Former Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis co-star Amanda Tapping has been building quite a career in the world of directing since making her directorial debut all the way back in the seventh season of SG-1. (The episode was “Resurrection.”)
In recent years she has directed the likes of Continuum, Primeval: New World, and Dark Matter.
In a new interview with The Globe and Mail, Tapping talked about her work, about why British Columbia is so good at making science fiction and fantasy, and about the forthcoming Stargate reboot.
“Directing was always something I was interested in,” Tapping said. “Stargate was like a PhD in filmmaking — 10 years of sitting behind the monitors watching. The survival skill I learned was, basically, be a sponge. Learn as much as you can from as many people as you can and try to utilize that. I took Stargate as a great opportunity to sit and watch how television was made.
“I knew as a woman, an actress past a certain age there would be limited roles so I decided early on I was going to not be limited by that.”
She said that she works against the gender disparity that remains in the film and television industry by mentoring young women. “Inasmuch as we can say it’s the industry or men running the industry, we have to help each other,” she said. “We have to be there for each other. The sooner that happens and there’s a strength in numbers and a strength in morale and a strength in support, that will make a difference.”
As for the Stargate franchise’s return to the big screen? Tapping says she is interested, but not involved in the project.
“Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich have taken the property back,” she said. “I don’t think they disliked the television series so much. But it wasn’t their vision. The rights had gone to MGM. Brad Wright and Jon Glassner got a hold of it and ran with it, successfully. I mean — 17 seasons of television.
“But I think Emmerich and Devlin are probably happy to have it back. Certainly no one has been calling any of the Stargate actors, saying, ‘Hey. I’ve got a part for you.’ It would be nice, but no.”
Check out the full interview with Amanda over at The Globe and Mail.
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Nice hear it from Amanda but, OF course Roland and Dean want it back. The TV Series created a buzz for Stargate and they hope to use that following and craft it into there new movie reboot but ignoring those 17 seasons of quality television. Finish Stargate Universe and do more tie ins to Atlantis. Actors want it just need a network willing to make it happen.
Thanks for the article. I can't see ignoring 17 seasons of a successful television franchise is a good idea. I have feeling they'll need all the support they can get.
agreed capt4chris
So thrilled for Amanda! As for the reboot...the child went back to the original parents! So give them a chance to raise their kid the way they had intended. It wasn't like they put Stargate up for adoption, more like they left m.g.m. to babyset and then M.G.M. sold their kid to a different set of parents! it was a kidnappings! Glad Stargate has found its way home! - happy owner of the film and all 17 seasons, patiently awaiting the trilogy and the likely event of spinoff series in years to come.
emmerich and devlin could possibly destroy the stargate franchise. but hey, after *years* of jealousy and childish resentment, they get to play with it again. still don't know what they can do with it that the 17 seasons and 2 movies didn't already cover, but whatever...
if amanda (or any of the other stargate actors) were to actually appear in the reboot, i'd only want them appearing as their characters, and from 'our' universe.
maybe mgm will rethink this decision, take a look at the other reboots and realize that honoring what came before stands a hell of a better chance than 're-imaging'... but what do i know, i'm only a fan.
I don't think the reboot itself is the big problem here. May be a fresh start is good. I remember I was skeptical at first about sg1, compared with the original film. And after I watched first episode I was impressed. My concern is about this reboot being made by Emmerich. His films are great action movies, with great action sequences and even greater effects. But a typical Emmerich film lacks a good script. Beside the base concept.
There is no chance at all of the new Stargate films being anywhere near as good as the TV shows, since Emmerich and Devlin are poor writers.
@majorsal, I to am a fan. Technically the 17 seasons after the movie were a reimagining. And the best concepts originated from the film. Which include: Daniel, O'Neil, the Stargate, and Ra...( although I admit to liking Ba'al equally to Ra...Give them a chance pal. it's not like they can cancel sg1,SGA,and SGU.already gone:(...now Dear,Skittles...please attempt to taste the rainbow! Nobody wants to eat the same flavor over and over that is why the bag contains several flavors! The 17 years of Stargate we ALL enjoyed were all basically the same flavor...except the last one which was definitely lemon! If the show runners of the T.V. shows were to continue then imagine what would have occurred after season 5 of Universe? Really? Do you really want that? At least with the two writers you think suck it will be equal to watching SG1 only it will be like watching the B team. Maybe with luck it will revive the desire for a television show, maybe SG1 The Next Generation, Ha.
I'd be ok with a reboot if they at least acknowledged the TV series. There are so many ways you could break reality in the current universe and have it splinter off into a new direction.
If they cannot Reboot SGU from its unfinishted state I would request Amanda, as she is associated with 'Dark Matter' to at least take the Dark Matter ship at that part of the Galaxy to meet Destiny on its way and rescure Eli. :)