The sci-fi adventure film Stargate became a surprise blockbuster hit in 1994. However, it wasn't until it moved to television in the form of Stargate SG1 that the mythos secured a lasting legacy. Despite being cancelled after its fifth season, a renewal by the Sci-Fi Channel allowed SG1 to continue its success on the small screen, spawning additional movies and a new television spin-off.
By its fifth season, Stargate SG1 had become a staple of science fiction television, comparable to pop culture juggernauts like Star Trek. The producers of SG1, Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper, along with MGM executives, considered bringing Stargate back to the big screen, similar to the leap made by The Next Generation cast into feature films. Discussions also included plans for a new spin-off series to keep the weekly fan engagement alive.
These ambitions pulled from Atlantec legends and myths, with Wright and Cooper deciding to incorporate the lost city of Atlantis. Initially, the concept was for the existing SG1 characters to discover an outpost in Antarctica leading to Atlantis, which would become the new base of operations. However, this storyline eventually evolved into its own successful series, Stargate Atlantis.
Production on Atlantis began after SG1’s seventh season wrapped, necessitating a rapid development to get production underway. Key casting decisions included Joe Flanigan and Torri Higginson, among others, leading the way for a new team of explorers. With enhanced visual effects, the premiere of Atlantis on the Sci-Fi Channel surpassed expectations, setting a high bar in viewership numbers.
Atlantis maintained the adventurous spirit of SG1 while expanding into new narrative structures, showcasing visually spectacular episodes that rivaled even the original film’s grandiosity in terms of scope. The series tackled familiar Stargate themes but provided a fresh twist with new threats and exploratory missions, making it a standout in the franchise.
Overall, Stargate Atlantis and the continued expansion of the Stargate universe on television demonstrated the franchise's adaptability and influence within the science fiction genre. This adaptability was further reflected in additional spin-offs and the deep exploration of its universe, characters, and mythological themes.