Stargate: The Ark of Truth and Stargate: Continuum were big hits on DVD when the original movies debuted in 2008 … so what’s the hold-up, MGM? With 2009 rapidly passing by, the studio has yet to begin production on the third SG-1 movie and the first Atlantis movie.
Executive producer Robert C. Cooper recently told SciFi Wire just why there is a delay, echoing what he and fellow executive producer Brad Wright told GateWorld in April (interview).
“We’re ready to go,” he told the site. “We’re just waiting for the right opportunity. We want to be successful with it. The studio wants to be successful, and we really don’t want to proceed with something in the wrong climate, which I think financially it is right now.”
“We were very successful with the first two SG-1 movies,” Cooper added. “Since then, the economics have changed a little bit. DVDs aren’t selling the same way they were when we released those even just a year, and a year and a half ago.”
Meanwhile, the Atlantis set is still standing (and costing MGM rent) — a good sign that the studio plans to film the movie, eventually. The S.G.C. set was recently converted for use in the Stargate Universe premiere, and there are rumors that the real-world closing of Cheyenne Mountain may result in a relocation of the SG-1’s home base in a future film.
Wright said in April that the SG-1 movie had received a green light from the studio and would almost certainly film before the year is out (story). Whether MGM is still planning that schedule remains to be seen. The script is complete, penned by Wright and Carl Binder.
The Atlantis movie script has also been written, by Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie, and is still waiting for the go-ahead. Its working title is Stargate: Extinction.
Cooper said that the Atlantis film takes place shortly after the end of the final episode of the television series, while the SG-1 movie (which will feature Richard Dean Anderson as Jack O’Neill) takes place sometime in the period between Continuum and the start of Stargate Universe.
Visit SciFi Wire for the original report, and stay tuned to GateWorld for more news as it breaks!
this makes me really happy. I’m glad to hear that MGM still has every intention of continuing the movie series. I think the Stargate Franchise is definitely booming right now
:( :(
no more waiting!!!
the sg1/atlantis movies would be *new*, which is a lot better than all the already-seen movies and tv series monopolizing the dvd market.
I agree just start on it for all we know this could take a while, so you might as well just get on with the production
This definitely seems short sited. The benefit of releasing something direct to DVD is that your profits are limited by ratings. They could release the movies now and they’d sell for the next few years, so I hardly think the current economic situation is going to have much impact. They wait too long and the actors will move on to other things and the movies will become impossible.
Er, aren’t limited by ratings. And even if SciFi airs the movies just before or just after the DVDs go on sale, you’re still looking at several years of sales to generate revenue.
Well I am glad to hear somthing about the 2 movies. I was beginning to worry that we would never seen those anymore or hear about it.I do have to agree with jshier here.I’m sure that the crisis is not a great thing these days,but I also dont think thats the main reason here.Was the re cut version of Children of The Gods an attempt to get more money in for at least one of the movies? And then the rumors that the real-world closing of Cheyenne Mountain may result in a relocation of the SG-1’s home base in a… Read more »
I’ve been waiting all summer to hear some news about the movies… Please make them, and do it fast! =)
Economy? That economy didn’t prevent them from sticking 20+ mil. more into SGU. I would believe that if SGA’s S5 didn’t sell more copies in its first three weeks than SG-1’s S10 did in its first three weeks – and that DESPITE bad economy.
Meh? This makes me sad but not surprised, shame that the SG1 set had to be destroyed to make way for the SGU set, more reason to hate that show if it’s not perfect.
I doubt we’ll get many more SG1 movies, I reckon we’ll get 2 more SG1 films tops and 3 SGA and then they will be gone forever.
the fans would purchase the dvds no matter what the economy. they are expending all of their time, energy and money on SGU.
I don’t believe that they have any scrips written they have been to busy pouring all their time and money into SGA’s replacement and their new baby. The closer that we get to the big premire of there new show they will continue to drop these little bits of hope for SGA fans in hope that we will watch it. It would be very funny if SGU sinks after taking the place of a show that rose up from the ocean and into our hearts. I am still very bitter about the treatment of SGA I do hope SGU sinks.… Read more »
Thanks for bringing up that interview with BW last April, Darren. Personally, I think there’s more going on here than worry over DVD sales. Whatever it is, I’m hoping they get these movies going soon while the fans still care.
Unbelievable truly unbelievable, what’s so different now to what it was like a year ago like when they cancel SGA, nothing that’s what, so they axe SGA with a pack of lies about it going to movies JUST so they could spend all the money plus some on SGU!
I agree vss there is far more going on here, than just the economy worries, because the economy hasnt stopped then throwing money at SGU has it! This is just so wrong on so many levels!
Boo! If they have the scripts and the budget, then make the damn movies. Stargate viewers will come up with the money one way or another for the DVDs.
Well, that just sucks! They certainly have enuf money to throw at SGU, and there is no evidence that the SG1 movies and SGA Season 5 DVDs did poorly, in fact they have all done quite well. So I don’t buy that argument for a minute. They are so wrapped up with lust and love for their newest baby they have no time for the many previously loyal fans of their previous shows. A pox on their house, I say! If I ever thought I might give SGU a chance (and I was beginning to lean that way), this has… Read more »
What a complete load of drivel, jeus christ how much crap are they going to try an spin us. Found the money for SGU didnt, SGA going to movies YEAH RIGHT it was never gonna happen thats plain to see,this just sucks, I knew this all along but keep hoping that I might be just overeacting an might just be reading more into things an that things were stated out of context BUT NO this is just, “orr so anrgy” cant type what I really want to say!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well thats it for me, no movies, no fan, goodbye
My God… the people on here are such doom and gloom about everything.
When they have a new series taking up the entire production department with a set deadline fast approaching, they just don’t have the manpower until production wraps on Season 1! In fact, it’s amazing they went ahead and wrote the scripts already! People, they will come. Be patient and enjoy that you have ANY Stargate on the horizon.
@AscendedTauri from my point of view, I don’t have ANY Stargate on the horizon, seeing as I won’t be watching SGU.
@AscendedTauri, you may have a new Stargate to look forward to to, an I hope you enjoy I really do. But spare a thought for those that dont have a new show to look forward, as SGU is about as appealing as watching paint dry this is just IMHO for me Stargate died 1 year ago with the axing of SGA, so I couldnt give a fig fart about SGU not watching an dont care. The only reason I am still even bothering with this site is for SGA movie news, nothing more nothing less, so please forgive if there… Read more »
WTF, this is crap, another excuss, that just dosnt do it, the only word I can think of is CRAP! only want to hear about SGA an maybe SG1 as no new Stargate to revel in, yes another one also not watching.
If they make these movies now, the DVD’s won’t come out til next fall. Who knows what the economy will be like then. Just make them. I’ll buy them. That’s 50 buck, get started.
@Buddybear: YES, they have actually written the scripts, BOTH of them. What really grinds me about the ‘doom and gloom’ is it’s all I hear. Last year, every Atlantis news story was all “I hate Woolsey” “bring back Weir” “I liked Season 1” “what happened to Carter?” “the acting is bad” “the writing is bad” “they’ve run out of ideas” suddenly… Atlantis isn’t on and it’s like a rainbow suddenly opened up in people’s eyes about how glorious everything was. About SGU: I’m SICK of people being all pi$$y about a show they havn’t even seen yet! And then, reading… Read more »
*ahem* this is frustrating and like you am also frustrated and annoyed at the movement of deadlines…. But consider this… Not only are resources being pumped into SGU, but you have also got Amanda doing sanctuary as well as the other projects that the cast members are working on. Also consider this when deciding whether or not to give SGU a go. How many of you were Naysayers when Atlantis first spun-off? where would the franchise have been if we all had decided that that was it.. weren’t gonna give atlantis a go because, at the time, it was set… Read more »
nicely put Tauri… and for the record i look forward to seeing woolsey.. picardo is a great actor, and the character has grown so much (yes, thats right, i live in aus and haven’t seen it yet!!! lol).. and all the doom about jewel staites character etc. etc. etc.
come on guys (and gals)
I’m a true fan… of Atlantis, not the franchise. So don’t tell me to watch something I have no interest in. If it didn’t have Stargate in the name, I wouldn’t have even considered watching it in the first place, given all the drama and angst that are supposed to take place (definitely not a BSG later season fan here!). And I think I kind of looked forward to seeing Atlantis when it came out, then I had two Stargate shows to watch at the same time. There was certainly none of the feelings of betrayal and dismay that the… Read more »
Oh B.S.. The economy is the do all, be all word for everyone who has an excuse. Look at the movie receipts for the summer. Trek made tons of money as did all the sci-fi out there. People are getting Netflix in record numbers and people are buying the remake of “Children of the Gods”. Did the economy stop that? No! I’m tired of excuses from this bunch and from the Sci-Fi channel (syfy). If they don’t want to pay the actors or can’t write a good story then move on but don’t push this crap down our throats. Hey,… Read more »
Amen brother “AscendedTauri.” :-)
Brad Wright and Robert Cooper haven’t let us down yet. We will find out about SG:U in less than 2 months. Also, the next SG-1 movie should begin production after SG:U wraps season one.
Personally, I would say that we Stargate fans are very, very lucky.
Be patient grasshopper. :-)
Well said AscendedTauri. Well said. It seems people don’t have patience. Kinda selfish, in my humble opinion. You (the naysayers) cut these people up (BW, RCC, etc.) and all, yet you expect them to make these movies. TPTB can only do so much…People expect them to do so much at once. We saw this once before and it exhausted TPTB. (SG-1 seasons 8,9,10 and SGA seasons 1,2,3.) If you have patience, waiting for SGU’s first season to wrap up, they will probably move onto the movies and film them. When they will release the two movies on DVD is another… Read more »
@flmatthew: I agree about bad economy being an excuse. This year’s scifi projects didn’t flop because of bad economy but because they were lame and badly written. Look at Star Trek’s amazing success and tell me how this “bad economy” influenced it. I don’t get how TPTB can cite bad economy when every idiot can go and check sale numbers on the net – and they prove just the opposite: SGA’s S5 keeps selling more units than S4 and definitely more than S3. Do we look like idiots? On the other hand – this time, SyFy can’t be blamed, it’s… Read more »
OH RIGHT as I see it now according to those that like SGU, you can ONLY be a fan of SGA or Stargate in general, if you support SGU, right then, an if you want to support SGA watch SGU, sorry WTF! First you have to like the idea of SGU, then you have to like the some of the cast choices, then it helps if you like drama that involes ansgst a finally again it helps if you like character driven crap! So if you dont, just because you really liked SGA you HAVE to say I’ll still watch… Read more »
shepsgirl4ever I understand your anger.People we all can say what we think about this we all have our own opinions and we also should respect the opinions of others, and dont blame others if they dont like or agree with things that are going on. Do they play with us? Sure they do. And you know what we let let them. Fans are pissed and they have the right to be pissed.I dont think fans are the only ones that are pissed or sad about axing SGA and SG-1 and how it happend. I think the cast from SGA is… Read more »
I still think the economy thing is a bunch of BS. They have everything they need to start but it is TPTB’s fault if these do not get produced.
What would be ironic is, if the sales from SGA S5 would be used to fund production costs (In these “dire economic times”)for SGU. WOuldn’t that be a kick in the teeth for us SGA fans? The proverbial carrot of SGU and SGA movies still dangle, to keep us lemmings still interested in SGU. has anyone looked at the SGU’s charter design (What they told us about the show then, and how different it would be than SG1/SGA) and how it looks now (a weak replica of SGA with more daytime opera? George Lucas may have written the Best Space… Read more »
I think some of the posts on here are from TPTB themselves LOL keep up with all the reasons why we should watch SGU it is just going through one ear and out the other, I WILL NOT watch SGU and don’t tell me what a true fan is or a loyal fan. Also the comment about poor scrips and complaing about SGA if you look back it had nothing to do with the actors or the show it was the TPTB’S lack of caring about the show they where already dreaming up a replacement and they didn’t care what… Read more »
I have to agree with shepsgirl4ever – patronizing comments like “be glad that there’s any Stargate show” are really aggravating and the “watch SGU, make it successful and you’ll get your movies eventually” implications really do smack of blackmail. I don’t want a new show, I want my old show back and since that’s not possible, I want the promised movie. What’s wrong with that? I can wait but they’ve been dancing around the production date for a year now and “eventually” and “soon” and “waiting for the opportunity” is quickly growing old. I think that they shouldn’t have promised… Read more »
Look.. i’ve been a Stargate fan since SG1 first hit our tv screens. I’ve followed it through every season and was as equally captivated by Atlantis when that came along. Like a large proportion of Fans, I was devastated by the news of SGA’s cancellation. It felt like a kick to the stomach. And the way it was dealt with only poured salt into an already gaping wound. I don’t pretend to try and understand the politics behind it. They simply cancelled the show. Period. I didn’t ask them to do it and I also wasn’t consulted on what i’d… Read more »
“suddenly… Atlantis isn’t on and it’s like a rainbow suddenly opened up in people’s eyes about how glorious everything was.”
That’s because the bad parts of Atlantis pale in comparison to the spoilers released so far for Universe.
“Ya know what helps? Read Mallozzi’s blog. Even if ya don’t like the guy, it’s the BEST source for information on allll aspects of Stargate”
Only if you like spin disguised as information.
I wonder if they’ve given any thought to going an alternate route with continuing these series. Torchwood just did a wonderful 5-part miniseries for their third season. If the DVD climate is bad, maybe there is opportunity to consider a different format. Personally, while I did enjoy Ark of Truth, I thought it was a terrible way to wrap up two seasons worth of build-up and story-development. It deserved a better conclusion. With Atlantis, the final season was never written to be such. I think there should be an Atlantis mini-series anyway just to transition the show from weekly series… Read more »
Here’s a thought, if they were so worried about the recession an down turn in sales NOW an all that jazz, then WHY did they cancel a well loved high rating show, with a good fan base already, under the guise of going out on top an moving it to DVD movies, to replace with a untried as of yet unknown format. New cast, New set, a whole heap of new expenditure, PR an marketing, which they seem to be throwing money at like its going out of fashion. Instead of sticking with a tried an tested product they know… Read more »
This is great news! SGA was a big pile of generic cheese, with little creativity or imagination, and awful contrived stories. I can only hope the film never gets made. Go bad economy!! One can only hope SGU will bring *proper* aliens (i.e. not the conservatively uncreative bipeds ect), innovative stories and decent sci-fi to the fold.
Dear AbstractAlien, don’t forget that the same writers who wrote the “big pile of generic cheese, with little creativity or imagination, and awful contrived stories” write also SGU!
@ AbstractAlien: generic cheese?, well if you are hoping to find anything other than the “Generic Cheese” (perhaps mushrooms, peppers and sausage), You may not find any, as the same people “with little creativity or imagination, and awful contrived stories” are writing this series as well :) SGA Forever !!!
Stryse has a great idea with having SG-1 and SGA done as mini-series ala Torchwood. SyFy could create special events with these two and if they’re smart, don’t let the DVD’s come out until AFTER they’ve aired. Have the airing be first. Personally, I’m excited to see SGU but as mentioned by others here and elsewhere, I don’t think the series will have the same sense of ‘greatness’ that SG-1 and SGA had. I WANT my heroes to have close ties with each other, care deeply about their planet and their countries, and be excited by their discoveries. I want… Read more »
yep, and it sounds like they’ve managed to get their act together finally :) even Russel T Davies managed to do something good after 4 years of turgid rubbish, when he did the last Torchwood series! theres always hope! :D
I rememer BRAD WRIGHT saying in his GateWorld interview last Fall that he couldn’t understand why Stargate fans were upset. The franchise was going strong on it’s “4 Legs”, SG:U, SG-1 movies, SG:A Movie, and the computer game. Well, it looks like the fans are down to 1 leg now.
It is August ’09 now, with a delay….say 6 months tops….we may not see another SG-1 or SG:A movie until 2011 at the soonest!!! I can see perfectly well why some fans are upset. I know I am. And I fully intend on watching SG:U this October.
@everyone Ever want to know why this place has become a flood of whiny people? Because.. way back when SG-1 Season 7 began to air, and that high shot pushed in to reveal a naked Daniel Jackson back from being ascended… the Fans that Be (or TFTB as I like to call them) got it into their heads that THEY were the cause of it. That they get to make the decision that shape the way this show goes. But TFTB, well… they’d better get what they want or *gasp* They’ll stop watching. (Or at least they will pretend to)… Read more »
Ya vol, herr editorguy! We shall all strive to be as passive and meek as you!
You all say wait. Wait for What. SGU is already on Hiatus. Yep they are! They already have em in the can for the first part of syfy’s year. So whats holding em back now. Thank god other minds are out there with sci fi coming. V’s coming as well as others. At least they will give us a break from these guys.
You know what I had couple days to chew the fat as it were, about these comments. An I think I’ve now made my mind up, the way this has been so badly handled from day one an the whole SGU thing an the bitching in the fandom, this whole us an them thing is so distasteful, now leads to think that I’m done with New Age Stargate they can keep it, it used to be fun thinking about Stargate watching Stargate an interacting with other fans, now it seems you just have to justify your reasons for either not… Read more »
I’ll just be happy when these movies come out.