“No one is really certain why it was cancelled,” said Flanigan, who played Lt. Colonel John Sheppard for Atlantis‘s 5-year, 100-episode run. “Every producer/executive lays the blame on the other so it’s becomes impossible to understand the true reasons. I think our cast did a truly amazing job in helping build a successful franchise, but I don’t think that it is seen that way by the writers and producers.”
The actor said that he won’t be appearing on the spin-off series Stargate Universe, which premieres in October. Should the new series be a hit with viewers, he fears that it may not bode well for actors in the franchise.
“If Universe is successful, the prevailing theory among the writers and producers will be that actors are dispensible and not a critical part of the show,” he said. “Only time will tell.”
As for his future, Flanigan said that he is reluctant to get involved with another television project unless the character is very interesting. “I have been really fortunate in my career and hope that I continue to be,” he said. “I have been offered a number of things since I quit Atlantis. Many of them require relocations that would prove too difficult on my family. Some are simply not as interesting as my role as John Sheppard. I am looking for a show that will really invest in their lead characters. I’ll be shooting a movie in July.”
This summer he will also appear in a guest role on the SCI FI Channel’s new series Warehouse 13 (story).
Flanigan said that he would also return to a future Stargate Atlantis project, “Probably. I miss my cast members and the crew. There is a lot of unexplored elements left for Atlantis. Personally I think it could have easily gone for another five years.”
Visit AXN to read the complete Q&A! Also don’t miss GateWorld’s exclusive new video interview with Joe.
(Thanks to wraithfodder for the tip)
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View Comments
Flanigan is spot on... I think this was SciFi (SYFY, trying to get in front of contract negotiations with the cast.. and just "starting over" with "cheaper" resources..
I love Joe! He's one of the more honest people in the biz. The entire interview is quite a bit lighter in tone and shows his sense of humor much more than in what you have excerpted above. But I understand that you are mainly reporting his statements as they relate to Stargate so some would not be relevent.
Just wanted people to know he doesn't seem to be all doom and darkness. :)
Would love to see the Chris Judge, David Hewlett and himself project that he mentioned!
It's always great to see how he says what he thinks. And he says exactly the same thing most of the fans have been saying for ages.
To answer the questions he asks the fans at the site:
1) I'd watch Atlantis in the future in both the movie and series format (as long as Joe, David, Rachel and Jason are there). SGA has always been my only interest within the franchise. Never liked SG-1, won't be watching SGU
2) I'd love a movie or series with him and David (Rachel and/or Jason would be great too). Hope the reason he asked about David, Chris Judge and him on a series is because there's a project out there. I'll definitely watch it if it's greenlit.
Joe Flanigan rocks! Man, whomever actually is responsible for the premature cancelation of Atlantis made a really boneheaded decision. I look forward to seeing Joe on Warehouse 13 and in his new movie. I am glad to hear that he will not make an appearance on SGU. I am not supporting that project specifically because of how Atlantis' cancelation was handled. Joe has his reasons, but why should he appear on SGU for the PTB? They made their decision to throw SGA, the cast and crew under the bus.
I'd love to see Joe do some projects with his former castmates Jason, David, and Rachel. It would be a lot of fun to see them together again. An SGA movie would be great (as long as it's written well), but completely different projects would be excellent.
I wish Joe Flanigan all the best and hope he will keep making movies and showing up frenquently in our living rooms. (Seeing him on the big screen would be amazing!) I've missed seeing him every week! Your fans love you, Joe!! (Lots of potential malibuoceanhoney customers.)
He actually answered one of my questions, so I was thrilled!
Lazy Bees!!!!!
His story about his kids being in Kindred was cute, too. :)
I love how Joe always states his opinion, regardless of the consequences. And in this case, he stated exactly what many Atlantis fans had been thinking since the cancellation. I wish him all the best.
Apologies to the fanboys, but that's utterly stupid. 5 years is a pretty respectable run, and the stories were definitely running out of steam already. I applaud teams who can end a series before it degenerates into boredom. I like SG1 much more than Atlantis, but would have been much happier without the last two (Ori) seasons.
The SGA->SGU switch is about refreshing the stories, not the cast. Although let's be honest, there were brilliant actors in SGA, but Joe isn't one of them.
@lalo, I can understand if you don't like Joe's acting, to each his/her own (I happen to think he's an excellent actor, perhaps too subtle for some?), but to call his views stupid is really rude and uncalled for.
I think SGA could easily have gone for AT LEAST another season. However, in the wake of its cancellation, I will console myself with the idea that there would be one or two movies following. The cast of SGA was spectacular. With the amazing casts of both SG-1 and SGA, SGU has a lot to live up to. I miss Joe already.
Midway through the story, I was afraid that Joe might be so annoyed at TPTB that he won't return for the SGA movie (whenever that gets greenlit).