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.
I almost cried after the last episode was over 🙁
I was waiting for half a year cause i wanted to see what happened to atlantis now that it was on earth, then i find out that it was cancelled?!?!?!? WTF!!!! i loved this show, lots of action and situations that put you on the edge of your seat. I dont really care if its a movie series or a show i just want the story-line to be ongoing. as in what happens next after season 5. why make another show called stargate universe?? I highly doubt that it will be any better than atlantis. I would call the show… Read more »
Stargate Atlantis is a amazing show. It should never of been cancelled!!!!
both me and my son are fans of both stargate sg-1 and alantis but we find alantis more intresting due to the aditude of the main charicters.the characters in alantis seam to have more life in them for example john sheperd always seamed to pull a funny joke out at the worst times like when he was faced with death and ronan would always have anger problems which cause problems and rodny how he would be so up himself and would always eat if he could and talor and her ability to sence the danger of coming raith.all in all… Read more »
Came to see when the new season began… I don’t understand why it’s canceled.. IIt’s a great show with wonderfully rich characters… I am truly disappointed!!
Wow, I came looking to see when the new season was starting up and I am gravely disappointed.
I really liked this show even over SG1. The reathe is far cooler than the golden circle god people. I enjoyed every episode of SA because they incorporated semingly real technology. Also holding a fort like Atlantis would be bad ass. Mix S. Universe with the cast from Atlantis or I will hate it. Please don’t F^@K S. Universe up.
Last three weeks Ive spent much time watching SGA. I absolutely love the characters. Never has TV broadcast something even close to this. This is the perfect combination of action and humour. The fiction parts even make sense. Everything is backed with real facts as much as its possible. All that together makes this one of the best shows ever aired.
Nothing on TV will ever be as great as this. Please give us a 6th season and hopefully a 7th as well.
Such a shame that I can’t watch atlantis here in Denmark.
I had to buy the series through amazon.com so we could have movie nights.
I haven’t seen Stargate Atlantis on TV in Denmark, yet, but hopefully that will change.
I feel like crying! I didn’t know Atlantis was cancelled! I was so looking forward to season 6! My husband and I are avid fans and just went through our dvds of seasons 1 through 4, for the 2nd time. We love the show, the wraiths, Todd, Shepard, Rodney, Teyla, and Ronin Dex!!!!! Wow! I am going to miss the stories! Great job, everyone!
there should be a stargate season 6
WOW! Add insult to injury. First SG-1 then Atlantis get the ax because of costs? The economy? It certainly wasn’t from lack of devoted followers.Ten and five yrs apiece, that’s devoted. Some will say get a life but the characters were so well done and there was so much more to be done and expanded. Do writers lose their imaginations after a time? Check with the fan base I bet you’ll find some whacko ideas but really solid creative ones too. This is a loss to sci-fi(syfy) people every where.
I love watching stargate atlantis, I wish it was not cancelled and would you reconsider this PLEASE.
kinds regards
Holly Collins
Got real sad when the production of season 6 was not started. Loves stargate atlantis, the stories and the persons. Good actors.
Hope the production will start again.
I just dont understand this.The show has gr8 sucess and its a verry good story (as good as SG-1) and they simpley cancel it like that??? The whole season 5 is a joke i mean u cant even tell when it ends u just realise that there no more episodes… and i dont think that money is the main issue here cause the show had LOTS of fans.And if sci-fi wanted some more money why not cancel the tons of bad showes that they still fund. As for SGA movies??… i think they will only add fuel to the fire.… Read more »