Forget about booking a ticket to the Pegasus Galaxy.  After five successful seasons on cable television, Stargate: Atlantis has officially been cancelled.  The Sci Fi Network and MGM recently announced that the popular TV show will finally end as a weekly series after its current season.  Stargate Atlantis co-creator Brad Wright said in a recent interview on GateWorld.net, “…Rather than canceling the show because of under-performance, the Powers That Be decided to go out on top while Atlantis is still popular enough to support the release of DVD movies.”. 

The Cancellation of Stargate: Atlantis comes a day after
I purchased the season 4 DVD set

Don’t reach out for those tissues yet as Stargate Atlantis will continue to live on with direct-to-DVD movies.  Stargate Atlantis co-creators Brad Wright and Robert C. Copper also issued a statement, saying “We’re excited to tell Atlantis stories on a bigger canvas.  The success of the two original Stargate direct-to-video movies ‘The Ark Of Truth’ and ‘Continuum’ have shown us the opportunities that the movie format offers….we have plans for both SG-1 and Atlantis to remain vital as we expand the franchise.”

As a fan of Stargate SG-1 and Atlantis, the cancellation of both shows will leave an empty void with my TV viewing experience.  Nevertheless, I’ll continue to purchase the DVD movies with much anticipation so I can get my wormhole fix.  Plus, moving to a direct-to-DVD format is not a bad idea at all, since the recent success of SG-1 movies has brought a cinematic feel that you could otherwise not accomplish with a weekly TV show.

On a positive note, the end of Atlantis means a new Stargate TV series for the Sci-Fi Channel called “Stargate: Universe”.  The Hollywood Reporter claims an announcement is pending soon.  Wright and Cooper will continue to serve as executive producers and writers, while Stargate: Universe will most likely have a “Younger Vibe” to attract a younger audience.  

Oooh…I can’t wait!!!  My Stargate fix can now continue on a weekly basis!