Reboots and remakes are a dime a dozen at the moment, as many Hollywood producers consider existing intellectual properties to be a safer gamble than content nobody knows. Franchises like Star Wars, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Batman continue to rake in money, because they’re nearly guaranteed to be hits. Stargate SG-1 and the Stargate universe in general are not nearly as well known as the properties mentioned previously. But still, it has an existing fanbase, proven success in both TV and film, and a story that may be ripe for an update.
Stargate SG-1 began in 1997, and was itself a soft reboot of the Stargate movie, which came out in 1994. The show had a few of the original movie’s characters, and took place in the same universe, but it certainly wasn’t just a continuation. The story was enhanced with new characters, actors, and storylines, and turned a definitive happy ending into the beginning of a ten-year adventure – one which spawned even more spinoffs. Given the show’s history, it’s reasonable to assume it could be redone again, this time for a new audience. However, there’s no telling if a hypothetical reboot would attain the same love and support from fans.
Like any media steeped in nerd culture, Stargate SG-1 has amassed a considerable fanbase that is protective of the source material. Undoubtedly, were a reboot to be discussed, the first thing that would raise concerns would be the input of the original show creators. Fans of the recent HBO release The Last of Us remain optimistic about its upcoming season, since the original video game’s creator, Neil Druckmann, is involved in its production. Similarly, fans of Stargate SG-1 will want to be reassured that it has the blessing of Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner, who created the series. In the fashion of Stargate Atlantis and Stargate Universe, the add-on to the existing franchise would be better received if the original cast members featured in some way. Richard Dean Anderson has perfected the art of the cameo, and would elevate any rehash of Stargate SG-1’s material, as would his teammates.
The original creators of Stargate SG-1 have a long history in writing and producing for television. Jonathan Glassner in particular has gone on to have a prolific career after the Stargate shows. He has most recently written for The Outpost (2018-2021) on the CW, and it is possible he and his former writing partner would be up for returning to a reboot of their show. If not, there is a plethora of experienced showrunners that could take up the Stargate mantle.
Tony Gilroy made headlines this year by producing Andor, a Star Wars property that received almost universal critical acclaim, while Bryan Fuller has written for and created several Star Trek productions, something he has in common with Jonathan Glassner. Eric Kripke is known for breaking the bounds of horror with his TV sensations, Supernatural and The Boys. With enough space to create something new, any of these showrunners could make a compelling reboot of Stargate SG-1.
One aspect of the original show that would probably be completely changed is the format of the episodes and the seasons. When Stargate SG-1 was made, it was emblematic of an era of television that has since disappeared. Shows no longer have 26-episode seasons, and few still follow the case-of-the-week format. The advent of streaming services means that viewers are more attuned to the binge model, which has encouraged show creators to make their series follow a single narrative.
Such storytelling works best with dramatic works, but it can hinder the success of works that don’t fit comfortably within one or two genres. One of the strengths of Stargate SG-1 was its comedy, as well as its drama, sci-fi, fantasy and political commentary. Those elements have arisen naturally by interweaving multiple stories and characters over many years. A modern retelling of SG-1’s story wouldn’t allow ‘filler,’ meaning there would be less time for the world of the show to develop, possibly alienating existing fans.
The content of a Stargate SG-1 reboot might be subject to change, as well. The original show relied heavily on the consultation of the United States Air Force, as there is a fictional version of the organization running the Stargate program. Most of the main characters are members of the United States military, and the latter is depicted as a force for good. A contemporary reboot of the series might take a more creatively unburdened look at the practises of the U.S. military, or even go the Stargate Atlantis route and include more alien characters on the main exploration team. Audiences love the Top Gun saga, but there is also an appetite for nuanced storytelling. Perhaps Stargate SG-1 can evolve naturally from its original series, which itself was quite progressive.
There are numerous routes a Stargate SG-1 reboot could take, but it would most likely be a dramatized series with fewer than fifteen episodes per season. It would also need to be on a streaming service to give it any chance at mainstream success. The reboot would almost certainly have cameos from the actors in the original show, and if produced correctly, it would have considerable input from the original show’s creators.
Such a hypothetical reboot could do very well, especially if it breaks the bounds of its fandom and strikes a chord with viewers who are unfamiliar with first Stargate SG-1, or the original movie. However, Hollywood has a real problem with creative stagnation, treating only existing IPs to repeated dramatization. Stargate SG-1 could have a very exciting reboot, but it could also be argued that it doesn’t need one. It’s tough to imagine any show or movie that could live up to a beloved series, even if it gets the patented JJ Abrams makeover.