Don’t expect to see Stargate Universe — or any other part of the franchise — come blazing back on television or DVD. At least not in the near future.
Stargate writer, executive producer and mastermind Brad Wright took the stage earlier today at Creation Entertainment’s Official Stargate Convention in Vancouver, British Columbia and proceeded to update and clear the air on the fate of the latest series, Stargate Universe.
“We just recently found out that the SGU movie is not going to happen,” Wright said during his stage panel today. “It took too long. We just couldn’t get it together in time, and the window has closed. It’s actually sad for me, because after 17 years, I’m cleaning out my desk tomorrow morning.”
The capacity crowd at the Metrotown Hilton in Burnaby listened in silence, with some attendees visibly in tears, as Wright waxed reminiscently on the almost two decades worth of the franchise he’s had a hand in creating.
“It was a great ride and I felt really good about [SGU] and about Stargate in general,” Wright continued. “When something’s been a part of your life for 15 years, it kind of takes you over.”
“There are moments I’m so proud of and remember with fondness. I really enjoyed the last day of shooting ‘Unending’ [SG-1‘s series finale]. And I enjoyed every day on the set of Stargate Continuum. I’m very paternal and I love watching people become great at their jobs. I’m so proud of the pier scene [in Atlantis‘ Season Five episode ‘The Shrine’]. Joe [Flanigan] was so powerful in those scenes.”
Wright also confirmed that the proposed Stargate SG-1 and Atlantis movies have been permanently shelved, along with another movie idea he had been trying to get a greenlight on, which would have combined and involved cast members of all three series. Scripts for the first two of those projects, tentatively titled Stargate: Revolution and Stargate: Extinction (respectively), were completed well over a year ago.
What does this news mean for the future of the Stargate brand and the franchise? In the short-term, there are no plans to begin production on anything Stargate-related. But it’s a situation Wright doesn’t see as final — even if he’s not a part of it.
“It’s a franchise. Stargate is not over,” he said. “Somebody smart from MGM is going to figure it out, and something will happen.” Wright said, adding that he’s embracing the chance and prospect of writing material that isn’t Stargate related, and will be actively working on other pilots.
Keep your browser locked on GateWorld in the days and weeks to come for more updates and reports from this year’s Creation Vancouver convention, including brand-new and exclusive sit-downs with cast members from all three series.
I have only one emotion to convey right now…
:(
All of this is bad news. This is just horrible, I think I’m going to cry
It wouldn’t be so bad if we had some kind of conclusion, even Enterprise had a finale! I would be perfectly happy if we got one more SG-1, Atlantis and SGU movie and maybe his proposed combination film to conclude the franchise for a while. I always felt SGU would be the last Stargate series for a while no matter what state it ended in, but this…I’m so angry right now at how things have turned out… Just when Star Trek gets cool again, Stargate dies. Great. Now I’m back at the emotional state I was when Enterprise ended (yes,… Read more »
The worst news in a long time…. I’ve been hoping for some good ones finally, but then this :(
It looks like it really is over, despite Wright’s words…. Goodybe Stargate :(
I must say it isn’t really much of a surprise considering how things have been with it all lately though this is really sad to hear though Hopefully like he said some one will pick up stargate again one day could be a continuation or a complete remake who knows.
Yeah, I take Wright’s comment of “it will continue in some form” with a grain of salt. He’s burned us out so many times with his comments of hope. “Atlantis and SG-1 movies” “working on a continuation of SGU in some form” “working on something that will please fans of all Stargate series.”
Dear Mr. Wright, I’d rather have no hope than false hope only to have that false hope diminished. So if nothing is coming, say nothing is coming until it actually comes. Don’t play politician with us, tell it to use as it is.
Brad said nothing new here, but it’s still sad to see the franchise die, especially on such a sour note.
But Brad is right; it’ll come back one day.
I am actually quite pleased about this. Don’t get me wrong – it IS sad,and I am disappointed re the SG1 and SGA movies, however a franchise can only go so far with the same people at the top. Star Trek itself is proof of this. Gene Roddenberry, Harve Bennett, Rick Berman, and currently JJ Abrahms. Different head people with all with different ideas. – Stargate is just too profitable to be left on the shelf. Star Trek The Motion Picture was only the start of really big things for the Trek franchise after a ten year gap. – Perhaps… Read more »
It’s lovely that the decided to risk trying SGU, now see where it’s got us! With nothing! I’m happy that SGU is completely gone, but SG-1 and Atlantis! That is sad! :'(
With SG-1 and Atlnatis there was steady viwers, so I don’t understand why they decided to change things up at all? After the first season the number were very decreased, why did they continue a show that they knew would continue to pull bad numbers and not please viwers?
I never thought the ending of a show could make me so sad. But there ya go. Wow. Goodbye Stargate, you will be missed. I can’t imagine how they would reboot it, if they do I dare say it will be several years from now. But without Brad and all I would worry about what would be done with it. : (
The rest of my inner child just died after reading this article.
<:'(
@ Browncoat1984, AGREED!!!!
You brought this upon yourselves. All of you.
Stargate, the brilliant show with a fantastic run but a fandom which revolted against change.
started watching in 1997 when i was 13, and now im 27. what more can i say, but thank you.
Sounds like a polite way to say the franchise is official dead :(
MGM should have sold Stargate if they are just going to shelve the whole franchise!
a great way to finish an awful week
“…And that’s the story of the day I forgot how to smile.”
“Your stories are stupid, grandad.”
Thanks SG for 17 years of wonderful adventures… see you on the other side of the galaxy! Looks like the last Chevron has been dial for for the last time… :(
The saddest part of this is that we will NEVER see those three movies or even a conclusion to the SG: Universe story-line. More than likely – the series will be rebooted in a decade or so…by then SG will be another classic show for the history books.
Reading you comments, I think about what would it be like if SG even got rebooted in the far future… Definitely not the same! Without RDA, Amanda, David, Jason, Joe, Paul….there is no SG without them – for me, at least…
this is insane! there’s still *so* many fans for stargate, it’s just that they’re more interested in SG1 and Atlantis!! so SGU failed, by why have the entire franchise be shelved, just because *one* aspect of it didn’t go over well!? i couldn’t give a damn about a new and improved stargate series coming down the road, it’s the SG1 and Atlantis casts that i like, that i love! MGM: you don’t have to look deep to find these fans. WE’RE RIGHT HERE. we’re waiting. we don’t want a new series, we want sg1/atlantis. we don’t want to wait 5… Read more »
It’s been a long road, one through which many fans have driven their emotions and thoughts. We saw the gate being uncovered in 1995, we saw Atlantis raise from the abyss in 2004, and we’ve reached the farthest reaches of space with the Ancient Starship Destiny. We all feel sad at the end of all things… But think about all we leave behind. A whole world full of possibility. And as long as we remember it, it will be with us forever. Who knows, maybe in time someone will feel the same way we do and will take the reigns… Read more »
This is very disheartening. The Stargate franchise is what brought me to the network, and has largely been what has kept me there. I really don’t understand. The fan base is HUGE, there are profits to be made. And as far as the big screen, what is wrong with MGM? This franchise is a goldmine. So many story lines that have never even been touched upon, or gone deeper into, even way back to SG1. I am shocked. This franchise is what Science Fiction is all about. So much for me watching the SyFy Channel. The only other show I… Read more »
Sheppard would say now:OH crap.
Sad news. The franchise isn’t even going out on a high what with SGU’s poor ratings. The SG1 and SGA movies should be made. With the success of AOT and Continuum we know there is an audience for SG1 still and the SGA fans have been very vocal for their movie. That would be be a much better note to end on. The writers took a BIG risk in making SGU so different to the other two series (at times hardly recognisable as Stargate) and unfortunately lost. I have watched all of SG1 and SGA and loved them. I have… Read more »
What a terrible ending for a fantastic franchise. It’s as bad as – or possibly even worse – than all those series, like Firefly, that never got a chance. Stargate, big as it is, should have gone out with a bang, instead, it feels like it’s just died over the course of the last few years until somebody finally snuffed out the little flame that was left. The fans and the people who have worked on this show – both the newcomers, and those who have put nearly 2 decades of their lives into it – deserve better, and to… Read more »
Shame the entire franchise has to end because of the failure of SGU. Brad Wright and Robert Cooper killed the franchise the moment they sacrificed SGA for SGU. I knew SGU would fail after the pilot episode. It didn’t have any of the magic that SG1 and SGA had and now its brought the entire franchise down with it. Yet the only thing Brad ever tried to save was SGU. We were told that the SGA movie couldnt be made because of ratings and the declining DVD market, but yet those reasons didn’t stop Brad from trying to get an… Read more »
It’d be nice if they’d toss us a bone and release the SG-1 and Atlantis movie scripts.
Really heartbroken about this but i guess we all knew it was coming. SG-1 cancelled, Atlantis Cancelled, SGW & SGR cancelled and now SGU along with any other proposed movies or continuations cancelled. . . Will always remember the stargate franchise as a big part of my teenage years :( R.I.P Stargate!
But i agree with ocdtrekkie, the movie scripts would be brilliant to have! At least we could find out what happens with the lucian alliance & with atlantis being on earth etc. . . kind of massive cliffhangers never to be answered there. . .
Just shows the pointlessness of fandom… Kinda learned that from Star Trek. Which, after many years, got a stupid reboot that takes the franchise into an alternate timeline and drops a truckload of poo on any serious fan. Guess what’s gonna happen with Stargate? Well. The damn same thing and none of us can’t do anything! Shame. Moving on.
So sad… Way to ruin my week… I cant beleive they are not getting any sort of end for any part of the franchise… That just seems wrong
Teach him to be far too arrogant with the show. I will always remember that one quote where he compared the show to star trek and said it could be as successful if not better…. Never a good thing when you compare to some legends.
This sucks…I hate MGM
a reboot??? I think Emmerich wants his sequel still. one that would totally obliterate all that was done on tv. what made MGM change their minds i wonder?
Could someone ask Wright at the convention if a book deal is in the works? I mean, if we can’t movies, I wouldn’t mind 2-3 books to conclude the SGU story.
But I definitely need a conclusion.
a true fan would have supported SGU even if he didnt like it because that would in return have helped SGA and SG-1.
In no more than 5 years the entire Stargate Universe will be launched. None of the past players will be involved. I am surprised anyone thought there would be SG1 or SGA movies as they auctioned off everything; yet say they have little in the way of funding. You sell it all so you can shell out money to rebuild? As for SGU, sorry the size of the sudience did not warrent it. Out of the 1 million who watch in the US maybe 10% would buy the DVD. RIP SG1, I got the box sets and fan fiction to… Read more »
and the ratings for the mckay episode really showed the value of the stargate franchise.
I am sad we will not get a ending for SGU.
At least Atlantis and SG1 had a ending an frankly I after seeing what the writers and the universe were capable of delivering in SGU I have fallen a bit out of love with the other two series.
I hope we will get a book or two to wrap up SGU in the near future.
i like the positive spin the title of the article has. brad’s words actually mean its over…forever. no one believes anyone will pick it up. The franchise is history, stargate buried again.
I think it is easier to reboot a series like Star Trek because you just set it in a different time or on a different ship. Since Stargate is supposed to be the here and now I can’t see how they could move on with the show without rehashing what has already been done or completely changing the feel and/or time frame of the show. I personally would be open to this, but with the way fandom reacted to SGU I can’t see it going down very well. However, a new series wouldn’t have the anger of the Atlantis cancellation… Read more »
Comic form!!! Common let IDW create a comic to keep the series going… It worked for Buffy and Angel.
This only confirms what I feared would happen ever since SGU ratings started going down. It would die and take the Franchise with it.
This really pisses me off, not so much the death of SGU, I can live with that, but the decision not to greenlight the movies because SGU has done badly. SGU is NOTHING like SG1 and Atlantis, if people don’t like SGU fine, but you can’t base a decision about the SGA/SG1 movies based on SGU’s performance. Do they remember that the SG1 movies were successful for them?
Can’t say I am sad;actually i am rather pelased. Hopefully now MGM will hire some fresh faces with new ideas and reboot Stargate. The sci-fi soap idea never worked for me! @duneknight- maybe you enjoy torturing yourself over a horrible show so that other small minds won’t call you a traitor, but MY time is too valuable to waste on a terrible show. I really could careless what anyone else’s opinion is of my televison habits. So you liked it- good for you! Call me a traitor all you wish, I simply prefer my taste in good television to yours!… Read more »
Sadness
The first mistake that MGM/Syfy/Brad Wright did, was to cancel SGA -first-, and later have SGU start out fresh as a newcomer. SGA benefitted greatly from being simulcast alongside SG-1 for seasons 8-10. Had they continued producing SGA alongside SGU, the ratings would likely have been higher, and we’d probably see a shift in SGA style to be more in line with SGU’s style.
For many months now all i`ve seen is it`s sga fan`s fault it`s sci fi`s fault etc etc for sgu being cancelled yeah point the finger get angry i felt the same way when sga got cancelled i`d love nothing more than to see what happen`s to atlantis but it isnt going to happen maybe in the future we might find out.So why bitch and moan and slag people off.I mean your a traitor if you don`t watch sgu sorry but wtf is that all about. You don`t like something you are not going to watch it.I know what you… Read more »
@Browncoat1984 There is a difference between false hope and hope that doesn’t work out. False hope is when someone tells you to believe is something even when they know it can never happen.
What happened here is he was hopeful as we were. Then things didn’t work out, so the hope just didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to.