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Stargate Universe is an upcoming science fiction television series, part of the Stargate franchise. The series was green lit on August 22, 2008 and is scheduled to debut as a two- or three-hour movie and then begin regular weekly airings on SCI FI in summer 2009. Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper will serve as executive producers and writers. The projected film start of Stargate Universe is February 4, 2009.
Stargate Universe follows the adventures of a team of explorers from Earth, who find the Ancient spaceship Destiny and must fend for themselves aboard the ship in the far reaches of the universe as they are unable to return to Earth. The show will be firmly entrenched in pre-established Stargate mythology and take place during the present time.
According to Cooper, Stargate Universe "maintains the spirit of Stargate, but opens up a whole new 'universe'. It is "a completely separate, third entity" – as opposed to Stargate Atlantis, which was created as a spin-off from the first series Stargate SG-1. Stargate Atlantis producer Joseph Mallozzi stated that Universe aims to "delight veteran fans, but also appeal to newcomers who may not necessarily know the difference between an Alteran and an Asuran", and that it is "in many ways [...] a much more cerebral and mature addition to the franchise. While firmly entrenched in pre-established Stargate mythology, Stargate Universe definitely strikes out in an exciting new direction." Writer Martin Gero stated, "imagine Atlantis without having any trading partners in that first year. Without having the Athosians. Without even having the Wraith, necessarily." The new show will be more serialized than its predecessors.
Like the first two series in the franchise, Stargate Universe will take place during the present time, not in the distant future. The show will be "set on a ship that was part of an Ancient experiment" to seed the galaxies with Stargates millions of years ago but that was prematurely ended by the Ancients' ascension. After placing Stargates throughout multiple galaxies, a second ship would follow up and explore. When a team of explorers from Earth find an Ancient unmanned ship called the Destiny, which is even older than the City of Atlantis, and are unable to return to Earth, the crew must fend for themselves aboard the ship as it takes them to the far reaches of the universe. The Destiny will have a Stargate onboard. The basis of Stargate Universe is that the ninth and final chevron of the gate, the purpose of which was previously unknown, would serve to get to the first ship. The show will involve more space-based action than SG-1 or Atlantis. "Survival and sacrifice" were the two main themes that were discussed at the preliminary script stages of the show. Earth "will play a part in SGU – but in a very unique way".
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