The much-anticipated third Stargate SG-1 movie might not come to pass, “Daniel Jackson” actor Michael Shanks told SciFi Wire. “Given the amount of time lag that’s gone on between us doing the movies, I suspect that we might be very far away from, if ever, doing another DVD movie,” he said.
“This might be the closing of the book on that particular [chapter of the] franchise.”
“I think everybody’s moving on to a certain point,” he told the site. “And with the new show doing well, everybody’s focusing their attention on that. The SG-1 idea is somewhat on the back burner, which is a little bit unfortunate, because I think one more story would have been a great way to bring Rick [Richard Dean Anderson, Jack O’Neill] back in and really go there. But you know, business is business.”
But it doesn’t mean that fans won’t get any Daniel Jackson and Jack O’Neill. Both actors will reprise their roles in the back half of Stargate Universe‘s first season.
While Anderson otherwise enjoys semi-retirement, fellow former SG-1 cast member Amanda Tapping is busy producing and starring in her own series, Sanctuary (recently renewed for a 20-episode third season).
The script for a third SG-1 movie (as well as a Stargate Atlantis film), titled Stargate: Revolution, has been written. Though the producers were hopeful that it would go into production last fall, MGM’s financial woes and a depressed DVD market have kept it waiting in the wings.
MGM, which owns the rights to the Stargate television franchise, is up for sale and is currently in the second round of bidding from Time Warner, Lionsgate, and a few other interested parties. The studio will bring potential new owners the James Bond, Rocky, and Stargate franchises,as well as a 4,000-title film library. It also owns half the rights to the two Hobbit movies being produced by Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings). The downside: MGM comes with a reported $3.7 billion in debt.
Whoever the studio’s new owner ends up being, the math for the profitability of more direct-to-DVD Stargate films has to add up.
Shanks, though, certainly isn’t giving up hope. “Never say never,” he said. “It’s always a possibility.”
Read the full report at SciFi Wire. Shanks’ first Stargate Universe appearance of 2010, in the episode “Human,” is expected to air in late April.
Can’t say this is that much of a surprise but noe the less let me be the first to say “Nooooooooo!!!”
What can we do to change this? How? I can’t believe it’s over…and I don’t want it to be over :(
Unfortunately I think this is kind of old news and the producers have been holding off on saying anything because the people who already dislike SGU are probably only going to blame SGU for putting a nix on the SG1 and (I assume) SGA movies. And to be perfectly honest it would seem to me SGU is responsible for shutting down SGA and putting a kabosh on these films. Which, in my opinion is unfortunate because despite what Mallozzi and Wright believe I think a good enough portion of Stargate fans don’t like Universe and I don’t think it will… Read more »
“I think everybody’s moving on to a certain point. And with the new show doing well, everybody’s focusing their attention on that. The SG-1 idea is somewhat on the back burner…”
Dont try denying the fact that a HUGE amount of fans dont give a damn about SGU and have not moved on from SGA or even SG-1 yet. I dont think I ever will without a proper good-bye salute…and a great Jack/Sam scene, obviously.
Every next one minute of SG1 better than SGU season (and I must say, I like the show), sg1 is something specific, like a symbol, and we must defnd it, please do anything, write petition, infiltrate MGM, anything, but save sg1, a scifi heaven
That’s a shame.
Expected, but a shame nonetheless.
I don’t think the franchise will survive much longer with SGU as it’s only offering.
and I cannot understand, how is possible to say its end, one day before the first official stargate sg1 will be released?
@Zach Unfortunately you could be right. SGU certainly (somehow) influences decisions that have been made or will be made about future SG movies (SG1 and SGA). I myself would of course prefer the movies to SGU, but I do understand the choice. SGU is a chance for a new start. SG1 and SGA are old. They don’t look as fresh anymore. Plus, who’s going to watch it? If you see it with their eyes (and that’s what I’m trying to do), SGU is the hope to attract new people. Sadly. I don’t believe it’ll work. Stargate already has its image.… Read more »
I’m still hopeful.
Oh well then Nice job stargate maker people! do not close Sg-1 really we don’t care… The last 2 movies were not epic or shocking enough to end SG-1 correct. Oh and give us total crap the opposite of closeting the series for stargate Atlantis. Since you just Killed off Atlantis early put out a crap rush final episode and now I guess what Do not get the stargate Atlantis movie that might have ended Atlantis with some decent dignity. Well now we won’t get to see that will we? Oh joy well back to the Battlestar Galactica rip off… Read more »
i *have* to stay hopeful!!
~3rd sg1 movie~3rd sg1 movie~3rd sg1 movie~3rd sg1 movie~3rd sg1 movie~~3rd sg1 movie~~3rd sg1 movie~~3rd sg1 movie~~3rd sg1 movie~~3rd sg1 movie~
I would MUCH rather have a SG-1 and SGA movie than continue with SGU. I’m not a fan of it. I think Mallozi and Wright are deluding themselves thinking that fans of SG1 and SGA like SGU – hoping that if they say it, it must be true. Of the half-dozen friends I have who are Stargate fans, one watches SGU – no one else can stand it.
I’m hoping that whoever is the new owner after MGM will do some house cleaning at the top and get the franchise back on track. I vote SG1 and SGA movies over SGU.
Sad, but not unexpected. I’ll take new SG-1 and SGA movies over SGU any day.
I have to agree with the majority of responses here–I, too, would rather see the promised SGA movie rather than the incredibly dull SGU. Even though it seems pretty hopeless now, I’m still going to hold out some faint hope that the demise of MGM will at least let us see a proper ending to Atlantis. Of course, a “proper ending” would entail more time than one single movie could possibly cover. In my opinion, MGM’s takeover of Stargate was the beginning of the end for the franchise. I don’t know a lot about how television works or who truly… Read more »
I have to agree with Zach236. I would MUCH rather have an SG-1 or SGA movie than SGU. But maybe that’s just a few of us.
How about it, GateWorld. Replace that Poll on the right hand side with a new one:
Vote for:
A. Continue with Universe
B. Make an SG-1 DVD movie
C. Make an Atlantis DVD movie
D. A & B
E. A & C
F. B & C
G. ALL of the Above
H. NONE of the Above
Knowing MGM’s financial situation, I have not been overly optimistic for more SG-1 or Atlantis. But, when I saw Universe, my hopes were completely and finally dashed. SGU is simply too different to coexist with the old Stargate shows. It just wouldn’t make sense to alternate back and forth from a series where the Stargate program is run by hormonally charged incompetents to movies featuring a Stargate program that is populated by the best of the best.
Here’s hoping for many more seasons of Sanctuary. (Too bad they *killed* Michael Shanks off in that show.)
Disappointed but not surprised. Minus a miracle the live action side of the stargate franchise is as good as dead. At least SG1 and Atlantis still live on as novels and audio books.
I’d vote for even just one more SG1 or Atlantis movie over more SGU anyday.
I vote for SG1 or SGA movies over SGU any day. Not a difficult choice at all. The new series is lousy. I am not interested in worrying about who is sleeping with who. Can’t believe this franchise has been botched so badly.
The movies are probably the only thing keeping some old fans, now that the movies might be out. As well as those fans
Just as the ratings for Caprica have continued to go down each week, Stargate Universe and the Soap Opera on Syfy appraoch to programing will contimue to kill the franchise and may already have along with the network as far as any science fiction goes. The network and the studio have committed themselves to the so called new direction for the franchise, so making anything new for SG1 or Atlantis would require them to admit Universe is not the correct way for the franchise to go. Also the fight that Universe has caused in the fans base for the franchise… Read more »
I’m not surprised, but I am a little disappointed. SGU holds zero interest for me, while SG-1 is my favourite installment of the franchise. I would have liked one final SG-1 movie, something that neatly wrapped up the entire series (realistically, there was only ever going to be one more I think), but I didn’t think it was going to happen even before this report. And an SGA movie won’t fare any better.
But at least we still get more SGU! *headdesk*
I don’t like the suggested poll because I reject its implied premise — that MGM and TPTB are choosing or have to choose between SG-1, SGA or SGU.
The movies aren’t being made right now primarily because MGM doesn’t have any money. They’re currently pleading with other companies to come and buy them, so they can continue to turn the lights on in the morning. Even with a forecast of profitability for a direct-to-DVD Stargate title, they have to wait until they stabilize again.
I am a fan of SGU and i love SG1 and SGA! i guess what i dont understand is do they not have the money to make these movies? The last two SG1 movies that were released were either number one or two on dvd sales that week. I dont understand why they dont think they’ll sell. If your a SG1 fan your an SG1 fan i dont think that even in this bad economy that the sales would be bad. And as a fan of SG1 and i would like a little more closuer to the SG1 story than… Read more »
What they should have done is. Keep Atlantis along with Universe for some time. After Atlantis fans or SG-1 fans get accostum with Universe put an end to Atlantis and make 2 movies out of it and keep Universe.
If SGU, nose dives, I think it will be good bye to any chance of an SG-1 or SGA movie. I believe that the best way to get a movie is to watch SGU and buy the DVDs (SG-1 and SGA especially). The ratings and dvd sales are going to be the only thing the executives are looking at.
If you have ever thought about buying the dvds, now would be a good time.
@solista: MGM did a great job in my eyes. I’d blame syffy for what is going wrong…but they are a channel, what can one expect?
@Darren Sumner: If you look at my suggested poll, you will notice that ALL possibilities are listed. Only if production money is too short does it become an either/or proposition.
Are you afraid of what such a poll would show?
Even having a little data may have an impact on the decision makers. Conduct the dang poll!!!!
The hell with SGU… sorry for that, but with every news, I hate this show more…And it’s not even good! I really can’t believe SG-1 and SGA movie will not be made because of that :(( And as I see from comments here – there are a lot of fans out there who haven’t forgoten about the original SG series and want them back (not only as guest stars in SGU)… Yes, as many of you said, this was expected, but still very sad to hear… If they will not be making the movies, they should at least publish the… Read more »
Well considering the SG1 film was gonna be base on Jack O’neil, an well Richard Dean Anderson have been pissed poor for the last few years in SG1, I am actually not that bothered that we are not getting a other SG1 movie. It time to move on. But Atlantis not getting a closing movie to wrap up the Wraith and Atlantis stories lines is a shame, I am far more interest in a SGA movie by a long way, with many ways for it to end. Anyway I love universe. The franchise have evolve into a far better, producing… Read more »
The reason I believe that sending SGU into a nosedive would be the only effective means to get these movies is that admittedly from the creators of the show they know its nothing like SG1 or SGA and SGU. They have said just as much. If Stargate fans who do not like SGU continue to watch it and/or buy the DVDs the only thing that will cause is more SGU and perhaps down the road a forth series thats a spawn of SGU. And yes they could cancel the whole franchise from the failure of SGU but I find that… Read more »
Starscapesg1 It not a matter of whether the DVDs sales are going to be be good or even excellent or whether it the top selling of the week. The fact is what little money MGM does have, an it very little, they have invested in the Hobbit, an the next James film. They simply do not have the cash on hand right now to film an other movie, certainly not a movie an a tv series. An the little they do have they are investing much bigger revenues generators a SG1 or SGA films would ever be an keeping on… Read more »
This is not surprising. TPTB were never going to make an Atlantis movie. They aren’t even talking with the cast. The SG-1 movie fell by the wayside because of budget problems. I predict that there will be no more movies and whenever Universe is canceled that’s the end of the franchise.
Buy the Universe DVDs if you like the show. Don’t be fooled into buying them only in the hope that you’ll get an Atlantis or SG-1 movie.
@ Darren They seem to have money for SGU. So it comes somwhere. Also it seems the SGU DVD is not selling too well which could mean only more bad news for the DVD market. Is it because it’s a half season, or maybe people just don’t like SGU or are not getting into it, or is the DVD market truly in trouble? I think the decision to axe SGA when it was not only keeping it’s audience but growing was one of the worse decisions by MGM and Bridge. We cannot blame SyFy on this one, because either way… Read more »
Let’s hope who ever does end up owning MGM can see sense and release all the planned straight to DVD Movies. Judging from what’s written here, there’s still a thirst for an SG1/SGA Movie. Let’s face it, if it’s a movie based on Stargate, I’m buying it. Maybe that’ll make sense to whoever gets MGM or the Stargate franchise. And they’ll keep milking the franchise. (anyone got any rich relations?) And can i say as a UK resident who doesn’t have Sky … I’ve already paid for SGU Season 1 on iTunes. I don’t wanna see it crash ‘n’ burn.… Read more »
well we have left only hope for dvd movies nothing more SGU looks more like they have more money to actors then the story at fist i tought SGU will start from zero that means nothing to do with sg1 or sga but instead they start with old actors on sg1 and make it a new story as continuing from where they were cause of the stone tech and so on btw how come computer geek like eli know how to read alien tech and so on ? if he have never seen nothing more then the pc he owns… Read more »
I think they are so full of SGU right now (follow the money) that the prospect of movies at this time really is moot. When MGM is sold and the new owner dumps SGU then the door might be open for better things.
*** Has no one considered a mini-series of perhaps 8 episodes using the SG/SGA actors and premise? Atlantis is sitting in San Fran bay ready to go after all. ***
A mini-series would be terrific! As it is I see three ways in which the success or failure of SGU affects the movies: 1. If SGU had been a spectacular ratings star they might have thought there was so much interest in the franchise it would be worthwhile to make the movies. 2. SGU failed so terribly in the ratings that it was pulled after the one season and in order to keep the franchise alive they decided on making the movies (or a combined SG1/SGA movie) 3. Since SGU has neither done super well or super poorly, TPTB may… Read more »
Bloody hell. I’m extremely disappointed by that, I have to say. I’m still going to hold out hope though. I don’t want SG-1’s journey to be over.
I really dislike SGU and this news saddens me. First Jason Momoa says he doesn’t think an Atlantis movie will happen, now Shanks says SG-1 movie is unlikely. This gets more and more disappointing.
time to split for TPTB and the fans? Time to write and put together our own ending? Hell, this fandom has amazing ff writers, good designers and people who are good at vidding.
Probably we should give us our own movies…that’s my hope at the moment oo
dreaming on
Some fans have already started doing their own SGate fan films. I am not surprised at this news in the slightest. The sad fact is we were lucky to get Ark Of Truth to end SG1 as a series, and CONT was an added extra. As Darren highlighted, MGM is looking to be bought out, its struggling to survive! Although a second season of SGU has been greenlighted, who’s to say there will be the full budget to support it? – It may have cut backs, reduced number of eps etc. In the end, time will tell what happens to… Read more »
Brian: SGU’s budget is paid largely by the licensing fee paid by the network. The direct-to-DVD market is simply a whole different ballgame. MGM must fund it entirely on its own, or find investors to support this specific project (and then share any profits it can attain). The DVD market for an original project is also not quite the same as the release of a television show. I myself think that the “1.0” and “1.5” release plan isn’t a terribly good idea, but I suppose MGM and Fox will see how it plays out. I haven’t seen any numbers on… Read more »
@Thunderbird: When did TPTB last show that they have an ear for the fans? It has become very rare.
Mallozzi asking for our suggestiion for season 2 is probably an example. But I still feel it’s not really enough.
@Darren: Thanks for explaining how the DVD thing works, didn’t know that.
@Thunderbird
Forgot to ask: I’ve seen some fan films, but they do not deal with is SG1 or Atlantis. I’d like to see people work out a skript and put it together with clips from the old episodes… one time, when I have enough time, I’ll do it and make the episode everybody dreamed of ;)
I’d definitely take an SG1 and Atlantis movie over SGU as well. What they were trying to do with SGU was make a long-term (ie, many seasons) source of revenue as opposed to a ‘one time’ movie or two. At this point they must be really concerned that they decided to go with a new series because I don’t think the financial forecast of the long-term series plan is looking anywhere near as good as they originally thought :/ I like that idea of mini series as well, especially for Atlantis. They release half-seasons already, so really this wouldn’t be… Read more »
A. Continue with Universe B. Make an SG-1 DVD movie C. Make an Atlantis DVD movie D. A & B E. A & C F. B & C G. ALL of the Above H. NONE of the Above I vote wholeheartedly F. Kill of SGU that it’s obviuosly not SG show and produce our movie promised. An I agree with many here despite what JM and BW said I’m not really sure a big part of SGA audience moved on to SGU and even from other shows. It’s only another lie or propaganda to claim in their opinion SGU is… Read more »
“Dont try denying the fact that a HUGE amount of fans dont give a damn about SGU and have not moved on from SGA or even SG-1 yet.”
I would love to know where these facts come from. And having many people voice displeasure on this site doesn’t count. 100% of the people who watch the show, do not come here. I would be willing to believe it’s a small percentage of the fans on gateworld.
Trying to pass off your opinion as fact doesn’t make it so.
To translate, he’s getting paid more money to do other projects instead of returning to Stargate-SG1. Nothing wrong with that really, all the power to him he’s a great actor. As for depressed dvd sales theres a ton of free streaming movie webpages online, most of which have movies currently in theaters. I think people are increasingly resorting to downloading and copying movies then buying them.
I just discovered the average customer review on amazon and seen SGU gets only 2 stars when SGA got an average of 4 1/2 stars for each season. I think it’s the answer to TPTB about their real audience and their real success they claim the real quality of the show and the real reception among the audience. no more numbers spinned.