New Funkos celebrating the 30th anniversary of the original Stargate movie starring Kurt Russell and James Spader are hitting the streets in July, with pre-orders already open!

The good folks at Funko have released 5 figures: Daniel Jackson - and note, he's wearing the amulet Catherine Langford gave him! - Jack O'Neill (yes, two “Ls” for some reason), Ra, a Horus Guard and an Anubis Guard.

You can check your local stockists of Funko Pops, but below are a few links to get you started via Amazon, Entertainment Earth and - for the Aussies! - Popcultcha.

Amazon.com

Entertainment Earth

Popcultcha

There is hope this release may be followed by Funkos for the Stargate series - fingers crossed! - but in the meantime here's one version of our beloved Daniel, Jack and Ra for you to treasure!

The Stargate SG-1 team, from right to left: Richard Dean Anderson, Michael Shanks, Amanda Tapping and Christopher Judge

Can it really be 27 years?

According to Screen Rant, yes it is. 27 years since Stargate SG-1 hit our television screens, premiering in 1997 and running for 10 years before the SG-1 crew walked through the gate for more adventures we weren’t to witness ourselves. (Though there is hope, still, that at some point in the future a new version of Stargate may grace our screens.)

In their recent article, Screen Rant has checked in on what the actors from Stargate SG-1 have been doing since the series ended in 2007.

For Michael, the article shares the following:

“Daniel Jackson is another easy favorite of Stargate SG-1. Highly clever and a little awkward, he was meant to be the complete opposite of charismatic and above-it-all Jack O'Neill, but the friendship that developed between the pair served as the foundation of the sci-fi series. Though Daniel was originally played by James Spader in the 1994 Stargate movie, Michael Shanks effortlessly picked up the role for Stargate SG-1, so it's hard to imagine anyone ever doing a better job.

Prior to Stargate SG-1, Shanks appeared in an episode of Highlander: The Series (1993) and played minor characters in two television movies, A Family Divided (1995) and The Call of the Wild: Dog Of The Yukon (1997). Stargate SG-1 was his first significant role, but it wasn't his last. Shanks appeared in TV series like Burn Notice, Smallville, and Supernatural before Stargate SG-1 concluded, and the 2010s came with even more appearances and a few director credits for episodes of Saving Hope.

In 2020, Shanks took on a recurring role in the TV show Altered Carbon and appeared in an episode of Project Blue Book. Then, in 2022, the Stargate SG-1 actor played a character named Paul in an episode of The Good Doctor. This was Shanks' last on-screen appearance for a few years, but he has appeared at a couple of conventions, giving fans the opportunity to see him in person even if they can't catch him on the screen.

You can read the full article, which includes updates on Michael’s co-stars Richard Dean Anderson and Amanda Tapping among others, on the Screen Rant website.

Michael Shanks as Dr. Daniel Jackson in Stargate SG-1

The folks over at Screen Rant have revisited the Stargate universe and weighed in on who they believe from the Stargate universe could have/should have had a spin-off series.

Those familiar with the series will recognize most of the names. For Atlantis fans, their vote was for Steven Caldwell (played by X-Files and Supernatural alum, Mitch Pileggi) and the crew of the Daedalus, and Ronan Dex (Jason Mamoa) was tagged for and action comedy. While for SG-1 there are new adventures mused on for Teal'c (Christopher Judge) and Dr. Janet Fraiser (Teryl Rothery), among others.

And what of Daniel Jackson as played by Michael?

"Though Jack O'Neill can typically be considered the central protagonist of Stargate SG-1, Daniel Jackson is a close second. Therefore, a great many episodes are dedicated to his character. His genius often got him into mind-bendingly sticky situations that were precisely the sort of flavor expected from a science fiction series. Daniel Jackson died and came back to life in Stargate (many times), ascended, returned, started alternate timelines, and saved the world again and again. In all, this means the perfect opportunity to give the character a whole new plotline.

Daniel Jackson was never much of a military man, so the primary appeal of a Stargate spinoff that features his character in the lead role would be a sci-fi that moves away from this premise. Perhaps the series could pick up with Daniel still living on Abydos, and maybe he would be taken by the Goa'uld instead of Shar'e or Skaara. It would be an interesting twist that would result in a brand-new adventure. Unfortuantely, all these years after Stargate SG-1's 10th and final season, it's unlikely ever to happen."

Ah, if only.

Check out the full article on Screen Rant's site here: https://screenrant.com/stargate-sg1-characters-deserve.../

Richard Dean Anderson as Col. Jack O’Neill and Michael Shanks as Dr. Daniel Jackson in the fifth season of “Stargate SG-1”

Slash Film have compiled a list of Sci-Fi TV character deaths that - in their eyes - rank among the most controversial. And to nobody’s surprised, Daniel Jackson’s death in the penultimate episode of Season 5 of “Stargate SG-1” makes the list!

Per Slash Film:

"Oh my God! They killed Daniel!" This South Park-inspired exclamation echoed through Stargate fandom as early as 2006, because “Stargate SG-1” couldn't get enough of rubbing out its resident archaeologist.

It began in the 1994 “Stargate” movie, where Dr. Daniel Jackson (James Spader) met his demise but regenerated using "sarcophagus" technology. The series made the cycle of killing and reviving Jackson (Michael Shanks) into a habit. Throughout the show's run, he — and replicas and alternate-timeline versions of him — returned from the brink of death or death itself numerous times. Such absurdity wasn't lost on the characters, who once quipped, "Dr. Jackson is gonna DIE when he sees this!" "What, again?"

However, Jackson's death and subsequent ascension in Season 5's penultimate episode, "Meridian," incited a backlash. The uproar led to an 11-month campaign to bring the character and actor back, complete with advertisements in Hollywood trades and publications like Salon. Whatever the catalyst, ascended Jackson made a few appearances in Season 6. Eventually, he resumed human form in Season 7 to continue his adventures and face his slippery mortality, again and again.”

Check out the full article on the Slash Film website.

You didn’t know you needed it, but now you do! A “Stargate SG-1” Daniel Jackson backpack clip!

Monogram International have added two SG-1 characters - Daniel Jackson and Teal’c - to their range of 3D-sculptured figures, with previous releases covering Rocky and Star Wars’ The Bad Batch.

Each of the foam figures is 2” tall, and comes with a a clip attached to the top so you can clip it to you backpack, bag… whatever! The “Stargate” figures are part of a “MGM Sci-Fi Stories” collection which includes 11 characters or movie posters:

Dr. Daniel Jackson
Teal’c
Species
Robocop
Robocop ED-209
The Zantis (from “Outer Limits”)
”The Outer Limits” poster
”War Games” poster
Robocop (Battle Damaged) - chase variant
Gwylim Griiftths (“The Outer Limits”) - chase variant

Important Note: The figures are sold in blind packs - it’s luck of the draw if your purchase will land you the figure you’re after!

Check your local stockists or online sources such as Entertainment Earth where you can buy a Pack of 6 or a Case of 24. )Again, these are blind packs. If you’re after a specific character, suggest checking eBay for people selling after unpacking!)

The MGM Sci-Fi Stories Collection

Per a press release on Game Press, the first episode of Season One of Stargate: Timekeepers was released today on Steam.

Developed for Windows PCs, Stargate: Timekeepers is “a real-time tactics game where you lead a team of specialists through a story-driven campaign set in the SG-1 universe. Sneak your characters behind enemy lines, use their unique skills, craft the perfect plan to unravel a timeloop mystery, and defeat the Goa’uld threat.”

In celebration of the release of the first episode, game creators Slitherine invited Michael, Martin Wood (director and producer of “Stargate SG-1”), Darren Sumner (owner and managing editor of the long-running Gateworld.net) and Robert Brown , “Stargate: Timekeepers” writer, for a Twitch live show. You can watch the playback on YouTube.

Per the press release:

“Stargate: Timekeepers, while rooted in the iconic universe, boldly charts a new course beyond the conclusion of the seventh season of Stargate SG-1. Fans can expect an entirely fresh and captivating story arc, filled with the thrilling adventures and enigmatic discoveries that have come to define the Stargate legacy. Stargate: Timekeepers features an original and richly detailed story-driven campaign spanning 14 episodes, in which players need to use a combination of stealth, skills, and combat prowess to achieve success.

Characters take center stage in Stargate: Timekeepers, each featuring a unique skill set to be used to overcome obstacles, foes, and in-game puzzles. Each episode in the real-time tactics game needs careful planning and expert use of skills, with the player likely requiring more stealth than guns blazing.
Stargate: Timekeepers will be divided into two parts, season one part one and season one part two, with each segment containing seven episodes. Each individual episode is a full single-player mission. Players who purchase Stargate: Timekeepers will get full access to all the episodes in this first season as they become available.”

The game is expected to be released in December 2023.

Check out the full press release on the Game Press website. And don’t forget to watch the playback of the Twitch live stream!

The good folks over at Gateworld.net have shared that Michael will appear in the final episode of the third season of “Dial the Gate.”

“Dial the Gate” launched in 2020, streaming both pre-recorded and live interviews with the cast and create of the Stargate franchise. Episode are provided free via their YouTube channel. The show was created by former Gateworld co-editor David Read, and per their site “the show aims to be an oral history of Stargate’s film and television production.”

Across 230 episodes to date, guests have ranged from the co-writer and producer of the original “Stargate'“ film, Dean Devlin, to TV producers Jonathan Glassner, Robert C. Cooper and Joseph Mallozzi, TV directors Martin Wood and Peter Deluise, and actors Teryl Rothery, Joe Flanigan, David Hewlett and Gary Jones.

Michael will appear live on Sunday, October 29 starting at 2:00pm PST (5pm ET).

Check out the full article on the Gateworld.net website.

Michael Shanks as Dr. Daniel Jackson

The UK Daily Express is asking the question!

You can read the full article over on their website, but where Michael is concerned, here is what they have to say:

“Shanks became a fan-favourite for his loyalty and dedication to team SG-1 and although he had no military experience, his archaeological and cultural knowledge proved useful.

In 2004, his portrayal earned him a Leo Award for Best Lead Performance By A Male in a Dramatic Series for the seventh season episode Lifeboat.

After Stargate, the actor became a familiar face on screens and appeared in “Supernatural”, “Virgin River”, “The Good Doctor” and landed a leading role in “Saving Hope.”

Shanks is also very active on social media where he can be seen interacting with fans and more recently promoting his daughter Mia Shank’s music, whom he shares with “Virgin River’s” Lexa Doig.”

Between 2008 and 2012, Big Finish produced and released 18 audio dramas set in the world of Stargate SG1 and Stargate Atlantis, featuring the talents of Michael Shanks, Claudia Black, Teryl Rothery, Torri Higginson, Paul McGillion and Christopher Judge, among many others!

Originally distributed as individual CD sets, Big Finish are re-releasing the audio dramas in 3 collections of digital downloads. Each collection includes 6 one hour-long stories.

Stargate SG-1 Series 1-2:
”Gift of the Gods” - by Sally Malcolm
”Shell Game” - by James Swallow
”Savarna” - by Sally Malcolm
”First Prime” - by James Swallow
”Pathogen” - by Sharon Gosling
”Lines of Communication” - by Luke Mansell

Stargate Atlantis Series 1-2:
”A Necessary Evil” - by Sharon Gosling
”Perchance to Dream” - by Sally Malcolm
”Zero Point” - by James Swallow
”Impressions” - by Scott Andrews
”The Kindness of Strangers” - by Sharon Gosling
”Meltdown” - by David McIntee

Stargate SG-1 Series 3:
”Half Life” - by James Swallow
”An Eye for An Eye” - by Sally Malcolm
”Infiltration” - by Steve Lyons
”Excision” - by Peter J Evans
”Duplicity” - by Richard Dinnick
”Time’s Wheel” - by Sharon Gosling

Check out the Big Finish website for more details, and to purchase the sets either individually or as a bundle!

The Companion App has dropped - and Michael httpom/MichaelShanks/status/1523833794796482560 - an “action packed” trailer for the upcoming table read of the AI-generated Stargate script to be performed by Michael and his SG-1 co-stars Richard Dean Anderson and Amanda Tapping.

Check out The Companion's tweet for the trailer!