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.
As one of the few london religious Jedi knights I agree with everyone which is why sci-fi fans are now writing their own episodes etc. However from a limited closed universe of possibilities I understand it will be another 20 years before another good sci-fi series will be released. Technology needs to catch up and show us where its going first.
i’m quite dissapointed in these networks that begin a process to create a show with limitless possibilities and a perfect cast, and then just break them appart end a series because they say its not making enough money huh. Everytime I get into a great show it has to come to an end, kind of emoral isn’t it. I used to look foward every night at 8:00pm on monday nights to watch Stargate Atlantis and Prison Break and now after spending nearly $11,000 on a home theatre system to watch these shows they are being canceled. i have one last… Read more »
i would just like to know the real reason its cancelled. mony ? this show its gonna make 100 times the mony they put in. every big television its gonna run the show
awesome show, it will be sad to see go!
I’m in the same boat as many others. Take away Atlantis and what’s left of BSG and I’m done with Sci Fi.
You hooked me with Sci Fi Friday: Andromeda, SG1, Atlantis, BSG every single Friday and now I’m not sure why I even have the channel anymore.
the series finale was a bit weak… and everything happened really fast… lot of ‘dues ex machina’
but whatev… i guess that is that, hopefully, if they go through with universe, it will be good.
meanwhile im waiting on the movies
I know that this website is filled with complaints and what i propose is that instead of saying no don’t do this offer them solutions. You’re complaints go unheard unless you develope a solution that they can use. either shut up anf take solice in the fact that there’ll be movies or speak up and take action towards funds for a sixth season. I’m 16 and i can see that for christs sake.
Hi, I am truely saddened by this. I even buy all the dvd’s as they come out to ensure I do my part to keep the shows on air. This is no way to treat loyal fans. I hope that the monkeys that decided to cancel Stargate Atlantis lose their jobs and are replaced by competent people who are in touch with what viewers want.
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!
I want STARGATE ATLANTIS…… I want STARGATE ATLANTIS…… I want STARGATE ATLANTIS …… I want STARGATE ATLANTIS…… I want STARGATE ATLANTIS…… I want STARGATE ATLANTIS…… I want STARGATE ATLANTIS…… I want STARGATE ATLANTIS…… I want STARGATE ATLANTIS…… I want STARGATE ATLANTIS…… I want STARGATE ATLANTIS……
It really ticks me off. Stargate atlantis was one of the few great shows on the scifi, and they are ending so abruptly and out of context, i saw the last episode and it was such a weak way to end the series. I hope they reconsider im fighting this to the end, at least give the fans the respect to go one more season and end it in a somewhat decent manner.
what is wrong with you folk, lost your minds, must be children of the same folks that canceled Star Trek. and we all know how that went. You need to start check with the real fans not just that stupid company that tell you that no one is watching. You sit at tablea and make decision about what most folks wait all week to see and in the brush of a pen wipe out the hole thing. Play a little less golf and watch some TV for a change. You don’t even know what we think out here in the… Read more »
I think it is stupid to get rid of the show. Everyone i know loves the show. They bring out a show like Sanctuary, which I think sucks, and they quit sga. No one can tell me more people watch that show than sga. I think that who ever decided to cancel show should have their heads examined. Stargate Atlantis is the only show I enjoy watching on the sci fi channel and now I guess i will not be watching that station any longer. The canceling of SGA has the watching of the SCI FI channel for me. I… Read more »
A$$HOLES
what the hell i dont watch anything on sci fi besides stargate atlantis why would you end it