The dynamics of television and the Stargate franchise’s inevitable return continue to shift as 2022 turns into 2023.
Amazon’s plan to purchase MGM (and with it the Stargate franchise) for $8.45 billion was closed in March of this year. Since then it’s been radio silence on the Stargate front (aside from the shows’ recent return to Prime Video in the United States), leaving fans continuing to wonder about the future of our favorite franchise … now 11 years after it went off the air.
MGM could have wowed its audience with the announcement of a new television series in 2018, after Stargate Origins finished its 3-week run as a short-form Web series. Or in 2019, after news broke that original Stargate television co-creator Brad Wright was developing something new.
Now we are counting down the final weeks of the year, and there is still no news. And in the meantime the situation has changed: the streaming landscape is beginning to reconfigure (thanks in part to Discovery’s aggressive approach to its new WarnerMedia holdings, including HBO Max), Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe are now entrenched in the television space, and Stargate fans are one year deeper into a morass of frustration that never seems to end.
It’s time for MGM and Amazon to go big. In this essay I’m going to make a case for why their best strategy for reviving Stargate in 2023 is to announce a green light for not one, not two, but three new Stargate productions.
We’ll do a bit of analysis of the state of the industry (and Stargate’s place in it). And I’ll make a pitch to the studios’ decision-makers to approach Stargate’s revival in a fan-centered way — how to leverage Stargate for both existing fans and a new generation of viewers. This comes not only from my 28 years of being a Stargate fan, but an understanding of our fandom and the challenges of world-building across multiple media.
But before we get to the analysis: here’s my pitch.
THREE NEW PROJECTS?
In its heyday Stargate was a billion-dollar franchise for MGM, thanks chiefly to licensing and global distribution all around the world. Reviving the franchise for a new generation starts with giving the green light to a new show.
That much is obvious, and between the day that show is announced and the day it premieres the next series will inevitably cause its share of debate among current fans. Is it too different? Is it expecting millions of established fans to come along for a reboot of the universe we’ve come to know and love? Is it being written by the people who made the previous shows, or by new creative talent? Is it going to ignore the dangling plot threads of the previous shows, or provide an opportunity for some measure of resolution after all these years?
But in 2023, one new show is not enough. We’ll get into why that is in a moment. But here are the three projects I want to see announced:
This should be four to six episodes, pitched to the audience as a complement to Prime Video’s offerings of Stargate SG-1, Atlantis, Universe, and the follow-up movies. It should be written by Brad Wright, and use legacy characters and cast members to provide some closure to the Atlantis and Destiny storylines.
I can’t overstate how much good will Amazon and MGM would win with this move.
This might take a number of different forms. It could be Brad Wright’s plan, or realistically the studio might opt to go in another direction. But it ought to be in continuity with the existing universe (for reasons we’ll get into below) rather than rebooting and remaking the Stargate story.
The Stargate animated series should aim to bring families together on the couch … and also to be a show parents want to go online to talk about, even after the kids have gone to bed! As these and other animated series have shown, this medium is a way to explore the far corners of a fictional universe that would not (or could not) be done in live action. And it’s a way to reach people who might not be ready to jump into a 350-episode, live-action franchise.
For Stargate, this is the way to do a show that is not set on Earth and doesn’t have humans as its core cast of characters. I’d love to see a show that explores the Tok’ra following the fall of the Goa’uld System Lords. Or a group of S.G.C. cadets lost in the Andromeda Galaxy. Or a trio of aliens who stumble upon another time-traveling Puddle Jumper left behind by the Ancients and end up exploring our galaxy’s past — from the Nox and the Furlings, to a pre-ascension Anubis, to the Lantean scientist Janus also jumping around with his own time machine (hey, there’s a potential antagonist).
Of course, the practical reason why Amazon and MGM would want to dip their toe back into Stargate one bit at a time is to mitigate risk. Is the audience really still there? Would a new Stargate project have a sufficient return on investment? Why not start with a single show or movie to test the waters, in the vein of Star Trek: Discovery or The Mandalorian, before building out a universe with multiple shows?
In Stargate’s case, this common wisdom does not fit the moment. That’s because of the state of fandom and where the franchise left off, and how fans have continued to demonstrate just how invested we are in those stories and characters. Does Amazon want to make a totally new and different kind of Stargate show? All by itself, that’s just begging for backlash. But a new and different take on Stargate that is announced alongside a Brad Wright miniseries event, plus maybe an SGU movie or a clever and compelling animated series?
With this multi-project strategy the studio can have its cake and eat it, too. It can fashion a new generation of Stargate storytelling and at the same time give fans the resolution they have been calling for … for more than a decade. And, just like Star Trek or the MCU today, not every show needs to be for every viewer.
DON’T BURN YOUR FANS
This is a fan-centered pitch, because no matter how long the studio tarries the fans of Stargate continue to make it clear that we aren’t going anywhere. We aren’t going to disperse or move on to other things. #WeWantStargate!
The first question that Amazon and MGM have to answer for themselves is whether to reboot Stargate or continue on with the existing canon. But let’s be real here: a reboot is for dead brands, those without much of an existing fan base to speak of, where even the reruns are no longer making money. Reboots make sense when an IP is old (think of Netflix looking at the 1960s Lost in Space and doing something totally new and modern), or when fans of the original have moved on and a brand new audience must be established (I’m guessing not a lot of Blake’s 7 fans would be terribly mad if the 1978 classic was rebooted in 2023).
On the other hand, continuations are required when the fan base is still active and energized around that beloved, legacy content. This is what Disney did with Star Wars (regardless of what you think of the product they produced), Alcon Entertainment with Blade Runner, and most recently NBC with Quantum Leap. Those original films and shows are still a sort of “sacred text,” with far too many people who stand to be alienated by scrapping the existing canon and starting over.
Stargate too is a living franchise with a thriving, global fan base, and (thanks to streaming and DVDs) more are coming on board every year. If these fans were to be burned by a canon reboot, there’s likely to be a wide feeling of betrayal. In that scenario, not only could the studio no longer count on them to come along for a Stargate remake, but a core of the audience is bound to be actively opposed to it.
Clearly the place where the Stargate franchise finds itself today is one where an IP is revitalized, not pulled out at the root. Reboots are for when the intellectual property in question doesn’t have any value left to it beyond the core idea.
That’s just not where Stargate is — not by a mile.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The first project in my proposal is meant to give long-time fans the resolution they deserve. Even if this is a fixed and finite story, even if it’s the last time we ever see some of these characters on our screens, it would build a whole lot of good will for the studio moving forward with Stargate.
When Stargate Atlantis went off the air in 2009, and Stargate Universe in 2011, they left unfinished business. Atlantis was sitting outside San Francisco Bay, having left the Pegasus Galaxy in order to help stop a Wraith attack on Earth (“Enemy at the Gate”). But what about the millions of innocent people back in Pegasus? This is where Atlantis belongs — in the fight, continuing to make the galaxy a better place and defend countless worlds from this terrifying enemy.
SGU left off with Destiny low on power, headed into the vast expanse of emptiness between galaxies. The entire crew went into stasis for the 3-year journey … all except for Eli Wallace, who had to repair the final stasis pod or shut off his own life support to save the others (“Gauntlet”). And that’s not to mention the ship’s mission to uncover a secret from the beginning of the universe.
And what about Earth itself? In the planned third SG-1 movie, the Stargate would have finally been revealed to the public. Is that the world our heroes live in today? Or is it possible that the gate is still a closely guarded secret operated by the military?
Do these stories matter? Were they worth telling in the first place? If so, then each one deserves a suitable conclusion.
This is what Brad Wright and the rest of the production team was trying to secure for the franchise more than a decade ago. Staring down the barrel of network cancellation at the same time MGM was going bankrupt, the producers pitched a spectacular movie event — crossing over characters from all three Stargate series to bring some resolution to their stories. What if (for example) the likes of Samantha Carter, John Sheppard, Daniel Jackson, and Rodney McKay teamed up with Colonel David Telford to rescue the crew of Destiny from deep space?
That’s a big, bold story whose time has come. A 6-part event streaming globally on Prime Video is the absolutely ideal way to tell it.
A CINEMATIC UNIVERSE
Yes, there’s no doubt that we live in a Golden Age of the “cinematic universe” — a shared canon that encompasses blockbuster movies, TV shows, plus in-canon video games, novels, and comics. Marvel has rewritten the rules for superhero movies, proving that a shared universe with crossovers and plot-lines that unspool over many years actually doesn’t alienate casual moviegoers. Just the opposite: it can generate once-in-a-generation storytelling events like Avengers: Endgame.
People are smart, and the shared universe will make them more likely to check out the next movie or show.
Now with the dawn of the Streaming Age, Marvel and Star Wars are joining Star Trek on the small screen as well. Now the universe of the feature films is filled out even more, with new texture and character depth delivered through TV and miniseries. There’s always another series or movie right around the corner. And this drives not only fan engagement but ad buys, merchandise sales, and convention tickets.
I might be a hopeless optimist when it comes to my favorite shows, but I’m also not afraid of a dose of realism every now and again. So let’s be real: Stargate isn’t a mega-hit franchise, and might never reach the cultural awareness of Star Trek or now the MCU. But boy, an ongoing and shared universe of new stories would do wonders for the brand and its long-term success.
That’s one reason why I have pitched a minimum of three new projects for a revival of Stargate. These shows, miniseries, or even films can feed into one another in all the best ways. The shared universe allows for a great depth and breadth of world building, with crossover characters and intersecting storytelling across multiple shows and multiple media. It can create jumping-off points for in-canon novels, comics, and more. And such a fun and intricate web of stories can reintroduce viewers to Stargate’s established universe — without starting over.
This is Stargate’s breakthrough moment — an opportunity to go from “that sci-fi show with MacGyver” that your neighbor has heard of (but never watched) to real appointment television. This is the studio’s chance to go big, to roll out a multi-pronged plan to leverage a beloved franchise in an expansive and ongoing way.
As Jack O’Neill might say: Don’t screw it up.
What do you think MGM and Amazon should do with the Stargate franchise? Make your voice heard in the comments below!
After Wheel of Time and Rings of Power I rather they don’t touch Stargate.
One project cannot speaks about all the production of a certain streaming platform.
It does if they have a governing agenda. Which they do.
Tinfoil or xenophobia shield?
Completely agree.
Exactly! Who wants woke Stargate!? Not me
I don’t want a “woke” SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, Stargate anything. Keep them as they are
Including the Actors!
Original actors are too old now. New ones are ok, just do not go woke. We have enough woke s##t going on.
Gotta agree on that point…. too much far-left preaching in sci-fi today. One of the best things about Stargate is it’s center-right approach.
cringe
Stargate is probably the most woke show of the 90s… women are treating equally (Carter, Weir etc), Black people are also treated equally. The whole show was very inclusive of gender and race, and included a lot of women and other races (surprisingy amount of Jaffa are played by Asian actors). That’s one of the reason I like the show, it’s very progressive. It might be about the military… but it’s politically left my dude.
Love the idea of mini series to complete all the existing story lines, or a spectacular movie.
Many people hate what Amazon is doing to Lord of the Rings! Not sure how confident we should be with them touching Stargate!
I agree with everything you said, accept I expected to see an argument about cost. With all of these networks being sold because of debt recently Amazon has to cautious. Taking on 3 series at once, even just making the commitment, so early in the transition could greatly hurt the company if even one flopped.
Once that is addressed I think it’s a very sound and thought out proposal. I do hope Amazon sees and considers it.
And to Famazon, if this proposal is followed no one in those shows should touch Stargate. It’s a completely different wheel house.
If the new Stargate is written, produced, and directed by the original Stargate family behind the camera, then I’m on board. Otherwise, I’m out. The people behind the camera are so important. Gotta get that right.
I absolutely agree. We need a sequel.
I would watch a restart, but I definitely wouldn’t be as excited about it as I would be about a continuation of the existing canon.
@Andypos Indeed. That’s exactly what I want. Some sort of conituation of the story that was built through SG-1, Atlantis, and Universe. Those people know how to make a Sci-Fi show. They know how to tell a story. I trust Brad and the rest of the crew.
Please ? continue SGU
Those actors have moved on. You ‘d have to recast the whole thing.
That’s the great thing about sci-fi there is always a way. You just have to think of one. In this it seems doable to swap hte previous cast out for another one for some plausible reason.
SGU is the ONLY one I cannot get into. I have tried many times. LOVE all the other ones.
How about FARSCAPE? It’s a little more for younger ppl but I still like it.
I feel you, I’ve had a hard time as well. Seaon 1 had me rooting for charachters to die. From all of the stargate content it’s the only series I’ve never rewatched. The show did improve quite a bit near the end, it’s a shame that it took so long.
Yeah, no chance of this going wrong. ???
I have some demands. 1. Brad Wright is given COMPLETE creative control. 2. General S. Carter is in charge!
I like your plan, having just rewatched Stargate Universe, I would love to see a mini-series to give Universe a proper ending, that’s the big one to me, a new series should definitely bring back old characters as they would naturally be a years later, new leadership positions, using the original actors where possible with new young blood leading the action roles. Some characters that we loved in the original series, like Jack O’Neill would most likely be retired but maybe an episode where they need his input and they can guest star him once in awhile. Anyway, love all… Read more »
For me just #2 would be awesome but I am losing hope everyday.
At this point, I would not even want full mini series for #1. I would still burst in tears for an hour of original cast sitting down together and narrating what happened during past 10+ years in the show universe, just like what Rodney did in SGA Season 4 finale.
I wholeheartedly agree to all of it. A mini series to wrap up previous stories and new series to bring in new people and least of an animated series! But please, please, please I cannot stress enough how I don’t want just a reboot!!!$
They should pick up the Stargate mmo they were planning years ago and do something with that.
I own all 3 boxsets of the tv show. All 2 Stargate moives and children of the gods moive/tv lets call it . Sadly no original Stargate. Huge fan clearly however with all this will they won’t they time passing by . Hearing maybe or they got ideas . Just turns me off to anything new from this franchise. It’s done for me and what if anything that comes next will be garbage .
Stargate series belongs to an age where t.v. channel where at a minimum, and had good quality, now days it cannot battle against HBO, netflix and paramount series, let it live as a mega star in our generation X memories.
A Crossover-Movie or a Miniseries between SG1 and Atlantis could be about the return of the Aschen.
Excellent article Darren, thanks for that, was fun to read!
Love the proposal, but as you already mentioned yourself, it’s no Star Trek or Star Wars.
Based on that, I think we’ll be lucky to get even one series, let alone 3.
And it seems to be taking so long for any news or update that people are starting to give up hope, including yours truly.
I would love to see a continuation of the storyline’s but only if the original writers and directors were in charge. They know the characters and plots….I own all three sets of Stargate Shows and movies and watch them on occasion with my children and they are getting hooked into the Stargate Universe with me.
I think the best way to do the destiny conclusion would be for Atlantis to use her wormhole drive and appear next to the destiny so they can beam everyone off and use the Atlantis computers and asgard super computer to repair destiny to perfect working order again and then use it for the animated series. It would be awesome if they were to install an asgard computer core on destiny as well to help it maintain itself while traveling.
Thank you for writing this out, because put into words it becomes clear how unrealistic doing anything other than a total reboot would be. After rewatching SG-1 and SGA recently, I gave a lot of thought to where the plot would end up a few decades into the future. The original actors in those shows are all showing their age, so it’d make sense to pass the torches on to established minor recurring characters. Especially where those actors could reprise their roles. I’m not sure that’d be very interesting, though. After all, in Stargate the many-worlds hypothesis is has repeatedly… Read more »
Who wants woke stargate? No thanks, I’ll pass till Hollywood gets its head on straight
Take your politics elsewhere.
The politics are embedded in the shows. Amazon is the one making elves fkn political.
I was very sad after SG:U cancel. SG:U had strong potential and was opened for countless adventures :-( Earth SG story was doomed after arrive of Atlantis. (Humans will backeng. Atlantis tech. and will become new Ancients) Thle only chance is the story about uniting of Earth after SG disclosure, but it will be social/political drama and imho – boring. They should have to made up a new threat, but Im afraid, it will be ridiculous :-(
I would love a NID Black ops series.
That would be so cool!
A hard reboot is the only way forward. The original stargate teams were reaching a point where they were almost unstoppable. No one not the goauld, the replicators, the ori, the wraith etc. were credible threats anymore. Also age is a thing and the original actors would not be able to keep up with the stunts without anyone noticing regardless of the cgi or stunt doubles. Introducing a new big bad and have the original characters just technobabble in a corner (or recast them) while following an ever growing “canon” is not enough anymore. Stargate deserves a better fate than… Read more »
True, personally, they could have some of the original cast as more of the new command structure. This would allow for new action and threats while still allowing a bit of story telling as the what happened in the lead up, such as the Atlantis conclusions, etc. This would also add to canon rather then try to retcon it.
I weep for the day we get a new Stargate and due to Amazon’s oversight, it misses the spirit of the show. There is a magic that was clearly there in SG:1 and Atlantis, capturing that is a challenge for directors. The cast selection will make or break the show, followed by the writing. They could screw the whole franchise if they make mistakes on this one. I certainly wouldn’t trade places with the writers!
Amazon is just going to cancel it after one season because they can’t commit to anything for the audience. It’s only about their numbers. I would be excited it if was anywhere but Netflix.
You lost me at the kiddie series. What I would do is the following: 1- Pretty much the same as yours, except it would end with some kind of timeline reset similar to the Kelvin Timeline in Star Trek. Time gets changed and the gate was never discovered. Perhaps some of our favorite characters come along for the trip into the new timeline. Perhaps this change was intentional – for example maybe the Drones from SGU found their way back to the Milky Way and start wiping out entire star systems including Sol. 2.) A new series set in the… Read more »
NO PLEASE NOT AMAZON TOUCH MY STARGATE :( Why must these corporations ruin everything I love?
Amazon hates their customers though
The starters For starters Anyone who is upset with the lord of the rings The fiction by amazon needs to get a grip The estate was very specific and in their instructions to amazon that they had to avoid the movies so you know chill Second anyone is got issues with the fact that society is changing just needs to get over themself Now For bond ends for Stargate Realize that looks contracts And all their complications in syndication acceptor RIL a lot more complicatedAnd all their complications in syndication acceptor RILL a lot more The rings of power Rings… Read more »
Sure Amazon should . But there is a massive But .Rings of power proved that Amazon can’t be trusted when it comes to hiring talented epic Showrunners & Writers that have real experience and that don’t add Woke modern agendas and modern?agendas political ideally in shows . Lord of the rings and all tom clancy and stargate and James bond . need are clear headed directors and Writers and showrunners and actresses and actors with experience and imagination and innovation people that just want to make great shows and movies . I want stargate to beat Marvel in its own… Read more »
f u amazon