Friday, August 22
First "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" pulled out of the fall film schedule and ran to an opening during the summer 2008 blockbuster season. That created an opening on Nov. 21 that was grabbed by "Twilight," which moved up three weeks. Now James Bond wants to get into the act.
Sony has moved its next 007 film, "Quantum of Solace," back one week to Nov. 14. That puts "Quantum" head-to-head against another film I'm really looking forward to: Baz Luhrmann's "Australia," with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.
I'm hoping the release dates settle into a solid schedule before the Post-Gazette's fall movie preview, but I have little hope that will happen. Just want you to know, it's as frustrating for us as it is for you.
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Little by little, Sci Fi Channel and MGM Television Entertainment is letting us know about "Stargate: Universe": An announcement today says production on the first season of the new weekly series will begin in early 2009, "with the show targeted to premiere that summer."
In a joint statement, showrunners Brad Wright and Robert Cooper said: "In ‘Universe,' we plan to keep those elements that have made the franchise a success, such as adventure and humour, while breaking new ground in the relationships between mostly young and desperate explorers, thrust together and far from home. Above all, we believe the Stargate itself remains an enduring icon with infinite potential as a jumping off point for telling stories."
Further details of the show from the announcement:
"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."
There was no word on casting today. The series will debut as a two-hour movie event before settling into an hourly weekly series.
Posted
Aug 22 2008, 08:12 AM
by
Sharon Eberson