Prime Video has pulled the plug on a planned Stargate revival series, according to a report that cites the project was in development from franchise scribe Martin Gero. The cancellation leaves a gap in the streaming service's sci-fi lineup, coming years after the end of The Expanse and amid a wave of genre hits from competitors like HBO and Apple TV+. The decision, while unexplained, has sparked debate among fans about whether the streamer missed a chance to revive a beloved property.

The 'Perfect Replacement for The Expanse' That Never Was

The report notes that Prime Video “almost alighted on a perfect replacement for The Expanse” with the Stargate reboot. The Expanse, which Prime Video rescued from Syfy only to cancel in 2022 after its sixth season, remains a benchmark for ambitious TV sci-fi. According to the source, no subsequent show has “recaptured the show's appeal,” despite strong contenders like Foundation and Fallout. The Stargate revival, with its built-in fanbase and a creative lead who wrote for Stargate SG-1, Atlantis, and Universe, seemed purpose-built to fill that void. Its cancellation raises questions about what Prime Video now considers the right fit for its science-fiction slate.

Martin Gero's Stargate Pedigree and the Unrealized Reboot

Martin Gero, the screenwriter tapped for the revival, has deep roots in the Stargate universe. The report identifies him as a scribe on all three TV series—SG-1, Atlantis, and Universe—giving the project credibility with longtime fans. The revival was said to promise a complex story involving characters from Earth and Mars, echoing the franchise's ability to blend mythology with science fiction. Yet Prime Video decided not to move forward. The report offers no specific reason for the cancellation, leaving open whether it was a creative disagreement, budget constraints, or a strategic shift away from revivals.

Comparing the Risks: Prime Video's Matrix Lesson

As the source points out, rebooting a franchise carries risk, citing the forthcoming fifth Matrix film without the Wachowskis as a cautionary tale. The Stargate revival would have faced similar scrutiny: could a new team honor the original movie directed by Roland Emmerich and the TV series that followed, starring Richard Dean Anderson? The report suggests that Prime Video's best path forward might be a “wholesale reinvention without involving the original creative team”—an approach that could alienate purists. the cancellation may actually reflect a desire to avoid that risk altogether.

What a 'Wholesale Reinvention' Would Actually Require

The source explicitly recommends that Prime Video “take the opposite approach entirely and mount a wholesale reinvention” of Stargate. But such a move would demand a clear creative vision, substantial budget, and a willingness to differentiate from the stylized sci-fi of Dune: Prophecy or Fallout. According to the report, the streamer has yet to make further decisions on the franchise's direction. The open question remains: will Prime Video eventually grenlight a different take on Stargate, or has the entire property been shelved indefinitely? Fans and industry watchers are left without an answer.