Home Entertainment Roland Emmerich to direct a remake of STARGATE and kick off a new trilogy

Roland Emmerich to direct a remake of STARGATE and kick off a new trilogy

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When it comes to sci-fi films, there are three great “Star” franchises out there. Star Wars, Str Trek and Stargate. Despite only creating one kickass film, Stargate spun-off a ton of TV content in the years after before the final show Stargate: Universe closed the book on that galaxy-hopping saga. MGM wants a remake of the flick though and they’re grabbing the man who helped shepherd that property in existence, Rolan Emmerich, to reboot it for them.

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Here’s the full press release from MGM on the news of Emmerich starting a new Stargate trilogy:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures, together with Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin, are partnering to launch a new feature film trilogy that reimagines the 1994 film Stargate. The announcement was made today by Gary Barber, MGM’s Chairman and CEO. Emmerich, who directed and co-wrote the original film with Devlin, is confirmed to direct and Devlin will produce.

Barber said, “We couldn’t be more excited to once again partner with Roland and Dean, the world-class creators of the originalStargate, to bring their reinvigorated vision of this wildly popular property to audiences of multiple generations.” He added, “Stargate is one of the biggest titles in MGM’s vast library, and we look forward to adding this great franchise to our slate.”

“The Stargate universe is one that we missed terribly, and we cannot wait to get going on imagining new adventures and situations for the trilogy. This story is very close to our hearts, and getting the chance to revisit this world is in many ways like a long lost child that has found its way back home,” said Emmerich and Devlin.

MGM will be running production on Stargate, with Jonathan Glickman, President, Motion Picture Group overseeing the project on behalf of MGM and Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, overseeing for Warner Bros. Pictures. Worldwide distribution will be handled by Warner Bros. Pictures, with select international territories to be handled by MGM.

Glickman said, “For us at MGM, there was no version of us further developing the Stargate franchise without Roland and Dean at the creative helm. This is their baby, and we cannot wait to bring their reenergized universe to the legions of fans around the world.”

Silverman said, “Stargate created an expansive cinematic universe that has engaged fans for two decades.” He added, “Under the guidance of Roland and Dean, these new films will build upon the creativity and popularity of the first film, while delivering an original film-going experience for fans and those new to the franchise.”

The sci-fi film Stargate launched a worldwide phenomenon. At the time of its release, the film set the record for the highest-grossing opening weekend in October and went on to gross nearly $200 million worldwide at the box office.

Emmerich is currently shooting Stonewall, a drama about a young man’s political awakening amid the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York, which sparked a fight for equality and paved the way for the modern gay rights movement. He is also in pre-production on ID Forever Part I and Part II, back-to-back sequels to his hit film, Independence Day.

Devlin is currently in pre-production on Geostorm, his feature directorial debut, which he co-wrote with Paul Guyot and is producing for Warner Bros. with Skydance Pictures’ David Ellison and Dana Goldberg and his Electric Entertainment team of Marc Roskin and Rachel Olschan.

Stargate (2)

It’s not too surprising to hear that MGM wants to bring back Stargate. Star Trek has made a decent amount of cash with two sequels so far, and Star Wars is most likely going to clean up at the box office next year. What makes Stargate a workable property however, is that it can be easier for audiences to relate to, as it combines the modern day with the far-off technology of the future. Hell, with army films dominating at the box office, this might be the best time to bring it back.

Emmerich remaking his own film does sound crazy, but at least this does give the project a sense of familiarity, as the original 1994 film has aged rather well. Someone call Kurt Russell already and get him on this project. So what’s the catch? Well, we might only see a new Stargate many years from now. Emmerich is currently working on the Independence Day sequel for 2016, and will be hitting another one straight after that. He’s also busy with another project, Stonewall, so don’t expect to see a new Stargate until 2020 unless something drastic occurs behind the scenes.

Still, I’m happy to wait for more gate-trippin’.

Last Updated: May 30, 2014

11 Comments

  1. Happy dance for more Stargate unsure about the whole reboot thing.

    Reply

  2. Kervyn Cloete

    May 30, 2014 at 11:51

    Yeah, I ain’t going to lie, even with the whole reboot thing, just the mention of the words “more Stargate” was enough to get me excited.

    Reply

    • Ultimo_Cleric N7

      May 30, 2014 at 12:02

      Pretty much.

      Reply

  3. Unavengedavo

    May 30, 2014 at 12:03

    Wait, Stargate is 10 years old? O_o

    Reply

    • RinceofFuturePast

      May 30, 2014 at 12:30

      Try 20 bro 🙂

      Reply

      • Unavengedavo

        May 30, 2014 at 12:35

        Lol, that was meant to be a 20 O_o but it makes you feel really old

        Reply

  4. Gareth Breydenbach

    May 30, 2014 at 12:06

    Also very uncertain about a reboot,i enjoyed the sg1 + atlantis series, but a reboot with new characters,not sure. wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff

    Reply

  5. RinceofFuturePast

    May 30, 2014 at 12:29

    My body is ready for this. Now I must survive another 5 years!

    Reply

  6. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    May 30, 2014 at 12:33

    There’s a stirring in my nether regions!!!

    Reply

  7. Alien Emperor Trevor

    May 30, 2014 at 12:36

    Oh joy. A trilogy planned. So 1 will be introduction with unsatisfying ending, 2 will be boring setup to 3, 3 will be unable to stand on it’s own.

    I’d much rather see more Atlantis or Universe.

    Reply

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