The Unlikely Success Story of Stargate: From Mixed Reviews to Sci-Fi Phenomenon

TLDRDespite mixed reviews, Stargate became a successful franchise with multiple TV spin-offs and a dedicated fanbase. This video explores the unlikely success story of Stargate and its journey from a movie to a science-fiction phenomenon.

Key insights

🌌Stargate, with its mixed critical reception, went on to become the eighth greatest science fiction franchise of all time.

🌟Stargate's success can be attributed to its unique universe, untapped potential, and an army of dedicated fans.

🎥The idea for Stargate may have been influenced by various sources, but it was the vision of Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich that made it to the big screen.

📚Stargate faced legal battles over the originality of its concept, but settled out of court for a fraction of the amount claimed.

🌠Stargate: SG-1, the TV series, was born from the desire of MGM employees working on The Outer Limits and their love for the Stargate movie.

Q&A

How did Stargate go from a movie to a TV series?

MGM employees working on The Outer Limits were inspired by the Stargate movie and pitched the idea of a TV series, which eventually became Stargate: SG-1.

What factors contributed to Stargate's success?

Stargate's success can be attributed to its unique universe, untapped potential, and a dedicated fanbase that made it the eighth greatest science fiction franchise of all time.

Was Stargate accused of plagiarism?

There were legal battles over the originality of Stargate's concept, but the case was eventually settled out of court for a fraction of the claimed amount.

How did the US Air Force cooperate with Stargate: SG-1?

The US Air Force cooperated closely with producers on the show, ensuring military accuracy for the characters and storylines. The show was even used as a recruitment tool.

Why did Stargate: SG-1 transition from Showtime to syndication?

Showtime stopped renewing the series due to difficulties in gaining new subscribers. The show eventually transitioned to syndication, reaching a wider audience.

Timestamped Summary

00:08Stargate, with its mixed reviews, became the eighth greatest science fiction franchise of all time.

01:34Stargate faced legal battles over the originality of its concept, settling out of court for a fraction of the claimed amount.

03:10MGM employees working on The Outer Limits pitched the idea of a Stargate TV series, leading to Stargate: SG-1.

09:40Richard Dean Anderson's portrayal of Jack O'Neill and the strong cast contributed to the success of Stargate: SG-1.

14:34Stargate: SG-1 aired on Showtime and in syndication, reaching a wide audience and becoming the longest-running science fiction show.

18:30The US Air Force cooperated with the show, ensuring military accuracy and even using it as a recruitment tool.

21:24Stargate: SG-1 continued to thrive with new writers and expanded storylines, maintaining a dedicated fanbase.

19:04Stargate: SG-1 was filmed in and around Vancouver, British Columbia, with Cheyenne Mountain serving as the fictional Stargate Command.