INTERVIEW: Brad Wright (Executive Producer)

[GateWorld]

AUDIO INTERVIEW: ALL GOOD THINGS ... GateWorld talks with Brad Wright In the wake of Atlantis's cancellation we get the explanation from series co-creator Brad Wright. READ MORE ...

[PG15]

Wow! Ok, I haven't partaken in the interview yet, but it's incredible that you guys had this up one day after the announcement! Truly astounding.

Good work y'all! I'm gonna go read it now...

[Amalthea]

Well, it's a very interesting interview. Thank you so much for getting it so quickly! I'm glad all the PTBs feel ok about what has happened, and I am glad that there are going to be movies, but I still feel very hurt that I'm not going to see SGA every week. I'm sure I'll like Universe and seeing it weekly will fill the void, but still, a 2 hour (if we're lucky) movie every couple years won't replace the weekly focus on the SGA characters. It won't be possible to get "Ronon episodes" or what have you anymore and I fear that movies won't be a success without a few more years of character development that a series provides.

On a more philosophical note, I can't help but wonder what this says for the future of TV? I know Star Trek went the movie route with a lot of success, and I do hope the same happens here, but I just can't shake the feeling that it won't be the same, especially since, for the moment at least, they're diresct to DVD productions.

I understand the "going out on top" theory, but I have cable so I don't have to go out and buy more TV. If this is where TV is headed as a medium, I might as well save my money and just wait for DVDs! Of course, if everyone did that, it would result in no money going to networks at all, which would mean no more TV, so I don't know how that would work.

I guess what I'm saying is I have my doubts, but I am willing to go with it for now because I love Stargate and will take it in any form they're going to give it to me in.

Again, thanks for the interview!

[Briangate78]

Brad Wright makes a good point. SGA ending on a high note is a good thing. This will hopefully assure many SGA movies in the future. Still it's obvious this mutual decision was more on the hands of MGM rather than SCI FI. My gut tells me the renewal of SGA was an option, but they chose this route.

[duffarama]

After listening to Brad Wright I am now comfortable with the way in which Atlantis is heading. Although I am sad about the fact that Atlantis won't be on every week, at least it will have more chance of longevity through the production of movies. Great interview, Darren!

[Darren]

Thanks, PG15 and everyone. I've been working on this for literally the last 11 8 hours.

Brian -- Brad and I spoke a bit further after the interview, specifically about this "blame" issue. He's read some posts here, and asked that I pass along to you in particular that "it just isn't the case" that this was MGM's decision.

If anything, take away from this interview that Stargate Productions, MGM, and SCI FI all got together and made this decision as a team. They're strategizing how to keep the franchise as a whole interesting and flourishing, because it's what they all want. No one wants Atlantis to end for good because they drove it into the ground and made movies impossible.

Whether or not that would have been the case after six or seven seasons is, of course, debatable.

[Briangate78]

Originally Posted by Darren

Thanks, PG15 and everyone. I've been working on this for literally the last 11 hours.

Brian -- Brad and I spoke a bit further after the interview, specifically about this "blame" issue. He's read some posts here, and asked that I pass along to you in particular that "it just isn't the case" that this was MGM's decision.

If anything, take away from this interview that Stargate Productions, MGM, and SCI FI all got together and made this decision as a team. They're strategizing how to keep the franchise as a whole interesting and flourishing, because it's what they all want. No one wants Atlantis to end for good because they drove it into the ground and made movies impossible.

Whether or not that would have been the case after six or seven seasons is, of course, debatable.

Problem is Darren, I have to run a forum where people are signing up just to attack SCI FI. I want people to know that this was not due to ratings and that SCI FI was not the sole cause. I am trying to protect SCI FI because I know how much of a good relationship MGM and SCI FI has. If that is the case, then there is no blame and we should not really point fingers but just support what we have left and hope for more to come from this franchise. If Brad Wright does read these threads, I would like him to know that he still is my favorite producer and writer for the Stargate Franchise. I have always respected his way of doing business I guess you would call it. I'm just trying to calm down from the news and am finally putting things in perspective.

[PG15]

So...wait, Brian got a personal message from Brad Wright?

Dude, cherish this moment.

[Briangate78]

Originally Posted by PG15

So...wait, Brian got a personal message from Brad Wright?

Dude, cherish this moment.

I feel pretty rotten, because I was really nasty to some people on this forum, lol some deserved it though. Ok maybe not.

I just didn't want to see SCI FI attacked, since I still respect the network. People will assume it's all the networks fault. From what I read in the multiple articles it seemed MGM was the one who pulled the plug.

[naamiaiset]

And I will never, ever apologize or feel bad -- or suggest that anyone around here should feel bad -- for a 5-year run. That is, in television, a homerun by any definition.

I have to disagree with a few parts in the interview. five seasons may be a "home run" in television, but cancelling a series with a lot of potential still left in it, to me, just takes something away from that accomplishment.

It's not the case that anything is being pushed aside.

cutting SGA for money to make SGU isn't pushing anything aside...?

good interview though.

[VOOK]

I saw Cross-Over, and I like it!

[ImmrtlofDrknss]

So there a third SG-1 movie has been confirmed? After listening to the interview I heard movies, so given that one is going to be the Atlantis follow-up, does that mean that the other is going to be SG-1 or is it going to be two Atlantis movies?

[Darren]

It was confirmed at Comic-Con last month that Brad is currently writing the third SG-1 movie. MGM has not yet announced that it has been green-lit for production, though.

[Briangate78]

Originally Posted by Darren

It was confirmed at Comic-Con last month that Brad is currently writing the third SG-1 movie. MGM has not yet announced that it has been green-lit for production, though.

Hey Darren, is this legit...

http://www.thrfeed.com/2008/08/stargate-univer.html

Universe is official now?

[Darren]

Yep. Looks like it's from the press release that is going out tomorrow / today (Friday).

The Hollywood Reporter was apparently given it early.

There is a bit more news coming, though. Hopefully no one else will spill it before the press release arrives and we're allowed to publish.

[Icarus Ancalion]

I can see why Brad Wright doesn't want fans attacking Sci-Fi or sending them lemons when they're trying to salvage the franchise. But no one dumps a successful show for "new opportunities." Don't lie to us.

Stargate is lucky to have the movies.

Regarding Stargate Universe... On the one hand, I'm always happy to see more sci-fi on TV. On the other hand, the cancellation of SGA leaves a stink over Stargate Universe for me.

A friend of mine said it was a bit like having your cat put to sleep and having someone hand you another kitten, "Here. All better now."

[*subrosa*]

Oh please... how often do we have to go through this again? SGA starts and the viewer rates of SG1 drop, they drop SG1 and start making movies, then they continue SGA for a few more seasons before they come up with Stargate Universe, at that point they are afraid that SGA's rates will drop as well so they decide to drop SGA before they can't make any more money out of that either.
These people are practically like little children getting bored of of their toys... they play with it for a little while, make other people like it as well and then they get their hands on a new idea and they decide it's time to abandon the other toy...
What they don't realise is that they are also toying with fans. Granted, some people here seem to be actually happy about the road they are taking, but I have absolutely no desire in watching movies rather than episodes and I know of like... many MANY more people who seem to share my opinion on this.

I like Stargate Atlantis and I would really like to continue watching the show. I am honestly annoyed, pissed and sad that they made a decision like this, solely based on making profits withouth regards for the viewers feelings on it.

There. Now that's out of my system, go yell at me or something, I don't mind, it's just how I think.

[jannagalaxy]

I thought it was a good interview. Brad Wright must care about the fans to respond this quickly.

I thought I read somewhere, someplace that MGM were very happy with Stargate so why pull the plug in the middle of the season. That's the thing that's driving me nuts.

[Khentkawes]

Originally Posted by jannagalaxy

I thought I read somewhere, someplace that MGM were very happy with Stargate so why pull the plug in the middle of the season. That's the thing that's driving me nuts.

MGM is happy with Stargate. And they didn't pull the plug "in the middle of the season." Season five will continue just as it would have. There just won't be a season six, that's all. It's the exact same thing and almost the exact same timing as when SG1 was canceled. They always announce these things before the season has finished airing. With SG1, I think they announced it before the season finale was filmed so that the studio could plan accordingly. The timing just feels odd to the fans.

[jannagalaxy]

Ahh, ok, I understand. Yes the timing is totally odd.