Stargate: Difference between revisions
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The movie set the grounds of the Stargate universe. [[Daniel Jackson|Dr. Daniel Jackson]] (played by [[James Spader]]) is a brilliant [[Egyptology|Egyptologist]] shunned by the academic world due to his farfetched theories about the [[Egyptian pyramids]] built as landing pads for alien ships. Dr. Katherine Langford hires him to decipher the symbols on the cover stones of an ancient ring-shaped artifact (the [[Stargate (device)|Stargate]]), made of an unknown [[Fictional materials in the Stargate universe#Naquadah|quartz-like material]], which had been found at [[Giza]] in 1928. Dr. Langford's science team had an incorrect translation and were unable to make the Stargate work. It is finally Jackson who discovers that the symbols are [[constellations]] and discovers the final symbol to be the point of origin. [[United States Air Force|USAF]] Colonel [[Jack O'Neil (Stargate)|Jack O'Neil]] (played by [[Kurt Russell]]) leads an expedition to the planet [[Abydos (Stargate)|Abydos]], where they come into conflict with an alien false "god" posing as [[Egyptian Mythology|Egyptian sun god]] [[Ra (Stargate)|Ra]]. Jack O'Neil brings a tactical nuclear bomb along, with the intention of destroying the Abydos Stargate if the inhabitants of Abydos turn out to be a threat to Earth. Of course, when the power of "Ra" is finally revealed, Jack decides to proceed with his mission and destroy the gate, against Jackson's better judgement. Later, unbeknownst to O'Neil, Ra steals the bomb and enhances it with the substance from which the gate is built so that it's destructive power increases |
The movie set the grounds of the Stargate universe. [[Daniel Jackson|Dr. Daniel Jackson]] (played by [[James Spader]]) is a brilliant [[Egyptology|Egyptologist]] shunned by the academic world due to his farfetched theories about the [[Egyptian pyramids]] built as landing pads for alien ships. Dr. Katherine Langford hires him to decipher the symbols on the cover stones of an ancient ring-shaped artifact (the [[Stargate (device)|Stargate]]), made of an unknown [[Fictional materials in the Stargate universe#Naquadah|quartz-like material]], which had been found at [[Giza]] in 1928. Dr. Langford's science team had an incorrect translation and were unable to make the Stargate work. It is finally Jackson who discovers that the symbols are [[constellations]] and discovers the final symbol to be the point of origin. [[United States Air Force|USAF]] Colonel [[Jack O'Neil (Stargate)|Jack O'Neil]] (played by [[Kurt Russell]]) leads an expedition to the planet [[Abydos (Stargate)|Abydos]], where they come into conflict with an alien false "god" posing as [[Egyptian Mythology|Egyptian sun god]] [[Ra (Stargate)|Ra]]. Jack O'Neil brings a tactical nuclear bomb along, with the intention of destroying the Abydos Stargate if the inhabitants of Abydos turn out to be a threat to Earth. Of course, when the power of "Ra" is finally revealed, Jack decides to proceed with his mission and destroy the gate, against Jackson's better judgement. Later, unbeknownst to O'Neil, Ra steals the bomb and enhances it with the substance from which the gate is built so that it's destructive power increases a hundredfold. Ra intends for the bomb to be sent back to Earth. When Jack and Daniel try to defuse the device, they find it has also been rigged. Shortly before the timer on the bomb runs out, they use a [[Ring Transporter]] to send the bomb to Ra's ship, which is now in orbit of the planet, and destroy it. Jack and the surviving members of his team return to Earth, but Daniel stays behind, as he has no ties remaining on Earth and had married a native of Abydos, [[Sha'uri]]. |
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The film score by David Arnold is being re-released by Varese Sarabande with additional material in the latter half of 2006. It is also promised that the score will be re-mastered which may be an improvement over the current release of the score, which has a tendency to sound boomy. |
The film score by David Arnold is being re-released by Varese Sarabande with additional material in the latter half of 2006. It is also promised that the score will be re-mastered which may be an improvement over the current release of the score, which has a tendency to sound boomy. |
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Revision as of 01:01, 30 July 2006
- For a complete summary of the story of the Stargate universe, see Timeline of Stargate.
Stargate refers to the universe started with the 1994 science fiction feature film Stargate, and afterwards continued in novel form, in two live-action television series (Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis), one animated series (Stargate Infinity), and in other derivative works.
It is based on the premise of a "Stargate", a device that allows for almost instantaneous teleportation, by creating a wormhole to a complementary device on another planet. Discovered in 1928 at Giza, Egypt, the purpose of the alien device is unknown until 1994. The Stargate program, as it is later called, is established in 1997 with the goal of procuring alien technologies in the defense of earth against the Goa'uld and any other enemies that may arise.
In the Stargate universe, most Earth mythologies are based on events and personalities of aliens who visited or controlled Earth in the distant past. Most significantly an alien race later known as the Goa'uld enslaved the inhabitants of ancient Egypt, creating its culture and mythology. The Goa'uld pose as Gods to make slaves of humans, and used the Gate to take slaves from Earth to other habitable planets for more slave labor. After a rebellion on Earth five thousand years ago, they fled, leading to the burying of Earth's Stargate, which was rediscovered in 1928.
Film
The feature film Stargate was released in 1994. It was originally intended as the start of a film franchise, but creators Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich moved on to create Independence Day and Godzilla. Emmerich and Devlin had nothing to do with the later Stargate SG-1 and do not consider it a valid continuation of the film's story, although MGM owns the rights to the franchise.[citation needed] As a result, some fans of the movie reject the series (and vice-versa).[citation needed]
Template:Spoiler The movie set the grounds of the Stargate universe. Dr. Daniel Jackson (played by James Spader) is a brilliant Egyptologist shunned by the academic world due to his farfetched theories about the Egyptian pyramids built as landing pads for alien ships. Dr. Katherine Langford hires him to decipher the symbols on the cover stones of an ancient ring-shaped artifact (the Stargate), made of an unknown quartz-like material, which had been found at Giza in 1928. Dr. Langford's science team had an incorrect translation and were unable to make the Stargate work. It is finally Jackson who discovers that the symbols are constellations and discovers the final symbol to be the point of origin. USAF Colonel Jack O'Neil (played by Kurt Russell) leads an expedition to the planet Abydos, where they come into conflict with an alien false "god" posing as Egyptian sun god Ra. Jack O'Neil brings a tactical nuclear bomb along, with the intention of destroying the Abydos Stargate if the inhabitants of Abydos turn out to be a threat to Earth. Of course, when the power of "Ra" is finally revealed, Jack decides to proceed with his mission and destroy the gate, against Jackson's better judgement. Later, unbeknownst to O'Neil, Ra steals the bomb and enhances it with the substance from which the gate is built so that it's destructive power increases a hundredfold. Ra intends for the bomb to be sent back to Earth. When Jack and Daniel try to defuse the device, they find it has also been rigged. Shortly before the timer on the bomb runs out, they use a Ring Transporter to send the bomb to Ra's ship, which is now in orbit of the planet, and destroy it. Jack and the surviving members of his team return to Earth, but Daniel stays behind, as he has no ties remaining on Earth and had married a native of Abydos, Sha'uri. Template:Endspoiler The film score by David Arnold is being re-released by Varese Sarabande with additional material in the latter half of 2006. It is also promised that the score will be re-mastered which may be an improvement over the current release of the score, which has a tendency to sound boomy.
Television
Stargate SG-1
Stargate SG-1 debuted on Showtime on July 27, 1997, and moved to the Sci-Fi Channel after its fifth season. Created by Jonathan Glassner and Brad Wright, it starred Richard Dean Anderson (as O'Neill), Michael Shanks (as Jackson), Amanda Tapping, Christopher Judge and Don S. Davis.
The cast has remained fairly regular for most of SG-1's run but has experienced some changes. Michael Shanks was replaced during season 6 by Corin Nemec, but was swapped back afterwards. At the end of season 7 Don Davis left the show and Anderson filled the gap he left in the story. In season 9, Anderson also left, which added new regulars Lexa Doig, Beau Bridges and Ben Browder. After appearing in six episodes in season 9, Claudia Black was added to the regular cast in season 10.
The series is set one year after the original film in their internal chronology. It chronicles the activities of SG-1, the first exploratory team of the newly-formed Stargate Command, after an enemy attack through the Stargate allows the United States Air Force to discover that Ra was not the last of his species, as they thought in the movie. The series expands on the movie, creating a full and rich mythology and a cast of recurring characters. Stargate SG-1 proved to be very popular. The series was expected to end at its seventh season, but it's currently in its record breaking tenth season (surpassing The X-Files as the longest running United States science-fiction series).
Stargate Atlantis
Stargate Atlantis debuted on the Sci-Fi Channel on July 16, 2004, starring Joe Flanigan, Torri Higginson , Rainbow Sun Francks, David Hewlett, and Rachel Luttrell. In its second season, Paul McGillion and Jason Momoa (replacing Francks, now a regular guest) were added as series regulars, and the third season is currently airing in the USA.
This series follows the adventures of the Atlantis expedition, a combination of military forces and civilian scientists that travel to the Pegasus galaxy in search of the Lost City of Atlantis, left behind by the powerful race known as the Ancients. Once there, they find that the Pegasus galaxy is dominated by a terrible enemy known as "the Wraith".
Atlantis was originally intended to succeed Stargate SG-1 after its seventh season and a second feature film. When SG-1 was renewed for an eighth season, the intended movie became the episode "Lost City", a two-part season finale, and the setting of Stargate Atlantis was moved to the Pegasus galaxy.
Stargate Infinity
Stargate Infinity is an animated series that ran from September 2002 to June 2003. Even though the series was produced by MGM with DiC Entertainment, none of the writers and producers of Stargate SG-1 were involved with Infinity. According to SG-1 co-creator Brad Wright, the animated series should not be considered official Stargate canon, although he says he personally does not "have a problem with it. I'm just not involved."[1]
Set about 30 to 40 years in the future, Infinity tells the story of a team of young recruits led by a veteran member of the SGC that are framed for a crime they did not commit. The team must travel from world to world trying to find a way to clear their name.
Books
There are three series of novels based on the Stargate franchise and various comics. Short fiction has also been published in the official Stargate Magazine.
Movie-based
A series of books written by Bill McCay were published from 1996 to 1999 that were sequels to the film. However, the subsequent TV series was an entirely different development and there was no attempt to reconcile the plot lines of the books and television show.
Series-based
ROC books
Since 1999, several novels have been released based on the Stargate SG-1 series. These books were written by Ashley McConnell and published by ROC.
Fandemonium books
Stargate SG-1
A series of licensed tie-in novels by Fandemonium Press Ltd. based on the Stargate SG-1 series, the novels are available in the Australia, Canada New Zealand, South Africa, UK and the U.S.
Stargate Atlantis
Fandemonium launched a new series of books based on Stargate Atlantis in late 2005. Those books are available worldwide. Unlike with the SG-1 books, Fandemonium does not accept fan submissions for the Atlantis books and they are commissioned only to professional writers.
Short fiction
These short stories were published in the pages of the official Stargate Magazine, produced by Titan Publishing.
- Flipside by Sally Malcolm, a Stargate Atlantis story appearing in issue #7 (Nov/Dec 2005)
- Archeology 101 by Martha Wells, a Stargate SG-1 story appearing in issue #8 (Jan/Feb 2006)
Comic books
A series of comic books, based on Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis, which began to be published by Avatar Press in 2003.
Future of the franchise
In May of 2006, Charles Cohen, executive vice president of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television, revealed that MGM intends to develop a second theatrical movie which would be derived from the past 10 years of the series. A third Stargate television series is planned to follow on from the second movie.[2]
However, SG-1's continued success and refreshed plotline (with the introduction of the Ori as the new main enemy in Season 9) seems to indicate that the show may very well continue past ten seasons. Given that the end of the series has seemed imminent for the past four years, but has yet to occur, it seems only time will tell how long SG-1 remains on television. However Brad Wright and Robert Cooper have signed a contract with MGM to produce an SG-1 based movie when the television show does eventually come to an end.
Plans for producing two sequels of the original film were announced by the original movie's creator Dean Devlin at 2006 San Diego Comic-Con. He has said he's currently in talks with MGM to produce four movies and he would like for two of them to be the final two movies in his envisioned Stargate triolgy. [3] In an interview with SciFi Wire, Devlin says that should the sequels be made, he hopes to enlist Kurt Russell and James Spader in the two sequels. These sequels would ignore the 10 years of mythology created by the SG-1 and Atlantis TV shows if they are made.
Other
- A Stargate Role-Playing Game was produced by Alderac Entertainment; however, they lost the license to produce Stargate RPG products when Sony bought MGM, and the RPG license is currently unassigned.
- Two video games based on the movie were released by Acclaim Entertainment: a side-scrolling platformer for the Super NES and Sega Genesis, and a Tetris like puzzle game for the Game Boy.
- Stargate SG-1: The Alliance, a computer game based on the Stargate concept, was due to be released in late 2005. The release of this game has been cancelled.
- There are at least three simulator-style amusement park rides named Stargate SG-3000 located at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, Six Flags Great America, and Six Flags Marine World.
- Stargate Worlds, a Stargate-universe MMORPG, has recently been announced to be in development. [4]
- A Stargate pinball game produced by Gottlieb.
Fan Base
See Gaters
