StellaByStargate writes: “I’m curious as to who (person or organization) “owns”–for lack of a better word–the scripts for the SGA and SG-1 movies? So many of us would love to see those novelized and made part of the Stargate canon…is there any way we could launch a campaign to make that happen? Who would we have to annoy/pester/wheedle/cajole/blackmail? If any group is up to the task, I’m guessing it’s the Stargate fandom.”
Answer: GREAT question!
The rights to both Stargate movie scripts (Stargate: Extinction and Stargate: Revolution) rest with the studio, MGM. It is up to them if and when Stargate fans will see these stories, in some form or other. Unfortunately, for reasons I’ve gone over here (September 12, 2013: Whither Stargate?) it’s highly unlikely the Atlantis movie will be produced. However, there are other options…
To be honest, I have neither the time nor the patience to sit down and novelize the Atlantis script (Stargate: Extinction). Besides, I think the writers of the Legacy series have done a fine job continuing the adventures in book form.
Having said that, I certainly would make the time to script a four-issue comic book based on Stargate: Extinction if I was approached to do so. I had a great experience working on a previous comic book project, Dark Matter, and believe the comic book format would be a great way to get the story out there. It would be especially convenient for fans who want to check out the story but may not be inclined to invest the time required to read a full novel.
In fact, the more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that this is actually a fantastic idea. For several reasons. Not only is it the best, most visual, fan-accessible means of experiencing Stargate: Extinction, it also works to MGM’s benefit by revitalizing the fan base in advance of whatever they have planned next for the franchise.
Fan campaigns, while well-intentioned, will never have as meaningful an impact because, at the end of the day, decisions are based on the bottom line. Are the potential viewers still out there and is there money to be made? Well, what better way to find out than by testing the waters with a comic book based on a story Stargate fans have been clamoring for? Yes, it may be easy to ignore a deluge of fan mail in support of a show, but much more difficult to dismiss solid sales figures.
If the studio gave the go-ahead to a Stargate: Extinction comic book, there would be no downside for anyone, only plenty of upside for both MGM and the fans.
Worst case scenario: Stargate: Extinction is released as a comic book but doesn’t sell as well as hoped (highly unlikely). At the very least, the fans finally get to experience the story that brings Atlantis back to the Pegasus Galaxy.
Better case scenario: Stargate: Extinction is released as a comic book and does well. So well, in fact, that further stories are commissioned. What would be next? Well, there are all those episode ideas we were kicking around for Stargate: Atlantis’s sixth season (September 30, 2008: An AU Season 6!). There is also the SG-1 movie, Stargate: Revolution, and the further adventures of SG-1. And, of course, there’s also the possibility of continuing the Stargate: Universe storyline.
Best case scenario: Stargate: Extinction is released as a comic book and surpasses sales expectations, making MGM stand up and take notice that the television franchise, and Atlantis in particular, still has a huge and devoted fan base. And then maybe, just maybe, we succeed where earlier fan campaigns have failed: taking a giant step in convincing MGM to continue the story onscreen.
But, first things first. We have to make the Stargate: Extinction comic book happen.
So, let the studio know. Contact MGM and tell them you want to see a Stargate: Extinction comic book, a comic book based on the unproduced Stargate: Atlantis script.
Get the word out! And tell your fellow fans to get the word out!
Make enough noise, get their attention, and we’ll have our Stargate: Extinction comic. And potentially much more because for the first time in a long while, YOU THE FANS will be able to influence the future of Stargate.
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