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.”
 Loading ... |
“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.
ok i honestly didn’t expect this, i cannot believe they would end the show with such a huge fan base still. stargate is the ONLY thing i really look forward to on tv, this can’t happen, positively can’t happen
I LOVE Stargate Atlantis. First they ruined the show when they got rid of Torri Higginson (Elizabeth Weir) and they brought in Sam whom I am sick of, now they cancel the show for no reason. This is HORRIBLE they just completely flushed themselves down the toilet! Well, the awesome actors and actresses (Joe, Tori, Rachel, Jason, and David) all deserve much better than what MGM and SciFI have given them, I hope they find something even better that appreciates their talents!
Good. Atlantis is a weak show. No chemistry amongst the cast. 3 different leaders in the span of 3 seasons. McKay is annoying. Good riddance.
if you have enough money for gateworld why cancel atlantis? sounds like politics. you have enough money for anew one so get dir of the old .well i hope that gateworld goes down like the titanic.
OHHHH God! that’s sucks, you can;t kill the show like that, if you are really care about marketing, more money….bla bla read these fan comments and you;ll understand.
once the movie is out everybody gonna watch and what? empty Tv, anyway the last movie CONT.. didn’t like was boring it more intersting as series. GOD where did you study guys wake up.
that Sucks! Its a great show!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
This is horrible that they’ve axed Atlantis. I’m protesting. I’m not letting them take my show away! To hell with MGM! I’m writing them letters right now!
Go to my site to see what you can do:
http://fightforatlantis.wordpress.com
I do not get it. Why remove a compelling show and put it into the movie market to just make a few more bucks. Late night TV is infomercial land now and I can go to bed sooner. I suggest we all tell the power to be to turn off the light. OOPS they already did…they are hastening the end of regular TV to pay-per-view. A slow and painful death that will only hurt the TV market itself. As they slowly disenfranchise the viewers they are cutting off their only remaining market for late night watching. Admit it sci-fi nuts… Read more »
Some of the recent episodes of stargate Atlantis season 5, has been really crappy (boring scripts). But its sad if they kill the show, its always nice to watch newly fresh produced sci fi shows.
WHAT ARE THEY THINKING!
I didnt really care too much for Stargate SG1 but I managed to muddel my way through all the seasons anyway (Im a bit of a sci fi nut). Stargate Atantis is day and night from SG1. I really enjoy it. Its the best sci fi series ever (yes…even better than Startrek Next Gen). I cant believe they pulled the plug. I sure hope they come up with something as good to replace it.
No! I love this series! Please don’t cancel it! Stargate Atlantis is my favorite show on television! In fact it is my favorite show ever! Please don’t cancel it! I can’t imagine SciFi Friday without Stargate Atlantis! Please, please, please don’t do this! The powers that be have changed their minds before. Let this be one of those times!
No! Stargate Atlantis is too good. They can’t end it with only five seasons! Don’t get me wrong. Movies are a great idea! We’ll take the movies, but additional seasons will make fans happy! Please don’t cancel the show. It’s my favorite.
I like Stargate Alantis please don’t stop the show but i’m glad
there will be movie’s of Stargate Alantis at least i hope i read
that right because that be todally out of this world to make a
big movie for the theartre.
[…] cancellation news, this will be the final season of Stargate Atlantis. Sci Fi didn’t cancel it, as it was cancelled by MGM Television, the company that produces […]