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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PLEASE BRING BACK STARGATE ATLANTIS. THEY WERE LIKE FAMILY. YOU COULD LOSE YOURSELF IN EACH EPISODE AND ALL YOUR WORRIES FOR THE DAY WHEN YOU SAT DOWN TO WATCH SGA. I WANT TO SEE A SERIES LIKE THIS ONE CONTINUE. A SERIES YOU DON’T WANT TO GIVE UP!!!!!!
Well it takes very little effort to vote and see the results @ near the top of this page.
After I cast My vote the summary came up and read as follows : Don’t really care 1%
:Yes it’s Weak 1%
See where this is going yet? : No! It’s a Great show 98%.
12,124 total votes.
roughly 120.25 People agree You are Less than Stupid to Jump off of Such a Gravey Train.
I guess The Viewers mean Nothing to you guys who can go and do whatever it is You Idiots want.
Idiots thinks to self. . . Let’s see Great shows with Thousands maybe Millions of Die Hard Fans,
making more and more and more . . . money. verses Possiblity of a 1 hit wonder.
Idiots answer is always the Gamblers Cures This is going to be the BIG One I can FEEL IT…….
Oh Crapp Now what?
I cant believe they have garbage like ripleys believe it or not on sci fi, or garbage movies like Boa vs Python, the only reason i watched the sci fi channel is for the stargate series’, at least replace stargate with a good series like, supernatural.
Doctor Who started in 1962 and is still going strong all over the world. I am sure the same could and should have happened with the Stargate series if the producers only listened to the fans. I have watched and bought all 15 series, along with the movies, of course.
OMG!! Please bring back atlantis,just love the series and im sure the movies of the atlantian’s will not disapoint.Not sure about this SGU though,was just getting the feel of atlantis before it was cancelled(for to which im sad for).
What an absolute load of bullshit.
As far as I’m concerned, I hope you all go bankrupt because of this ridiculous cancellation and severely grave mistake.
I have purchased every single season of SG1 and Atlantis and thoroughly enjoyed every single episode. I was immersed in every storyline shift and progression, enjoying every new adventure. And then…You cancel it without explaining half the **** you made us think about.
I didn’t remain loyal since the start of the franchise to be screwed over by a bunch of overpaid American producers who wouldn’t know a good series if it kicked them in the ass. So whatever, go ahead and air your SGU. I’m sure it’ll be a one-hit wonder if you’re lucky. You certainly won’t have a great following after this retarded move.
Well done MGM on officially ******* yourselves over.
I go along with everyone SGA is a great story it should go on I love all the charatcers. It just doesnt make sence to dump it. I was really bummed out.
Hello producers of stargate atlantis I have all the series of the show and I must say unreal,fantastic,the best si fi I have watched please keep the show going the actors and the sceens unreal.Please do your best and try and keep the series going I live in sydney,Australia and love it so much and im proud to say im 50 years of age.
To all who produced and performed in the si fi do what you can to keep it going please.
I find this really sad. I really liked Stargate SG1, but Stargate Atlantis was the best. Very sad!!
PLEASE BRING THE SHOW BACK ON
Really sad to hear this. Seems like TV is being taken over by the worst programming possible. I loved SGA and its cast of characters and the story line. It seemed to reach both male and female viewers and I for one looked forward to watching it every week. Guess this is one more reason not to watch TV.
NOT FINISHING THE FRACKIN SGA SERIES ??? FARGIN BASTAGES
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