So a new addition to the Stargate franchise has been announced. I’ve waited decades for this (since at least May 9, 2011-not gonna count that web series Stargate Origins). Why am I not more excited? I certainly have an interest in seeing this currently untitled addition and will watch at the minimum the pilot episode but I just can’t get really excited for something I’ve waited so long for.
Maybe it’s the state of many legacy properties today. Many have been run into the ground or turned into pale imitations of what they once were. Some have even lost the cultural relevancy which helped them to last for so long. Look at Star Wars and Star Trek. The Mandalorian came out and it had some hold on the Star Wars fandom but that’s long since faded. A new movie is coming out in June and barely a peep from the studio or from fans. Even getting another Star Wars movie in 2027 starring Ryan Gosling.
Star Trek has descended sometimes into self-parody and abject camp with the people behind it having mistaken storytelling aspects of the 60s or any other era of the show as what the show was and not what was common at the time.
Word is Martin Gero will be showrunner with Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich serving as producers while Brad Wright and Joe Mallozzi (both of whom did most of the heavy lifting to make it into a TV franchise still beloved by fans) will act as consulting producers. Devlin and Emmerich may have done the first film but have implied if not outright stated a dislike for what was done starting with SG1 since it did not match their vision. As I recall if Independence Day: Resurgence had been successful Emmerich was looking at doing a Stargate movie independent of the TV lore.
My concern is that the originators of the concept will push for a reboot and decades of material and concepts that those who could make the show a success have embraced will be tossed aside in favor of something new and not as good. Fans want to feel Jack O’Neill, Samantha Carter, Rodney McKay, and others are still out there. Maybe even learn the Universe cast found a way back.
Not only that but the Ancients, the Ori, and the Nox have spawned fan fiction and debate while Mallozzi and Wright have added things like a ‘gate open time limit or stargate time travel. They connected the stargate to stories from around the world like Atlantis and other things not crafted by Emmerich and Devlin.
I guess I’m nervous given modern entertainment and the presence of two people who don’t quite enjoy what was done with their creation. My hope is that this series continues the tradition began with Stargate SG1, continued with Stargate Atlantis, and sadly concluded with Stargate Universe (which ended far too soon but is a show that aged very well). Dumping established lore is not always for the best. Takes for the modern audience are generally worse. Both are common today.
I hope that what we get is a good show, but I’m nervous and that has muted my excitement. Fingers crossed and looking forward to hearing further news on this show.
Warren Watched A Movie 