As a gamer with a soft spot for sci-fi, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgic melancholy when it comes to Stargate. I remember watching the movie back in my college days, intrigued by its premise yet slightly underwhelmed by the execution. Over time, however, the allure of this interstellar adventure has grown on me, and I’ve come to appreciate the rich potential that lies within its narrative.
As a youngster, I watched Stargate in the cinema and found it somewhat confusing at the time. The initial portion of the film seemed intriguing yet dull to me. However, some of the visual grandeur and action sequences were captivating. It wasn’t until much later that the movie as a complete experience resonated with me. Despite my admiration for Richard Dean Anderson, I never developed a strong affinity for the franchise. A friend lent me the first two seasons during college, but I just couldn’t get into it. Even though I adore RDA, I eventually distanced myself from the IP, not wanting to offend my friends who enjoyed it. Yet, a part of me thought: if it’s as fantastic as they say, there should be sequel movies, right?
Imagining a scenario where we unearth an extraterrestrial portal leading to another planet governed by a ruler similar to Ra, whose background might shed light on the enigmas surrounding Earth’s ancient Egyptian tales. Could our team persuade these residents to rise against their master and aid them in returning home? This concept holds great promise, not merely for a solitary film. The gate stood ready to transport viewers on countless journeys, but unfortunately, it never made it to the big screen.
The film faced criticism from the start, with doubts cast on its plot, actors, and script. As an independent production not tied to any big studio, it was funded by StudioCanal ($50 million of a $55 million budget), who initially believed they had invested in a flop, given the genre’s apparent decline. However, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer stepped in to purchase the movie from the French production company for $5 million, a smart move considering Stargate’s global earnings of nearly $200 million. Carolco Pictures and Dean Devlin’s Centropolis Film were producers and also held a share in the film, but Carolco sold their part to fund Cutthroat Island (1995), which turned out to be quite a financial disaster.
Initially, the script was criticized as being rough by several actors, particularly James Spader, who was displeased with his dialogue and refused to leave his trailer until Kurt Russell intervened. Before filming started, revisions were made to the script. During production, various problems arose that required creative solutions, such as repainting props and using them to represent absent extras in hot conditions. However, the initial screenings still received negative feedback. To address this, an extra day of shooting was added to alter Ra’s character, who became more significant in the story, an alien, and no longer engaged in any original physical conflicts. The original version of the movie was screened in chronological order, but scenes were rearranged, and some parts were removed. The Director’s Cut restores those deleted moments and places them back in their original sequence.
Despite various challenges, Stargate ultimately proved to be a hit among fans, who anticipated further installments. The creators, Director Roland Emmerich and Producer Dean Devlin, envisioned it as a trilogy from the outset. However, when they pitched their ideas to MGM, they found that plans for Stargate had already been set without them, leading to the creation of Stargate SG-1 in 1997 (a television series). Devlin suggested both projects could coexist, but the studio opted for a different direction. In the subsequent successful years of the series, it effectively replaced the proposed sequels and, in a sense, kept the films from resurfacing. Over time, MGM became reluctant to jeopardize the show’s popularity.
As per Devlin’s plans, the second movie was intended to be set twelve years ahead, featuring a return of some original characters. The unearthing of a new Stargate would lead them to delve into another extraterrestrial civilization, encountering fresh dangers to their home while unraveling the enigmas surrounding the Mayans and their connections to Earth’s past. The third film would have expanded upon this concept, blending multiple mythologies together, with creatures such as Yetis and the Loch Ness Monster being incorporated into the storyline. Though it may seem far-fetched, Devlin guarantees that all elements would have been skillfully tied together in a coherent manner by the end.
It seems that the planned Stargate movies as originally envisioned are no longer likely to materialize, unfortunately. Although MGM owns most of Stargate’s rights, complications with contracts and who can work on the characters have hindered progress. To make matters more challenging, Amazon purchased MGM, further complicating the situation. Multiple attempts were made to bring these movies to life, but director Dean Devlin believes that the opportunity has passed for his films. In fact, he severed ties with the franchise creatively, although he remains a fan. There have been persistent rumors about new Stargate films, even this year, but discussions about reboots have been inconsistent for the franchise. However, for those eager to explore more of the story, author Bill McCay has written a five-novel series based on notes from the original creators.
It’s plausible that MGM was primarily concerned with profits or recognized the potential longevity of the Stargate series on television, as the franchise flourished on small screens instead of big ones. For instance, Stargate SG-1 spanned over 10 seasons, Stargate Atlantis ran for 5, and Stargate Universe managed 2 before its end (1997-2011). A cartoon titled Stargate Infinity aired in 2002, while a web series called Stargate Origins premiered in 2018, which I seldom hear people discuss.
If nothing else, we can all praise Stargate for being French Stewart’s big-screen debut.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-10-30 00:40