When Stargate SG-1 ended its run in March 2007, fans of the franchise could take solace that they’d still have weekly Stargate adventures courtesy of spin-off Stargate Atlantis. Now, Atlantis is being cancelled as well.
Stargate Atlantis debuted on July 16, 2004 on Sci Fi. The series follows the adventures of a human expedition to the lost city of Atlantis in the Pegasus Galaxy. While Atlantis generally hasn’t been as popular as the SG-1 series, it still has a lot of fans. After five seasons on the air, Sci Fi Channel has announced that the series is ending.
The cancellation didn’t come as a complete surprise to the producers. On his blog, showrunner Joseph Mallozzi cites rising production costs and the decline of the US dollar as contributors. He and showrunner Paul Mullie broke the news to the cast and crew themselves. Thankfully it seems like the adventure isn’t over quite yet.
The second half of season five will air as expected on Sci Fi beginning in January. The 100th episode, titled “Enemy At the Gate,” will be the show’s last. The Atlantis story will then continue in a two-hour movie. The as-yet-untitled movie will run on Sci Fi and soonafter be released on DVD.
Mallozzi and Mullie will write the movie script. It’s not yet known who will direct the project. Mallozzi writes, “Obviously, I can’t say much about it at this point but suffice it to say that it should include the entire cast in addition to a certain gaunt and pallid flowing-locked guest star.” A release date should be forthcoming soon.
Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper, the SG-1 and Atlantis co-creators, are upbeat about the news. In a statement, they said, “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.”
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“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 of Programming & Original Movies.
The network has indicated that “the show will live on as a network franchise.” What the statement actually means is unclear. Sci Fi may be planning additional Atlantis movies, or it could be a general indication that the Stargate franchise will continue, likely as a third series.
In late 2007, Cooper and Wright pitched Stargate Universe to the channel. Earlier this year, Wright told Gateworld, “The idea of Stargate Universe is that it is set on a ship that was part of an Ancient experiment that was set in motion probably millions of years ago – one that they never saw to fruition, but that we can.” He went on to say that the ship’s mission would be to help seed the galaxies with Stargates. Universe hasn’t been given a greenlight yet but, now that Atlantis has been cancelled, Sci Fi may have the funds to do it.
Though the Atlantis cancellation is surely a disappointment to fans, Mallozzi is confident the story isn’t over. He writes, “And, if [the Atlantis movie] proves anywhere as successful as the first two SG-1 direct-to-video features, you can be assured that this will be the first in a long, long line of Stargate Atlantis movies.” Stay tuned! 
Photo courtesy SciFi Channel/Joe Pugliese.
More about:
Stargate Atlantis,
Stargate SG-1,
Stargate Universe
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Stargate Universe is really no match for Stargate Atlantis. They had way better actors, Universe is really boring, and there is no way of fixing it. They could make anything they wanted with the Atlantis storyline, Universe is very limited. Atlantis should be back.
Stargate Atlantis has been a very interesting series on public television because: the sets were amazing spectacular, actors and actresses were very professional, they played very well, has been exceptional. The show’s producers were geniuses. You must save Atlantis. You have to continue the TV series of the completion of the sixth season. Producers and Dave Howe, can not disappoint their audience, but above all must not disappoint the fans around the world. Lory
Really going to miss Stargate Atlantis.
I am going to miss watching Stargate Atlantis, I found the whole series brilliant,. you cant let it just stop,.
I have also watched all of the SG I , AND THAT WAS ALSO GREAT.
PLEASE DONT DISAPOINT ALL OF US FANS.
I am very dissapointed with the makers of the stargate programs, First we had stargate sg-1 Brilliant program, The stargate atlantis, another brilliant offshoot, Then came stargate Universe, It is not a patch on the others it is so boring, Why then don`t the cancell stargate universe and bring back stargate atlantis with the money they save not making stargate universe, Or better still bring back stargate sg-1 & atlantis. Come on people give the viewers what they wan`t.
Now that the series of Stargate Atlantis ended with the fifth season and the sixth season was canceled, I feel that there is a void in the television programs I like to watch on TV and ‘as if the series was incomplete and unfinished. Something is missing. I liked all the episodes of both Stargate SG1 fiction (the first series), but at least those have been completed in ten seasons with a storyline and have met the fans. With the Atlantis series many fans were expecting a continuation of the story. Please, save Stargate Atlantis! Lory
Come on joseph mallozzi get your act together, we the audience wan`t more SG-1 & Stargate Atlantis. Cancell the crap stargate universe there`s more excitement in a roadrunner cartoon JUST GIVE THE VIEWERS WHAT THEY WAN`T More SG-1 & Atlantis. Get A grip. will you.
My wife Pam and I, and I am a 52 year old man, who after a long work week could hardy wait to get home and relax watching two of the best SciFi programs we have ever had the pleasure to watch, in my life, Mr. Mallozzi. You will find out in time that you are going to loose most of your viewers depending on shows like Sanctuary and Ghosts Hunters International. You have really disappointed many people not continuing StarGate Atlantis for another season at the very least.This show could very easily become the longest running Sci Fi show ever if you listened to its fans.Please bring the series back.I have totally lost any interest in any Scy Fy progam you air on your channel, and will not even tune to your network until you bring Star Gate Atlantis back!!
hey i think its B.S you canceled Atlantis and replaced it with stargate Universe so far everyone i know that likes the stargate series thinks the new universe sucks!!! an i personally am getting sick of shows getting canceled. if shows get canceled off the air fine.. but if thats the case then they should still me released to DVDs now im not trying to be rude but come on get real! lots of fans out there are more mad about this then you may know…
thanks for your time..
Its a very good series StarGate Atlantis, much better than Stargate Universe. We want more series with Atlantis 6,7,8 …… From Romania
I still watch the SG-1 & Atlantis reruns, and my son has the season DVDs; but Atlantis should not have been cancelled. By the way, just exactly WHEN is the Atlantis movie being released? And will there be more SG-1 movies?
So far I do NOT like Stargate Universe; I’m not certain why & maybe it will get better, but it just does not seem as though it is anywhere near the same class as SG-1 & Atlantis. Of course, all that sex stuff is ridiculous & just takes away from the Stargate premise; plus at least two of the leading characters are not nice (that scientist is repugnant, and I myself HATE seeing Lou Diamond Phillips as a bad guy); and why did they decide to have NO medical staff except the one “medic” (I’m not certain what medical training she is supposed to have had, but to not have even one doctor is not very reasonable: even Voyager had an excellent doctor, despite (or maybe because of?) his being a hologram). Will they EVER be able to just explore other planets, or will all episodes simply be another crisis with the ship?!? Umm, it would seem that maybe I DO know why I don’t like Universe (or at least, some of the reasons why).
True!!! I`m from Portugal and i love SG-1 and SG-Atlantis!!!! ATLANTIS RULE!!! MAKE IT 10 seasons like sg-1
GOD DAMN IT. I want my show back!! Stargate Atlantis was quality tv! SGU SUCKS ASS.
SGU blows my butt, not even worth downloading nevermind watching at a scheduled time. Bring back Atlantis or even SG 1 reruns i’ve seen 10 times!
Stargate Universe it is not that bad, but it is not as near as good as sg1 nor sga, it is too dramatic, there is no humor, they are just in the god dam ship waiting for another stupid disaster to happen.
Please, you guys were thinking about doing a 6th SGA season, AND DO IT THEN. I really miss ol’ sheppard and mckay =)
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