GateWorld: That sort of debate over the moral implications of whether it’s the right thing to do once we find the Ark — knowing that that conversation is perfect for Daniel’s character, I was surprised not to see that struggle in the film.
Robert C. Cooper: To me it would have probably happened in the series. But it just felt like it was going to slow the story down and potentially sound like “idea-izing” and preaching. I thought it would have not been right. There’s obviously room for the contrary opinion.
GW: After Daniel’s conversation with Landry at the end of the movie, about the Ark being sent to Area 51 to be closely studied, I for one instinctively expected to see that shot of the forklift moving through the warehouse stacked with crates! Did that enter into your mind to do an homage to Raiders of the Lost Ark like that?
RCC: Well, actually they’re doing that now! There’s going to be, from the looks of the trailer, Area 51 plays a big part in the Crystal Skull movie.
I wrote the scene — we actually shot a scene where we break into Area 51 to destroy the Ark after that. And I cut it for two reasons: 1) because the movie as it stands already had too many endings. It felt like it was just one epilogue after another, in order to kind of touch base with each of the characters and each of the resolutions. You needed a scene that resolved the Vala–Tomin situation. You needed a scene to sort of catch up / resolve the story with the Priors in our galaxy. Daniel needed to address the Ark and what had happened to it. And it just felt like one more scene.
But also, we just couldn’t afford to do it the right way. There are a lot of things I would have liked to have done. I would have liked to have made a little more of the battle between Ori ships impinging on Earth. But I chose not to for budgetary reasons, and also because there’s a major component of Continuum that involves an attack on Earth. And although the threat was significant in Ark, I didn’t really want to step on little scenes in Continuum.
The choice was to stick with SG-1, and play that element as their motivation rather than actually showing it.
GW: Well, now that the Ark has not been destroyed, do you think we will ever see it again?
RCC: I don’t know! I really don’t. I have no idea what’s going on. People keep asking me “Are there going to be more movies? Is there going to be another series?” And I promise you, as soon as there’s a deal in place then I’m sure there will be some sort of announcement to let people know. For now, I guess I have no answer to that.
GW: Area 51 seems to be the place where great story vehicles — like the virtual reality chair or the quantum mirror — go to die.
RCC: You know, I only look at it as a positive thing that people are still eager for more. If they feel like their biggest disappointment is that they still want to know more things and see more Stargate, then that’s OK with me!
GW: Now that the next-generation format war is over, is there going to be a Blu-ray release?
RCC: That’s an MGM thing. I really don’t know. There’s economics involved in that that are way over my head. I hope so! If you ask Steve Jobs he’ll tell you that it’s all going to be online downloads.
GW: Looking back over the last two, two-plus years, did the Ori storyline live up to your expectations?
RCC: Honestly, I’m uncomfortable judging that sort of thing. I think that’s for other people to decide. I’m always hopeful when I write something — and it’s certainly not entirely mine. There are a lot of other people that contributed to the development of Seasons Nine and Ten and the writing. I certainly don’t take credit for the whole thing.
I think to say that I had “expectations” is the wrong word. I hoped people would like it the same as I hope they had liked anything else that I had written. You make decisions at the time and you look back on them, and some you respect and some you don’t. But what I look back on fondly, or what I like and think was successful, is my own personal opinion. And I kind of like letting other people have their own without my influence. It’s interesting to me.
GW: Is there any news yet on how well the movie’s sales are doing, and when MGM might give the go-ahead for the third movie?
RCC: I don’t know. I’m hoping I’ll find out, but I don’t know. I think that … I probably shouldn’t say. I’ll just keep my mouth shut so I don’t get myself in trouble!
Look for Stargate: The Ark of Truth on DVD now! Thanks to Robert Cooper for giving us an insider’s look at this final volume of the SG-1 television series.