So they're cut off from Earth (sound familiar?) but appearances by former cast members from SG-1 and Atlantis are very possible.

The series was pitched to SCI FI Channel last fall, just before the writer's strike -- which put a hold on the project. "The pitch was received very well," Wright said. "[But] we pitched an expensive series -- the idea we have is not cheap. I think we've proven ourselves, so ... 'Can we please have enough money to do it right this time?' And, if not, then honestly I don't want to do it. Why do it wrong?"

When the show does begin, Wright believes that it has to both move the franchise forward to attract new viewers, and remain true to the established formula. "It has to feel like Stargate, and it has to feel new. That's the tight rope, that's the balance you have to maintain, and that's the challenge.

"To put it in its simplest terms, if we had ever just done SG-2as a series it would never have worked. It's not the C.S.I. model."

So they're cut off from Earth (sound familiar?) but appearances by former cast members from SG-1 and Atlantis are very possible.

The producers are reportedly looking to cast a known actor for one of the leading roles, and fresh faces to round out the cast. This would follow the pattern of SG-1, which earned a lot of marketability from leading man Richard Dean Anderson when it premiered in 1997, rather than the largely unknown cast of Atlantis.

The new series will also be aimed at a slightly younger audience, SCI FI president Dave Howe said.

"This is an opportunity to reinvent this franchise and make it relevant to a new generation," he said. "We really don't want to be more of the same. It's going to build clearly off the existing franchise but with a cast that gives it a younger vibe."

"In Universe, we plan to keep those elements that have made the franchise a success, such as adventure and humor, while breaking new ground in the relationships between mostly young and desperate explorers, thrust together and far from home,"

the speculation is that Hailey is going to be in charge of the motley assortment.

but with a cast that gives it a younger vibe."

Why do I keep thinking of '90210/Gossip Girl' in space?

because Hailey on a ship that never returns to Earth or possibly this galaxy and may never be seen again has potential. Now if we could put Felger on the same ship we could have what could potentially be the highest rated episode of Stargate. You know, when the ship is finally destroyed at the end of the movie in a blaze of glory by the aliens they have ultimately offended. The series would be short but satisfying.

Universe will attempt to appeal to a broader audience, drawing new viewers into the Stargate world. The show will be "a little more character-based, a little less rooted in a sci-fi mythology," co-creator Brad Wright told GateWorld. "It really does come down to characters and stories that are engaging, and that people want to see -- that they feel like they haven't seen before."

And Pete was a stowaway. Jonas was Chief Engineer. Gary Jones was the galley technician. And Freya was on board just because I want her blown to bits. Excellent. I like the show already.

The new series will also be aimed at a slightly younger audience, SCI FI president Dave Howe said.

Younger eh?

Bite me, Skiffy.

TEAL'C: Yo Wonderbread, you dial that gate yet?!

Why do I keep thinking of '90210/Gossip Girl' in space?

"a little more character-based, a little less rooted in a sci-fi mythology,"

I'm calling it now: Jewel Staite's Dr. Keller is the lead.

According to information posted in various places, Destiny is a follow-up craft sent out by the Ancients, who had previously launched a ship to seed stargates.

I'll check it out when it airs, I have a hard time imagining Cooper and Wright creating a younger, hipper set of characters. It is interesting that they want to create a show for people completely unlike themselves.

"We've had great success with 'Enterprise' repeats on Monday night, and there's an appetite for space opera as 'Battlestar' goes away," Sci Fi president Dave Howe said. "There's an opportunity to keep the space opera as part of our programming strategy."

When I was a teenager I watched TNG religiously and worshipped at the altar of Picard

I'm calling it now: Jewel Staite's Dr. Keller is the lead.

Earth has its battlecruisers which have the ability to travel to other galaxies fairly quickly, so they'll need to deal with how they simply don't fly the Daedalus over and beam people in and out.

ETA: Agreed, Lorne deserves a real grown-up woman. Ahem. Just sayin'...

They could get stranded in the past when Earth wouldn't have ships or know about the Stargate program.

But, he already has Parrish.

The producers are reportedly looking to cast a known actor for one of the leading roles, and fresh faces to round out the cast... The new series will also be aimed at a slightly younger audience, SCI FI president Dave Howe said.

"This is an opportunity to reinvent this franchise and make it relevant to a new generation," he said. "We really don't want to be more of the same. It's going to build clearly off the existing franchise but with a cast that gives it a younger vibe."

"In Universe, we plan to keep those elements that have made the franchise a success, such as adventure and humor, while breaking new ground in the relationships between mostly young and desperate explorers, thrust together and far from home,"

Wright and Atlantis and Universe co-creator Robert C. Cooper will serve as show-runners, and are currently writing the premiere episode.

When I was a teenager I watched TNG religiously and worshipped at the altar of Picard despite the fact that he was a stoggy British guy in his late 40s with balding gray hair. It's all about characters and I think anyone, no matter their age, will watch an interesting actor flesh out a complex character over someone who's there just to be youthy eye-candy. Senator X

My high school life was hard enough, and bitchy teens w/ entitlement complexes or super-angst make my toes itch to kick in real life; I have no desire to allocate tv time to these people. Jenazz

So...they want someone who's already a name, but young enough to carry all this "Psst! Ensign Yummybutt wants to know if you'll go for a milkshake with her after school, err bridge shift" guff? Someone who is So! Damn! Photogenic! that when they cry on camera over the dead body of their fit girl/boyfriend they still look radiant, and don't have any snot or red eye. Plus, it would help if it were someone based in Canada, and used to greenscreen special effects demands. Oh fuck!!!! Kristin Kreuk's leaving Smallville this year, isn't she? Fucking Pink Squirrels in Space!!!! Even Halley would be better then this. Hell, Vanessa Angel would be better then this. HauntedBathroom