The Expanse / Amazon Studios
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.
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:
(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.
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!
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View 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 is different to making it appeal to those it never would have appealed to in the first place.
Core fans are also the ones likely to be spending money on the franchise, both for subscriptions but also in merchandise. We've seen plenty of examples of merchandise failing to attract the same $$ when the content is bad (eg the Star Wars sequel trilogy merch suffered big time).
Content quality has to come first and respecting the existing franchise is essential. If they want to make a new mega franchise, then they should do it with something new instead. Noone can convince me that Star Wars, Star Trek, and Lord of the Rings are healthy franchises now. They might have content on air, and some new fans, but each of those franchises is a mess creatively and losing money. Solo was the first star wars film to lose money. Rings of Power was a commercial and creative flop (the true numbers are being hidden), and Star Trek has failed to attract the numbers it wants to it's streaming service not to mention the damage Kurtzman has done to canon. All those fanbases are divided.
Stargate should accept what it is and just try to be the version of itself. SG1 started without Atlantis or Universe. Those came later when the opportunity came and when it felt right.
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, they already did that for a few episodes in the SG-1 series that was set in the future with that alien race that was trying to take over earth by making us dependent on them so that we wouldn't be able to exist without them. The whole thing ends up being a warning sent back to the past to tell us not to go to a certain gate address but then has a later follow up when we go to another world that that race had already taken over and done pretty much the same thing to. There was some real thought that went into that series I have to admit. But having a Stargate that has gone public as I said would just ruin it for the story and all because there isn't a real-world comparison to that and as I said a lot of what was the Stargate draw is that as you watch it you get the sense and feel that this all could actually be real and could have happened, but it has been kept from the public like all the conspiracy stuff is claiming in reality. Besides then you'd have to have all the lawsuits and hearings and all that over why did you keep all this a secret for all this time and all this medical stuff that could have saved lives and wars that could have been prevented if only blah blah blah. You get the point and then there would be people who would want to rise up against the government because this or that which wouldn't have happened if you had revealed it all from the start or if you had kept it secret etc. Actually, some of that could be pretty good come to think about it LOL. But in all seriousness, it's better if the knowledge of the Stargate and everything remains secret for the story for all the reasons I laid out and more just because of that. Don't ruin what has worked so well for the Franchise by trying to have it go public. Save that for when you really want to bring the story to a close and not go back or want to do an actual reboot of the series.
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:
These things write themselves! Please, keep Bad Robot (and Secret Hideout) as far away from Stargate as possible.
I love the Expanse, but I don't what Stargate to have that tone or feel. We need something uplifting for a change.
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 gave Bad Robot Star Trek a chance and I gave Bad Robot Star Wars a chance. I'm not giving Bad Robot Stargate a chance. I'm not interested.
Brad and the gang did such a wonderful job building an entire universe from one movie. The writing was excellent; the storytelling was excellent; and the acting was excellent. Of course the people who worked behind the camera, the real heroes, did a superb job.
The Stargate shows also built culture, language, and mythology, and blended those elements together with late 90's culture, the United States military, and science fiction. That takes skill. And that means something to us as fans.
Regarding a new leaf, sure, Amazon could do something new, but it'll have to be great/awesome/spectacular to break even. And that's the main problem of following anything awesome like 17 years of Stargate, which is one of the reasons The Expanse worked. It was the first of its kind. If The Expanse hadn't worked, it would have been just another bad Sci-Fi show.
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 it was huge! But it wasn't a reinvention of the franchise and that may be what they're looking for. I don't know. I've not spoken to anyone at Amazon. I'm not keeping secrets. I see rumours on twitter and Youtube and it makes me laugh. I don't think Amazon has decided anything yet."
I don't know what to make of this. On one hand, he makes it sound like his script was turned down but he also says that he hasn't spoken to anyone at Amazon and that he doesn't think Amazon has decided anything yet - if that's the case, how would he know if Amazon turned his script down?
I continue to think that right now Amazon is still getting things settled with the MGM sale being finalized and figuring out who's in charge of what before they decide what to do with Stargate. Which means Brad and/or his script may not be fully out of the running.
Darren, any thoughts on this? Link to the AMA here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/scifi/comments/zfakp5/im_brad_wright_cocreator_of_stargate_sg1_atlantis/
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 who are in some position to know. Brad too appears to suggest this is the case. But production is fickle, and that doesn't mean he isn't going to be back in the mix a month from now.
It's also worth pointing out that the creatives to develop a series bible or "look book" aren't always the ones who end up showrunner. Amazon could decide they love Fergus & Ostby's idea, but then find them under contract elsewhere, then maybe decide they like the Canadian tax credits and choose to shoot in Vancouver ... and suddenly they're asking Brad if he's interested in running a new show based on someone else's bible. Everything is always in flux, until it's not.
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 equipment. (The ZPM failed) With the Generator powering this room, they realized its a tracking system for the Seed ships and Destiny. They know the location of Destiny but too far to communicate with them. From the current location of Atlantis.
A rescue plan was conceive, using teams from SG1 & SGA, including O'Neill's clone, and Jennifer Hailey. (If the actors are available)
A crew to take over on Destiny was chosened, supplies, equipment, and 2 of earths interstellar starships were reassigned to Atlantis.
Atlantis, with all the acquired supplies, materials, and everbody going, set out for Destiny.
Along the way, they meet old Foes the Wraith, Replicators, Ori, Drones, and New enemies.
Lives are lost, new allies are forged but they do get to Destiny. They wake the crew send back those who don't want to stay. The new crew sets out to New adventures.
Atlantis remains on a planet in a nearby Galaxy, as a base for Destiny and the seed ships (the Stargate on Atlantis can reach the SGC)
Or this could be a Really great video Game
#SAVETHECREWOFSGU
I'd watch the Naquadah out of that.
Anyone notice that's The Expanse and not Stargate?