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! 
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Photo courtesy SciFi Channel/Joe Pugliese.
I loved Stargate Atlantis. I watched the show just out of the blue, and immediatly got addicted. I was devestaded when I finnished the last episode. I would give anything for them to bring the show back, and not to start ridiculouse shows like Stargate Universe.
My Family absolutely loved the Stargate series Atlantis, here in Australia there isn’t really that much in great entertaining TV series anymore. With all the Reality TV crap people are pedalling today, good family TV series with imagination, intriguing storylines and humour have simply gone out the window. What a shame, you really don’t know what a huge market you would have had over here if you had of continued with the story of Atlantis. We tried to get into Universe but soon found it mundane and boring, no humour, no interesting missions and no good storylines. Just dosen’t have… Read more »
I leave this comment as a Self-Proclaimed EXPERT on ALL THINGS STARGATE. I have personally watched ALL 10 Seasons of the Original in the Stargate Family of Series(SG-1). After 10 WONDERFUL Seasons, I as a fan had to endure this Series being converted in to movies. Then I sit through 5 Great Seasons of Stargate Atlantis, only to see this show no take the same path of the First. Then Stargate Universe is introduced to Stargate Fans..and it has thus far made it through 2 Seasons(going on). I am well aware of History..and it says this show will go the… Read more »
My husband and I just started watching the Stargate Atlantis series, wow what great action and humor. I love the characters. In my search today for the next series I found the show has been cancelled, what a loss. We tried watching Stargate Universe but I could not stand all the fighting and the obvious lack of military knowlegde. Stargate Atlantis had humor, action and the best hardly if any romance. It seems all the best shows get cancelled before their time: Firefly, Buffy, Angel and X Files. I’m sure I’ve left other great ones off. At least there is… Read more »
Wish they would have given us another season of Rodney’s insanity.
I loved this series the best, I’ve looked at the Stargate Universe series and found it to be rather boring and lacks the humor that SG-Atlantis brought.
Each Stargate franchise has something to offer its fans. I have watched them all and my favorite is Stargate Universe. I loved Stargate Atlantis but I preferred Universe because the others were a bit too vanilla for my taste. However, the point of good programming is to reach fans of diverse tastes! What I find too stupid to fathom is that they cancel good Science Fiction like the Stargate series then add wrestling to their lineup. (They have “financial woes” but can put out the bucks to acquire Friday Night Smackdown?) WRESTLING? What does that have to do with Science… Read more »
SG1 Was good, Atlantis was better.
Shame on whoever cancelled it, they need shooting.
SGU is one long bore snore from start to finish, the actors are good the plots just plain suck.
Why so serious? where has the Jack n John humour gone?
Bring back Atlantis, Hewlett makes my day as the megalomaniac McKay.
i love Atlantis bring it back PLEASE
I am an avid fan of Stargate SG 1 , Stargate Atlantis, Stargate Universe, and Santuary. I have always loved Sci-fi. I figured SG 1 would end someday, but when Atlantis ended, I was upset. There was no prior notice of it ending. Then when Universe came along, that made up for it a little. I still wish Atlantis would come back on though. I watch all of the series over and over. I would like to know what could be done to get Atlantis back on.
Why are they killing a great series and i love all the characters also great adventures.
I finally got my husband hooked on the show SG1 and now that we are almost done with SG Atlantis it is particularily sad. It is a awesome series. Only 5 Seasons? Are they insane? Weak dollar, I don’t think so, Hopefully MGM will get out of their ecomonic woes to bring back an above excellent show.
I find it sad that the season is coming to an end, i am and always will be a follower of the show. I love it. I hated it when SG-1 ended and now Atlantis may end, i hope the producers come to there senses and go on to make many many more seasons.
I BROUGHT EVER SEASON, ALL MY FRIENDS LOVED THE SHOW.
I LIVE IN A CITY OF 13 MILLION AND NO ONE AGREES THAT THIS
SHOW SHOULD OF BEEN CANCLED. GET TO WORK AND GET THOSE
ACTORS BACK TO WORK MAKE US PROUD OF MGM.
IT WAS A YOUNG STAR YET TO HELP US THINK ABOUT OUR FUTURES
IN THE UNIVERSE. JOHN SHEPARDS DONT COME ALONG THAT OFTEN.
KEVIN J HERMAN,AIFFD,CFD,MASTER FLORAL ARTIST, CHICAGO
This series is one of the best I’ve ever had the pleasure watching! The 4 seasons I’ve watched until now has been incredible! Not ONCE have I been bored, and that says a lot! I find it really sadly that they have decided to cancel the show. I’m now going to start watching season 5, but I’m scared that I will never see the daylight of season 6. I’m seriously wondering about just watching episode 1 of season 5, and leave it. That way I find out that they all made it at least
Perhaps there will be a… Read more »
I have just started watching season four and have season five and I purposely did not check until now why I hadn’t heard of season 6. I was already getting pre-depressed thinking there was only another 35 episodes for me to watch and now I know that there will be no more after this I think I will have to spam the SciFi complaints department, or maybe they’re too chicken **** to have one after this. The thing I like best is how well you come to know the characters in SG-1 and SGA and as the seasons progress you… Read more »
we need a Stargate Atlantis: Season 6 and 7 i love the and will looking for more!!!!!!!