Science-fiction fans rejoice: "Stargate" is getting a reboot film trilogy. Yes, not one but three "Stargate" films are coming.

It was announced this week that the 1994 "Stargate" film will be relaunched with MGM running production and Warner Bros. overseeing worldwide distribution. There are three questions that should be asked: Who else is involved in the project? Why now? And how soon?

"Stargate" was originally directed and co-written by Roland Emmerich ("Independence Day," "White House Down" and "2012") in 1994. Emmerich is expected to direct the reboot, and Dean Devlin -- who produced and co-wrote the original film and "Independence Day" -- will produce, CNET reported. There is still no word on whether or not Kurt Russell and James Spader will reprise their roles.

It has not been confirmed if the new "Stargate" films will follow the film version or the TV's canon.

Why now? The original film made box-office records with $200 million worldwide. And it has spawned three successful TV spinoffs, two direct-to-DVD movies, and one animated series. "Stargate SG-1" aired 1997-2007 and starred Richard Dean Anderson ("MacGyver") and Amanda Tapping ("Sanctuary"). "Stargate: Atlantis" saw four years, 2004-2009. And, "SGU Stargate Universe" played later, 2009-2011, and starred Robert Carlyle ("Once Upon a Time") and Ming-Na Wen ("ER" and "Agents of SHIELD").

And the two direct-to-DVD movies were "Stargate: The Ark of Truth" in 2008 and "Stargate: Continuum," which was also released in 2008. And, the animated series "Stargate Infinity" ran in 2002. Sounds like there is a market and a large fan base for "Stargate."  

How soon? It might be a while. Emmerich is currently filming the gay rights drama "Stonewall" -- about the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York. And he is also in pre-production with the "Independence Day" sequels "ID Forever Part I" and "Part II," The Hollywood Reporter wrote. Devlin is currently in pre-production on his newest Warner Bros. project "Geostorm." This is Devlin's directorial debut, which he co-wrote.

The new "Stargate" film trilogy is coming. We just have to wait -- hopefully not as long as the ancients.