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 is it that whenever you get really interested in a show (SGA) they will cancel it. Not to mention they then decide to make another show (SGU) that is a repeat of there previous hit. SGA was a hit. To the producers “You never know what you have until it is gone”.
It indeed a good movie, we spent all of time watching it, without notice of daylight and night. A great movie with great characters within. I like John and Mckay. Hehe, they do bring so many fun and surprise to us.
well THAT sux, a good show like Atlantis should run at LEAST for 7 if not 8 years. I guess that’s why the big boys in network TV get pais so much. oh wait. … I don’t get paid much and I do Dumb things everyday. Don’t cancel the show.
HAY
I AM CALLING FANS OF STARGATE SG1 AND STARGATE ATLANTIS WRITE TO PARMOUNT PICTURES, 20TH CENTURY FOX , UNIVERAL STUDIO AND OTHERS. ASK THEM TO BRING OUR FAVIORATE SHOW TO THE BIG SCREEN
Just found this on the Stargate website..
Trailer for Stargate Universe. It doesn’t have that Stargate feel to it but as a Sci Fi film it looks like it could be okay.
I still say just carry on with SGA instead of funding a film ^^
http://stargate.mgm.com/view/series/3/index.html
Check it out
I’m honestly really disappointed at the end of this show as everyone here is. I really got gripped to S4 and 5 of SGA, even started to like it more than SG1. In a few years when fans are thinking back to SGA there wont be a good feeling inside, there will be a feeling of slight emptiness like there was something missing before the end. (Something a movie wont fill..) Truly great show but I totally agree with “Mark” in the other comments who said “the number of pathetic thin story driven CRAP out there and a great show… Read more »
all i have to say is you don’t do yourself any favors canceling SGA like that to make room for another spin off! If you think Lou Diamond Phillips is going to save your franchise your mistaken. Why would i waste my time watching another obviously cheaper to produce series you will eventually cancel out of the blue. SGA was the only thing i watched on sci fi sy fy or whatever the BS station is calling itself these days. I don’t think anyone should die like some of u but …it reminds me of the cancelation of another show… Read more »
SGA is one of the few shows that has an awesome cast. It had the perfect combination of comedy, action and some drama now and then….Just like SG-1. I may not have been able to see every show on TV because I was in the navy, but i sure as hell bought the seasons on DVD. I don’t know what the hell you people are thinking, but someone needs to be fired. If SG Universe isn’t as good as SGA. You can bet I won’t watch it and i have a feeling there is more people then just my self… Read more »
to take a grate while it`s in it`s youth is wrong and totaly uncalled for!!! Bring SGA BACK!!!!
They should renew Atlantis and give it the same 10 season life that SG-1 was afforded. I like SG-1, and they should have never canceled it to begin with. What drew me to the Stargate series in the first place was the feeling it invoked about humanity, Earth, and our existence in relation to everyone else in the galaxy, or universe. In addition, the exclusive storyline following a given team or unit. At the expense of promoting something others may have lost interest with, following an SG team around a galaxy is great, and they should stick with it. I… Read more »
Stargate costs alot to create – a new set is built for each episode… Its not like a crappy sitcom where they can use the same sets for every episode for 4 years.
Just found out, “SHOCKED”, all the crap on TV, I finally have a show I can look forward to each week and they cancel it, what a waste, what a great loss, big mistake as far as I am concerned.
Sweet Love Of God, the number of pathetic thin story driven CRAP out there and a great show like SGA with great cast chemistry is CANCELLED, what the hell are you thinking for the love of god. The onwners of the franchise should be shot and pissed on. Its been a long time since I looked forward to a show every week and SGA was it.
My final word: STAGGERING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why you cancel. Is a great show, you should be out of your mind.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE BRING BACK STARGATE ATLANTIS…YOU JUST CAN’T LEAVE THE SHOW HANGING LIKE THAT!