Imagine dedicating a decade of your life to a show that becomes a global phenomenon, only to realize later that you missed a chance to capture its essence forever. That’s exactly what happened to Christopher Judge, the beloved actor behind Teal’c in Stargate SG-1. Roland Emmerich’s 1994 blockbuster Stargate was destined for greatness, initially planned as a trilogy (https://www.slashfilm.com/825646/stargate-was-meant-to-kick-off-an-entire-trilogy/). But Hollywood, as it often does, took an unexpected turn. Instead of sequels on the big screen, Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner brought the story to television with Stargate SG-1, seamlessly continuing the narrative—though without the original film’s stars. Kurt Russell’s Colonel Jack O’Neill was replaced by Richard Dean Anderson, and James Spader’s Dr. Daniel Jackson by Michael Shanks (https://www.slashfilm.com/1656041/kurt-russell-jack-oneill-stargate-sg1-exit-explained/).
Enter Christopher Judge as Teal’c, the reformed Jaffa warrior who became an instant fan favorite. With his distinctive forehead symbol and commanding presence, Teal’c wasn’t just a character—he was a symbol of rebellion and redemption. Over 10 seasons, Judge became the heart of the show, even surpassing other characters in on-screen appearances (https://www.slashfilm.com/1897625/stargate-sg1-characters-most-appearances/). But here’s where it gets bittersweet: despite his love for the show, Judge has one lingering regret.
And this is the part most people miss: It’s not about his unproduced spin-off idea, which he described as Stargate’s take on *Black Panther (https://www.slashfilm.com/1731429/christopher-judge-stargate-sg1-spin-off-pitch/). No, his regret is far more personal. In an interview with GateWorld (https://www.gateworld.net/news/2011/10/return-of-the-jaffa/), Judge revealed that he wishes he’d taken more photos during the filming of Stargate: Continuum, the direct-to-video movie that ended up being the final chapter for the SG-1 team. Why? Because they thought there’d be more—a third film, Stargate: Revolution, was in the works, promising to reveal the Stargate’s existence to the public (https://www.slashfilm.com/1830004/stargate-sg1-canceled-movie-revolution-details/). But MGM’s financial troubles and the declining DVD market killed the project.
Here’s the controversial part: Was Continuum the perfect ending, or did the franchise deserve one last epic adventure? Judge clearly wished for more, but the cast and crew didn’t know Continuum would be their final goodbye. Even Teal’c’s brief return in Stargate Atlantis (https://www.slashfilm.com/1770589/stargate-cancelled-movie-would-have-brought-shows-together/) couldn’t fill the void. Yet, Judge remains grateful, cherishing the reunions at conventions and reflecting on the 10 incredible years he spent on SG-1.
So, what do you think? Did Stargate SG-1 end too soon, or was its conclusion just right? Let’s debate in the comments—because even decades later, the Stargate universe still sparks passion and debate.
