In the four years since the cancellation of Stargate SG-1 actor Christopher Judge (“Teal’c”) has been at work on what he hoped would be his next project: Rage of Angels. Created by Judge, it would be a series for him to produce, write, and star in (story).
The story centers on the archangel Gabriel (played by Judge), who turns away from the rules of heaven and visits Earth to find the lost angel, Michael. Judge’s hope for the character of Lucifer? SG-1‘s Michael Shanks (“Daniel Jackson”).
Now word comes to us that the series concept (originally optioned by MGM, which also produces Stargate) has been released by the struggling studio and picked up by Starz Media, a pay cable network in the United States, and DirecTV. Though the Starz network is known primarily for airing blockbuster movies, it has recently followed HBO and Showtime into the world of original scripted programming, including the current series Spartacus: Blood and Sand.
It’s not certain, however, that a Starz production means that the show will air on the network. Starz Media also produces shows for other networks, including Masters of Science Fiction (ABC) and Masters of Horror (Showtime).
Shanks told fans about the studio change at last year’s Creation convention in Vancouver, and Judge repeated it at the FACTS Convention in Belgium in October. Michael Shanks Online and Christopher Judge Online both reported the news, which was recently picked up and brought to our attention by The Official Stargate Magazine (March/April 2010).
An inquiry to Starz Media for confirmation and comment was not immediately returned.
Shanks said that Rage will be a two-hour backdoor pilot, meaning the studio could commission a series if they like what they see, or recoup some production costs by airing it as a stand-alone movie.
“The Starz network just bought it from MGM, and we just started on Tuesday [October 13],” Judge said. “Rage of Angels is about Gabriel, who comes to Earth to herald the rest of his angels to begin Armageddon.”
But don’t expect to sit down in front of the TV with the kiddos when Rage hits the screen, the actor warned. “Stargate was a very family friendly show,” he said. “You could get together with your kids and watch it. Rage of Angels will not be like that. It will be on at 10 o’clock — and have a drink with you.”
Filming on the project is still a ways away, though — giving a newly shaved Judge time to regrow his hair.
“I complained so much about not having hair [on Stargate] that when they finally let me grow my hair I grew it for three or four years without cutting it,” he said. “And then I just got tired of it. It was just too much to have to comb it. So it’s funny, because we just had this discussion with Starz Network, and they want me to have long hair. So I’ll have to start growing it again probably for six to seven months before we start shooting.”
We’ll bring you the latest news on Rage of Angels as we hear it! (If you hear it before us, pass it along to the news hotline!)
Awesome! Best news to come out of GW in a long time! Way to go guys! :)
Yessssss!!! Finally. I guess Syfy isn’t ballsy enough to pick that thing up yet. Starz proved that they already have the proper size of cohones. Well, well…
This sounds awesome… can’t wait!
vid of the QA where Christopher judge talks about the show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PeApMRELkI
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Don’t those people realise that these days they can choose from a wide selection of wigs? Why wait 6 or 7 months to have a guy grow his hair before commencing shooting. This sounds like it’s going to be a neat show.
Awesome! I would love to see those two together on-screen again!
Congrats for Chris Judge – if anyone deserves some success, it’s him!
Good for Chris!
well he is not making any sg1 movies. so why not
Congratulations, Chris! I hope your new show starts shooting very soon and is a huge success when released. I’ll keep an eye out for you.
Congratulations to Chris Judge. I’m looking forward to seeing it.
Sounds fantastic! It’ll be great to have Chris back on our screens too.
You know how people Tip Toe around muslims and is ever careful about insulting them when it comes to Mohamed? For me, it’s twice as touchy when it comes to the Bible and all there in. Though I won’t lup off a person’s head, I’ll keep my distance and speak of the disdain I feel for it, and by disdain, I mean abstract hatred for anything that touches such subjects. Though I can’t blame Chris Judge, since, those ignorant of such things will always tread where they shouldn’t, but tonight is Nissan 14 so I’ll be peaceable.
correction ‘nisan’ not ‘nissan’
This sounds awesome! Looking forward to seeing Chris and Michael in it.
I am soooooo happy for him. Ever since this was announced I have been in prayer for this project to get off the ground. With Starz I hope he has more freedom then with a ntwork or basic cable channel. The deal with the Directv might mean the show will reair on the 101 after running on Starz, if it runs on Starz. Please let it run on Starz!
FINALLY!!!
oh well, not many fans wil pay for more premium channels.. it’s just too expensive to add mor echannels..
This is fantastic news! Changeling is my favorite episode, so I have been keeping my fingers crossed for Rage of Angels for years now! I can’t wait to see it, and I will totally subscribe to whichever extra cable package I need to make sure I can watch.
People seem to be assuming Michael Shanks will be on this show. In a recent interview (http://blastmagazine.com/the-magazine/entertainment/tv/2009/11/michael-shanks-beyond-the-gate/) he said he’s no longer involved with the production company and actually refused to talk about Chris Judge. So, don’t be looking for Shanks in this show.
@ cynical1
That interview with blastmagazine.com is from November last year. I think it was still looking pretty bleak then as to whether or not Rage of Angels would be going ahead or not then. This pick up by Starz is more recent than that. And I don’t think he was refusing to talk about Chris Judge per se, more Chris Judge in relation to the production company which looked like it wouldn’t be going ahead at the time. But thanks for the link it was an interesting interview. :)
Fantastic news! I thought the idea was all but dead, but now it seems a new show will give Spartacus a run for it’s money. Can’t wait for this one.