Not unlike a certain battery-operated bunny, the Stargate franchise keeps going and going and going…
To wit: Scottish thesp Robert Carlyle (The Full Monty) has been tapped to headline the brand’s third live-action series, Stargate Universe. Carlyle, most recently seen in Fox’s 24: Redemption pic, will play Dr. David Rush, the leader of a group of soldiers, scientists, and civilians who have been stranded on an ancient ship in the far reaches of space.
"We are very excited about having an actor of this caliber, around which we can build a strong, character-based series," said series creators Brad Wright and Robert Cooper in an exclusive statement. "Robert Carlyle will engage a broad audience and we hope to deliver a show that demonstrates to new viewers that the loyalty of longtime fans of the Stargate franchise has been well-deserved."
SGU, which will launch via a two-hour movie on Sci Fi next July, is being billed as the edgy, rebellious sibling to Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis. Or as Wright/Cooper put it: "We see SGU as an innovative step forward and an opportunity to expand the franchise."
Is the casting of Carlyle a step in the right direction? Sound off below, Gatethrashers (or whatever it is you people call yourselves)!
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Mr. Carlyle is a superb actor and I look forward to Stargate: Universe. Now…will the remainder of the cast be as enticing?
Amazing. I was worried that the original casting notice mentioned the previous team leaders and suggested a rehash, but this decision could not be more encouraging for a refreshing new addition to the Stargate franchise.
I’ve never seen the Stargate series before but will tune in to SGU just for Carlyle.
Never heard of him. Didn’t they want a big Hollywood star to head and promote the show? *confused*
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! That’s friggin’ awesome!!! I must pick my jaw up off the floor! I knew they were looking for a name actor, and score, they got it!
Remember Him from “28 Weeks Later”
He should do well in SGU.
I am sure that Carlyle is a great actor and that he will do good on SGU, nevertheless I always loved SG for giving less “known” actors and actresses a shot at fame. I never had any issues with the cast of either SG:1 or SG:A. Looking forward to the remaining cast!
Though I love Robert Carlyle and know he will be a great choice for the show (such a great actor), I am disappointed that they did not cast Kavan Smith in the show. I always wanted to see more of Major Lorne on SGA and was hoping that someway he would be cast in the new show.
I’ve never heard of the guy. Frankly, I liked the casts of the two shows and was disappointed they cancelled both shows. I never got tired of them. Was very disappointed when SciFi channel destroyed SciFi Friday. It hasn’t been the same since SG1 got the boot.
None of you tards seen trainspotting? Or at least 28 weeks later?
awesome casting! Love Robert Carlyle, but from a lot more than the full monty. He’s brilliant, and a great addition to any show or movie.
I’m concerned about the show in general. Atlantis was just feeling like it had a direction, so they cancelled it. The “Sci fi” channel has pretty much given up on showing science fiction and I don’t think this Stargate: Voyager show is going to fix it.
The show will not start with a 2 hour movie. It will start with a three parter.
Robert Carlyle is an excellent choice. It will be refreshing to the tired series to have an actor of his caliber. While the original show, SG-1 was fun and charming in its first 6 seasons, it got very repetitive and should have ended with season 8 (though Claudia Black made those last 2 seasons a lot more fun). Atlantis turned into a snoozer and missed many opportunities to explore character relationships — and although the most recent episodes have embraced a larger story arc, it is too little, too late. Hopefully SG:U will take some cues from the brilliant Battlestar Galactica and feature more character driven stories, rather than monster of the week tales. Does no one fall in love in outer space?
I’ve gotten really sick of Sci-Fi Channel!!! SGA gets a good second wind this year and gets cancelled without opportunity to finish up storylines. SGU is supposed to point to a “younger” demographic. I knew it was over when SciFi started showing “wrassling” instead of actual SciFi.
seawalker: SGA are getting movies, like SG1.
Glad for his fans and people who are still into the SG series for the casting call. I won’t be watching–I’m still disappointed from the casting switches and cancellations of the first two shows. But just for the record–cancelling SG:Atlantis wasn’t the Sci-Fi channel’s call–it was MGM’s, who owns the rights to the Stargate franchise.
I have been a Stargate fan since the Movie. I could have watched SG1 into the next decade, but I knew the actors would never go on that long. As far SGA, it’s just coming into it’s own mold and now it will be gone. I will watch SGU no matter who they cast. Just like Star Trek, Stargate it is the best Sci-Fi going. I will truely miss SGA, indeed!
This is the first thing I’ve heard about the new series that’s pricked my interest. Carlyle is a great actor so if he’s signed on maybe it’ll be somthing to watch. I agree with SueS about Sci-Fi Fridays. What in the world was the SciFi Channel thinking when they messed that up? But of course, these were the same people who program wrestling into their weekly line up.
I couldn’t care less about the cancellation of SGA but I’ll check out the new show out of curiosity if nothing else.
See, I disagree with everyone saying that Stargate: Atlantis was just coming into its own. What with the continual cast changes, and the lack of direction in writing (changing the entire course of the show between third and fourth season), I think the declining ratings and cancellation were well-deserved.
When it comes to SGU, honestly, everything I’ve heard makes it sound like Stargate: Voyager 90210. I’m not optimistic, not even with a good lead. Sorry, guys, but I’m not a fan. If they want to break out of the regular Stargate mold, then when they try something different, they shouldn’t imitate other science fiction shows instead.
Actually, cancelling SGA was Sci-Fi’s call, not MGM’s. The original SG-1 was an MGM production & Sci-Fi didn’t want to have to pay the money for the show when they weren’t producing it. SGA is a different story. Sci-Fi’s a bunch of jackholes who think that shows become too costly when they run longer than 5 seasons.
I heard rumors for awhile that he was gonna be the next Doctor Who. Hmmpf, I guess not.
“loyalty of longtime fans of the Stargate franchise” – you blew that when you let SGA go. I won’t wish bad things for SG 90210 because it’s good for the cast and crew to have a job, but I doubt any good will come of it either.
Gosh I hope he glasses someone in the first episode, Trainspotting-style!
Great choice, though I thought he overacted a bit in the 24 movie recently.
I’m confused about this show. Atlantis almost never uses the stargate, from what I’ve read, I don’t expect this one to use it at all. If they are going to keep the name, they should still use the thing … not turn it into Voyager.
It’s a rip-off of Star Trek: Voyager. Been there, done that. But anything is better than bringing back that aweful Flash Gordon remake.
Are they ending Atlantis?? They are billing the finale as the “series finale”.
I am absolutely stunned that they’ve managed to nab such a brilliant actor for this show. I mean, the guy from Trainspotting! He played James VI! Granted I do watch the show, but I’ve always thought it’s a bit rubbish, just some silly fun, and I can’t quite believe my eyes. I know they’re trying to be ‘edgier’, i.e. muscle in on BSG’s territory, but the writing team is the same so I can only imagine it being the most self-conscious of efforts.
Maybe he’s a closet fan of the show…
Yes. Atlantis has been cancelled. 2 more episodes.
While I am glad that they cast Robert Carlyle, I still do not plan to watch SGU. They had a fine charismatic cast in SGA. I do not plan on watching SG:The teen years.