Stargate fans are abuzz after a cryptic announcement this weekend that MGM is reviving the original series, Stargate SG-1, in “a new format.” Just what is going on … and is SG-1 back on the small screen more than we can hope for?
The news came not from MGM or any of the series principals but from an independent Los Angeles producer, Darren Thomas, who may be affiliated with Andorra based Ordino Studios, according to a Google search. (Andorra is a small European country near France and Spain.) Thomas reportedly told the audience gathered at the official Stargate convention in Vancouver, B.C. that MGM is collaborating on an SG-1 app for smart phones and tablets (which would be in keeping with Ordino’s areas of expertise).
But there’s more.
Here is the news as summarized on the Stargate SG-1 Facebook page:
Wow, what a day! Tonight the Stargate Convention in Vancouver, is buzzing with excitement about an earlier announcement made by independent producer, Darren Thomas. Fans were treated to previously unreleased news about MGM’s collaboration on a new SG-1 App designed for smart phones and tablets. The scoop from Thomas is that MGM is reviving SG-1 albeit in a new format — music to the ears of many fans around the world. Thomas didn’t want to divulge more, but he did say that “plans are underway and I wish I could tell you more. The good news is that we will be unveiling something big at this year’s Comic-Con in San Diego.” But in the meantime stay tuned for more information right here on the SG-1 official MGM page.
(San Diego Comic-Con will take place in mid-July.)
Based on what other studios have done with their popular science fiction and fantasy franchises, possibilities for future SG-1-related productions run the gambit from online or print comics, to animated projects, to interactive social media applications. (The original television series ran on Showtime, and then Syfy Channel, from 1997 to 2007.)
More likely than a live-action project is that producers will take another stab at a Stargate SG-1 video game, perhaps designed with mobile devices in mind (perhaps including social media elements), rather than gaming consoles.
Ordino describes itself as “the newest production studio to offer apps, gaming, animation and spatial experiences.” According to their Web site the studio’s Games Division is hiring:
… developers and artists to be a part of one of the newest hottest gaming labels in Europe. The first project involves an exciting Unity game for a major entertainment franchise. The game will be developed as a First Person 3D Sci-Fi Action Adventure and will include support for all mobile platforms. The game will include a mind-bending story and eye-popping graphics; it will be a plot-twisting, action-packed adventure experience.
“Some of our first projects include building first person mobile games for an established franchise owned by a major U.S. film studio,” the site also says.
A live-action revival for Stargate SG-1 in any form seems unlikely. While it is simple enough to arrange for former SG-1 cast members like Richard Dean Anderson (“Jack O’Neill”), Christopher Judge (“Teal’c”), or Claudia Black (“Vala Mal Doran”) to contribute voice work, reuniting the cast on screen is a tall order. Michael Shanks (“Daniel Jackson”) is currently working on his new series Saving Hope (filming in Toronto), for example. And, while awaiting word on another season of Sanctuary, Amanda Tapping (“Samantha Carter”) is directing for the new series Primeval: New World.
PC games based on SG-1 were previously attempted by Perception Pty and Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment, under the titles Stargate SG-1: The Alliance, Stargate Worlds, and Stargate: Resistance. Only Resistance saw the light of day, but as an online-only project went offline in 2011 after one year on the market.
Until we know more, we’d advise caution on the speculation — and keep it locked on GateWorld for the very latest!
"T.J." actress Alaina Huffman reveals the other role she auditioned for, and why she fought…
Actor David Nykl looks back on Stargate Atlantis, being part of the fan community, and…
EXCLUSIVE: A classic Atlantis ship is now in the works from Master Replicas – one…
Fans in and around Vancouver, B.C. can attend a live recording of YVR Screen Scene…
Pre-orders go live this week for the next ship in Earth's fleet, set to ship…
Get ready for a cast reunion this spring in the U.K., with actors from across…
View Comments
Michael Shanks is working on "Saving Hope" actually...not "Grace"..:)
Deeds xx
Interesting news!, I would prefer Stargate Atlantis because this show deserves more and was unfairly cancelled to make that bad Stargate copy called Stargate Universe, or a SG-1 but with John Sheppard, he has an overwhelming charisma.
It's a game. There's links in the forum that proves it.
Good news indeed! Nice to see that MGM are keeping the lights on for the SG franchise :-)
i don't know how i feel about a 'game' of sg1...
Would've preferred a live-action revival, but if games and apps help with that, great! Would've liked some SGU news too. We still have some time before Destiny is supposed to cross galaxies but time is running out. Hate to think their calculations were off and it didn't work, or worse, Eli went crazy and killed everyone to save energy for himself.
I got excited thinking Stargate was coming back! Then I read the rest of the article. Imagine the sound of a deflating balloon here.
Okay, so a game based on SG-1? I'm still a huge fan of the show, but even I admit the party's over. SG-1 has been off the air for a very long time; can't imagine them pouring too much effort and money into a game based on not only a dead franchise, but the coldest iteration of it.
Moreover, it's a first-person action game (which is cool), but it's slated for the iPhone? Sounds like another one of THOSE shooters with a super low budget and awful, awful controls. Barf! I'm a super fan of Dead Space and Mass Effect and those both had iOS shooter spinoffs -- just like I imagine this SG-1 game could be -- that were so terrible, not even a self-proclaimed gamer and fanatic of those franchises like me could like them.
Well, I don't want to... *entirely* condemn this project before I even know its name, but it does have an uphill battle to win just based on the premise alone. For me, if no one else.
Lastly, I'm pretty sure that, for a real reboot of the show to happen, the franchise has to remain quiet long enough for someone to say "hey, remember that great show? Let's bring it back!". I just hope that this game doesn't "keep the lights on" too bright and delay that eventual reboot any. On second thought, I really doubt this game's going to make much of a splash. Oops, there I go condemning the game again.
Thats cool, but I would have loved to play a Stargate game on the PC, or consoles first.
As much as I'd love more SG-1, restarting Atlantis is likely more feasible in the near term.
one season. hell... one movie could tie up all three shows.