A Stargate reboot project that was in development at Amazon would have centered on Daniel Jackson, the popular character portrayed by Michael Shanks, who would have found himself trapped in an alternate reality. Shanks himself confirmed his involvement in the scrapped series this past weekend at the Starfury: Ascension 2 convention in Birmingham, UK.
Details emerging from the convention, disseminated by the Stargate fan podcast Dial the Gate, suggest the series' proposed setting was a parallel universe. This alternate timeline would have seen many established plot points from previous Stargate installments deviate from their original course, seemingly as a strategy to attract a new audience through a soft reboot of the franchise's continuity.
Crucially, the series would have featured Daniel Jackson as a regular character, providing a familiar presence for long-time fans while retaining his knowledge of the original Stargate universe. Reports indicate that later seasons of the show had the potential to steer the narrative back towards the prime universe. The parallel universe setting also presented an opportunity for cameos from other veteran Stargate actors, likely playing alternate versions of their established characters.
Shanks' participation in the project aligns with his previous expressions of disappointment regarding the series' abrupt cancellation by Amazon, especially after significant work had been invested. An earlier report suggested the show was shelved due to concerns that it might not appeal beyond the existing Stargate fanbase, a claim disputed by Joseph Mallozzi, a Stargate writer who had been working on the project.
Despite Amazon reportedly maintaining interest in the future of the Stargate franchise, this particular revival series remains canceled. Shanks had previously indicated to fans that this project represented their best chance for a revival spearheaded by former Stargate SG-1 production team members and featuring cast alumni. As of now, there has been no indication that the decision to cancel the series will be reversed.