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.
why why why if no money dont start SGU should finish SGA first I dont understand
plzz bring back stargate atlantis… the story is great pesonalities got loads a humour
dont know if anything else has changed but this is really lame…i watched stargate sg-1 religously and then did the same as soon as SGA came out i watched the first episode like….4 or 5 times on tv and i own the first 3 seasons getting the last two soon…this is seriously the only series i watched on tv and RNH i agree on the lame ass horror flicks, those things are a joke why dont u stop wasting millions of dollars on week long production with crappy actors and put the money towards something good like make SGA last… Read more »
I was totally bummed when I read there would be no 6th season of Atlantis. It was just getting good and the characters were just starting to really bond what with 3 commanders taking over Atlantis and all they weren’t fully adjusted yet. I am not sure who decides to cancel shows but they need to rethink this one. I really hope it wasn’t because some corporate suit was only going to earn 1million dollars this year vice 2. I am mean really sometimes life isn’t all about money. BRING IT BACK!
I Loved Stargate Atlantis..It honestly was my favorite show!..and now i hear they are canceling it..haha well im going to do everything in my power to save it!…SGU I’m sorry i dont want that. I WANT SGA!!
by the way i agree with the last comment im disappointed too!
honestly people loved the show…don’t throw it in the water!
-Unluckyluck
lm 45 years old and have seen so many sci-fi.Mate this is one of the best shows in a long time why cancel it when so many people enjoy watching it .All you guys should be ashamed of yourselves cause theirs lots of people disappointed , your fans have supported you for 15 years and this is how you repay them. THANKS MATE!
Bring Back Stargate Atlantis. The Syfy channel really needs more shows like this. SGA was a great escape into sci-fi. I really like the humor and the story lines. The characters were great as well.
Where is the Stargate Atlantis movie we were promised? This was clearly a show that ended way too early. SGU looks sad in comparison; although maybe it will prove me wrong. Nothing can be the great casting they had for SGA. Its a shame, I hope the movies do become a reality, and soon. The SciFi left after the demise of so many good shows, SG1, SGA, Battlestar Galactica, Enterprise is in need of some help. SyFy is spending too much money on bloody horror flicks that will not keep an audience interested. Not to mention, forget my kid watching… Read more »
If you want to support a new season, you should send a fanmail to the stargate producers. If enougth people do it i am sure they will come up with something.
Im looking forward to SGU though, but there is no way it can be better than
Stargate: Atlantis.
Hi, i’m 14 years old, and i have been watching Stargate Atlantis for the past few years. I can just say that it is the ONLY tv show that i have considered of quality. And now they want to cancel it!!! I’ve bonded so much with these characters it will be like waving good-bye to a good friend. BUT what i’ve heard is that there are plans to make a NEW STARGATE SERIES called Stargate Universe!!!! Hopefully they include some of the actors/characters from this series into that one. The reason i loved this series soo much was because there… Read more »
Man I am bumbed. This stinks. One of the few things left on TV I really liked. I wish they would reconsider.
I was very faithful to Star gate in general. Loved it, then they came out with Atlantis? WHAT I was blow away, the personality of the new characters was enough to sell me, Now you want to Cancel the show, I made part of my Day WHY!!!!!!!
I’m also quite upset to the fact, that Season 5 is the last for Stargate Atlantis, what a top show, I have watched this show religiously, watching all 5 Seasons. I want more, and I imagine thousands of other fans feel the same way. I was under the impression to make money you need to produce more shows of this quality. Please cut costs somewhere else, and continue the saga of Stargate Atlantis. Concerned Ausie Fan…
I miss this show more than any other. I watched it faithfully. So many crappy shows on tv today. This series was fantastic. I think you need to get rid of whomever it is that wields the axe and keeps cutting the good series while choosing the dry/boring series for continuation season after season.
am very angry that they have canceled this now and to top it off they claim due to rising costs that its being cancelled yet they make another damn series which is obviously costing alot more i would have thought