As a devoted fan of science fiction and a connoisseur of the “Stargate Atlantis” series, I must say that the untimely cancellation of Season 6 left me feeling rather like an Ancient, lost in the vast, uncharted cosmos of cable television. The show’s brilliant blend of action, humor, and character development had me hooked since the very first episode, and the thought of not seeing more of John Sheppard, Rodney McKay, Teyla Emmagan, and their crew was almost too much to bear.
Stargate Atlantis,” a sequel to “Stargate SG-1,” is the second show in the Stargate franchise, inspired by the 1994 film “Stargate.” The series focuses on characters venturing into planets within the Pegasus galaxy, starting with Atlantis after its discovery in “Stargate SG-1” Season 7. Over five seasons from 2004 to 2009, the crew was tasked with learning more about the newly uncovered Atlantis city.
The show featured prominent actors such as Joe Flanigan playing John Sheppard, Torri Higginson as Dr. Elizabeth Weir, Rachel Luttrell as Teyla Emmagan, the leader of Athos village, and David Hewlett as Rodney McKay, a U.S. Air Force contractor. Jason Momoa, who later became well-known, joined the main cast in the second season, portraying Ronon Dex, a native of Sateda. For many actors, this was the most significant role they had taken on at that time, contributing to the fame of the Stargate series and adding to its mythos.
What led to the ending of “Stargate Atlantis” after its fifth season? There can be several explanations for a show not getting renewed, such as poor viewership, escalating expenses, or creative disagreements between executives and production teams. However, the story behind “Stargate Atlantis” is more complex, so let’s explore the factors that contributed to its cancellation – and the close call of its revival.
The cost to produce the series was high
In a blog post published on August 21, 2008, shortly after the announcement, Executive Producer and Showrunner Joseph Mallozzi openly discussed the main reasons for canceling “Stargate Atlantis.” Despite the series’ impressive ratings in its fifth season, it was confirmed that this would be the final season. According to Mallozzi, they had gone into the year aware that renewal was unlikely due to increasing production costs, which proved insurmountable.
It wasn’t shocking (given it was during The Great Recession), but still disheartening for fans, that the revelation of financial issues being the cause behind the show’s downfall occurred. Although specific production costs for “Stargate Atlantis” remain undisclosed, The Hollywood Reporter has verified that each episode of “Stargate SG-1” cost around $2.2 million, and when actor Robert Carlyle spoke with The Telegraph about the 2009 spin-off series “Stargate Universe,” he mentioned that a single episode cost more than $2 million to produce.
It’s reasonable to infer that the budget for “Stargate Atlantis” was similar to others in its league, and given the financial turmoil at the time, it might seem excessive. However, it’s worth noting that such expenditures were common for shows on the Sci-Fi Channel during that period. In 2004, when it was announced that Sci-Fi would reboot “Battlestar Galactica,” media outlets like Today reported that the show could potentially be one of cable’s priciest dramas, with costs per episode estimated to reach up to $1.5 million.
The Canadian dollar’s strength really hurt the budget
Hey there fellow gamers,
The show “Stargate Atlantis” was significantly affected because, similar to “Stargate SG-1,” it was filmed in Canada. When considering the budget in Canadian dollars, it represented a larger amount in the initial years. As the gap between the two currencies decreased over time, each episode of the show received less funding compared to earlier seasons, unless there was a substantial increase in the budget to account for the changing exchange rate. Given the financial crisis at that time, such an increase was improbable. Instead, those in charge opted to terminate the series rather than risk further funding cuts.
MGM was facing bankruptcy and the Sci-Fi Channel was at a crossroads
It’s worth noting that the cancellation of “Stargate Atlantis” may have been influenced by the financial struggles faced by MGM, its parent studio, at the time. Unfortunately, MGM declared bankruptcy in October 2010 and underwent restructuring. The founders of Spyglass Entertainment were appointed to manage the company during this period.
2009 saw significant transformations not just for MGM, but also for the Sci-Fi Channel, which rebranded to Syfy that year. The rebranding brought about a change in content emphasis. Instead of airing shows like “Stargate” and “Battlestar Galactica,” which were space-themed science fiction series, the channel began to favor fantasy and supernatural programs such as “Merlin” and “Being Human.” Although science fiction remains part of its programming, space exploration adventures are no longer the primary focus.
In simpler terms, although the company might have funded “Stargate Atlantis” beyond the rebrand, it was highly unlikely given the financial circumstances at the time. The deal for “Stargate SG-1” episodes had MGM covering two-thirds of the cost and leaving the rest to Sci-Fi, so canceling “Stargate Atlantis” was a more budget-friendly option. With the evolving media landscape, executives preferred focusing on other potentially more profitable projects instead.
Stargate SG-1 coming to an end likely impacted the budget
The cancellation of “Stargate Atlantis” might have been influenced by the fact that “Stargate SG-1” ended in 2007 after ten seasons. This is because both shows shared a production team and filming locations, which meant they were splitting costs between them. Having half the costs allowed for more budget to be allocated toward making high-quality episodes. This cost-sharing arrangement gave creators and producers more flexibility with their resources. (The Hollywood Reporter)
Once “SG-1” concluded, the financial burden for sets and crew shifted largely onto “Atlantis.” In a blog post dated August 21, 2008, Joseph Mallozzi discussed escalating production expenses, suggesting that assuming half of the monetary obligation for the crew and sets may have been a factor. Interestingly, when “Stargate Universe” started filming in 2009, it was filmed on the same sound stages at The Bridge Studios in British Columbia. By the time the spin-off debuted in October 2009, the Great Recession had ended, making the cost of these sets more justifiable.
The existence of Stargate Universe was another nail in the coffin
Some fans of “Stargate” believe that the introduction of “Stargate Universe” in 2009 indirectly led to the cancellation of “Atlantis,” as resources were shifted toward a new addition to the “Stargate” franchise. While it’s not certain if this is true, it is known that the decision to end “Atlantis” was made with the knowledge that another “Stargate” series was planned.
In 2011, when the series “Stargate Universe” was canceled, Craig Engler, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Syfy Digital, shared insights about the “Stargate” franchise with GateWorld. The discussion primarily revolved around the reasons behind the cancellation of “Universe” (due to insufficient ratings), but Engler also shed light on the termination of “Atlantis.” He confirmed that the concept of a spin-off had eased the decision, as they were already planning to transition to a new show within the franchise. As Engler stated, “When MGM and Syfy agreed to conclude ‘Stargate Atlantis’ after five seasons, they did so with the intention of moving on to a fresh series in the franchise, ‘Stargate Universe.’ This new take on ‘Stargate,’ which Brad Wright and Robert Cooper had been contemplating for a long time, was something we had discussed with them intermittently.
Great ratings and viewership numbers weren’t enough to save Stargate Atlantis
Stargate Atlantis” consistently ranked high in ratings, often surpassing other programs aired on the Sci-Fi Channel. Similar to numerous shows, its audience size gradually decreased over time. However, during the fourth season, the series averaged 1.8 million viewers, which was half a million more than any other show on the channel. The final episode attracted 2.02 million viewers, and the fifth season consistently drew an average of 2.1 million viewers.
Apart from attracting a large audience compared to other shows on the network, “Stargate Atlantis” didn’t seem to be losing its appeal even in its later seasons. Interestingly, four of the show’s highest-rated episodes according to IMDb are found in the final two seasons of the series. The Season 5 episode “First Contact” ranks third, while “Midway” and “Be All My Sins Remember’d” from Season 4 hold the second and top spots respectively.
It seems that despite “Atlantis” having better-than-average ratings, Syfy Digital’s Craig Engler explains that a surge in viewership towards the end of a series, known as a “terminal spike,” is not uncommon. This late increase in ratings for “Atlantis” unfortunately didn’t prevent the show from being canceled.
A failed Stargate Atlantis film played a part in the show’s demise
After the fifth season of “Stargate Atlantis” ended, there were plans to carry on the story in a film. MGM and Sci-Fi confirmed that “Atlantis” wouldn’t be gone forever as a movie on the same day they announced its cancellation. In a press statement, executive producers and creators Robert C. Cooper and Brad Wright expressed their enthusiasm for telling Atlantis tales on a larger screen with the upcoming film, which MGM intended to release on DVD. The strategy had proven successful for “Stargate SG-1,” so it was assumed that a direct-to-DVD “Atlantis” movie would also be popular.
In 2008, not long after the cancellation of “Stargate Atlantis”, Brad Wright disclosed that the concept of creating an “Atlantis” film was part of the discussions for renewing the show. At that time, the market for straight-to-DVD movies was thriving. When the creative team met with MGM and Sci-Fi, a deal was struck. Wright explained, “We opted to initiate the movie plans earlier rather than later, while ‘Atlantis’ was still popular. It was a joint decision. I don’t feel the need or inclination to point fingers, as this is a fantastic opportunity to continue.
Regrettably, the planned film named “Stargate: Extinction” never materialized. The media world was undergoing another transformation, and those in charge determined that releasing it directly to DVD was no longer viable. As showrunner Joseph Mallozzi explained to GateWorld in 2022, during the time when ‘SG-1’ direct-to-DVD movies were being distributed, the DVD market had already declined significantly. Essentially, its popularity plummeted, and MGM chose to put the film’s production on hold.
The creative team had Season 6 all mapped out
As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia looking back at the end of “Stargate Atlantis.” The creative team, led by Joseph Mallozzi, took it all in stride, holding onto hope for a film down the line. Yet, we were ready to roll with Season 6, if given the chance.
Initially planned as a double premiere, the storyline was nearly transformed into “Stargate: Extinction”. This alternate version would have depicted the team venturing through time and becoming stranded in another galaxy. During this adventure, they would have come across an intriguing alien civilization and an unwelcome surprise – a future incarnation of Todd, the wraith. As per Mallozzi’s writings, present-day Todd eventually assists them in outsmarting their adversary, enabling the team to continue their voyage towards the Pegasus galaxy.
For the final episode of the season, the team led by Sheppard returns to Atlantis with a serious warning about an impending threat. It appears their scanners have detected the sister city, which is heading straight towards them. The synopsis hints at some emotional scenes as the city prepares for its biggest battle yet, facing an opponent that seems to be more powerful and prepared. The plot outline for Season 6 promises a thrilling experience for fans, showing that Mallozzi and his team were well-prepared if they had received approval to proceed.
The star of Stargate Atlantis tried to buy the franchise so Season 6 could happen
Actor and scriptwriter Joe Flanigan is widely recognized for his prominent character, John Sheppard, in “Stargate Atlantis.” Although Flanigan has been gracing our screens since the series ended, it’s Sheppard that has left a lasting impression on television as his most significant role. What many fans may not realize is that Flanigan made an attempt to purchase the “Stargate” franchise from MGM in an effort to produce Season 6 of “Atlantis.” During The Edmonton Expo in 2014, Flanigan disclosed that he approached MGM during bankruptcy discussions with his proposal.
According to Flanigan, he reached out to several investors and we had an unofficial understanding that we would either purchase or rent the franchise. He also mentioned that he was in charge of a small team, and we had this informal agreement – the person who managed MGM said something like, ‘I can’t let you buy the franchise because that would necessitate a level of approval we can’t gather these days due to our financial difficulties. But I might be able to make an unofficial deal to lease this thing for a period of ten years.’ Unfortunately, Flanigan’s efforts to launch Season 6 didn’t succeed, although he did his best to make it happen.
The actor announced during his panel at Edmonton Expo that they intend to film all 20 episodes for the series in Europe. He mentioned that they plan to sell these episodes globally before returning to American networks, suggesting a popular demand and a profitable business strategy. However, he did not disclose whether he is collaborating with the original creative team behind the show, leaving us uncertain if Flanigan’s vision for Season 6 aligns with Joseph Mallozzi’s ideas from June 2024 or not. But it can be assumed that he would prefer to work with the Atlantis team for consistency.
To satisfy your curiosity regarding where Flanigan and his fellow actors ended up, take a look at Looper’s compilation to find out about the current activities of the “Stargate Atlantis” cast members.
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2024-11-16 22:30