As you probably know by now, Syfy recently cancelled Stargate Universe. While the remaining 10 episodes of season two will air in the spring, there won’t be a third season on the cable channel. Co-creator Brad Wright has said that there is a chance that Stargate Universe might continue in some form without Syfy. He mentioned that he’s currently in discussions with MGM, the studio and rights holder of the franchise.
In a recent blog post, writer and executive producer Joseph Mallozzi answered questions from fans and confirmed that Stargate Universe may not be dead just yet. He said that all options are still being considered — including a movie and a third season for another channel. He indicated that a third season would be the ideal scenario. Mallozzi also said that “positive progress” could be made as early as next week. The show’s sets are still standing and they won’t be dismantled until all possible avenues have been explored.
When asked if the cast and crew saw the cancellation news coming, Mallozzi replied, “Those early season two ratings were admittedly a downer. The move to Tuesday night was not good for us (and, speaking to the franchise as a whole, the move from summer to fall did us no favors either) and I firmly believe that time-shifted viewing and internet downloads have bled off a significant portion of our younger, tech-savvy audience. Still, we held out hope and, as production continued on season two, positive word from various places gave us hope that the show would come back for, at the very least, a third and final season (much the same way Battlestar did). Many of us were shocked by the abruptness of the cancellation decision.”
To that end, Mallozzi notes that most may be unsatisfied with how the last episode of the season, “Gauntlet,” leaves the series. He said, “Most would probably consider it a cliffhanger while I would consider it a touching, bittersweet end to the series (if it comes to it).” For fans who want to help keep Stargate Universe (SGU) going, Mallozzi suggests buying episodes from iTunes or purchasing the DVD sets
Mallozzi also briefly touched on the impact of the SGU cancellation on the long-awaited Stargate Atlantis movie. While some believed that the SGU cancellation might be a good sign, Mallozzi noted that couldn’t be further from the truth. He said, “I’m sorry to say but the cancellation puts the brakes on whatever progress the SGA movie had made in the past month, shelving it indefinitely.”
He later added that “the prospect of a dedicated Atlantis movie has always been contingent on a number of things, among them a financially sound model for investment predicated on the strength of the franchise. The cancellation of Universe deals a blow to the strength. Furthermore, any focus that may have been aimed at making the SGA movies now that MGM is once again moving forward into production will now be redirected to SGU.”
Mallozzi noted that DVD sales have greatly diminished since Atlantis was released on DVD. With SGU’s second season having recently wrapped, with the sets still standing, and with the cast and crew still being available, SGU represents the most cost-effective way to keep the franchise going right now.
What do you think? Will Stargate Universe be saved? Will the Stargate Atlantis movie ever get made?
Image courtesy MGM.
Its sad to see such a promising series being cut at its prime. Not being from the States, I have had to watch these online, but in saying that, I own the entire Stargate collection on DVD and intend on completing it with ‘Universe! I am hoping that it will be a 3 Season collection I will need to purchase!! I was so looking forward to an Atlantis movie too!! What is it about these companies that are happy to quit such amazing shows at the drop of a hat??!! Ggrrr Arrrgh!! So what new programme shall I immerse myself… Read more »
A major mistake cancelling this show. It’s by far the best in terms of drama, and conflict between the main characters. Being Scottish I maybe biased, but Robert Carlyle ‘s portrayal of Dr Rush is immense……In fact to be honest the whole cast do an excellent job.
I truly hope the SGU series 3 gets produced by an alternative network…..If SYFY cannot realise what they’ve got, then they don’t deserve to be in charge.
The best SG derivative by a long way.
Atlantis is the best they should bring it back becase it had good viwers on it.
The show started a little slow but that was because they took the time to develop the characters. I think it is one of the very few great Science Fiction shows on. I watch it every chance I get.
My vote is a serious keep it – and I’m a very hard core Science Fiction fan.
SGU is cuts above the other SG’s. With Joss Whedon shows gone, I latched onto this one, one of the few TV shows I watch regularly. Terrific writing, sets, photography; this show looks like a movie, the Stargates like a TV show. Every episode has a resolution, then immediately turns it up again and ends with tension, an “oh, oh” moment. I’m always left in a state of high anticipation and want to get on with the next episode Right Now! I can’t believe SYFY cancelled so quickly, or even that I have to wait until Spring to find out… Read more »
You are comparing the original series that were shot in regular definition to the SGU which is shot in High Def.
That is the ONLY reason some things look better. Why you say the sets are great make no sense to me as the entire ship is kept so dark that it is a joke. The ship is OBVIOUSLY far larger and can handle FAR more crew then is onboard, there is NO REASON for the sets to be so dark other then to hide the shoddiness or the repetition of reused props.
SY FY or what ever they call themselves these days, needs to sell SG-U to another cable network, like HBO . They just missed the ball on this one. SY- FY also needs to show original science fiction shows, like the Bionic Woman, Quantum Leap, The Incredible hulk. its ashame the next generation is gonna miss out on these shows.
SY FY get rid of friday night wrestling, its really bad karma.
@Warpstar
SGU wasn’t rejected by the hardcore science fiction crowd, those are the people that embraced it. It was the much larger ‘sci-fi lite’ crowd that couldn’t appreciate the show, the sort of people who aren’t happy unless there’s camaraderie, explosions and wise-cracks a plenty.
I said it before and I will say it again. The show was doomed when they put so many people on and gave them each so much time.There were over 20 characters that had parts that mysteriously disappeared for no reason, they are on a ship that is not as dilapidated as people say above. It was more then capable to do almost all of the functions it was supposed to be able to do. INCLUDING flying into a sun to reenergize and not kill anyone on board. There was NOR REASON for the sets to be as dark as… Read more »
As always, when show is just coming into its own they pull the plug, but I do agree, when they scew with the scedule most of us are likely to set the DVRS and finddownloads
i think that SGU is the best of all three by a hole lot
it has the best story and writing of them and ofcorse and fantastic camera fotteg for
a Si Fy serais
and to the haters all i cloud say is that ( haters gona hate )
and i by the serais from itunes
@Warpstar & Ben I couldn’t disagree more. SGU is the first of the franchise since the movie to have top notch acting and production. The scenes are “dark and crusty” because the scenario demands it. It’s an ancient broken down ship… and the lack of goodies for those absent “tech-savvy” viewers makes the struggles of the Destiny’s crew all the more real. How interesting would a bunch of people trapped on a ship who were never lonely, hungry, cold or suffocating really be? And the characters… I either love, or love to hate every one of them. The show is… Read more »
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SGU – was doomed from it conseption and was rejected by the hard core science fiction crowd. After two successful shows (SG1 and Atlantis) you would have thought that they would have it figured out. The actors were terrible and the scenes were way too dark and crusty looking. After the clarity of Atlantis it was a real let down for me. Actually I think I could do a better job writting a story and picking a cast to act in it. For starters their would be zero european accents. The women would be smokin hot, but there would be… Read more »
make the atlantis series come back SGU wasnt that good anyway thats why nobody was watching it i love SGA @ think the movie would be great i have alot of good ideals that would make every body watch SGA it deals with more teck savy people @ repacators @ asgard that would interest all viewers like myself please drop me a line i would be happy to go over them with yall thanks BEN