Variety reports that WandaVision creator Jac Schaeffer is developing a brand-new Stargate TV series for Amazon MGM Studios. You’ll recall that a new Stargate TV series was given a series order last year, but the project was ultimately scrapped, much to fans’ dismay. Now it seems that Amazon is taking another shot at reviving the sci-fi franchise.
Dial Up the Gate…Again
A writer’s room for the new Stargate TV series is expected to open in the near future, with Schaeffer, Joby Harold, and Tory Tunnell executive producing the project. Unfortunately, that’s about all we know for now, but I am curious to see what Schaeffer cooks up. She did great things with WandaVision.
Fans Tried to Save the Scrapped Stargate Project
The previous attempt to revive Stargate was developed by Martin Gero, a writer on Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, and Stargate Universe. A few other OG Stargate creatives were involved, including Brad Wright and Joe Mallozzi as consulting producers, and Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich as executive producers.
However, Amazon executives were reportedly “concerned that Gero’s take on the series would not have broad appeal beyond the franchise’s already dedicated fanbase.” For fans, that obviously doesn’t sound like a bad thing, but Amazon clearly wanted the series to have a broader appeal and attract new fans.
Since then, some plot details have emerged, including that Michael Shanks would have returned as Dr. Daniel Jackson. Rumours said he would have been the sole survivor aboard an Air Force Ship that appears in Earth’s orbit in an alternate reality where the Stargate program never existed. Actors from previous shows would have appeared as well, as alternate versions of their characters.
Fans launched a campaign to save the series and found support from many Stargate actors, but it was not to be. I do hope Schaeffer’s version can tap into what makes the franchise great without alienating its existing fans.
The Stargate Franchise
The franchise began in 1994 with the release of Stargate, directed by Roland Emmerich and written by Emmerich and Dean Devlin. It was a commercial success, and although there were plans for sequels, they never materialized. Instead, the concept was brought to the small screen with Stargate SG-1, which ran for 10 seasons and 2 direct-to-video movies. There was also Stargate Atlantis, which ran for 5 seasons, and Stargate Universe, which ran for 2 seasons. There was also Stargate Infinity, an animated series, but we don’t talk about that one.
How do you feel about Jac Schaeffer taking the helm of the new Stargate series?
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