Three years prior to its television debut, Roland Emmerich initiated the series with his 1994 blockbuster, “Stargate.” The movie continued the saga of the characters from the TV show and introduced viewers to the Stargate as the U.S. Air Force journeyed through a wormhole in pursuit of extraterrestrial life. Originally conceived as a trilogy, the franchise expanded over two decades, branching out beyond its initial cinematic roots.
Instead of sticking with film sequels, MGM revitalized the story on television through the series SG-1, spanning over ten seasons. This show’s success spawned various spin-offs such as Stargate Atlantis and Stargate Universe, along with subsequent movies, web content, and other extensions. Over time, the Stargate franchise grew into one of the most extensive hard science fiction universes ever created.
The Stargate Movie was the First in the Franchise
Stargate Released in Theaters on October 28, 1994
Stargate
The story revolves around Dr. Daniel Jackson, an Egyptologist and linguist who is recruited by the U.S. Air Force for a peculiar task – interpreting hieroglyphs found on some capstones. His expertise uncovers that these symbols represent star constellation coordinates. Using this knowledge, he activates a mysterious device called Stargate, which creates a wormhole linking to an alien world. Accompanied by a Special Forces squad led by Colonel Jack O’Neill, Daniel steps through the wormhole and materializes on the planet Abydos.
The task falls on the team to adjust the Stargate for their departure; they delve into the planet’s depths and stumble upon a tribe of humans involved in mining operations. Upon approaching the city, Jackson uncovers that these people revere Ra, an Egyptian god who turns out to be a non-human entity that controlled human bodies during Ancient Egypt times. With assistance from the tribe and hints concealed within ancient symbols, Jackson seeks the seven emblems necessary to activate the Stargate. Meanwhile, O’Neil and his group encounter a reawakened and vengeful Ra.
Stargate Led to Several TV Adaptations and Spin-Offs
From Stargate SG-1 to Stargate Universe
As stated by writer-producer duo Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich, the movie “Stargate” was initially planned as the first installment of a trilogy. Unfortunately, parts two and three were never approved for production. The original idea was to delve into various mythologies in each film, which is why nine Chevrons were incorporated into the first movie – the first seven were utilized in the film itself, while the eighth and ninth were intended for the sequels to cover greater distances. On a podcast interview, Devlin shared this background information.
Initially, our movie concept consisted of three parts, each introducing a significant plot point. To illustrate these distinct sections, we required nine key scenes. The first character was set to be from ancient Egypt, followed by another representing the Mayan culture. The third installment aimed to unify all Earth’s mysteries, including legends like Bigfoot and the Yeti, into a grand mythology. It promised to be an exhilarating journey, filled with excitement and wonder. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the chance to develop this intricate plotline further.
As a passionate film enthusiast, I can’t help but reminisce about the groundbreaking impact of “Stargate” when it first graced our screens. Its extraordinary success, with earnings nearing $200 million against an initial investment of just $55 million, was truly unprecedented. This phenomenal response prompted MGM, its rightful owner, to seize the moment and transform this cinematic marvel into a television series.
Fast forward to 1997, and “Stargate SG-1” burst onto our small screens, captivating audiences with an average of 10 million viewers every week. This spin-off was yet another triumph for the franchise, causing MGM to abandon any plans for a trilogy and instead, concentrate all their efforts on nurturing the TV series and its subsequent offshoots.
The series Stargate SG-1 resumed a year after the movie’s events, chronicling the journeys of team SG-1 as they explored various planets. Featuring the same characters but a different acting ensemble, it ran for ten seasons before being discontinued in 2007. Subsequent spin-offs and TV movies were produced, such as the animated Stargate Infinity and Stargate Atlantis, which was the final original production. In 2008, MGM released Stargate: The Ark of Truth, a direct-to-DVD film that served as a sequel to SG-1 and continued the storyline from the finale.
Approximately a year after the initial release, the sequel titled “Stargate: Continuum” was unveiled, continuing the team’s time-travel journey and this time leading them back to 1939 for the purpose of erasing the Stargate Program. Subsequently, two spin-offs were introduced into the franchise. The first, “Stargate Universe,” aired for two seasons from 2009 to 2011, while the second was the one-season web series, “Stargate Origins,” which premiered in 2018 and focuses on the origins of the Stargate and a young Catherine Langford.
What is the Order of the Stargate Franchise?
Following the many spin-offs and TV movies that share a common timeline, the Stargate universe can sometimes be confusing to keep track of. However, the best way to understand the in-story sequence is to start with “Stargate Origins,” which is set before the initial movie and centers around Catherine’s journey as she uncovers the Stargate on Earth. While the original film hints at this briefly through its prologue, the 2018 film delves deeper into the Stargate’s origins for a more comprehensive backstory.
| Stargate Chronological Order Breakdown | |
|---|---|
| Title | Timeline Position |
| Stargate Origins | Full Series |
| Stargate | Film |
| Stargate SG-1 | Seasons 1-7 |
| Stargate Atlantis | Seasons 1-3 |
| Stargate SG-1 | Seasons 8-10 |
| Stargate: The Ark of Truth | Film |
| Stargate: Continuum | Film |
| Stargate Atlantis | Seasons 4-5 |
| Stargate Universe | Full Series |
Afterward, the initial Stargate movie delves into the first encounter with extraterrestrials and setting up the device. As the inaugural installment of the series, it elucidates the functioning of the Stargate and lays the groundwork for the franchise’s mythology. Subsequently comes Stargate SG-1, which takes place a year after the events portrayed in the film. However, things get a bit intricate because Stargate Atlantis debuted on television in 2004 while Stargate SG-1 was still ongoing.
The sequence changes to Season 1 to Season 7 of SG-1, followed by Seasons 1 to 3 of Stargate Atlantis, then moving back to Seasons 8 to 10 of SG-1. It’s recommended to watch these shows concurrently as they sometimes intersect and certain events occur simultaneously. The main storyline is concluded in Stargate: The Ark of Truth, followed by Stargate: Continuum. Fans can then proceed to Seasons 4 to 5 of Stargate Atlantis, set after the events of the SG-1 films. Lastly, Stargate Universe introduces a new cast and offers a contemporary interpretation of the franchise.
Why Didn’t the Original Cast Reprise Their Roles?
In a new series titled “Stargate SG-1,” the characters from the initial film continue their adventures but this time as part of a special military unit responsible for traveling across the galaxy in search of advanced alien technology. The absence of James Spader and Kurt Russell from the franchise has puzzled many fans. Although the reasons were not explicitly shared, it’s plausible that several real-world factors might have been at play. As prominent movie stars, their schedules may not have matched a television production schedule due to filming commitments. Given the financial constraints of TV production, MGM might not have had the resources to bring them back for an extended period.
| Stargate’s Original Cast | |
|---|---|
| Actor | Role |
| James Spader | Daniel Jackson |
| Kurt Russell | Jack O’Neill |
| Jaye Davidson | Ra |
| Mili Avital | Sha’uri |
| Alexis Cruz | Skaara |
| Erick Avari | Kasuf |
The tone of the franchise changed significantly when it moved from being a book series to a TV show. This shift might have influenced things as well. Instead of maintaining Jack O’Neill’s original character, they decided to give him a more sarcastic and relaxed persona, which is quite different from how Russell portrayed him and also contrasts with his usual roles. The producers chose actors who were willing to dedicate themselves to a long-running series and could adapt to the growing complexity of the franchise, resulting in Richard Dean Anderson and Michael Shanks being cast as the main characters.
Despite some fans expressing disappointment over the lack of Stargate film sequels, there’s been a continuous stream of Stargate-related action over the years. Although it might have been intriguing to watch the SG-1 team encounter mythical creatures like Bigfoot or Nessie, no official announcements about future TV or movie adaptations within the franchise have been made. However, fans may not have seen the last of the Stargate team just yet. For those new to this universe, there’s a wealth of science fiction action waiting to be discovered, starting with the 1994 blockbuster that launched it all.
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2025-05-06 04:37