MGM Television
It’s been quite some time since the last “Stargate” series was released, much less the franchise graced the big screen. Despite its origins in Roland Emmerich’s 1994 film, “Stargate” is now most recognized for the beloved series “Stargate SG-1.” Although the franchise hasn’t reached the same level of prevalence as “Star Wars” or “Star Trek,” there’s no shortage of “Stargate” fans eager for an “SG-1” revival, whether on the big screen or otherwise.
Back in 2021, Christopher Judge, renowned for his role in “SG-1,” was asked by a Polygon journalist about his thoughts on a potential big-budget movie reboot of “Stargate.” The conversation shifted towards a comparison with J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek” and the potential recasting of Teal’c, the fan-favorite Jaffa warrior. Judge’s advice to the actor taking up the mantle? To disregard what’s been done before.
“Don’t watch any of the 10 seasons that we did,” was Judge’s light-hearted advice to Polygon. His suggestion wasn’t rooted in any dislike or lack of pride in the original series. Instead, he expressed a hope that whoever takes on his role in the future will make it uniquely their own. “I would say, ‘Just make it your own,’ you know? It’s not going to change what I’ve already done,” Judge said. He believes that performers need to personalize their roles and let the emotional journey of the characters unfold naturally, making them as genuine as possible.
The Future Teal’c Should Make the SG-1 Reboot Their Own
MGM Television
Judge’s sentiment is undeniably true and something I’ve often wanted to proclaim whenever someone gripes about a remake “ruining” the original. Regardless of how many new interpretations are created, the performances of Judge in “Stargate SG-1,” William Shatner’s Captain Kirk, or Harrison Ford’s Han Solo are still available for anyone to revisit. Remakes don’t tarnish original performances. At their best, they carve a new path and bring fresh dimensions to beloved characters. At worst, they highlight the power of the initial performances.
Of course, the opportunity for an actor to step into Teal’c’s shoes would require “Stargate SG-1” to be on the road to a reboot. In 2022, Gate World reported that Amazon, the new rights holder of “Stargate” after purchasing MGM, was seeking pitches for new sci-fi concepts, hinting at a possible interest in “Stargate.” While there’s nothing definitive yet, the franchise’s lengthy lifespan and past success suggest the possibility of a future return. Besides “SG-1” and the original 1994 film, there have been four other “Stargate” series and three direct-to-video movies to date. Even if Emmerich, who’s expressed his frustrations with IP ownership issues and future projects, decides not to be involved, the “Stargate” franchise may yet see a revival under new leadership.
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
