Article originally written by Darren Sumner & David Read - Published Gateworld Saturday - April 5, 2008

After much waiting, fans finally have the first solid info on just what Stargate Universe is all about! The third live-action television series in the Stargate franchise has been in the concept stage for more than a year now, and is being conceived by Stargate Atlantis co-creators Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper.

"The idea of Stargate Universe is that it is set on a ship that was part of an Ancient experiment that was set in motion probably millions of years ago -- one that they never saw to fruition, but that we can," Wright told GateWorld exclusively. "They got busy with the whole ascension thing."

The experiment is "to send a ship across the universe, and to send one ahead of it to seed the galaxies with Stargates, and that they would one day use the ninth chevron to get there [to the ship]. And that's what Stargate Universe is."

Millions of years ago (before their conflict with the Wraith and possibly even before they moved Atlantis to the Pegasus Galaxy), the show would reveal, the Ancients sent out two ships: an automated vessel to place Stargates throughout multiple galaxies in our universe, and a second ship to follow up and explore.

A standard, 7-symbol gate address allows for travel within the same galaxy. Use of the Stargate's eighth chevron allows for travel to a different galaxy. And the ninth chevron will allow the team to reach this second, still unmanned Ancient ship.

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?"

The third Stargate series won't be set on Earth, or on a remote base, but on a ship that travels from galaxy to galaxy.

The strike and the potential cost of Stargate Universe are not the only reasons the show is not yet moving forward.

"Part of the reason it's taking a while is that Atlantis is currently on-going, and because we didn't want to go into development with anything during the writer's strike -- because it seemed inappropriate. Even though we're Canadian, we recognized it is for the American marketplace."

"Internally, Robert and I are a little bit torn, because we had such a great time making The Ark of Truth and Stargate: Continuum. Making one or two of those a year would be a damn fine thing to do! Honestly, it takes up a big chunk of time writing it, a big chunk of time making it, and then the post on a movie is more than twice as complicated as post on the biggest episodes. So it's not like you can just knock one off while you're making a television show. It's just too much."

Wright said that he is not anxious to return to a schedule that requires the Vancouver team to produce 40 hours of television each year, indicating that Stargate Universe may wait until Atlantis has concluded its run.

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."

Keep in mind that the Stargate Universe concept is still in an early stage of development, and some change is inevitable. GateWorld looks forward to keeping you up-to-date on the development of the new series, and to exploring brand new galaxies in Stargate Universe!

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 Article written by John Howell and originally published sffmedia.com 

This is the best news I’ve heard all year. The satellite channel Sky One has commissioned two hour-long pilots of the classic BBC science fiction television series Blake’s 7.

"The time is ripe for a revival of a show that represents the best traditions of the genre, not to mention one of the best-loved and most successful dramas of all time," said Elaine Pyke, commissioning editor for drama at Sky One, Two and Three.

Originally created by Terry Nation, the man responsible for the Daleks in Doctor Who, Blake’s 7 ran for four years between 1978 and 1981 and had a massive cult following.

Who can forget the cynical but charming computer wizard Avon (Paul Darrow), the boxed super computer Orac, and the cowardly safe cracker Villa (Michael Keating) who was pretty much scared of everything.

Blake’s 7 had it all: space adventure, cardboard sets, crazy costumes, and plenty of great science fiction moments.

Travelling on a ship called the Liberator, a diverse collection of characters, part freedom fighters, part outlaws, were on the run from the defacto rulers of the universe, the Earth based Federation, led by the ambitious Servalan (Jacqueline Pearce), the show’s femme fatale.

This is not the first time a Blake’s 7 revival has been on the cards for the small screen. Paul Darrow was set to make a new Blake’s 7 TV mini-series in 2003, but it never went ahead. However, a series of radio dramas featuring Colin Salmon and Daniela Nardini was broadcast on BBC7 last year.

If the pilots are successful, we could see a new Blake’s 7 television show as early as 2009.

Can’t wait!

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