Sci Fi's drama will live on as a movie franchise

"Stargate Atlantis" will end its run on the Sci Fi Channel early next year. But not really.

The series will air its final regular episode in January, Sci Fi announced Thursday (Aug. 21). At the same time, though, the cable network has ordered a two-hour movie that will premiere on Sci Fi and then be released on DVD soon thereafter. The show's producers are hoping to follow the model of parent series "Stargate SG-1," which has released two successful direct-to-DVD movies since its finale.

"We're excited to tell 'Atlantis' stories on a bigger canvas," series co-creators Robert C. Cooper and Brad Wright say in a statement. "The successes of the two original 'Stargate' 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."

Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie, who serve as showrunners on "Stargate Atlantis," will write the still-untitled movie. There's no word yet on the film's storyline or which cast members will be featured.

"Stargate Atlantis" spun off from "SG-1" in 2004 and has been a steady performer for Sci Fi ever since. Its fifth season debuted last month and will wrap up in January after hitting the 100-episode mark.