The Stargate Was Originally Black? Here’s Why They Changed It at the Last Minute

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Even before the 1994 movie “Stargate” spawned a vast universe of franchise narratives, the initial “Stargate” film (airing this month on SYFY) left a lasting impression in the realm of science fiction by portraying, on the big screen, a colossal, ring-shaped wormhole gateway leading to an uncharted world.

As a dedicated fan, stepping through the massive silver-ringed Stargate with Col. Jack O’Neil (Kurt Russell) and Dr. Daniel Jackson (James Spader) is an experience I’ll never forget. But did you know that this interstellar portal has its own fascinating backstory? Or that it almost took on a much more mundane, less captivating hue?

For More on Stargate

1. Ben Browder Nearly Took Two Distinct Roles in Stargate Atlantis Before Joining SG-1

2. David Hewlett Reveals the Influence of Classic Doctor Who on McKay’s Character in Stargate Atlantis

3. Christopher Judge Proposes a Stargate SG-1 Spinoff with Similarities to Black Panther

A last-minute color change: Why the “Stargate” in Stargate is silver

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In 1994, Roland Emmerich, director of Stargate, teamed up with renowned sci-fi visionary Dean Devlin to script the movie. Together they conceived a fresh science fiction intellectual property from scratch, which came with all the novel creative hurdles that such an endeavor presents.

Transforming the text: Instead of imagining Stargate as a new movie concept solely focused on devising its intriguing plot, it also required crafting an appropriate visual style. As for the Stargate itself, the initial color selection didn’t create the eye-catching visual effect they aimed for in the final product.

In the audio commentary for the Ultimate Edition home release of Stargate, Devlin shared an interesting detail about how the Stargate’s final, polished silver appearance came to be. He explained that initially, the Stargate was painted black, giving it a bulky tire-like look. However, at the last minute, they had to repaint it due to its unsightly resemblance to a large tire.

That one creative choice in the original Stargate film had a significant impact on the overall look and feel of the Stargate franchise, particularly its use of a silvery color for the Stargate. This visual element was carried across three TV series (Stargate SG-1, Stargate Atlantis, and Stargate Universe) as well as two follow-up films (Stargate: The Ark of Truth and Stargate: Continuum). This color choice effectively blended the mysteries of ancient wisdom with advanced and mysterious technology, becoming a symbol of the franchise’s identity.

Thirty years after the initial release of “Stargate” in cinemas, creator Dean Devlin is delving into his vast science fiction imagination again – this time, for television projects. Joining forces with Jonathan Glassner, a veteran from “Stargate SG-1”, they are spearheading “The Ark”, an original space series on SYFY. This show revolves around a salvation ship embarking on a generational journey to discover a new home for mankind.

This month, don’t miss the chance to watch the initial blockbuster film that ignited the series, titled “Stargate“. You can catch it on channel SYFY. For those excited about the upcoming third season of “The Ark“, you can now stream the first two seasons on Peacock by clicking here (check out the complete TV schedule for more details).

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2025-05-02 22:31