The “Stargate Superdrive” fan campaign reached at least two of its goals on Friday night.
Under the direction of former Stargate writer and producer Joseph Mallozzi, the social media campaign drew Stargate fans from around the world to a concentrated Twitter storm using a single hashtag: #WeWantStargate.
The campaign aimed at getting the hashtag trending, and in so doing demonstrating to franchise owner MGM that there is still an active fan base hungry for a new show — and, in particular, ready to support a new entry in the established canon from creator Brad Wright.
The Superdrive succeeded on both accounts — getting the hashtag trending, and making noise to demonstrate that this fan base is alive and well.
According to campaign organizers (@StargateNow) the campaign hashtag trended to #1 worldwide during the hour (fighting it out with the K-pop boy band BTS). Thousands of fans participated — tweeting favorite memories from Stargate’s history, interacting with cast and crew members from the franchise’s 14-year production history, and calling on MGM to re-open the gate with a new production.
The hashtag also hit #1 in Canada, France, and Australia, organizers said.
MEDIA COVERAGE
The entertainment industry trade publication Deadline.com picked up the story the same night. Within two hours of the campaign the site ran the banner headline “#WeWantStargate Trends In Worldwide Campaign To Bring Forth New ‘Stargate’ Series.”
“Fans felt the final TV series was prematurely ended with its story half-told,” author Bruce Haring wrote. “MGM has since dithered about bringing back the franchise to TV, although it did allow a prequel web series in 2018, Stargate: Origins, and several graphic novels that picked up new stories from the universe and attempted closure. That left fans with 17 seasons of programming, but still hungry for more.”
ComicBook.com also ran a story, noting that the campaign’s hashtag trended worldwide.
A second tweet storm is planned for Europe and other countries, with an hour of the day more friendly to those time zones. Stay tuned for further details and follow @StargateNow for a date announcement.
THE STARS TURN OUT
Finally, numerous former Stargate cast and crew members participated in the campaign — including Brad Wright himself!
Here are just a few of the highlights from the night:
I’m here for a good time #WeWantStargate pic.twitter.com/3KQPKNW8sl
— Michael Shanks (@MichaelShanks) December 7, 2019
@bradtravelers @stargatecommand @BaronDestructo #WeWantStargate Let’s do this!!!
— Amanda Tapping (@amandatapping) December 7, 2019
Let’s do this! @StargateCommand @bradyravelers #WeWantStargate pic.twitter.com/dAbAo29yev
— Rachel Luttrell (@rachel_luttrell) December 7, 2019
Got to share this awesome time in my life with my amazing Dad pictured here with me and my terrific Mom. Thanks for all the great times! Good night everyone. Xo #WeWantStargate @stargatecommand @bradtravelers pic.twitter.com/vyRjFn7dvm
— Rachel Luttrell (@rachel_luttrell) December 7, 2019
Yes we do! #WeWantStargate I’d watch again ? ❤️ ? https://t.co/T0NLrhyAWu
— torri higginson (@torri_higginson) December 7, 2019
Can Janet Frazier come back to life???#WeWantStargate @bradtravelers @amandatapping ???
— Teryl Rothery (@terylrothery) December 7, 2019
Me too! #WeWantStargate https://t.co/XzVM78DCOE
— Jewel Staite (@JewelStaite) December 7, 2019
We especially need more Zelenka in this world. #WeWantStargate #StargateAtlantis
— David Nykl (@DNykl) December 7, 2019
So Apophis walks into a bar… ?#WeWantStargate @stargatecommand @bradtravelers pic.twitter.com/NMU0LEnNFx
— Simone Bailly (@SimoneBailly) December 7, 2019
Hey, hang on – is this thing legit? I typed in #WeWantStargate and got an email saying "Your order has shipped and your Credit Card charged. Allow 4 business days for delivery" – Where will I put it? pic.twitter.com/7HZLMEYvK9
— Peter Williams (@actualApophis) December 7, 2019
Hey @JeffBezos, feel like reviving another SciFi classic? #wewantstargate
— Hewlett! (@dhewlett) December 7, 2019
Halfway through our SG-1 pitch to Showtime the fire alarm went off. We all had to go downstairs and assemble in the parking garage. When we got there, the head of the network just looked at me and said “okay, keep going…” So I did. I guess he was thinking #WeWantStargate
— Brad Wright (@bradtravelers) December 7, 2019
One of my favorite Stargate moments: watching the cast watch themselves get devoured by aliens in SGU episode Time. #WeWantStargate
— Carl Binder (@cpbinder) December 7, 2019
Ever wonder what BRA-TAC and HAMMOND Of TEXAS did when off duty?
I’ll never tell! #WeWantStargate @bradtravelers @stargatecommand @StargateNow pic.twitter.com/1ADap9aalB— tony amendola (@tmamendola) December 7, 2019
Bra’tac and Ka’lel thank you for your support! ? #WeWantStargate @tmamendola @stargatecommand @bradtravelers pic.twitter.com/fBitr30FMs
— Simone Bailly (@SimoneBailly) December 7, 2019
A Stargate can take you anywhere… So many creative story options! Who wouldn’t want more of this!Tweet #WeWantStargate and let the world know ?
— Sharon Taylor (@SharonCTaylor) December 7, 2019
Hey Everybubby!
I’m watching a play for the next hour but in intermission atm.
I am here though, if anyone needs me to name anything ? #Wewantstargate— Rainbow Sun Francks (@RainbowFrancks) December 7, 2019
#WeWantStargate@bradtravelers @stargatecommand @BaronDestructo @katehewlett
Hanging with the lovely Kate Hewlett…I had longer hair than her back then. pic.twitter.com/Q8DwGt6efg
— Peter Kelamis (@PeterKelamis) December 7, 2019
#wewantstargate and Gin is at the console too! Well, in it! …her consciousness, that is….and only @bradtravelers knows what her consciousness is capable of…@stargatecommand https://t.co/RxUC947b5G
— Julie McNiven (@Juliemcniven) December 7, 2019
#WeWantStargate MGM = MakeGateMaterialize https://t.co/r4b9zimqsy
— Gary Jones (@TheGaryJones) December 7, 2019
Is it time to seduce and bewitch you all? We think so… After all we are the goddess of sex,drugs and rock n roll. ? Loved this job so much and it remains a very special part of my life. #WeWantStargate pic.twitter.com/FR988zDO82
— Suanne Braun (@SuanneBraun) December 7, 2019
Another fave memory. First day at the office. Richard Dean Anderson pokes his head in and welcomes me to the show. I turn my head to do something, look back and he's gone.
Then I look down. He's down on the floor, flat on his back, playing with my pugs. #WeWantStargate— Joseph Mallozzi (@BaronDestructo) December 7, 2019
I think of this moment a lot from the #SGU finale, if only because it fulfilled a childhood fantasy. I got to fly a damn SPACESHIP! #WeWantStargate #bucketlist pic.twitter.com/aEBc6uvMYP
— Patrick Gilmore (@PatrickGilmore) December 7, 2019
Back when TV Guide was a thing. Lol! My Mom bought the store out. @StargateCommand @bradtravelers #WeWantStargate pic.twitter.com/0tjfCYcamu
— Rachel Luttrell (@rachel_luttrell) December 7, 2019
Can you name the episode without googling ? #WeWantStargate pic.twitter.com/7E3OAruqFx
— Jodelle Ferland (@jodellemicah) December 7, 2019
#WeWantStargate ? @stargatecommand @bradtravelers pic.twitter.com/3UHY7kLz5S
— Simone Bailly (@SimoneBailly) December 7, 2019
The years I spent working on the Stargate series with Joel Goldsmith were some of the best years of my life. I was a fan before I ever got to write a note of music and i’m still a fan today. #WeWantStargate pic.twitter.com/Js4t3eus0X
— Neal Acree (@neal_acree) December 7, 2019
Do we have your attention yet! #wewantstargate @bradtravelers @stargatecommand @StargateNow pic.twitter.com/9hrMxfa9nL
— tony amendola (@tmamendola) December 7, 2019
I participted in this event… Sort of cuz i only woke up at 7 am. But still it was great!
That tweet from Brad Wright can be the turning point. This is the first time he clarifies that he wants to do more.
Those few words from a few months ago sounded like “yeah, we are talking, but not doing anything”.
Fingers crossed! As someone remarked in the tweets, this has so many possibilities. Our originals would of course probably be retired at this point, but it would be good to see them counseling another team, and periodically participating to give continuity. Where was Christopher Judge in all of this???
Brasil diz: #WeWantStargate
Hey guys we need the 4th series!!!
ake it happen!!!Stargate 4 ever
I wish I could say I was apart of this amazing event…just found out about it too late. Interesting the next morning and I woke up to find out what happened. My exact words…not exactly PG rated.
So allow me to simply say this…
Bring back Stargate!
See you on the other side.
I hope this movement gains traction, I would love to at least have regular season length miniseries to wrap things up properly with all three franchises if they’re not going to continue with a regular series.