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When its fifth season concludes in January 2009, "Stargate: Atlantis" will shift from a weekly ongoing series on the SciFi Channel to at least one two-hour movie on that network, then could join "Stargate SG-1" in the direct-to-DVD market, according to Multichannel News.

Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie have been selected to write the movie's script. Just which cast members will jump from the television series to the film and on is not yet certain. However, look for the film to be released on DVD in early 2009.

"We're excited to tell 'Atlantis'?stories on a bigger canvas," said Brad Wright and Robert C. Cooper, who co-created both "Stargate SG-1" and "Atlantis," in a statement. "The successes of the two original 'Stargate'?direct-to-video movies?'The Ark Of Truth'?and?'Continuum'?have shown us the opportunities that the movie format offers. We have plans for both?'SG-1'?and?'Atlantis'?to remain vital as we expand the franchise."

Apparently, they aren't the only ones excited about this transition.

"We share in the producers' enthusiasm to move forward in this direction and we look forward to a strong and continued relationship on?Stargate Atlantis?in this new format," said Thomas Vitale, senior vice president of?programming and original movies at the SciFi Channel.

This all takes place after word that the first several episodes of the fifth season have attracted more viewers, doubling the fans between the ages of 18 and 49, according to a new Turner Research analysis of Nielsen Media Research data.

Mallozzi, the "Atlantis" show runner, has stated in his blog that five years may be the limit for franchise shows in the future. He cited the fact that the rising Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar is becoming an expensive way to make Vancouver-produced shows like those in the "Stargate" family.

"Both MGM and SciFi have been great supporters of the show and, if you go by 'SG-1's' example, fans can be assured that the end of the series will not be the end of?'Atlantis,'" Mallozzi wrote on June 29 on his blog. "Like?'SG-1,' it will live on in longer-form DVD releases."

According to Mallozzi, both "The Ark Of Truth"?and?"Continuum"?both surpassed MGM's expectations for home video sales.?"Continuum," for example, ranked ninth?on?Video Business?magazine's list of top-selling DVDs for the week ended Aug. 9. Of course, more DVD films with "SG-1" are expected in the near future.

Wright and?Cooper are in the process of putting together a third TV series in the successful franchise. Pitched to the SciFi Channel in late 2007, it will be named "Stargate: Universe."

Called "Enemy At The Gate," the "Atlantis" fifth-season finale will be a cliffhanger, and will likely resolve during the two-hour movie, according to Gateworld.net.

"Stargate: Atlantis"?features Joe Flanigan, David Hewlett, Rachel Luttrell, Jewel Staite and?Robert Picardo. The show airs Friday nights at 10 p.m. on the SciFi Channel.

Darren Sumner, the Webmaster of GateWorld, joined Michael Hinman on this past Wednesday's SyFy Radio just minutes after the cancellation was announced. Hear what he had to say by listening to an archive version of the show at SyFy Radio.

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Hear Michael Hinman on SyFy Radio every Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT at www.BlogTalkRadio.com/SyFyRadio.

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