Three of the Stargate franchise’s long-running writer-producers are already at work on their next series.
Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie have been with Stargate for 11 years — since the fourth season of SG-1. Mallozzi has been blogging about what’s next for the writing partners, now that Stargate Universe has been canceled, and recently took a trip to Toronto to meet and spin story ideas with a team putting together a new series. That team includes none other than Robert C. Cooper, who has been with Stargate from its television beginnings and departed during this past production year.
But just what is this new show?
Our friends at Stargate SG-1 Solutions have pieced together the hints Mallozzi has been dropping in recent weeks, and we think their guess has to be right: the French studio EuropaCorp, the makers of the film series The Transporter, Taken (the recent Liam Neeson film, not the Syfy mini-series), and La Femme Nikita, announced last year that it is working on a TV series adapting The Transporter.
Mallozzi has told his blog readers that the new show is based on an existing and well-known (movie) franchise, is action-oriented with a male lead, and not science fiction. He included The Transporter 3 on his list of movies to take along on the flight from Vancouver, B.C. to Toronto, and mentioned Alexander M. Rümelin as an executive producer. Rümelin has been attached to the adaptation of The Transporter.
Paul Mullie and Joseph Mallozzi
The film series stars Jason Statham as Frank Martin, once a special forces soldier and now a driver who will deliver any kind of package — no questions asked. No casting for the television series has been announced yet (may we suggest Stargate‘s Mike Dopud as your lead?), though it is supposed to start filming in Canada and Europe early this year.
“This is the type of show I love to write for: fast-paced, action-driven, and humorous,” Mallozzi said.
EuropaCorp says it already has a major U.S. broadcaster secured, but the studio isn’t saying who. The studio has committed a budget of $48 million for the 12-episode season, an impressive $4 million per hour.
The series will see Mallozzi and Mullie relocate to Toronto, where the series is to be produced, along with Cooper — at least for 2011, depending on the show’s success. The two are currently working on two scripts and a show bible.
The same studio has had recent success on the television adaptation of Nikita, which is now airing on The CW in the United States. Read more about The Transporter deal at Deadline.com. And congrats to Joe, Paul, and Rob!
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If they got this one right, they're really good! And Mike Dopud would be perfect :)
So, a bunch of the people whom said they liked the idea of changing Stargate into a character-driven drama have jumped at the chance to do an action/adventure comedy. Ironic, no?
This sounds like a perfect fit for NBC. I don't see it fitting with the other 3 major broadcasters, and I don't count the CW as "major US broadcaster".
I would like to see it do well. The premise sounds cool. Don't think they can afford Statham, or that he'd be interested in the small screen, but I would absolutely love him in this role. He is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors; "The Italian Job", "The Mechanic", "The Transporter" series, and to a lesser extent; the "Crank" movies.
Other than Statham, who else would be killer in this role?
@mythos: I was thinking the same thing.
idk how i feel about this...i like the transporter movies, they are fun... a tv series tho? i will watch either way and hope for the best....this; however, not the news i was hoping for as far as what the stargate producers are doing. If these guys are moving on to new projects, i think it is safe to assume either stargate is dead or will be given to a new group of producers...... very slippery slope
I disagree that Stargate is dead because of this. Clearly a changing of the guard was necessary and didn't happen before. This may precipitate that to happen. So everyone jumping ship could actually be the best thing to happen.
Lol of all things this. Well perhaps superficial nonsense will be a better fit
If this isn't enough evidence that universe is dead, Idk what is...
Funny how,all of a sudden he and SGU fans likes what he is doing. The funny/adventure/fast paced stuff...Remind you of something? I'll give you guys a hint it's a stargate show.
@oliver - They're out of a job. What would you have them do? And I doubt they've made a 'truckload of money'. Perhaps what may seem like a truckload of money to some, but it's a niche market show on a niche market network. It's not like they were making big screen type salaries. They likely would need to continue to work to maintain their current quality of life. And after coming off of a flop, they would need to act quick in order to not get labeled with SGU's failure.
I've seen the transporter, it was OK, i do agrre with you that Mike Dopud would be perfect for such a role....To TPTB-please don't give up on Stargate, we all haven't! I wanna see more Stargate or I think i'll die.. :O