Roland Emmerich Passes on Stargate SG-1 for One Key Reason
When it comes to the expansive “Stargate” universe, many might be surprised by the sheer volume of media that exists. The journey began in 1994, propelled by Roland Emmerich’s sleek sci-fi film that made a significant impact, cementing Emmerich’s place in American pop culture. Starring James Spader and Kurt Russell, the film introduced audiences to an ancient Egyptian portal that led to far-off planets, revealing a world where extraterrestrial beings had influenced human history at every turn.
Despite receiving lukewarm reviews, the film was a box office sensation, raking in nearly $200 million against a $55 million budget. It laid the groundwork for the franchise, which took a giant leap forward in 1997 with the debut of “Stargate SG-1” on Showtime. The series quickly garnered a dedicated fan base, running for ten successful seasons and accumulating 214 episodes. This success would eventually give rise to multiple spinoffs, including “Stargate: Atlantis” and “Stargate: Universe,” contributing approximately 450 hours of entertainment, not to mention various books and video games.
While Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner spearheaded “Stargate SG-1,” Emmerich and co-writer Dean Devlin distanced themselves from the series. In a 2022 chat, Emmerich expressed his lack of interest in revisiting “Stargate,” revealing that he had drifted away from the franchise over time.
In today’s era of reboots, one question looms: why hasn’t “Stargate” been revived? Emmerich suggests the franchise has become too fragmented. By 2022, he believed enthusiasts identifying as “Stargate Fans” were more inclined to refer to the numerous TV shows rather than his 1994 film. He clarified that his contractual obligations were tied solely to films, meaning any new vision would have to forge a separate mythos, distancing itself from the established television lore.
Regarding his absence from the “Stargate” television series, Emmerich cited financial constraints as a primary factor. He remarked, “At one point, we considered making ‘Stargate’ into a TV show, but it was far too costly. Everything I create demands a certain production quality. I turned down the series because the budget was around $800,000 per episode. At that time, shows like ‘The X-Files’ were spending up to $1.8 million per episode. I knew I couldn’t achieve my vision within that scope.”
Considering Emmerich’s history of producing high-budget sci-fi spectacles, the $55 million budget of the original “Stargate” seems modest compared to the astronomical sums spent on movies like “Moonfall” and “2012.” In the current streaming environment, where show budgets can reach upwards of $20 million per episode, there may be a possibility for an Emmerich-led “Stargate” series with the right backing from a well-funded studio. Nonetheless, Emmerich believes a reboot of the original film is no longer feasible. However, he remains optimistic that someone else might take the creative reins in the future.