The Full Stargate?

[fajrdrako]

This morning maaboroshi phoned me to tell me that Robert Carlyle has the lead role in the coming show Stargate Universe.

"I'm gobsmacked," said maaboroshi, who's a Stargate fan.

"I wanted him as the Doctor," I said, woebegone. It seems the BBC doesn't see it the way I do. How remiss of them.

Robert Caryle is one of my favourite actors. Am I curious enough to watch him in Stargate? - Mixed feelings of hope and dread. I've seen numerous episodes of the previous versions of Stargate, since many of my friends love the show, but my silence on the matter pretty much reflects my lack of enjoyment in it. I disliked the original movie.

So: Robert Carlyle. Who'd have guessed?

I'm gobsmacked too.

Comments

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

Damn. I wanted him as the Doctor too - and I am also gobsmacked since the new Stargate thing has always sounded like 90210 in space and a really crass way to dump the Atlantis series for one with an identical premise but younger cast...

Ahem. Sorry, but fandom has been pretty annoyed about that.

He could almost make me watch it (if it is available in the UK, which it probably won't be), but I hope he doesn't regret it. The Stargate franchise isn't exactly known for giving its actors lots of characterisation to get their teeth into.

[skywardprodigal.livejournal.com]

They went looking for someone who resembles Richard Dean Anderson. *sigh*

[lauradi7.livejournal.com]

I don't see any resemblance at all. (past the fact that they're both generally nice looking white guys). Air of toughness maybe?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I wanted him as the Doctor too

Grump, grump, grump.

the new Stargate thing has always sounded like 90210 in space

So I've heard. He seems such an odd actor to put into "90210 in Space".

fandom has been pretty annoyed about that

Understandably.

I hope he doesn't regret it

I think the only way he'd regret it is if the show is quickly cancelled. Actors need work. Actors take work where they find it. He'll do his best by it. The quality of the show doesn't rest on his shoulders.

So I understand why he took the job more than I understand why the casting director offered it to him.

The Stargate franchise isn't exactly known for giving its actors lots of characterisation to get their teeth into.

That was my impression. It seems so very unlike Carlyle's usual roles. I keep looking at the calendar to see if it's April 1 - but no, it says Dec. 15.

Huh.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Does he? I don't see much resemblance. To my eyes, Carlyle seems very Scottish, Anderson seems very American. Different types.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

There may be more publicity that will make things clearer. When is the new show supposed to be starting?

[namastenancy.livejournal.com]

Well, that's an ...interesting choice both for the producers and for him. I would have thought Stargate Universe would be too mainstream and bland for an actor with his reputation for quirky, unusual roles. But I guess it pays the bills and I'm sure that the film/TV industry in the UK is suffering the same hard times as the rest of the world.

[trialia]

IMHO, the whole franchise has been that for quite a while. I can't believe they got someone like Carlyle to sign up for it, but I'm guessing he didn't do his research on the people he's working for and their previous work.

Not being in fandom any longer, I still agree with the annoyed feeling, not because Atlantis is getting dumped (I think it's sucked since around third season, frankly) but because TPTB have pulled another load of crap on the fandom - I don't think they know how to stop.

if it is available in the UK, which it probably won't be
Judging by past record, you'll probably be able to get it here somehow anyway. And ITA with the characterisation comment.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I can't believe they got someone like Carlyle to sign up for it, but I'm guessing he didn't do his research on the people he's working for and their previous work.

I am still blinking in incredulity. It really sounds like the impossible side of improbable.

Perhaps he saw how long Stargate has been on the air and thought it was a good sign?

Perhaps he's being blackmailed?

because TPTB have pulled another load of crap on the fandom - I don't think they know how to stop.

My suspicion is they don't care.

[trialia]

It really sounds like the impossible side of improbable.
Doesn't it, though...

Heh. I don't know, maybe he's just really short on work?

I don't think they do, either. They do what they want and fuck the rest of us.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Well, that's an ...interesting choice

It is a bizarre choice. I can't even imagine how they will characterize him.

I would have thought Stargate Universe would be too mainstream and bland for an actor with his reputation for quirky, unusual roles.

Absolutely.

I guess it pays the bills and I'm sure that the film/TV industry in the UK is suffering the same hard times as the rest of the world.

I guess. Maybe he's trying to do the same thing Damien Lewis and Hugh Laurie did - find new success in a leading role in the States.

It's that quirkiness (and a kind of charm, with an edge to it) that would IMHO make Carlyle so good as the Doctor, but which is equally so unsuited to such a traditional lead role as a Stargate hero. Unless he'll play some kind of villain? - No, that's not what the press release implies.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

maybe he's just really short on work?

Maybe. Maybe he just wants to do something really different.

Actually, I like my blackmail theory. Or bribery?

They do what they want and fuck the rest of us.

So true.

[teenygozer.livejournal.com]

If you're counting Jack O'Neill and John Sheppard as "traditional lead roles" and "Stargate hero(es)," you're going to have to accept a certain amount of quirk and charm as part of the definition, and a certain reduction of traditional lead-actor hero-type behavior (unless there's killin' to be done, then they get very Dirty Harry heroic.)

But seriously, neither character is that much of a traditional hero lead as you might expect. They're both a little weird, actually. Someone who fits the bill as a truly traditional lead hero shows up on the show, and both characters react a little mockingly, if not disbelievingly.

There's a com I love called face_of_joe that is devoted to the many ridiculous faces the guy playing John Sheppard pulls as a matter of course. Not very traditional.

[benbenberi.livejournal.com]

Gobsmacked here too. All the advance buzz I've encountered re SG Universe has been of the *OMG how much worse can it get* variety -- not to mention I'm a little bitter that they've totally trashed Atlantis with their bad writing and craptastic "plots". (Not that Atlantis was every really great TV, but it was eminently enjoyable for its first 3 seasons & has since become IMO unwatchable.)

So... Robert Carlyle in the SG-verse? I assume he wanted the steady paycheck, or maybe fancied living in Vancouver for a while. It's a shame the writers for SG are complete crap at their job, and unlikely to produce anything that's actually interesting for him to do (or for us to watch).

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

All the advance buzz I've encountered re SG Universe
has been of the *OMG how much worse can it get* variety

Yeah. Me too. Until this.

it was eminently enjoyable for its first 3 seasons & has since become IMO unwatchable

I hate it when that happens. (Momentary shudder as I remember what happened to X-Files.)

I assume he wanted the steady paycheck

No doubt.

or maybe fancied living in Vancouver for a while.

Well, who wouldn't? Lovely city. [g] And he should be familiar with that kind of rainy, cloudy weather.

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

He seems such an odd actor to put into "90210 in Space"

Yeah. Makes me wonder how accurate that description will turn out to be now, if I'm feeling optimistic. If I'm feeling pessimistic, I'll wonder what on earth both sides are thinking...

I have to say I really don't understand why he took it, especially since it seems so unlike his usual path. He's always seemed very considered about what he does and always gone for the interesting choices - and good writing. It wasn't seeing a play that got him interesting in acting, it was reading one (The Crucible). I am very bemused!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

you're going to have to accept a certain amount of quirk and charm as part of the definition, and a certain reduction of traditional lead-actor hero-type behavior (unless there's killin' to be done, then they get very Dirty Harry heroic.)

I haven't seen enough of the shows to have a strong sense of plot and action, but my impression was that though the heroes were quirky and charming, they were very traditional American heroes in any way I can think of. (Including being Dirty-Harryesque.)

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing he didn't do his research on the people he's working for and their previous work

Which again sounds very unlike the impression of him I've always had from interviews.

All I can think is either (a) Universe is going to be a lot better than we were all thinking (unlikely, I admit), or (b) Mr Carlyle has decided to do something nuts just for the hell of it and the paycheque.

I'm really scratching my head over it.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Makes me wonder how accurate that description will turn out to be now, if I'm feeling optimistic. If I'm feeling pessimistic, I'll wonder what on earth both sides are thinking...

That's exactly how my thinking went! "Maybe it'll be better than it seems... Maybe it'll be worse!"

He's always seemed very considered about what he does and always gone for the interesting choices - and good writing.

Maybe he thought it was 'different'. Maybe he has reasons of his own we don't know about it. Maybe he's secretly a big fan of the show. Maybe he hasn't a clue. Maybe he did it on a bet, or a dare.

I love hearing about people who like The Crucible because I do too. Love Arthur Miller's writing.

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

maybe he's just really short on work

Maybe. But he's popped up in quite a few things lately after what seemed to be a hiatus - last interview I saw (recently, last month) he had about three new things about to come out.

Maybe he wants to keep the momentum going?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It sounds like a colossal mistake - an alternate universe, an anomaly, something that just makes no sense on the face of it - !

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

someone who resembles Richard Dean Anderson

He does? How? I can't see that at all.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

he's popped up in quite a few things lately after what seemed to be a hiatus - last interview I saw (recently, last month) he had about three new things about to come out.

And he has been very successful in some very successful (and diverse) material. The lead role in a TV show, a James Bond movie, an Oscar-winning movie and an Oscar-nominated movie - I can't believe he has to beg for new roles and take whatever comes along.

Maybe he wants to keep the momentum going?

I don't know. I can't even come up with good guesses.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

P.S. I just did a double-take and fellin love with your icon.

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

Unless he'll play some kind of villain?

They have said that his character might have ulterior motives, so maybe it isn't that straightforward a part.

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm sure he'll be good in it no matter what the rest of it is like. To be honest, that man could probably make reading the phone book interesting to watch!

Maybe he did it on a bet, or a dare

Now there's a reason I could get!

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

*grins* Good, isn't it? I had a few Bond icons after Casino Royale came out, but this was the only one I really ever used so I didn't keep the others uploaded.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It's brilliant. It has such mood to it. Woo.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

They have said that his character might have ulterior motives, so maybe it isn't that straightforward a part.

That sounds unexpectedly interesting.

It all depends how it's written, I guess. Maybe something in the pilot script caught his attention.

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

Or maybe he's actually doing a Robert Patrick and isn't intended to be in the whole series anyway.

(Er, since you didn't watch it, Robert Patrick was in the first... 2? episodes of Atlantis, and then his character got killed off.)

[boji.livejournal.com]

Would have loved him as the Doctor and all I can think when I read he's doing Stargate, and that he's recently done a 24 spin-off movie, is that he has to be paying off his mortgage. Or credit card debt *g*

Not going to regret Joseph Patterson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHpYWy89yVU) who has - I think - been confirmed as Eleven.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

all I can think when I read he's doing Stargate, and that he's recently done a 24 spin-off movie, is that he has to be paying off his mortgage. Or credit card debt *g*

Maybe he has secret gambling debts we don't know about. It's gotta be something.

Not going to regret Joseph Patterson who has - I think - been confirmed as Eleven.

I loved Paterson Joseph as the Marqius de Carabas - and in everything else I've seen him in, which is mostly just his relative small role in Doctor Who. Yet for some reason I haven't been able to get excited over him... I'm not sure why, because he's gorgeous, he has a good voice, and I like his style. Thanks for the link - just looking at that clip again I see how Doctor-suitable he is, especially when he starts to run and says to Richard, "Well, what are you waiting for? Come on!"

I really, really wish I could have seen him in The Royal Hunt of the Sun.

The official announcement hasn't been made from BBC yet, has it? Though it seems now to be treated like an open secret that Paterson Joseph has the role.

Trying to get my mind around Jack/Doctor slash with the Eleventh Doctor... Might be nice.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I did see the first two episodes of Stargate Atlantis, but had forgotten them entirely (and the presence of Robert Patrick) until you reminded me. He wasn't very endearing.

It's little like Suzie in Torchwood - you're set up to think this will be a lead character for the show, and then it turns out to be set-up.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I'm sure he'll be good in it no matter what the rest of it is like.

I have no doubt. I didn't think he'd ever be in something I didn't really have the heart to watch. I might anyway. We'll see how I feel when the show actually comes out.

[auriaephiala.livejournal.com]

I disliked the original movie.

Only "disliked"? How about "abhorred" or "loathed" or "was utterly amazed at how totally they misunderstood history"?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Any of those words would be appropriate. Mostly: it was boring.

They had James Spader, and they wasted his talents.

[auriaephiala.livejournal.com]

Maybe he's trying to do the same thing Damien Lewis and Hugh Laurie did - find new success in a leading role in the States.

I saw Hugh Laurie in conversation w/Conan O'Brien this week, and one of things he said was that he didn't expect House to last more than a couple of weeks. He loved the scripts & was doing his best to make it a success, but he knew the odds are stacked mightily against any new show. So five years later, he's still a bit shocked. I suspect any actor has to have that attitude about a TV show.

As for Carlyle: I figure his kids need braces, or something similar. And remember Plunkett & Macleane? That was hardly a piece of art.

[duncanmac.livejournal.com]

Hollywood mangling history is nothing new; they do it all the time. :-(

Oddly enough, I found I could tolerate the original movie (despite the utter shambles they reduced known history to), but I did not like the TV series at all. What was acceptable on the silver screen (once) was absolutely deplorable on TV (to say nothing of a waste of electrons).

If the remake is based on the TV show, I for one would not touch it with a barge pole.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

It isn't a remake, it's a sequel. I think. Come to think of it, I don't really know - I haven't been paying enough attention.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

As for Carlyle: I figure his kids need braces, or something similar.

Yeah. And the BBC was too slow to offer him Doctor Who. Grump.

Braces? Good theory.

[walkingowl.livejournal.com]

Alas, considering how totally boring the two direct-to-DVD Stargate movies just were, I don't think any further series will be much worth anyone's time, apart from utterly die-hard fans. Alas, I say.

Ironic, too, that I got Farscape: Peacekeeper War at the same time, and was utterly blown away by it. Like reading The Game of Kings and then picking up a 1970s Superman comic... alas!

Ironic because Claudia Black, who would not get a complaint from me should she take over the free world and rule with an iron hand, was in both of them.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

considering how totally boring the two direct-to-DVD Stargate movies just were, I don't think any further series will be much worth anyone's time

I wasn't charmed by even the 'good' versions of the show. Still: Robert Carlyle. It's inexplicable.

Ironic, too, that I got Farscape: Peacekeeper War at the same time, and was utterly blown away by it. Like reading The Game of Kings and then picking up a 1970s Superman comic... alas!

LOL - what an analogy! But true. Oh so true.

Ironic because Claudia Black, who would not get a complaint from me should she take over the free world and rule with an iron hand, was in both of them.

The only episode of Stargate I ever liked, it was because she was in it, and she was great. Then I watched the next one (also featuring her) and disliked it so much I never watched again.