fans worldwide, were very disappointed. We don’t even have Stargate: Atlantis to whet our wormhole whistle any more – but the spin offs are hardly ever as good as the originals – notable exception is Torchwood from Doctor Who.

That’s why even though Sony Picture Television and MGM decided to cancel the series after 214 episodes, they knew the sci-fi cash cow wasn’t finished delivering some prime time space milk. To continue pleasing fans and to keep the franchise viable, it was announced that three full length movies would be released. Stargate: Continuum and Stargate: The Ark of Truth have already come and gone and both were fantastic extensions of the franchise. But we were suppose to get a third film and even a fourth based on the Atlantis series but alas, that may not happen anytime soon.

The reason Stargate Universe executive producer Robert C. Cooper gives for the delay is the recent downturn I the economy. In an exclusive interview with SCI FI Wire, Cooper had this to say:

“We’re ready to go. We’re just waiting for the right opportunity. We want to be successful with it. The studio wants to be successful, and we really don’t want to proceed with something in the wrong climate, which I think financially it is right now.”

By “ready to go” he means the scripts for both films have been written but it could be some time before we see any movement on them. Cooper blames a recent drop in DVD sales as the major reason behind delaying both films. Cooper explains:

“Since [the release of the first two films], the economics have changed a little bit. DVDs aren’t selling the same way they were when we released those even just a year, and a year and a half ago.”

According to The Numbers website, Stargate: Continuum had sold over 450,000 units as of July 29, 2008 and Stargate: The Ark of Truth did better than that with over 530,000 units sold as of March 11, 2008. Those are fairly respectable numbers for a straight-to-DVD movie from a TV show. I don’t know if I totally agree with Cooper about it being the wrong economic time to produce another DVD movie. I would think fans are more apt to purchase straight to DVD movies because they haven’t been on television and buying or renting it would be the only way to see it.

Either way, I’m saddened to hear we will have to wait a little longer to see SG-1 back in action, but until then, we at least have Stargate Universe to keep us entertained.

Do you agree that now is a bad time to release straight-to-DVD movies and how pumped are you for Stargate Universe?

Stargate Universe’s two-hour premiere is October 2, 2009 at 9 p.m. ET/PT and on Fridays at 9 p.m. after that, all on SyFy.

Source: Cinema Static, Scifi Wire

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Stargate Universe: Webisodes & Reassurances

Bruce Simmons — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:30:50 +0000

They weren’t kidding when they said they were looking to make webisodes for Stargate Universe (SGU). Actually, they’re making 30 web episode shorts and they’re all going to be tied into the story line of the show as it develops.

They won’t be deleted scenes, but actual additional footage that adds to what we will be seeing on television. The webisodes will be available on Syfy.com and other sites, being made available as SGU nears its premiere date.

Despite Stargate Universe utilizing a different format than we’re accustomed to, being a ship centric story and having a different premise around the Stargate itself as well as the inability to get home, Lou Diamond Phillips said recently that the show will still focus on the combination of a civilian and military co-existence, focused on exploration, much like its predecessors Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis.

They’re looking to create a character driven story based around the dynamics between the people involved in the situation.

About The Show

Stargate Universe follows a band of soldiers, scientists and civilians who find they need to fend for themselves when they are forced through a Stargate to an unknown address because of an attack on their base. The survivors emerge aboard one of the Ancient’s ships, the Destiny, that is locked on an unknown course and they are unable to return to Earth.

Phillips plays a lifelong military man who is the chosen leader of the ill-fated expedition. Phillips has given us a bit of sneak peak into the oddness of his how his character, Col. Telford, will work on the show – His character will be stuck on Earth and will use ancient technology to exchange bodies with people on the ship as he tries to guide the rag tag group of survivors home.

What Do We Think?

This body switching bit is a new twist of sorts. It also leaves a ton of room to have old characters make appearances on the show, though I doubt that will happen too often.

When I first heard of Stargate Universe, I was thinking this should be fine as a stand alone type show that’s headed in a new direction. Survivors stranded in space, trying to figure out how to survive. But for me, if they’re going to now have direct communications with Earth, I have to wonder out-loud, if the showrunners aren’t trying to cover their tracks as they continually try to reassure us that the show will be the same while it’s still different?

As far as a lot of Screen Rant readers are concerned, they should have stuck with Stargate Atlantis for at least another season or more. So from what I see with their new filming techniques, character driven methodologies and such, I feel like they’re saying that they’re moving the mythos on but on a smaller budget of sorts.

I have the faith that Brad Wright and Robert Cooper will deliver. They always have. So I’m giving it the chance I feel it deserves. For now.

Stargate Universe will debut on October 2nd with a 2-hour premiere.

Sources: Gateworld, Sci-Fi Wire

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Stargate Universe – 2009 San Diego Comic-Con Panel

Bruce Simmons — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 09:12:12 +0000

The Stargate Universe panel started much like most, with a great preview of the show that showed completely new material that focused on many different aspects of the upcoming season.

Brad Wright and Robert Cooper came out, and they introduced Jamile Walker Smith, Alaina Huffman, David Blue, Robert Carlyle, Ming-Na, Brian J. Smith & Elyse Levesque.

Brad and Robert started by pointing out that this will be the 16th season of a Stargate franchise with Stargate Universe. They pointed out that the show will have a different feel and is shot in a slightly different way.

They said that one does not have to have seen SG-1 or SG-Atlantis to jump into the show. It reintroduces what a Stargate is for those that haven’t seen it. Brad Wright tossed out a question to the audience, asking who hasn’t seen either SG-1 or SG-Atlantis. Unbelievably, I’d guess about 5% of the audience raised their hands. Brad asked them all to leave, lol.

They pointed out to us as a reminder that we saw Ricard Dean Anderson in the preview and they note that RDA will be appearing intermittently throughout the season. Amanda Tapping will also be making an appearance.

At its core, despite being a new, darker and grittier Stargate, SGU will retain the spirit we’ve come to know from Stargate.

Brad and Robert noted that the show had gotten to the point where everyone was a superhero and genius in their own right. In SGU, they looked to make the characters more identifiable show.

Brad Wright pointed out that the cast are “convention virgins.”

They recanted a funny moment for a few of the actors: Jamile Walker Smith and Levesque had hit up the Stargate booth the previous day and the girl working the booth offered them a raffle ticket chance to win walk on roles on the show.

They were asked why they weren’t on NBC, for those who might not have access to Syfy, and Robert Cooper said they’ve been on Syfy for forever and it’s their home.

Robert Carlyle was asked how working on a TV series compares to working on feature films. He said that it’s really about the piece itself, regardless of the medium it’s headed to.

Cooper added that Carlyle plays the character with courage.

Q: What about the Furlings?

We heard a definite “No!” from someone on the panel, but then Cooper said yes, and that they answer the 9th chevron thing.

Q: Someone asked since they’ve had strong intelligent women in the last 2 shows, what do they have in mind for this show? (Obviously, no faith yet in the fresh, young cast!)

Each actress demonstrated that they each have strong, intelligent female characters on the show.

David Blue has seen all of SG-1 and SG-Atlantis shows. Wright joked that it’s great to hire an actor they can use as technical consultant.

They were asked about the premature ending of Atlantis and why it ended so quickly.

Robert Cooper said Brad flipped a coin! Cooper agreed that there were more stories to be told but didn’t feel it was a premature ending. It was a good run with Atlantis and some shows just don’t last that long. He didn’t think “premature” is the right word.

An attendee pointed out that SG-1 and Altantis were more episodic, and rumors say that universe will be more serial.

It’s different when something becomes serialized becuase if you miss a few episodes, you have to wonder what’s up so they’re more about having serialized character stories, the background details that are behind the story itself will be more serialized.

Nugget: They made a note about the evacuation scene that we keep seeing in previews – saying that when they dial the gate, they think they’re headed back to Earth.

Carlyle – what drew him to the role? He said that the role was very left field for him and didn’t know much about Stargate. He said it’s a character driven piece about the show and they weer looking for someone to make unlikeable things likable.

Note: I’ve only seen Carlyle on TV and didn’t not realize just how strong of an accent he has.

It was asked if the audience was going to see more non-Jaffa aliens and such.

They said that this Stargate is about exploring the universe and they wanted the experience to be realistic and they will be encountering aliens you might not find out there in space… ie: humanoid.

There will be “alien aliens” and they won’t say things to us the way the Wraith or others would.

In Universe, characters can be both heroes and villains. In the previous shows the greater evil brought all parties together to face the issue. That isn’t going to be the case in Universe.

A sharp minded attendee asked if SGU will kill off its doctor like the other shows? Robert Cooper said the doctor dies right away, so no worries there.

It was noted that though Brian J. Smith didn’t know much about Stargate, he was a Trekkie.

At the end, Syfy played their newest, long running ad that demonstrates the virtues of their new logo / identity. This advertisement messed with the seat dance that takes place between panels and folks charged for their seats while the lights were still down. The Con lost control of the situation to a small degree. That was a first.

We then also saw an ad for Warehouse 13, and then the lights came on.

Aside from those last few, dark minutes, it was a great panel.

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New ‘Stargate Universe’ Details Emerge

Bruce Simmons — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:45:30 +0000

With the premiere of Stargate Universe (SGU) headed our way, some are expecting the same-ol’, while others are hoping for something new. Despite the public statements about having a younger cast, they’ve still injected some seasoned veterans in the mix in the form of Robert Carlyle and Lou Diamond Phillips. That makes for a nice mix to draw various viewing hopefuls into the fray of watching the show.

It seems that it just might be possible that the creative forces behind SGU are concerned with the show looking like all the other shows. To try and keep it a fresh experience, they’ve decided to mix up a few things, including the use of different camera techniques to film the series.

Different Things About SGU

The Ancient ship (called “Destiny”) will have technology on board that will allow the crew to relate back to Earth, keeping the planet in the show.

The aliens they encounter at first will be very alien. Non-humanoid that is.

The Gate dialing equipment is said to be very cool and different from what we’ve become accustomed to on Stargate Atlantis and Stargate SG-1.

The biggest change we’re going to be experiencing is the end result of what we see regarding how they film the show.

What SGU’s creator Robert C. Cooper has indicated is that they’re going for the appearance of a documentary-like ambiance while blending a sense of reality that’s being brought together. And with it, possibly a fresh new way to experience the Stargate franchise.

The inspiration for this idea for Cooper came from how Joss Whedon’s Firefly was shot. He said that they used a lot of hand-held angles and cameras mounted in non-traditional locations.

We Can Hope It’s Good

As far as new, I hope they “bring it” and bring it good, because they have a lot to live up to besides just continuing the franchise overall or an existing chapter like Altantis or SG-1. They need to make it very compelling for us to keep watching, or even to start watching for that matter. So far, I’ve only seen a few previews and all they’ve all been of the scene where the staff find themselves under great duress.

This new camera technique they’re talking about worries me and has me pondering…

I’m worried that what we saw In the Stargate Universe preview video we brought to you back in early April might be what we’re going to get throughout the whole series. If so, I am not looking forward to tossing my cookies every Friday on schedule. It’s probably not going to be that bad, but I’ve seen “live, feel like you are there” filming techniques that make me want to spin my cookies.

My big question is about whether this is something that is being thought of to be unique and fresh or if there are budgetary restrictions that might be making this happen?

That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. When Supernatural got their budget cut for the present season, it forced them to cut back on special effects and focus more on simple character settings. That has worked very well for them as it’s forced them to create character driven episodes and they’ve got the writing talent creating compelling stories from that restriction. I can only hope this new rendition of our favorite franchise, Stargate Universe, can aspire to be as good or better than its Stargate predecessors.

Source: Gate World

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Check Out The New Stargate Universe Trailer

Bruce Simmons — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 03:45:06 +0000

Stargate Universe (SGU) is coming at us. One week at a time… but it’s coming.

For some, there’s an anticipation to be carried forward in the Stargate mythos, while for others there is trepidation that this show is not going to have the opportunity to head in the same direction the previous shows have taken the viewer.

Regardless of all of our concerns, this is all we have at the moment.

Whether we decide to enjoy Robert Carlyle or Lou Diamond Phillips and the other cast members is a decision we’re all going to have to make on our own dime. I know I am going to give this show a chance. I have to if I am going to continue to codify my Stargate addiction.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m patient, but if it doesn’t take us in the right direction or entertain me to some extent in the first few weeks, then I’m dumping it from my weekly watch list.

A new trailer debuted during the airing of Stargate Continuum last Saturday night. They’ve titled the trailer “Philosophical.”

Stargate Universe is a spinoff of the Stargate franchise and it follows a group of explorers forced onto the Destiny, a ship built by the Ancients. The only catch: The ship can’t return to Earth.

Check out the trailer:

Stargate Universe debuts later this year on Sci Fi.

So what do you think? Is this grabbing you are disappointing you?

Source: Sci Fi Wire

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Everything You Need To Know About ‘Stargate: Universe’

Bruce Simmons — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:05:25 +0000

MGM Studios is starting to become active in letting us know about the upcoming new Stargate franchise series called Stargate: Universe (SGU). Their anticipation of fan support is evidenced in this first group image of the ensemble of SGU that’s been released.

SGU continues the tradition of a series centered around a highly evolved species who left behind a method of transportation called the Stargate. Stargates connect to each other via a wormhole that is artificially created between two of these “gates” and makes long distance travel a bit more convenient.

In this Stargate chapter, a group of humans: Soldiers, scientists and civilians, are forced through a Stargate when their hidden base comes under attack. In the rush to get the heck out of there, they find that they’ve transported themselves onto an ancient ship that is locked on an unknown course, with no way to return to Earth.

While stuck on the ship, they need to figure out how to use the ship’s Stargate in order to survive and they’re faced with the premise of needing to find basic needs like food & water.

As we’ve reported in past articles about cast additions to Stargate Universe, the cast is stocked with acting veterans and fresh faces alike. I thought we’d bring it all together for you in one summary article.

The Cast / Characters

Robert Carlyle will star as the brilliant Dr. Nicholas Rush. We need to watch out for this one. We’re told his motives are not what they appear to be!

Lou Diamond Phillips is Colonel Telford. Telford is a proud lifelong military man and the chosen leader of this rag-tag group of… oh. Let’s leave it at “ill-fated expedition.”

Justin Louis will be playing Colonel Everett Young, who’s an experienced Stargate team leader. He never takes anything for granted and stays on top of the team to keep them alive.

Brian J. Smith is Lt. Matthew Scott. Scott is a junior member of the Stargate team whose green and rough around the edges.

Elyse Levesque plays Chloe Armstrong, the daughter and aid of a U.S. Senator. She has political savvy that’s laced with a wild side.

David Blue stars as Eli Wallace. Eli is a total slacker who’s also a genius… when he puts his mind to it. His lack of confidence is evident with his acerbic* sense of humor. (*I had to look this up! Acid in temper, mood or tone. Isn’t that dry wit?)

Alaina Huffman is MSGT. Tamara Johansen. Unable to afford medical school, Johansen joined the Air Force. (Be all you can be! Oh, wait, wrong wing of the military!) So instead of an education, she’s a stranded space wayfarer. Great! She’s strong willed but lacking any in-depth experience. This inexperienced field medic will need to rise to occasion.

Jamil Walker Smith portrays MSGT. Ronald Greer. He’s labeled as the Marine with a temper, with a mysterious past and a dark emotional side to him. A Jarhead with a temper… and that’s new, how? I mean that in a good way!

Ming-Na is Camile Wray. She’s a human resources executive with the international oversight committee that governs the Stargate program. She’s thrust into being the highest ranking member of the division left stranded on the ship. As with any oversight committee member, she carries herself with a misguided sense of superiority over the survivors. And being HR, she’ll probably try to paper-work the bad guys to death!

My Take

I’m still grumpy that Stargate Atlantis is off the air. The show was getting its feet under it and things were coming along nicely, until that slap together series finale. What the heck is it with series finales these days? Cripes!

Me, I would have loved to see Ronin or Tealc or both get swept up in this attack while visiting this secret base and had some continuity connection between shows. As it stands, there doesn’t look like there’s going to be much of a chance that this Stargate platform will ever connect with Earth or Atlantis while they’re running around Lost In Space. There, I said it. Not only will the characters be stranded, but so will we, the viewers. Cripes again!

I’d like to see the occasional Todd appearance. That would sooth me a little bit… though not by much.

I’m on-board strictly because it is Stargate and Brad Wright and Robert Cooper, of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis, will be serving as executive producers and writers. They are going to have to pull one out of the bag, or pocket protector, to make sure this works.

Network And Production Hopes

The hopes of the producing entities are that SGU will take the franchise in a new direction. This new direction is one they hope will appeal to both longtime Stargate fans and the first-time viewer.

The premiere of Stargate Universe will be a two part episode directed by Andy Mikita (Stargate Atlantis, Stargate SG-1) and lensed by Rohn Schmidt (The Shield, The Mist) and is expected to air in October 2009.

[See post to watch Flash video]

After seeing the trailer, which if any of you noticed, played during the finale of Battlestar Galactica, what do you think? Without having seen much more, do you think this might pan out for the franchise, or the fans?

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Stargate Universe Casting Update

Bruce Simmons — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:28:25 +0000

As time plods away, more and more members are being added to the cast of stranded humans in the upcoming Sci-Fi Channel series Stargate: Universe. (SGU)

The latest additions include Ming-Na, Elyse Levesque, Alaina Huffman and Lou Diamond Philips. Yep, Lou Diamond Philips.

Ming-Na comes to us from ER and will be playing Camille Wray, a company HR bigwig.

Elyse Levesque will be playing Chloe Armstrong, the daughter of a U.S. Senator who has a bit of a wild side. We’ve previously seen her on Smallville.

Alaina Huffman now has a chance to redeem herself in this role. You may recognize her as the girl who played Black Canary on Smallville, and was in Sci-Fi’s Painkiller Jane. She’s going to be playing Tamara Johansen who’s an inexperienced field medic with some ‘tude.

Ba ba ba La-bamba!! Sorry, I couldn’t help myself but that’s what comes to mind for me in one of many roles that Lou Diamond Philips (Did you know his birthname is Louis Upchurch?) has played. I particularly liked his devilishly nasty role as Cisco in The Big Hit with Mark Wahlberg. His latest work has him making a guest appearance in Patrick Swayze’s The Beast and has been recently in a number of episodes on Numb3rs recently.

Philips has been cast as Colonel Telford, a career military man and chosen leader of the band of lost humans in SGU. I’ve enjoyed Philips in some of his previous roles and I think he’ll add a nice bit of depth with Carlyle as they lead the rest of the cast down this perilous new journey.

These four new cast members join Robert Carlyle, Justin Louis, David Blue, Jamil Walker Smith and Brian J. Smith who have already been cast in roles on Stargate: Universe. SGU is the newest chapter of the Stargate franchise about a group of humans who find themselves stranded on an Ancients ship, auto-cruising through deep space.

They started filming last week in Vancouver and the show is due to air in October of 2009.

Sources: TV Guide, EW.com.

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SR’s Inaugural Weekly TV Wrap Up

Bruce Simmons — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:21:15 +0000

Welcome! This is the first rendition of Screen Rants Weekly TV Wrap Up. This is where we pass on some of the TV news we come across, keeping you on the edge of news and updates. Our regularly scheduled day will be Thursday mornings, so be sure to check in every week with us.

When there’s TV news, it will be here!

1. Sci-Fi’s Eureka has a new character coming on board in the form of Tess Fontana (Jamie Ray Newman), who’s joining Global Dynamics. The 2nd half season will debut later this year. Source: SCI FI Wire

2. Sci-Fi Channel has ordered a second season of Ghost Hunters International and a sixth season for Ghost Hunters. Additionally, their new college based series, Ghost Hunters: Next Generation is headed at us with a 2010 premiere. Source: Sci-Fi Wire

3. In case you didn’t notice, Pushing Daisies has been dropped before it got to finish its run. (Is it that bad?) And at this time, there is no set air date for the remaining episodes of the brightly colored show. Sorry gang. Source: EW.com

4. The green-screen based Sci-Fi show Sanctuary has done well enough to be picked up for season number 2 with 13 episodes. Source: ENEWSI.com

5. Here’s a list of People’s Choice Awards winners from TV

TV Drama: House M.D.
TV Comedy: Two and a Half Men
TV Animated Comedy: The Simpsons
Sci-fi/Fantasy Show: Heroes
Reality Show: Dancing With the Stars (Bruce admits… great eye candy if you have to sit through it)
Game Show: Deal or No Deal (Why does everyone blow it on this show?)
Male TV Star: Hugh Laurie (He’s the man! A sarcastically honest man.)
Female TV Star: Christina Applegate
Scene-Stealing Guest Star: Robin Williams, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
TV Drama Diva: Kyra Sedgwick as Brenda Johnson, The Closer
New TV Comedy: Gary Unmarried
New TV Drama: The Mentalist
Online Sensation: Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog (OK, it’s not TV, but I could get this on my TV… does that count?)

Source: pcavote.com

6. REMINDER: Friday Night Lights is back on NBC on January 16th!

7. Eleventh Hour will have a new agent for a few episodes. FBI trainee Felix will be joining Agent Young, played by Omar Benson Miller. Source: EW.com

8. The Unit (One of Bruce’s favs) is getting a new team member in the form of Wes Chatham playing a recurring role of Sam. He’ll show up sometime in March in a real whopper of an action packed episode. Hmm… when aren’t they? Source: EW.com

9. Don’t forget, in case you’ve missed any of the 1,000 ads that The Sci-Fi Channel has been running, tonight is the series finale of Stargate: Atlantis, and the season finale of Sanctuary.

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‘Stargate: Atlantis’ Is Coming To A Close

Bruce Simmons — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 04:28:13 +0000

Stargate: Atlantis is coming to a close – it’s been a great ride. The show took a bit to adjust to, but after a while the characters and new location grew on me because it had the same feel to the writing that we’ve come to enjoy from the Stargate franchise.

It was hard not to know that last week’s episode was the next to last episode for Atlantis. I went into the episode, titled “Vegas” (written and directed by Robert Cooper), not really looking forward to it. I was coming into it with a bit of a dour perspective because it was some alternate timeline story. My thought? “Why would they do this to us in the next to last episode of the series?”

WARNING: If you DVR’d the episode, a bit of an outline spoiler follows the break.

The episode surprised me. It started out with the feel of a CSI episode as LVPD Detective John Sheppard investigated a case involving dessicated corpses. His investigation led him to an “odd” looking man who was more than he appeared. It’s about halfway into the episode when we meet the SGC from Area 51, in the form of FBI Agent Woolsey. We meet other characters from the SGC (All in a stuffy suit-wearing environment… we wouldn’t have liked this reality in our show) and in the end, after Woolsey fills Sheppard in on the Stargate, Sheppard puts it all together and figures out where the “odd” looking man, a Wraith who’s on Earth, could be hiding. Before they can stop the Wraith, he sends a homing signal that the SGC figured did not reach the Pegasus Galaxy… in their reality. But they surmised that the signal may have reached the Wraith in different realities.

I ended up liking this almost stand-alone episode. I was expecting it to wrap up in a way that righted the alternate time line to our own, but instead, it only referenced it and it looked like a lead-in to the final episode, titled “Enemy At The Gate” as previews indicate that a Wraith ship ends up at Earth. I surmise that it gets to Earth because of the signal sent from “Vegas.”

We’ll see.

I’ll be bummed to see the series go. We have Stargate: Universe coming at us but we’ll have to adapt to a whole new group, learn all new backgrounds and get a whole new grasp on the show.

We also have a Stargate: Atlantis movie coming at us somewhere down the road.

As we head into the final episode of Stargate: Atlantis, I leave you with a few behind the scenes images above and a few sneak-peek images from next week’s episode below. Yep, you read right. NEXT WEEK’S EPISODE. It’s nothing big, but it’s what all I can do for those of us patiently waiting.

The final episode of Stargate: Atlantis airs on January 9, 2009.

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Robert Carlyle Joins ‘Stargate: Universe’

Bruce Simmons — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 02:02:45 +0000

The Stargate franchise has itself a new leading man.

It was announced today that Scottish actor Robert Carlyle will be cast in the lead role of Dr. David Rush in the upcoming new Sci-Fi Channel series: Stargate: Universe. (SGU)

Even though the studio is looking to make SGU a younger and edgier show in tone than the previous renditions of the franchise, Carlyle will bring the depth and complexity only he can to the show, which is what the creators wanted in their lead character.

If he looks a bit familiar, Carlyle recently appeared on television opposite Keifer Sutherland in 24: Redemption and he has a slew of credits behind him ranging From the British television series Cracker to such movies as 28 Weeks Later. His most recognizable roles stem from his playing Francis Begbie in Trainspotting and as the stripper Gaz in The Full Monty.

Stargate: Universe Outline:
SGU follows a group comprised of soldiers, scientists and civilians who find they must fend for themselves as they are forced through a Stargate when their hidden base comes under attack. The desperate survivors emerge aboard an ancient ship missing in the far reaches of space. As they fight to survive, Dr. Rush (Carlyle) works to unlock the mysteries of the ship and return the group home, but evidence of ulterior motives on his part soon arises.

Brad Wright and Robert Cooper, who have been with the franchise as co-creators of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis will serve as executive producers and writers on the new show.

Debut Time Frame:
Production is slated to begin in Vancouver in February 2009 with the hopes of a summer 2009 premiere slot with a two-hour movie event on SCI FI and will be distributed by MGM Worldwide Television Distribution.

Inventive image manipulation: Bruce Simmons

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Stargate Movies Coming To Sci-Fi Channel

Bruce Simmons — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:29:07 +0000

Yes, that sounds confusing. It was weird to write also. Even though we watch Stargate on the Sci-Fi Channel, Sci-Fi does not own the rights to the franchise. They are allowed to telecast the shows, but they don’t own them. MGM owns the rights to do with the franchise as they wish.

One of the many theories of why Stargate: Atlantis is ending is that it’s so MGM can take advantage of the potential profits in moving Atlantis to the DVD medium.

So if the confusion is clearing up a little bit, would now be a good time to mention that the Sci-Fi Channel has purchased the U.S. television rights to televise the made-for-DVD movies? Yep. That’s what they did. This purchase also includes rights to the new upcoming series, Stargate: Universe.

With the rights under their belts, the Sci-Fi Channel is planning to air the DVD movies next season as Sunday night movie events.

The senior VP of programming for Sci-Fi, Thomas Vitale, says their plans are to show Stargate: Ark of Truth, in early spring, and Stargate: Continuum, late in the spring.

Tentative plans are for Stargate: Universe to air in July 2009.

Additionally, Sci-Fi ordered from MGM an SG: Atlantis TV movie to follow up after Atlantis‘ 100th and final episode. We probably won’t see that movie until near the end of next year and it will most likely be a filler for when Universe takes a mid-season break.

There are also plans in motion for a third SG-1 movie. I look forward to that.

If you don’t recall, Ark of Truth concluded the Arthurian storyline of SG-1’s final season.

And Stargate: Continuum, which is being considered for inclusion to the Guinness Book of World Records for the “Most Northerly Filmed Shoot,” is a stand alone movie episode.

When I saw Continuum, I really enjoyed it. Of course, watching it on the deck of an aircraft carrier might have had something to do with it… or watching it with the stars of the movie might have juiced the event up for me too. Nahhh… it was a good movie.

It sounds like Sci-Fi Channel is putting their focus into one of their more robust franchises and keeping their fanbase alive with ongoing developments and plans. It’s good to hear they’re tying to keep the electricity alive for the fan who are still energized about the franchise.

Source: MultiChannel News, Image: SciFi.com

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