Every symphony needs a conductor, and every ship needs a captain. Film production is no different — and for fourteen years of Stargate television that commander-in-chief was writer and executive producer Brad Wright.
A co-creator of all three live-action Stargate TV series (one who also wrote more than 50 hours), Wright is a visionary who defined this era of the franchise. But since Stargate Universe went off air in 2011, Wright has largely gone silent on the subject of Stargate.
Now, thanks to his new sci-fi series Travelers — created for Netflix and Canada’s Showcase — Wright has stepped back into the public eye and has taken some time to reflect on his odyssey with the Stargate franchise.
In a recent Reddit AMA (“Ask Me Anything”) Wright fielded questions on the revival of Stargate, his return to show-running, and the cancelled direct-to-DVD movies that would have neatly wrapped up his tenure with Stargate. He’s also responded to a few questions on Twitter. Here are some highlights:
TIMES GONE BY
“We tried. We wrote scripts,” Wright said, responding to a question about the additional SG-1 and Atlantis movies. “The bottom of the DVD market went away and MGM asked us to put it on hold. Then, MGM went into bankruptcy and that was that.”
Originally announced in 2008 on the heels of the moderately successful Stargate: The Ark of Truth and Stargate: Continuum, these feature-length Stargate movies included Stargate: Extinction (a continuation of the Atlantis story) and Stargate: Revolution (a Jack O’Neill-centric story for SG-1). Both projects lingered in development hell until they were permanently shelved in 2011.Wright also responded to a question about the proposed Stargate crossover movie, conceived as a last-ditch effort to continue the franchise after SGU was cancelled at the end of 2010. That would have seen characters from all three Stargate shows uniting to save the crew of the Destiny.
“That was (part of) the plot of the script I was writing when I tried to convince MGM to make a direct to video movie to properly end the SGU story,” Wright said on Twitter last week. “MGM said no before I could finish it. With all the sets gone, that’s never going to happen now.”
He ended the tweet with a hashtag saying “We kept the sets up as long as we could.”
In regards to the emotional (and unintentional) Stargate Universe series finale “Gauntlet,” Wright responded to a fan who said he’s learned to accept the Season Two episode as the end of Destiny‘s voyage.
“Honestly, I now feel exactly the same way about that last episode,” Wright replied. “Years later it feels like an ending. And Joel [Goldsmith]’s incredible music cue for the last scene was his best work.”
Composer Joel Goldsmith was the primary composer for all three Stargate series, and a close friend of Wright’s. Just a year after “Gauntlet” aired, Goldsmith passed away after a quiet battle with cancer.
His final Stargate composition can be heard in this scene:
WHAT LIES AHEAD
Despite a prolonged hiatus, the Stargate franchise has made a return with the digital prequel series, Stargate Origins — the first new, live-action Stargate content in almost seven years. Wright took a minute on his AMA to acknowledge the franchise’s rebirth (and also clarify his lack of involvement).
“MGM hasn’t asked me to participate in any future Stargate content and I sort of understand their desire for fresh blood,” he wrote. “Wouldn’t say no if they asked though!” He reiterated on Twitter that his involvement in future productions would depend upon MGM asking him.
“I haven’t seen anything about Origins but wish them well,” he said. “Maybe one day they will want to reboot SG-1.”
Perhaps the future will find Wright reuniting with the franchise that put him on the map. His fellow writer and executive producer Joseph Mallozzi this week started lobbying publicly for Wright’s return to the franchise, along with SGU co-creator Robert C. Cooper.In the meantime, Wright’s full attention lies with Travelers — which is awaiting word of whether or not it will be renewed for a third outing. Season Two aired on Showcase last fall, and dropped on Netflix in December.
“The writers and I have already spent some time working on Season Three,” Wright revealed to fans. “It’s gonna be a wild ride. [We] just need the official pick up and we can GO!”
“We know how the show ends, but if we get the chance it would be fun to take a few more seasons to get there!”
Head over to Reddit to read the full Q&A, which focuses on Travelers (watch out for Season Two spoilers)! Series lead Eric McCormack (Will & Grace) also participated.
Could you guys ask the old showrunners about their opinion and whether they would be up to return IF requested be MGM? Not a deep interview, just a couple of short questions, like a poll.
Brad Wright and Robert Cooper made some amazing TV. I’m really disappointed with SGU though, not because of the show itself, but because of their attitude: They knew that had 2 seasons before a single frame was shot, but didn’t think to create a whole story with a tight ending should it not get renewed beyond that…and let’s be honest, it was apparent that an expensive show like that wouldn’t make it not long after it aired unless there was a massive uptick in viewership. Now he looks back and goes ‘well, in hindsight it’s a sort-of ending’…which I’m really… Read more »
They should NEVER reboot the franchise. That would erase so many years of of continuity. Haven’t they learned anything from Sony with these Spider-man reboots? They should continue to evolve the current universe of stories and build upon an already solid foundation. Maybe tie them together some how. SG-1, Atlantis, and Universe still have an enormous fan base.
STARGATE It’s one of the best TV shows for me
Recently, I have been very disappointed for the last two seasons
The launch of the series Very excellent to Atlantis
Is there a way to communicate with the directors of the series may I have good ideas for them ??!
You know there is a way that they could potentially bridge the gap and continue the franchise without a remake (I hope someone in Warner Bro’s reads this!) Before I explain what should be done I will explain why it hasn’t been done. All of the fans want more content in this franchise however Warner Bros after buying the rights from MGM grand library decided to make a remake of the original movies rather than a risky series; after they made this public Fans across the globe yelled and yelled that they didn’t want a reboot because they have come… Read more »
Not sure why you think Warner Bros. bought Stargate, SHS&W. It is still owned by MGM.
But thanks for the comment. We’re queuing up some additional pieces on GateWorld in the coming days and weeks about the future of the franchise, sticking with established canon, and what such a show might look like. I think you’re right that the best option would be something that follows on the heels of SGU, with a new setting a new cast of characters, where cast members (and unresolved story points) from the previous shows can turn up — or at least be referenced.
hello if it was me i would make a new show call alantis sg1 really when alantis landing on earth at the end they should of continue it . now that earth has more power to take on anything that comes at them a show base on that would be awesome just saying.
MGM can you please bring back STARGATE sg1
“We kept the sets up as long as we could” was the most depressing part of this whole read. Just… oh… All of my pain.