Stagate Atlantis cancelled, Stargate Universe green-lit

[jetsetter]

The SCI FI Channel is calling it quits with Stargate Atlantis -- or at least in its current format -- the network confirmed in a press release today. The spin-off series will conclude in January with the current, fifth season, and will be followed with a 2-hour Atlantis movie (story).

Despite the cancellation, series creator Brad Wright tells GateWorld that, looking ahead, the Stargate franchise is as strong as it has ever been.

SCI FI will have the exclusive worldwide television premiere of the movie, which MGM will subsequently release on DVD. The movie does not yet have a title.

Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie, executive producers and showrunners on Atlantis for its final two seasons, will pen the film.

"We're excited to tell Atlantis stories on a bigger canvas," series creators Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper said. "The successes of the two original Stargate DTV movies The Ark of Truth and Continuum have shown us the opportunities that the movie format offers. We have plans for both SG-1 and Atlantis to remain vital as we expand the franchise."

"We share in the producers' enthusiasm to move forward in this direction and we look forward to a strong and continued relationship on Stargate Atlantis in this new format," said Thomas Vitale, SCI FI's Senior Vice President Programming & Original Movies.

"Enemy At the Gate" will be the 100th and final episode of the series, and will air in January.

"One hundred episodes is the goal of every writer-producer," Wright told GateWorld exclusively. "To have achieved that with a spin-off series is amazing. And like SG-1, I don't feel as though anything is coming to an end with Atlantis -- it's just evolving. Ark of Truth and Continuum were hugely satisfying creatively for everyone involved precisely because they were movies, and we have no intention of stopping there."

The success of those two films not only helps the cast, crew, and fans of Atlantis see a light at the end of the cancellation tunnel, but has also begun to redefine what "cancelled" means. In the future, more television series may give way to direct-to-DVD movies, as a way of keeping the adventure going.

"Rob and I have spent several years biting our finger nails over the prospect of renewal, but you've got to respect both MGM and SCI FI for giving us the opportunity to continue both Atlantis and SG-1 in a series of movies," Wright told GateWorld. "This is nothing to complain about -- it's something to look forward to.

"Keep in mind that Stargate Worlds, the huge online game is just around the corner, and with the prospect of another Stargate television series also on the horizon, the franchise is really as strong as it has ever been."

Official Release:

SCI FI CHANNEL GREENLIGHTS 2-HOUR FILM FROM MGM
BASED ON POPULAR 'STARGATE ATLANTIS' SERIES

New York, NY -- August 21, 2008 -- Building upon the successful Stargate franchise, SCI FI Channel today announced it has greenlit a two-hour movie based on the hit science fiction adventure series Stargate Atlantis. SCI FI will have the exclusive worldwide television premiere of the yet to be titled Stargate Atlantis film, which will then be released on DVD by MGM. The movie will be written by Stargate Atlantis' executive producers Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie, who also serve as series showrunners. The movie is set to follow the fifth and final season of Stargate Atlantis, as it draws to its thrilling conclusion in January 2009.

"We're excited to tell Atlantis stories on a bigger canvas. The successes of the two original Stargate DTV movies The Ark of Truth and Continuum have shown us the opportunities that the movie format offers. We have plans for both SG-1 and Atlantis to remain vital as we expand the franchise," said Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper, co-creators of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis and who both currently serve as executive producers on Atlantis.

"We share in the producers' enthusiasm to move forward in this direction and we look forward to a strong and continued relationship on Stargate Atlantis in this new format," said Thomas Vitale, Senior Vice President Programming & Original Movies.

Stargate Atlantis follows the adventures of an intrepid team of military and civilian explorers who travel the distant Pegasus galaxy by means of a Stargate, a portal created long ago by a highly advanced alien civilization called the Ancients. In their never-ending quest to seek out other technologies left behind by the Ancients, the Atlantis team encounters alien cultures -- some friend, some foe.

The series will reach a milestone with the 100th episode airing in January 2009. Atlantis is executive produced by Brad Wright, Robert C. Cooper, Joseph Mallozzi, Paul Mullie, Carl Binder, and Martin Gero. Mallozzi and Mullie share the reins as showrunners.


http://www.gateworld.net/news/2008/0...i_cance2.shtml

Proving that you can't keep a good franchise down -- at least not for more than a day or so -- the SCI FI Channel has green-lit production on Stargate Universe, the third live-action television series, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The official press release from MGM and SCI FI is expected later today.

Universe will have a 2-hour premiere in 2009, and land in a regular time slot next summer -- meaning there will not be a production gap between the second and third Stargate television series.

The trade magazine also reported that the show will be set on board a previously unmanned ship called the Destiny, and will involve more space-based action than its predecessors. "Unable to return to Earth, the crew must fend for themselves aboard the ship, which has a preprogrammed mission taking them to the far reaches of the universe," the magazine said.

The producers are reportedly looking to cast a known actor for one of the leading roles, and fresh faces to round out the cast. This would follow the pattern of SG-1, which earned a lot of marketability from leading man Richard Dean Anderson when it premiered in 1997, rather than the largely unknown cast of Atlantis.

The new series will also be aimed at a slightly younger audience, SCI FI president Dave Howe said.

"This is an opportunity to reinvent this franchise and make it relevant to a new generation," he said. "We really don't want to be more of the same. It's going to build clearly off the existing franchise but with a cast that gives it a younger vibe."

"In Universe, we plan to keep those elements that have made the franchise a success, such as adventure and humor, while breaking new ground in the relationships between mostly young and desperate explorers, thrust together and far from home," series co-creators Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper said. "Above all, we believe the Stargate itself remains an enduring icon with infinite potential as a jumping-off point for telling stories."

Wright and Cooper will also executive produce. The two created Stargate Atlantis, which will end its TV run in January (story). An Atlantis movie will also air later in 2009 on SCI FI -- hopefully the first of many.

http://www.gateworld.net/news/2008/0...rgate_un.shtml

[TopGearDog]

Nooooooo

I love Stargate and was sad when SG-1 was cancelled so i got into Atlantis and have gotten to like it alot. Now they cancel it too.

Stargate Universe better be good. Good scifi is hard to come by these days.

[jetsetter]

The Stargate franchise blazes forward into new territory with Stargate Universe, a brand new television series from the creators of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis. The SCI FI Channel announced today that it has picked up the new series for 2009.

The show will begin production early next year, and premiere in the summer with a 2-hour movie.

"SCI FI has enjoyed tremendous success with Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis and we're proud to be the home of the new Stargate Universe," Mark Stern, Executive Vice President, Original Programming for SCI FI said. "Universe will continue the Stargate legacy of vibrant storylines and compelling adventures, but will re-invent the format in a whole new way."

Universe will attempt to appeal to a broader audience, drawing new viewers into the Stargate world. The show will be "a little more character-based, a little less rooted in a sci-fi mythology," co-creator Brad Wright told GateWorld. "It really does come down to characters and stories that are engaging, and that people want to see -- that they feel like they haven't seen before."

Part of the new focus is a deliberate attempt to bring in younger viewers to watch Stargate Universe. "This is an opportunity to reinvent this franchise and make it relevant to a new generation," SCI FI president Dave Howe told The Hollywood Reporter. "We really don't want to be more of the same. It's going to build clearly off the existing franchise but with a cast that gives it a younger vibe."

Stargate Universe is set on board a massive Ancient ship called the Destiny, millions of years older than even the city of Atlantis (story). The Ancients launched the automated ship millions of years ago to seed Stargates throughout many galaxies, with a second ship planned to follow it up and explore those planets. But they got busy with ascension, and never followed through on the plan.

Earth discovers that the Stargate's mysterious ninth chevron can be utilized to gate directly to the Ancient ship, opening up literally the whole universe to explore. But the team will soon discover that they have no way back to Earth, and must ride the ship on its programmed course.

Here is how SCI FI describes the show:

After unlocking the mystery of the Stargate's ninth chevron, a team of explorers travels to an unmanned starship called the Destiny, launched by The Ancients at the height of their civilization as a grand experiment set in motion, but never completed.

What starts as a simple reconnaissance turns into a never ending mission, as the Stargate Universe crew discovers the ship is unable to return to Earth, and they must now fend for themselves aboard the Destiny.

The crew will travel to the far reaches of the universe, connecting with each of the previously launched Stargates, thus fulfilling the Destiny's original mission. Challenges will arise though as the ship comes into range of Stargates placed centuries ahead of the Destiny and the crew is unable to control the ship's navigational schedule. If someone is left behind, there is no way to go back for them, adding to the drama of encountering new races, enemies and adventures.


Wright and Atlantis and Universe co-creator Robert C. Cooper will serve as show-runners, and are currently writing the premiere episode.

The news of the show's pick-up comes immediately on the heels of the network's announcement that Stargate Atlantis is ending after the current, fifth season, but will continue on to TV movies (story). But executive producer Brad Wright insists that the one decision did not cause the other.

"It's not the case that anything is being pushed aside, any more than SG-1 is pushed aside," Wright told GateWorld. "Shows have a life, and they live their life ... There will always be a point where those people are disappointed. This is a way of preserving Atlantis going forward in a very strong way."

Wright told GateWorld that Stargate Universe has been in the concept stage for two years, and that this year the time was right for SCI FI and MGM to move forward on the project together.

Stargate's third live-action television series will shoot at The Bridge Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia. Stargate will take up new stage space on the lot, with the Atlantis and Stargate Command sets staying put on Stages 6 and 5 (respectively).

SCI FI AND MGM REACH FOR THE STARS WITH
‘STARGATE UNIVERSE’

New Stargate Series Targeted For Summer 2009 Premiere

New York, NY – August 22, 2008 – SCI FI Channel and MGM Television Entertainment have reached an agreement to extend MGM's Stargate brand with a new series for the Channel. Production on the first season of Stargate Universe, a weekly series based on the popular Stargate franchise, will begin in early 2009, with the show targeted to premiere that Summer. Brad Wright and Robert Cooper, co-creators of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis and who both currently serve as executive producers on Atlantis, will serve as executive producers and writers on the new series.

"SCI FI has enjoyed tremendous success with Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis and we're proud to be the home of the new Stargate Universe," said Mark Stern, Executive Vice President, Original Programming for SCI FI & Co-Head Original Content, Universal Cable Productions. "Universe will continue the Stargate legacy of vibrant storylines and compelling adventures, but will re-invent the format in a whole new way."

"The Stargate franchise enjoys a loyal and substantial fan base that welcomes each new installment with fevered enthusiasm," said Charles Cohen, Senior Executive Vice President and Corporate Development for MGM. "We are delighted to be working again with Brad and Robert and look forward to seeing new adventures with the launch of Stargate Universe on SCI FI Channel next year. Stargate Universe will continue the longstanding relationship between MGM's stellar science fiction franchise and cable's premiere destination for all passionate science fiction fans."

Thomas Vitale, Senior Vice President Programming & Original Movies said, "Stargate Universe is a natural progression for the Stargate brand and for our network. Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis have been key drivers for SCI FI and we are looking forward to seeing where this next chapter leads, as each new installment of the Stargate franchise further engages the SCI FI audience."

Wright and Cooper said: "In Universe, we plan to keep those elements that have made the franchise a success, such as adventure and humour, while breaking new ground in the relationships between mostly young and desperate explorers, thrust together and far from home. Above all, we believe the Stargate itself remains an enduring icon with infinite potential as a jumping off point for telling stories."

After unlocking the mystery of the Stargate's ninth chevron, a team of explorers travels to an unmanned starship called the Destiny, launched by The Ancients at the height of their civilization as a grand experiment set in motion, but never completed.

What starts as a simple reconnaissance turns into a never ending mission, as the Stargate Universe crew discovers the ship is unable to return to Earth, and they must now fend for themselves aboard the Destiny.

The crew will travel to the far reaches of the universe, connecting with each of the previously launched Stargates, thus fulfilling the Destiny's original mission. Challenges will arise though as the ship comes into range of Stargates placed centuries ahead of the Destiny and the crew is unable to control the ship's navigational schedule. If someone is left behind, there is no way to go back for them, adding to the drama of encountering new races, enemies and adventures.

Stargate Universe will debut as a two-hour movie event on SCI FI. Following its premiere, Universe will assume a regular hourly slot in Summer 2009.

Universe will be distributed by MGM Worldwide Television Distribution.

http://www.gateworld.net/news/2008/0...has_a_go.shtml

[D-Fence]

I hate those people.

Cancel Atlantis and bring a completely new series and some movies. That sounds like a cunning plan to me.

*CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED* *CENSORED*

[Ramseus]

Screw Atlantis. Ronin is the worst character ever and Space is too cheap to outbid the movie network (honestly, the movie network, why?) for Canadian first run rights, so I haven't even seen S4 yet. Not to mention that the show has more plot holes than The Plothole Hour with Plot Holington, they reuse the same plots over and over again, and *bawww* *bawwww*

SGA is Star Gate's Enterprise (ie. not as good, tries too hard, and really cheesy). Sounds like SGU is going to be Star Gate's Voyager (ie. complete garbage)


/me was never a fan of SGA, only ever watched it because nothing else was on, SG1 ftw

[TopGearDog]

I guess i need to get into Battlestar Galactica now since i've watched SG-1 from start to finish on DVD and Farscape twice. Oh well.

[Viper007Bond]

Honestly, I'm happy. Atlantis was becoming a bit stale and I was never as into it as I was SG1.

Although SGU seems to be going in a Star Trek direction. I mean, no Stargates or something? WTF?

[jasonof2000]

Originally Posted by TopGearDog

I guess i need to get into Battlestar Galactica now since i've watched SG-1 from start to finish on DVD and Farscape twice. Oh well.

Too bad Sci-fi never advertised the show EVER! What good is having "the best show on TV" and not advertising it? Every person I've introduced the show to was hooked after 3 episodes.
That said the writing starts to suffer about 5 episodes into season 3 and never really recovers.

[Viper007Bond]

I was into BSG for a while, but then I gave it up. Kinda became boring for me.

[PaSSoA]

I was hooked on SG-1 and I'm starting to watch the 9th season, I agree that there are times the stories are a little stale and far-fetched but it still is pretty addictive. I'm half way through season 1 of Atlantis and it, on the other hand had more potential, here they were with pretty much the technology from the ancients but, alas, the acting were overdone and they seemed more occupied with "meeting" new characters and take forever to find a ZPM, hopefully the second season was better. I'm not glad that any were cancelled but I think the new spin-off sounds interesting.

[Ramseus]

Originally Posted by Viper007Bond

Although SGU seems to be going in a Star Trek direction. I mean, no Stargates or something? WTF?

The press release said something towards the end about the stargate remaining as a jumping point to tell interesting storings, or something like that.

The plot of the show doesn't seem to make any sense (at least in that brief description), teh ship can't go back to earthzors, so the crew just wanders around ST:Voyager style, except that they keep going further away from earth instead of towards it. What? I hope they get better set design, Atlantis was a huge step above SG1 (they made maybe 4 sets of questionable quality in SG1 and then reused them 1000000 times). Mainly the ship set, if it's the same stale ship set they used in the other two shows... no thanks.

[vyllu]

Originally Posted by Ramseus

Mainly the ship set, if it's the same stale ship set they used in the other two shows... no thanks.

This ship should be Ancient built so definitely new set.

[argatoga]

Originally Posted by Ramseus

I hope they get better set design, Atlantis was a huge step above SG1 (they made maybe 4 sets of questionable quality in SG1 and then reused them 1000000 times).

And every planet they go to looks like the Pacific NorthWest.

I like Atlantis it was a needed fresh start, SG-1 was getting a bit stale and dull without Richard Dean Anderson. Atlantis is started to get a bit stale now as well. Hopefully Universe will be another good fresh beginning.

[Whappeh]

Let me get this straight. A Stargate series that has nothing to do with the SGC or the IOA and has nothing to do with modern humans? Wasn't the badass part of Stargate the plausible possibility that it could be happening? Whats the point of just going off into insanity with the franchise? Sure, it explains some stuff, but never the less...

[jetsetter]

A Stargate series that has nothing to do with the SGC or the IOA and has nothing to do with modern humans?

Why would you say it has nothing to do with modern humans? The ship is old, the crew is from our time.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Originally Posted by Viper007Bond

I was into BSG for a while, but then I gave it up. Kinda became boring for me.

That's exactly what happened with me, I got through 2.5 seasons and got sick of the slow drama.

I like SGA, not as much as I love SG1, but I like it. I'll be sad to see it end, regardless. I have high hopes for SGU but it sounds a little too much like Voyager, which was a bit too much like Lost in Space.

[jetsetter]

I liked the concept of Voyager and I watched the whole series but the dialogue at times was laughable.