Amazon isn’t ignoring its new purchase of the Stargate franchise — not by a long shot. Executives at Amazon are actively soliciting pitches for new science fiction series, and that includes significant interest in Stargate.
Among those who reportedly have expressed interest in Stargate to Amazon are The Expanse creators Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby. Amazon has an existing relationship with the writing team, having picked up The Expanse from Syfy Channel and producing the show’s final three seasons as an Amazon exclusive.
The update comes from TV and marketing veteran Jenny Stiven, who appeared (along with GateWorld’s editor Darren Sumner) on a special “State of the Gate” episode of “Dial the Gate” on December 3.
“There was a call from Amazon Creative Studios for pitches from production companies, and it wasn’t specific to Stargate,” she said. This was both before and after the company’s acquisition of MGM earlier this year; and of course it included conversations with producers with whom Amazon already had existing relationships. “One of the things that was done was that they would say with certain production companies that they had either already worked with or were really excited about — like Mark Fergus and Hawk, his partner — ‘Hey, we loved what you’ve done. What would you like to do?’ And from my understanding they said, ‘Stargate.'”
Others who are rumored to be pitching ideas for the Stargate franchise include producers of another of Amazon’s fantasy hits, The Boys, as well as J.J. Abrams’ production company Bad Robot. GateWorld has not independently confirmed this, though both entities came up in Saturday’s conversation as likely to be in the mix.
The involvement of Fergus and Ostby, and of Bad Robot, was first reported by YouTube channel Sci-Trek.
Fergus and Ostby have also been attached to a God of War series pitch for Prime Video. Prior to The Expanse their screen credits also include Children of Men and the first Iron Man film.
Abrams and Bad Robot are the people behind hit genre series like Alias and LOST, Fringe, HBO’s Westworld, the Kelvin-timeline Star Trek films, the Cloverfield film series, and the more recent Mission Impossible movies.
Amazon’s interest in taking pitches for a new take on Stargate from new creatives is not a surprise, given the fact that since the merger Amazon and MGM have apparently moved on from the pilot script written a couple of years ago by Brad Wright. He co-created Stargate SG-1, Atlantis, and Universe, and was working with MGM on a fourth series when the COVID pandemic shut down global film and television production.
That was followed by Amazon’s spring 2021 announcement that it was buying MGM for $8.45 billion. The deal closed in March of 2022, and since then the studios have been radio silent on the future of the Stargate franchise.
While it is not uncommon after major media acquisitions for the new owners to take a few years to decide what to do with its new properties, Stiven said that a series of leadership announcements by Amazon and MGM this past week indicates to her that they are moving much faster — at least with a few select properties. And there are at least three options on the table for how to revive Stargate.
GO BIG
The volume of rumors currently leaking out of Amazon and MGM suggests that the studios are actively considering where to take Stargate next. And it also looks like, when they do turn the page to the next chapter of the franchise, they intend to go big.
“Amazon has said from the beginning that they were more interested in establishing [Stargate] as a massive franchise,” Stiven said.
So why not bring back Wright to helm the next chapter? Stiven reminded fans that Wright’s was a pilot script written under very different circumstances, for a different set of needs at MGM at that time. Now that MGM is a piece of Amazon’s overall streaming business things are very different — and so the sort of Stargate show that Amazon is looking for is also bound to be different.
“When Brad wrote that script it was appropriate for where MGM was at the time,” she said. “He wrote that script and submitted it prior to the sale, prior to COVID. … It was a completely different world. So what he wrote, and what that series was going to be, was appropriate to that particular setup — that equation. [Today] the variables aren’t just changed, they’re blown apart. … His pilot, that series, was part of an equation that no longer exists.”
Passing on Wright’s series pitch does not necessarily mean a total reboot of the universe, however. It’s still an outstanding question whether a new Stargate TV series, movie, or other project will be set in the existing universe and continue the canon that millions of fans know and love.
What might Amazon and MGM decide is the best way to revive Stargate? The options reportedly being pitched inside the halls of MGM and Amazon run the gamut, including:
- (1) Start with a feature film that in turn sets up a new TV series (and Bloomburg recently reported that Amazon plans to spend $1 billion per year on theatrical releases);
(2) Start directly with a series (and, hopefully, not throw out the existing canon);
(3) A reboot of the concept from the ground up.
We don’t know which of the parties currently in the conversation are pitching each of these approaches. But whatever form it takes, a new show would probably up the ante for Stargate’s budget.
Back in the day, the Stargate television series (in their later years) were produced with budgets somewhere in the neighborhood of $2 million per episode. Producers would save on that with some smaller episodes — more time on standing sets and fewer days filming on location, for example — so that they could go big with the VFX-heavy season premieres, finales, and mid-season two-parters.
In the age of prestige streaming shows, of course, it’s not uncommon for high-profile series to get a much larger budget to go along with an order for fewer episodes. A show like The Boys, for example, comes with a $10 million per-episode budget. Is the Stargate IP strong enough to command that number?
“I don’t think that you can come in with Stargate and say, ‘We’re going to do $10-15 million per episode,'” Stiven said. “But I don’t know. If Mark Fergus and his partner Hawk are the ones doing it, my guess is they will be close to that $10 million an episode in their pitch — because that’s what they’ve done, and that’s what they know, and that’s what they know makes it look good.”
Typically MGM does not finance projects on its own — so a couple of years ago they would have had to strike a major partnership deal with a broadcaster or streaming service to get that kind of money behind a new Stargate series. But it’s easy for Amazon to write that check, if they believe that Stargate should be a marquee science fiction title for one of their outlets.
SETTING UP THE PIECES
Last week Amazon made a series of announcements about changes to its executive leadership structure, putting MGM and its scripted television development team under Amazon’s Jennifer Salke and MGM’s Christopher Brearton. Salke will become the head of Amazon and MGM Studios, adding MGM’s scripted TV and film to her portfolio. Brearton, formerly MGM’s Chief Operating Officer, will be a VP of Prime Video Corporate Strategy, MGM+ (formerly EPIX), and MGM Alternative Television.
This and other changes signal that the studios are currently putting the pieces in place to move forward — developing new film and television projects with MGM’s properties.
Stiven said that, according to her intel, Stargate is on a list of their top five priorities for immediate franchise development — along with James Bond, Rocky / Creed, Legally Blonde, and RoboCop.
But while the studios debate how to move each of these franchises forward, any one source who thinks they know what Amazon will do with Stargate is not seeing the whole picture. “Four of the people I talked to contradicted each other,” Stiven said. “And that just has to do with where they are and what they’re doing. … It will be interesting to see if anything they’re talking about come true, but I would rather just deal in the facts right now.”
There’s one more insight from the “State of the Gate” conversation that is worth mentioning here, and that’s the role of the newly rechristened MGM+. As of January 15 that’s the new name for EPIX, the MGM-owned premium cable and over-the-top streaming service.
EPIX does have some original scripted shows, but after the Amazon deal there was speculation in the trade publications that the service would probably be shuttered. Instead amazon announced its rebranding as MGM+, which will now play a role in the company’s overall streaming portfolio.
That means that MGM+ (now lead by MGM’s Michael Wright) is heading into 2023 with a need for new original content. As Amazon and MGM Studios develop new projects for those top five franchise priorities, EPIX / MGM+ is back on the table as a viable home.
“If Stargate is going to go somewhere, it is one of the places that is most likely — right now — where Stargate would go,” Stiven said.
Stick with GateWorld for the latest developments as we move into 2023. You can watch the entire two and half-hour “State of the Gate” livestream right now on “Dial the Gate” on YouTube.
What do you want to see for the future of Stargate? Would you tune in for a big-budget series from a brand new creative team? Let us know in the comments!
Why? WHY?? Why try to set up a whole new form of Stargate, when the entire community wants a continuation of the series we love, especially with original writers wanting to return??
This is how to kill a franchise and alienate fans 101
I do want Brad’s show, but with some perspective I can admit that appealing to the core fan base – while extremely important! – is not enough to make a revival of a legacy IP into a hit show (especially if it costs $10 million per episode). Amazon seems to be looking to broaden the audience and bring new Gaters into the fold. While we might have qualms with the strategy or the content that plan produces, I think it’s the right move.
I disagree. I’m tired of this notion of studios using existing franchises to try broaden their streaming audiences. When will we accept that not everything will have wide appeal? The expanse certainly didn’t despite being a great show. Why does everything need to be a mega franchise that tries to appeals to everyone? It’s a flawed strategy that results in destroyed franchises and lost money for studios. If anything they should be trying to recapture the core audience, and then build on that to attract others that missed out when SG originally aired, but would probably have enjoyed it. That… Read more »
Yeah because that’s worked SO well with LOTR for them…Or Wheel of Time. Alienating original fans for views is what is ruining the Sci fi genre of TV. I won’t even watch a new SG if Brad isn’t involved.
And it doesn’t mean that original writers can’t return as guest writers and consultants along with other members of the crew and production staff. And make more on-camera cameos, which would be great.
The community is pretty split from what I’ve seen. If Brad’s pitch is what we were going to get, I’d actually PREFER a reboot over that. Ideally of course, we’d get a continuation of some sort but one that also serves as a conclusion to the existing franchise and sets up a future for the series.
I have to agree with you. The idea of having a Stargate that’s gone public after covid and that just doesn’t fit right. A big part of the draw to Stargate was that it seemed like it could be real, felt like it could be real even though it wasn’t even the science and some of the episodes were fitting into like real world stuff at the time. But a Stargate that has gone public when in reality there is no public gate or anything like that would just ruin the whole Aesthetic of the story and series and besides,… Read more »
I completely disagree with you. I actually think it’s ludicrous that it’s not public knowledge by now.
I agree with Tsumi with Sg1, SGA & SGU there are lose ends that need to be tied up and played out before moving on to a new chapter. Brad Write is the one to do that if not more.
Agreed they need to start it back on the destiny and clean everything up. I just recently watched all the sg1, Atlantis, and universe again and am still mad they cancelled universe when it was supposed to have a minimum of 3 more seasons. I want to know if My theories were accurate or not. How the Android ships were part of that signal. Destiny was chasing was a defense mechanism if you will.
Brad Wright is the only person for this job. He is obviously the best choice because he would keep the fans interests first instead of trying to push social justice messages on everyone.
I just really hope we get some closure on the crew of destiny. Still hate how it was cancelled when it was supposed to have 3 more seasons
I only want a continuation that either ignores or fixes Heroes, if not there’s no way in hell I’d watch it.
If they can’t fix it I’d only watch a new series.
Bad Robot helping to create new Stargate? I can see the potential plot points now: We learn Jack and Sam got married, had a son, but Jack left them so he could gate around the universe. He is then stabbed by his son and thrown off a cliff. A new girl, knowing nothing of the Stargate program, interns at Cheyenne Mountain and teaches Daniel Jackson how to properly read Ancient (didn’t know he’s been doing it wrong this whole time?) and beats Teal’c in hand to hand combat. She is immediately promoted to Major and is the key to solving… Read more »
This is spot on! I’d be interested in an Expanse-like Stargate, maybe close to what Universe tried to be, but I’d also be down for more “classic” SG-1 type stuff. But absolutely no Bad Robot.
Reading the rest of the comments in this thread, it sure looks like Stargate fans are against Bad Robot, in particular, or a reimagined Stargate, in general. We can only hope that someone working there sees this thread and takes it to heart.
I have no faith in Amazon creating anything even watchable. After the HUGE mess they made of The Rings of Power, whatever they end up going with is bound to make the Stargate fandom cry.
Really, Stargate as you know it is dead going forward unless they went for a direct continuation and that’s almost certainly not happening.
I’m sure many will either attempt to watch it or will watch it and say they like or love it even if they put out trash. That’s how it goes.
If it will actually be worth watching or not is yet to be seen. For me, its not likely since I’ve not liked a single thing Amazon has ever done or touched.
Again with the reboots. Why? For the love of all System Lords, why? I loved The Expanse. It’s easily the best Sci-Fi show in the past 10 years. Maybe The Expanse crew could create something cool. As an example, doesn’t The Outer Limits of the 90’s and the Stargate shows have some of the same crew and personnel? But for me personally, I’m not interested in starting over. I’d like to see a continuation of the established universe. And I’m guessing there are a lot of other SG fans who feel the same way as me. Regarding Bad Robot, I… Read more »
I would have preferred Brad Wright’s vision for a 4th show. But he would have needed a new staff room anyway. Maybe these new producers can bring new, fresher ideas into the franchise while they can extend the existing canon without reboot. And who knows? Maybe MGM/Amazon will order more than one spinoff so we can different tone of adventures. I am happy at the moment that something happens finally. Please try to be positive after years of waiting.
That is unbelievable. We need wright to keep writing and finish at least what he started. We do not need a reboot. Whats with Hollywood and the reboots now a day. Same fan base with new fans more ratings. Reboot does not mean that they’re going to keep original fans watching. God am pissed.
So Brad Wright did an AMA on Reddit today and someone asked him about his Stargate script, etc. Here’s what was said: “Are you writing or have you written a new Stargate script for Amazon instead of the old one written for MGM before COVID? We now know your original script is not of interest to Amazon, or not enough ambitious for them, but are discussions with Amazon closed for unknown/non-public reasons at this time or are you just waiting to be called by them? What is the situation? BradWrightAMA I doubt it’s because my script wasn’t ambitious enough, because… Read more »
Thanks, shelly — I’m actually writing up Brad’s AMA right now. What seems clear to me here is that, since the deal closed, Brad hasn’t heard beep out of Amazon. His script has fans inside of MGM (and Jenny talks about this in the full DTG episode). But multiple sources seem to be saying that they are looking at Stargate pitches from other people, and so if they are doing that and still not approaching Brad for a conversation, then it stands to reason that they are passing on his script. It is speculation, but pretty informed based on sources… Read more »
I forgot to mention I replied to Brad’s comment asking if he could confirm Amazon passed on his script. I doubt he’ll answer since the AMA’s over and he may not even see my question but he also said he has no secrets so if he does see it, I wish he’d answer definitively whether or not Amazon has read the script and they passed it over. If that’s the case, I don’t think he’d be under any obligation to keep it quiet. I know that’s what everyone believes has happened but I’d like to hear him say it.
Darren, sometimes even after they are supposed to be stable and not in flux things can still end up in flux. Look at the on again/off again nature of the fourth Kelvinverse Stark trek film for evidence of that. Leaving aside whether or not those films warrant another one being made, that is a film that keeps getting back in flux after Paramount say it is stable.
They need to bring the SGU crew out of hibernation. It’s perfect and so many people have expressed profound interest in SGU Season 3. It’s not to late yet.
Absolutely! SGU was ahead of its time and is perfectly suited binge-watching via a streaming service where an entire season is released at once. Season 3 of SGU would be awesome :)
I completely agree!! SGU is MADE FOR modern TV. SGU was a decade ahead and where it was headed by the end of Season 2 was incredible. I so, so sooooooo wish we could get the full 5 year arc they intended.
#PrimeVideo Here’s how You start the Stargate Franchise …. 2 – 2.5 hr movie … goes like this 10 yrs after Atlantis landed on Earth…. Open scene shows McKay enroute to Atlantis to help with a malfunctioning console in an lab. (Will not power up, because it was a once flooded section) While McKay and Zelinka attach an Naquadah generator and argue over the problem, McKay activates something that causes an Antenna array to rise up from a tower, also damaged from flooding & the Asteroid belt. A wall in this lab area opens, in it is long range communication… Read more »
I’d watch the Naquadah out of that.
Anyone notice that’s The Expanse and not Stargate?
I trust Amazon when it comes to delivering cat food on time.
When it comes to quality entertainment, not so much.
Indeed.
I’ve personally found zero enjoyment from the entertainment they put out.
Is there a place we can send pitches? I’d love to show what I have to one of the production companies or Amazon.
I’d say only if you have a track recording in producing science fiction television, in which case your agent should make an inquiry. I’m sure Amazon Studios is not taking pitches from fans, alas.
Please, for the love of God, NO J.J. Abrams! He’s ruined enough franchises already!
I would love a continuation of SGU.
+1 for season 3 of SGU!
Leave Stargate alone Amazon!…or better yet give to people that won’t turn it into woke political garbage at the expense of good storytelling!
Ha. I was going to say this exact thing (as a joke because I was certain it would be said anyway).
Congrats to Willow for the first “woke” comment!)
Whatever Amazon does with Stargate, will eventually lead fans directly back to Brad’s work through SG-1, Atlantis and Universe. Honestly, if Amazon wishes Stargate to be a successful flagship franchise, it’s absolutely ok to greenlight multiple projects. Even separate ones. Long-time fans deserve it.
I WANT RICHARD DEAN ANDERSON
Yes, but only if he wants to. And only as he is right now. No losing 50 pounds for the camera. Let the man rest on his laurels.
Us fans want the old show continued with the original cast please
Please, please, please not JJ & Bad Robot! He’s already ruined two of my favourite franchises, I don’t want him to ruin a third one! I just wish Amazon execs would decide to build on Brad’s vision rather than doing a disorganised mess that will be like Rings of Power.
I agree. JJ Abrams blew up Romulas and Vulcan in the first star trek movie he did. And the proud and noble race of Romulans they turned into some death metal band with that freaky black and white stuff all over their face.
I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised. Things in the world are getting worse. And spiritually movies are reflecting that dark energy.
Continue or don’t do it at all! No reboot!!!
100% agree with Prapan! To many have been sacrificed in the name of Reboot!
I think they should make the new show centered around the Jack clone that we last saw walking into a high school.
It has been a number of years since then, and he would be an adult now. With a back story we don’t know (and could explore), and being a clone of Jack would allow tie backs to SG1.
This would also allow them to bring the original Jack, Sam, and Daniel back for guest appearances.
Hope they don’t go woke.
Take a lesson from where Star Wars has been more successful: find someone who is actually invested in the franchise, a la Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau. Obviously it should be someone with industry chops, but there has to be someone out there that could bring a vision, even if it’s a new team, and have a sense of what the appeal of Stargate is as to not alienate old fans.
That being said, keep Abrams, Kurtzman, and the rest of their deconstruction artists away from any more good properties!
This should and better be a continuation of the series. We as a collective Stargate Family have so much time invested in this amazing series. I would love for the next step to be full disclosure. Where the entire world finds out about the existence of the Stargate. Perhaps they could start off with the Riots and what not that SG1 was so afraid of. Either way this needs to be a continuation. Not a whole new reboot. That would probably not be as good as the original.
Stargate! Continue the Universe saga, Eli has been working hard keeping what he can working. 75% of the cryo tubes have failed. Eli has lost weight (which he really has! Good on you) Earth finally gates to the ship mid galaxy to send help and tech, and enough energy to send back the survivors. A new willing crew takes over.
If they screw up Stargate like they did to Lord of the rings. I am going to boycott anything to do with Amazon and cancel my prime.
A total reboot/reimagine or continuation? I think that the best option is something in-between. But either option they go with Brad Wright needs to be part of the equation.
I don’t know when studios will stop making tv series/movies that are not what people want. It’s been said time and time again, there are too many streamers (plus (+) everything!), not enough quality content, and all the reboots that have been done have sucked so badly that some of them now are having to reboot the reboot just to make any money back. I don’t know if these streaming services and production companies are seeing more initial profit on shows ‘so bad they must be seen’, or they are doing this accidentally on purpose? I also agree with just… Read more »
Please don’t reboot it. Please continue it. I get that the original actors are older, and whatnot, and cannot return in the same way. That’s totally understandable. But there are so many fans out there that absolutely loved the Stargate franchise, including myself. Sg1 was my absolute favorite. Jack, Sam, Daniel and Tealc were my dream team. I absolutely loved and adored that show. I enjoyed the spin-offs, also. Please don’t try to fix something that’s not broken. Please try to continue it. It’d be lovely, also, if the older actors can be involved in some way, even if it’s… Read more »
Whatever it is, if it’s following the grimdark trend, I’m not going to watch.
I don’t need excessive violence and gore to enjoy a show. IP like Stargate SG-1/Atlantis, Doctor Who, and ST:TNG are awesome science fiction everyone can enjoy. Nudity is fine, cursing fine, but excessively graphic violence breeds a sickness in the world that we don’t need more of.
The shows I mentioned are about awesome people doing awesome things.
That’s the type of show I want to see more of.
I would LOVE a Stargate show led by Fergus and Ostby. “The Expanse” was absolutely incredible television.
They would do a Universe story conclusion justice for sure, but even better would be a future version of Earth where the political fallout from not only having the Stargate public, but established bases on the moon and off-world colonies could cause very, very interesting dynamics. (This is essentially what The Expanse set out as anyway to great success).
YES to Fergus and Ostby.
NO to JJ Abrams. I’m tired of him jumping ship from franchise to franchise.
Dear Darren Address few items please?!? Rumors ? What known about second brad script much larger apparently amazon was extremely happy with? Also rumor that folks making I guess right say this ?Bible? of everything MGM Licensed Stargate content way heard rumor like god knows star trek and stars wars comprehensive listing every those other series. That at least 2 or more folks doing deep dives in what mgm and by default Amazon official cannon of everything already done I’m think dead scripts, novels, etc great deal content hasn’t made to screens? Also ? Is possible that brad brought back… Read more »
I don’t think I understand all that you have said here, but I will do my best to respond to some of what I think you are asking about. By now you’ve seen the other article summarizing Brad’s Reddit AMA. That’s where he said that his pilot script was big and ambitious. There is no second script, and from what Brad has said publicly it seems that Amazon hasn’t been in touch with him at all. In the full 2 and a half-hour “Dial the Gate” episode, Jenny talks about “bibles” and “look books” for developing a potential series. It… Read more »
The news on the street is that Mark and Hawk have been successful – possible announcement by January!
I believe that we must continue the Stargate franchise with starting off with what was left off from I have alot of good pitches to add a lot of good ideas
I have been a fan of the whole franchise series since it all began I have alot that I can add to make the franchise continue at a great level
what sucks is that no one is going to subscribe to all 100 different packages for video streaming, they are too greedy and too expensive for netflix, play showtimes, plus epix, plus direct, plus this, plus that, pretty soon you have $500 a month… total b.s.
Bad Robot? Haven’t they and their spawn done enough harm already? As I’ve been saying since the merger was announced – the will produce Stargate, but you likely won’t like the result.
This is exciting news; while many fans may decry it, this is the good news they’ve been waiting for (potentially). Instead of waiting for what they say as a perfect outcome, this is a real possibility for StarGate to continue whether it’s rebooted or remains in continuity. The Expanse was an excellent show and a very good adaptation of some of the book series before the show ended; I think that team understands why the elements of an existing setting and plot need to be respected. They also have a tangential connection to Chris Judge via God of War. As… Read more »
I just love SG1 and Atlantis and I’m really upset that prime decided to take it off prime and put it on a pay for say “MG+ I’m not interested in seeing a new version I enjoy watching the characters I’ve loved for years. Yes I watch them over and over!! Very upset.
getting expensive to add all these services !!
I just want Stargate to go on
Just keep JJ Abrams far away from Stargate. Very far. He already ruined 2 franchises (Star Trek, Star Wars). No need for Stargate to suffer that same fate. Also if they don’t follow old canon I won’t be watching it anyway. Just saying and i don’t think I will be the only one.
Jack has a clone out there 30ish years younger than himself! Might be a great time to reinstitute his character in a new SG1 team from Cheyenne Mountain!