The Stargate Movie That Tied Every Show Together, We Were Robbed
Original Stargate series producer Brad Wright says there was a movie in the works that could have provided closure to the beloved saga over a decade ago. In 2011, just as Stargate Universe concluded its second season and the curtain fell on SG-1 and Atlantis, Wright fervently pitched an idea that would have combined characters and storylines from all three series.
A Move To Wrap Up Stargate Universe
The plan was to craft a movie capable of wrapping up the lingering cliffhangers from Stargate Universe and providing a fitting conclusion to the overarching story that had captivated audiences for years. In a recent interview with Gateworld, Wright shared the urgency he felt when he came up with the idea for a Stargate movie.”If I can get a script in your hands quickly enough, I bet I can get the cast of SGU and bring aboard enough cast members from the other show that I could at least give us a two-hour movie to wrap it up or a 90-minute movie to wrap up SGU and finish the story that we were trying to tell,” Wright said of the now-shelved Stargate movie.
Why It Never Took Off
The rough idea for the Stargate movie Wright presented revolved around McKay and began with the realization that the Ancient ship Destiny was in trouble. “I was typing as fast as I could. I didn’t whiteboard it. I just had this structure in my head and concept for the characters from the other series that I was going to bring in. And I started laying it out,” he explained.
When Atlantis and SG-1 ended, the plan was to extend the franchise through one-off movies for direct-to-DVD and basic cable releases. Stargate movies Ark of Truth and Continuum followed this model, continuing the SG-1 story post-series. However, the decline of the DVD movie market disrupted these plans, leaving ambitious projects like Wright’s proposed Stargate film in a perpetual state of limbo.
Universe’s Cliffhanger Ending
Stargate Universe, in particular, left fans on the edge of their seats with a gripping cliffhanger. The crew, faced with a lengthy journey between galaxies, entered stasis only to discover a shortage of pods. Eli Wallace (David Blue) was left alone to repair a pod and rejoin the crew. The series ended with Eli gazing into the vastness of space from Destiny’s observation deck.
Stargate SG-1
Stargate SG-1, hailed as the franchise’s flagship series, captured the hearts of audiences during its impressive 10-season run from 1997 to 2007. The show, blending elements of sci-fi, adventure, and humor, follows a team of military and scientific experts as they use the ancient Stargate device to explore distant worlds and shield Earth from various extraterrestrial threats.
Stargate Atlantis
Following the success of SG-1, Stargate Atlantis emerged as a compelling spin-off from 2004 to 2009. While not reaching the same zenith as its predecessor, Atlantis cultivated a solid following across its five seasons by continuing the exploration of the expansive Stargate universe, this time in the Pegasus Galaxy, sparking an idea for Wright’s movie down the road.
Stargate’s Impact
The franchise’s evolution included Stargate Universe from 2009 to 2011, which adopted a darker, more serialized tone. Though met with mixed reviews, it sustained the franchise’s legacy with a two-season exploration of a group stranded aboard the ancient spaceship Destiny. In addition to these series, there are several Stargate movies, including the original 1994 film, which served as the starting point for the franchise.Despite the obstacles presented by the shifting landscape of the entertainment industry, which caused the Stargate movie to be scrapped, the franchise remains a cherished part of science fiction history. The series left an indelible mark on the hearts of fans who continue to celebrate the extraordinary adventures that took them through the Stargate.
