Stargate Universe is set on board the Destiny, a ship created by the Ancients millions of years ago which is following a pre-programmed course from one galaxy to the next.
While the studio is touting Carlyle as the “leading role” in the new series, the show’s producers tell GateWorld that Universe will be a true ensemble show. It’s not entirely clear just what role Dr. David Rush will play on board the Destiny. The character did not appear in the original casting calls, which led us to believe that the team that finds itself stranded on the Ancient ship would be led by military Colonel Everett Young.
Rush is not a replacement for Young, however, and may not even be the mission commander. More recent casting documents include an audition scene between the two men (which may or may not actually appear on screen), in which the two argue about who should be in command.
Based on new story details provided in today’s press release, that’s because the team has found itself on board the Destiny by accident:
Edgier and younger in tone than the two previous series, SGU follows a band of soldiers, scientists and civilians, who must fend for themselves as they are forced through a Stargate when their hidden base comes under attack. The desperate survivors emerge aboard an ancient ship missing in the far reaches of space. As they fight to survive, Dr. Rush (Carlyle) works to unlock the mysteries of the ship and return the group home, but evidence of his ulterior motives soon arises. |
Everett Young is described in casting documents as the temporary commander of a secret off world base. It’s purely speculation at this point, but Rush may have found a way to reach the Destiny (using the Stargate’s ninth chevron, as previously revealed), only to be forced through the gate prematurely when the base comes under attack, with a group he never intended to take: Young and a team of young soldiers and civilians, refugees from the compromised base.
Additional casting is currently underway and we expect to hear more news in the coming days and weeks, as the series prepares to begin principal photography on February 4. At least six major roles have yet to be cast, including Colonel Young, Captain Tamara Jon, Chloe Carpenter, Eli Hitchcock, Lt. Jared Nash, and Ron “Psycho” Stasiak (story).
Learn more about the new series in GateWorld’s exclusive Stargate Universe Launch Center! The full press release follows below.
(Thanks to the many, many, many fans who reported this news!)
NEXT: The full press release