Stargate Universe

Stargate Universe is the title of a science fiction television series, part of the Stargate franchise. Produced by MGM, the show enters production in early 2009, with a projected premiere in the summer of 2009 on the Sci Fi Channel. It is anticipated that Stargate Universe will be filmed and produced in Vancouver, Canada, as with the preceding series.

According to showrunner Robert C. Cooper, the "series maintains the spirit of Stargate, but opens up a whole new 'universe'." It is currently being developed as "a completely separate, third entity" - as opposed to Stargate Atlantis, which was created as a spin-off from the first series Stargate SG-1.

Robert C. Cooper has revealed that the new series will revolve around the ninth chevron on the Stargate and will take place during the present time and not be in the distant future. It would be the first time that this topic is used in a series of the franchise. According to him, "It plays a major factor in the third series". It is not yet in production.

The show's plot is: After unlocking the mystery of the Stargate's ninth chevron, a team of explorers travels to an unmanned starship called the Destiny, launched by The Ancients at the height of their civilization as a grand experiment set in motion, but never completed.

What starts as a simple reconnaissance turns into a never ending mission, as the Stargate Universe crew discovers the ship is unable to return to Earth, and they must now fend for themselves aboard the Destiny.

The crew will travel to the far reaches of the universe, connecting with each of the previously launched Stargates, thus fulfilling the Destiny's original mission. Challenges will arise though as the ship comes into range of Stargates placed centuries ahead of the Destiny and the crew is unable to control the ship's navigational schedule. If someone is left behind, there is no way to go back for them, adding to the drama of encountering new races, enemies and adventures.