Forget Star Trek: It’s Time To Reboot Stargate for the Big Screen

Forget Star Trek: It's Time To Reboot Stargate for the Big Screen

Key Takeaways

  • A potential Stargate movie reboot could introduce the franchise to younger fans with new actors portraying beloved characters.
  • The mythology of Stargate, already expanded in the TV series, could be further explored and enriched in a film adaptation.
  • Like Star Trek, Stargate is ripe for a bold new direction in the current trend of reviving classic franchises for modern audiences.

As someone who’s spent countless hours navigating the cosmos with Captain Kirk and his crew, I can’t help but feel a twinge of excitement at the prospect of another classic sci-fi franchise making a comeback – Stargate!


Hardly any franchises are as vast as Star Trek. After the triumph of The Original Series, space exploration within the Trek universe has persisted across numerous television series, novels, comic books, and movies. This is an exhilarating era for Star Trek enthusiasts, as new productions are being created at an unprecedented pace. A significant part of the revived fascination with all things Trek can be attributed to the Kelvin timeline films, the first of which hit screens in 2009. These films introduced fresh cast members to iconic roles and paved the way for new journeys. With an abundance of Star Trek and other tales from a distant galaxy, perhaps film studios would consider adapting one of the outstanding, yet lesser-known, science fiction franchises into a movie.

In 1994, Stargate made its initial appearance as a movie. Collaboratively penned by Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich, with Emmerich at the helm as director, it presented the idea of the Stargate – a device that creates a wormhole to another planet through a portal. An instance of these portals is found in Egypt, resulting in the U.S. Army’s acquisition. This discovery leads them to an alien planet reminiscent of Ancient Egypt, where inhabitants are oppressed by the dominating alien Ra. When Earth faces a threat, the inhabitants and the Earth team combine forces to overthrow Ra.

The movie was such a hit that it led to the creation of one of the longest-running science fiction TV series, “Stargate SG-1,” which centered around initial encounters. Since then, novels, comics, and other TV spin-offs have emerged (TopMob provides guidance for optimal viewing sequence). Now could be an ideal moment for the Stargate franchise to return to theaters.

A Reboot Would Introduce the Franchise to Younger Fans

Forget Star Trek: It's Time To Reboot Stargate for the Big Screen

While fans are deeply invested in the world of Stargate, a larger number of viewers may not be as acquainted with its characters and background compared to Star Trek. Even the Kelvin timeline films opted for a new cast, but they still utilized characters that audiences were already familiar with to some extent. If a Stargate movie were to be made, it would benefit from following this same approach.

To achieve this, it’s proposed that a reboot should feature fresh actors portraying updated versions of the characters from Stargate SG-1. This new casting will provide a contemporary introduction for new viewers, showcasing unique interpretations of Lieutenant Jack O’Neill, Dr. Daniel Jackson, Colonel Samantha Carter, and Teal’c of Chulak. This reboot also offers an opportunity for audiences to encounter these characters in fresh ways, delving into the series’ most cherished friendships, like that between O’Neill and Jackson. However, it’s worth noting that there would be chances for appearances from the original cast members too.

A Reboot Could Expand the Mythology of Stargate

Forget Star Trek: It's Time To Reboot Stargate for the Big Screen

One delightful aspect of the Stargate TV series lies in its extensive development of the storyline. Building upon the idea that the pyramids were built by extraterrestrials, as hinted in the initial movie, the sequel series, Stargate SG-1, delves deeper. Here, we encounter the Asgards, another alien race, who are said to have influenced Norse mythology and are allies of the Tau’ri (humans). They safeguard beings threatened by the Goa’uld, a parasitic alien race, which includes Ra, a member of this species, as well as Hathor, a Goa’uld queen inspired by Aztec mythology. Additionally, there are the Jaffa, alien creatures who have been implanted with Goa’uld symbiotes. The spin-off series, Stargate: Atlantis, centers around the unearthing of Atlantis, a city constructed by the Ancients (Merlin from King Arthur’s court being one of them in disguise within the show), and introduces a new adversary, the Wraith.

In a new installment of the Stargate series, there’s potential to broaden the lore by introducing alien civilizations that have drawn inspiration from various global mythologies, such as Japanese yokai, African and Hindu mythology. To ensure accurate and respectful representation of these cultures, it would be wise to consult with a cultural expert throughout the creative process. By delving deeper into these alien mythologies, not only could we enrich the Stargate universe, but also offer viewers an engaging introduction to lesser-known mythologies from around the world.

Today’s era of cinema and television is focused on reviving the past and giving it a fresh spin. It’s been proven that franchises tend to bring in more profits compared to original ideas. At this moment, the Star Trek franchise boasts over a dozen feature films, with the Kelvin series offering a thrilling new take on the franchise. Similarly, Stargate, which shares the same spirit of exploration and fascination for the unknown cosmos, could benefit from a similar treatment. (And it would be fantastic if the original O’Neill, Kurt Russell, graced our screens in a Stargate reboot.)

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2024-09-13 00:34