Michael Shanks Reveals Details About Amazon’s Canceled ‘Stargate’ Series

The ‘Stargate‘ franchise has long sought a proper continuation, and when Amazon MGM Studios greenlit a new series from showrunner Martin Gero, fans were filled with hope. However, that excitement was short-lived as Amazon abruptly canceled the project in June, despite it having completed a full writers room and entering pre-production in the UK.

This cancellation ignited a passionate fan campaign, including a Change.org petition, a banner plane over Amazon MGM’s Culver City lot, and public support from original cast members like Robert Patrick. Nearly three months later, the campaign remains active, and fans are eager for insights into what the canceled series would have entailed.

This past weekend, Michael Shanks, known for his role as Dr. Daniel Jackson in ‘Stargate SG-1,’ shared exciting news at the Ascension Con convention in Birmingham. He confirmed that he was set to reprise his role in Gero’s new series, and additional plot details have emerged, showcasing the ambitious nature of the canceled show.

According to Dial the Gate host David Read, who gathered information from his contacts within the studio, the series was designed to take place in an alternate reality distinct from the original franchise. Daniel Jackson, still the beloved character fans recognize, would have found himself aboard a new United States Air Force vessel named the Argo, part of a previously unseen class of Earth ships known as the BC-307.

With Jackson aboard, the Argo would have orbited an alternate version of Earth, leaving the fate of its crew uncertain. In this new reality, the Stargate program would not have followed the familiar path, with the gate remaining inactive until several episodes into the season.

Shanks was not the only familiar face expected to return. Read’s reporting suggests that over half a dozen actors from the franchise were slated to appear in the first season, with some portraying alternate versions of their characters while others, like Jackson, would directly carry over from the original continuity. However, no additional names have been confirmed at this time.

The planned season was also structured before its cancellation, with expectations for it to consist of 10 episodes, aligning with Gero’s earlier indications about the project’s scope.

Collectively, these plans indicate that Gero and his team aimed to utilize the alternate-reality concept as a fresh entry point into the franchise, appealing to new viewers while remaining connected to decades of established lore through Jackson’s character. This balancing act may have contributed to the project’s downfall, as Amazon reportedly canceled the series due to concerns that it catered too heavily to longtime fans without providing enough accessibility for broader audiences, according to details shared by Stargate-Fusion.

The future of these ideas in any upcoming ‘Stargate’ project remains uncertain, especially with Gero still under an overall deal at Amazon MGM Studios working on other projects. For now, fans are left to imagine the potential of a show that was tantalizingly close to becoming a reality.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!