5 things Stargate needs to learn for a successful revival as ’90s phenomenon returns to screens

The Stargate franchise is making a comeback, and with Martin Gero, a long-time fan and creator involved, it’s off to a good start. However, the new series will need to nail a few key elements to succeed.

As a huge fan, I’m thrilled to hear that Stargate is coming back! For over thirty years, this amazing sci-fi universe has captivated us through movies, TV shows, books, and even games. Now, it’s officially set to return, and I couldn’t be more excited to see what adventures await.

Prime Video announced this week that the series is officially returning, thanks to Amazon MGM Studios. Fans will be thrilled to hear that Martin Gero, a key figure in the original show, is back as creator, writer, and showrunner.

Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich, the team behind the original 1994 Stargate film, are returning as executive producers.

Stargate fans will be thrilled to hear this – it’s been a long wait for new adventures since Stargate Universe ended in 2011! Now, everyone’s wondering where this new story will take them.

The new series is being called a fresh, exciting start for this beloved science fiction franchise, but details are still scarce. Here are five ideas that could make the revival a success.

Read on for our full list of things the Stargate revival show should do in order to succeed.

5 things Stargate needs to learn as ‘90s phenomenon returns to screens

1. Balance accessibility for new viewers with meaningful nods for long-time fans

A key to the success of the new series will be appealing to both longtime, dedicated fans and newcomers. The show needs to be easy for first-time viewers to get into while still satisfying those already familiar with the franchise.

Finding the right balance is often the biggest challenge when bringing back a beloved series, starting a new one in an existing world, or rebooting a franchise. It’s a tough line to walk, and recent examples prove it: even popular Star Wars shows like The Mandalorian and Ahsoka have struggled with bringing back familiar characters from past stories.

This is especially noticeable with the first season of the show. It started as a Western-style story focusing on the heartwarming bond between Din Djarin and Grogu, but it has since grown much larger in scope.

The new series needs to be enjoyable for both existing fans and new viewers. While it’s great to include familiar elements like classic enemies (such as the Goa’uld and Replicators), beloved planets (Chulak and Abydos), and a few well-placed appearances from past characters, the main story shouldn’t rely too heavily on previous events. It should be easy for anyone to pick up and enjoy, even if they haven’t seen the original series.

Martin Gero has assured fans that the show is being created to appeal to both longtime viewers and those new to the series – and even people who don’t usually enjoy science fiction. He emphasized that it’s “a show for everyone, everywhere.”

We’re thrilled the original creators are involved in developing a new take on the show. The goal is to create a fresh story within the Stargate world, and we’re hoping to build a new team with that same lovable, quirky chemistry fans enjoyed before.

2. Remember what made the franchise beloved, without copying and pasting it

The Stargate universe gained a large and dedicated fanbase thanks to its many strengths. Its captivating concept – traveling to different worlds, encountering new cultures and technologies through the Stargate – is a major draw. The show expertly combines science fiction with ancient myths, especially Egyptian lore, and features well-developed characters and a good sense of humor, making it thoroughly enjoyable.

The show’s focus on ordinary people placed in unusual situations makes it very relatable. Many of the main characters are based on real-world roles like soldiers or scientists, which provides a familiar entry point and helps balance the more fantastical aspects of the story.

The series lost some of its strength towards the end when it started to move away from what made it special, especially by bringing in characters from the show Farscape. While the team-ups with Atlantis were enjoyable and memorable, adding new members to the original SG-1 team felt like a shift away from the realistic, character-driven military sci-fi that had always been its hallmark.

Stargate Universe was noticeably different, opting for a much more serious and less comedic tone than previous installments. This new project offers Gero a chance to address those changes and return the series to what fans originally enjoyed, while still telling a fresh story.

Many recent revivals of popular franchises have felt too similar to the originals, essentially retelling the same stories (like with Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Ghostbusters: Afterlife). The team behind Stargate has a chance to do something different and create a unique new direction, rather than simply copying what came before.

Fortunately, the new Stargate series feels like a continuation of the original, not a complete restart. The creators, including many familiar faces from previous seasons, are building a fresh story within the established universe. This allows them to honor what came before while confidently moving the franchise forward.

As a huge fan, I always loved how Stargate felt so grounded, you know? It’s brilliant how the show is set right here on Earth, in our world, but then throws open this doorway to literally anywhere in the universe. That’s what makes it so special – you get these massive, sweeping adventures, but with a real sense of fun and a feeling that it could actually be happening. Martin Gero, the creator, totally gets that, and I think he really understands what makes the franchise tick.

3. Bring something new to the universe

The Stargate franchise is famous for its incredible central device, the Stargate itself. This gateway allows characters to travel almost instantly to different planets and experience countless adventures throughout the universe. It’s similar to the TARDIS from Doctor Who, but instead of being a spaceship disguised as a box, it’s a physical portal to the stars. This unique concept fuels the show’s many storylines, combining action, ancient legends, and science fiction in a way that fans love.

The original SG-1 series established the core ideas of the Stargate franchise, and Stargate Atlantis expanded on them by moving the action to a new galaxy and focusing on an international expedition to the city of Atlantis. Stargate Universe took a different approach, emphasizing survival as a diverse group found themselves stranded after traveling through a Stargate during an attack. Finally, the prequel series Stargate: Origins went back in time to Abydos to reveal the initial secrets surrounding the Stargate’s discovery.

The show’s format, where each episode visits a new planet, offers a great chance to introduce unique creatures, advanced technologies, and fascinating cultures. We’ve already seen influences from Egyptian and Norse mythology, like the gods of Asgard. Exploring other rich mythologies – such as those of the Maya, Inca, and Celts – could inspire entirely new alien civilizations and storylines.

The new series could benefit from a revitalized team of scientific and military experts – ideally located on Earth again, and perhaps including familiar faces. It also has the opportunity to feel current by incorporating popular science fiction ideas, tackling relevant ethical dilemmas like those seen in shows like Star Trek and Doctor Who, and exploring the latest scientific advancements – such as artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and new energy sources – with a different theme each episode.

4. Focus on character-driven storytelling

A common complaint about sequels, spin-offs, and shared universes in franchises is that they often rely too much on familiar moments from the past. This can happen at the cost of creating new, interesting characters and truly expanding the story’s world. Shows like Star Trek: Picard, The Mandalorian, and Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi have sometimes fallen into this trap, where callbacks to older stories distract from the current plot.

The new Stargate series could struggle if it depends too much on bringing back beloved characters from the original shows or retelling old stories. However, it also has a real chance to be something fresh and different in a sci-fi and fantasy world that often feels predictable.

Both Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis featured remarkably progressive main characters for their time, including powerful women and characters representing a variety of cultures and myths. The series gave these characters interesting and complex storylines, with Teal’c – played by Christopher Judge – standing out in particular. He transformed from a warrior enslaved by the Goa’uld into a courageous rebel and a valued member of the team.

This revival offers a chance to create a new team of beloved characters for modern audiences – characters with depth and complexity whose journeys fuel the overall story, even with a format that explores different worlds each episode. By focusing on both character growth and a richly imagined universe, the series could offer an exciting and captivating sci-fi experience with stakes rooted in relatable, personal struggles, much like Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

5. Make it (intelligent) fun!

Even though many fantasy and sci-fi shows have predictable or overdone ideas, the core idea behind Stargate is surprisingly based on real science.

The teams behind Stargate SG-1, Atlantis, and Universe all collaborated with scientific advisors to make the show’s stories believable. One key contributor was Mika McKinnon, a scientist and geophysicist who helped ensure the science, especially ideas about wormholes, stayed true to real-world physics as much as possible.

To truly recapture the magic of Stargate, it’s important to bring back a sense of excitement, amazement, and enjoyment – qualities often lacking in modern science fiction. A big part of what fans loved about SG-1 and Atlantis was its humor, especially the witty banter and sarcastic remarks of characters like Colonel O’Neill, and the great chemistry within the teams.

The reboot offers the opportunity to create a wide range of alien creatures with today’s advanced technology and larger budget. According to consulting producer Brad Wright, “We can achieve effects now that weren’t possible in 1997, and push the boundaries even further. We’re really only limited by our imagination when it comes to visual effects.”

Fire up the dial-home device – we’re counting down the days to the next adventure in the cosmos!

2025-11-21 15:40