Star Trek (film)

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This article or section contains information about one or more scheduled or expected films. The content may change as the film's release approaches and more information becomes available.

Star Trek is the planned eleventh entry in the Star Trek film series, based on Gene Roddenberry's science fiction franchise. The film, sometimes referred to as Star Trek XI, received extensive coverage in the entertainment press during 2005 and 2006. In April 2006, after several years of rumor and speculation, Paramount Pictures announced that the movie will be produced by Lost co-creators J. J. Abrams (who is directing the film as well) and Damon Lindelof, and written by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, who will also be executive producing along with Bryan Burk, all of whom worked with Abrams in the past. The film will be released on December 25 2008.

Early reports and media speculation

As early as 2003, Rick Berman, then-executive producer of the Star Trek franchise, began quietly discussing the possibility of an eleventh Star Trek feature film. However, because of the failures in 2002 and 2005 of the franchise, including the tenth movie, Star Trek: Nemesis and the cancellation of the television series Star Trek: Enterprise, these statements were widely ignored. However, in February 2005, Berman finally backed up some of his statements with names, claiming in Variety that screenwriter Erik Jendresen, among others, were involved in production of a new film.^[1]

Despite being tangled up in rumors of other screenplays under consideration,^[2][3][4][5] the Jendresen script was widely believed to be in pre-production. It was believed that the story, titled Star Trek: The Beginning, would revolve around a new set of characters, led by a man named Tiberius Chase. It would take place in a time after Enterprise but before Star Trek: The Original Series, possibly during the Earth-Romulan War. These rumors have since been verified in large part by Jendresen.^[6]

However, on February 25, 2006, Douglas Mirabello, a personal assistant to Rick Berman, made an extensive posting at the Something Awful forums in which he denied that production on The Beginning was going forward, and claimed that Star Trek was dead for the time being. "The franchise needs a totally new creative team, some time off, and a cool new approach," he said.^[7] In Jendresen's words, "Essentially, what's being said is true. This is 'dead' because it's not moving forward. It's like a shark. It has got to keep moving or it's dead."^[6]

There has been no further word on Erik Jendresen's Star Trek script.^[8]

There also has been no word on whether Rod Roddenberry has been invited to become involved with the production of the new film.^[9]

Production

On April 20, 2006, the Associated Press reported that the eleventh Star Trek movie was officially in production. Citing sources at Paramount Pictures, the AP claimed that the untitled new movie would be directed and produced by J. J. Abrams, best known as the creator and executive producer of Lost and as the producer/director of Mission: Impossible III. Most of this information was later confirmed by Paramount and other sources. Longtime Abrams collaborators Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman have since independently confirmed that they will be writing the movie, with fellow Abrams alumnus Damon Lindelof co-producing. Kurtzman, Orci, and the final member of Abrams' production company, Bryan Burk, are all executive producers.

According to comments by Roberto Orci, the treatment for XI is done, and he and Kurtzman have begun writing the script. In an August interview, he hoped that they would complete a first draft by the end of October and a final version by Christmas 2006, and said that, "if all goes perfectly," that shooting might begin as early as summer 2007.^[10] However, unnamed sources speaking to The Trek Movie Report indicated in October that shooting may begin in the spring, partly to alleviate Abrams' overscheduling as executive producer for Lost, Six Degrees, and What About Brian, in addition to producing Trek XI. Sources have also claimed that informal auditions had already begun in early October.^[11] Despite Orci's hopes of an October script, however, J. J. Abrams said in a November 2 interview that, "they are in the midst of it and it's in progress."^[12] Despite some news agencies taking this as a sign of possible delay for Trek XI,^[13][14] Abrams appears to still believe in an accelerated schedule, saying in the interview that shooting next spring is, "realistic," and that, in fact, they are "otherwise... not going to make the date that we have."

Michael Giacchino, the composer for several other Abrams projects, including MI:3, Lost, and Alias has confirmed that he will score XI, although no official announcement has been made.^[15]

For many months after the film was announced, Abrams declined to make a decision about whether or not he would accept the directorship offered him by Paramount. In early December 2006, Variety and other news sources traded rumors about whether or not Abrams would direct.^[16][17][18] However, on February 23 2007, The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that Abrams had finally accepted Paramount's offer to direct Star Trek XI.^[19] Afterward, Paramount Pictures announced a release date of December 25, 2008.^[20]

Cast

No roles have been confirmed for Star Trek, nor is there any credible information definitely pointing to any actor or actress in any part in the movie. This has not prevented widespread speculation, rumoring, and occasional credible suggestions.

Much of this speculation involves Matt Damon playing Captain James T. Kirk. The rumor was widely reported as true after Marc Malkin of The Insider Online reported that J. J. Abrams had contacted William Shatner to get the former Kirk's permission to recast Damon in his place.^[21] Shatner's approving comments to USA Today seemed to confirm these rumors.^[22] The official Star Trek website later denied that Shatner had been contacted in any way.^[23] Shatner himself has been little help in attempting to verify the rumor, alternately encouraging, quashing, admitting, and denying reports that he has ever even spoken with Abrams about the movie, much less given his blessing to a new Captain Kirk. Damon's publicist, on the other hand, told the Wall Street Journal on August 5, 2006 that Damon himself has not been approached about the film to date.^[24] In December of 2006, Damon told Sci Fi Wire that he is open to assuming the role of Captain Kirk, but denied previous rumors that had already been approached about the role. Matt Damon, 36, is the same age that William Shatner was when he first took up the role.^[25]

The Trek Movie Report confirmed in August, after suggestive comments by Leonard Nimoy to the Toronto Star,^[26] that both Shatner and Nimoy have recently signed contracts giving them some approval power over any recasting of their Star Trek characters.^[27] It is unclear exactly how much power they have, as the full terms of the contract have not been revealed.

Other uncorroborated casting rumors have fingered Oscar-winner Philip Seymour Hoffman as playing a doctor other than Dr. McCoy in XI (possibly Dr. Mark Piper, McCoy's predecessor)^[28], and Damon's childhood friend and frequent film collaborator Ben Affleck as playing either Kirk or Spock.^[29] These rumors have been denied or disputed by Paramount^[28] and Moviehole.net,^[30] respectively. However, Moviehole.net went on to support the Hoffman rumor, though it is unclear whether this is based on the original IGN article or new information.

According to IGN news, as of February 2007 the actors being considered for Kirk, Spock, and McCoy are Matt Damon, Adrien Brody, and Gary Sinise, respectively.^[31]

Many other actors, including Daniel Craig, Greg Grunberg, Kevin Weisman, Harold Burgess, James McAvoy and Zachary Quinto have expressed interest in playing roles in Star Trek, but their comments have indicated no actual offers, personal auditions, or negotiations with the studio.

Storyline

Producer J. J. Abrams has stated repeatedly that "it is infinitely too early to be talking about the plot" of Star Trek XI.^[32] A number of sources, however, including Variety magazine,^[33] an interview with Abrams' childhood friend Greg Grunberg,^[34] and, most notably, a promotional poster released by Paramount and StarTrek.com,^[35] indicate a prequel movie, spotlighting James T. Kirk and Mr. Spock in their years before Kirk took command of the Starship Enterprise. Though the early report from Variety pointed to a story taking place at Starfleet Academy, with Kirk and Spock in their late teens or early twenties,^[33] Abrams specifically referred to those reports as being "premature" and "not entirely accurate." Abrams insists that, "We've made a pact not to discuss any specifics," though, so confirmed information is not forthcoming.^[36]

However, it is clear that Abrams has a particular vision of Star Trek, based on an interview he gave to Variety. "Star Trek to me was always about infinite possibility and the incredible imagination that Gene Roddenberry brought to that core of characters," he said. "It was a show about purpose, about faith vs. logic, about science vs. emotion, about us vs. them. It was its own world, and yet it was our world."^[32]

On July 22, at the Comic-Con convention in San Diego, Paramount Pictures began circulating a Star Trek XI promotional poster,^[35] believed to have been designed by J. J. Abrams.^[37] It bears the gold and blue colors of command and science and medical uniforms, respectively, from Kirk's era, and a 2008 release date etched in the lower left-hand corner. Dominating the image is a Starfleet badge of Kirk's era; however, the exact meaning of this badge is unclear. The badge seen in the poster was originally the command emblem for the Enterprise of Kirk's era. At that time, all ships, star bases, and even colonies expressed their own sense of community by creating and wearing such emblems, and the familiar delta shield design belonged exclusively to the USS Enterprise. However, beginning in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, the symbol was adopted as the logo for all of Starfleet, and thereafter was used in marketing collateral as a universal symbol of the entire Star Trek franchise.

On January 7, 2007, J.J. Abrams announced that the first draft script for the movie was complete and awaiting what he referred to as "tweaking." He remarked that it will satisfy "non-Trekkers" and that for those who love Star Trek, "the fix that they get will be very satisfying." He has said that it will begin filming in 2007, with a release date of 2008. Contrary to some reports, Abrams pointedly did not confirm details of the film or its plot.^[38][39]

According to writers Orci and Kurtzman, the movie is intended to be titled simply Star Trek.^[40] This title, however, has yet to be officially accepted by Paramount.^[41]

Fan reaction

The announcement of an eleventh film, only a year after the final episode of Star Trek: Enterprise aired, has caused quite a stir in the fan community.

There has been both support and opposition among the fan base for the prequel concept. Areas of concern run the gamut, from unease about recasting the iconic Kirk, Spock, and McCoy characters, to fears that a "Starfleet Academy" treatment would devolve into "Star Trek 90210." Some worry that longtime and highly controversial Trek producers Brannon Braga and Rick Berman will somehow be involved while others are concerned that Berman and Braga might not be involved. Others, especially members of fan group TrekUnited, continue to seek "closure" for ratings-challenged Star Trek: Enterprise, or the involvement of some of its popular season four writers and producers.

Of great concern to many fans is the level to which Abrams and his team will adhere to Star Trek canon. The prequel concept in particular raises questions of whether the movie might modify continuity, as either a retcon or a reboot. In interviews, Abrams has saluted both the fans and the continuity several times. "Being involved with a series that has a passionate and vocal following makes me incredibly sympathetic. They have put up with so many incarnations along the way. These fans, they are a smart bunch. They are an intelligent group. We are very respectful and we have no intention of subverting the material," he told Donald Clarke of The Irish Times.^[42] Later, to Empire, he said, "As someone who works on a show that has a very loyal and vocal fanbase, I do understand the need to be respectful... I think we can do the fans proud."^[43] Abrams has not seen Star Trek: Nemesis, and claims that the franchise eventually "disconnected" for him. However, Roberto Orci claims "immediate recall" of all things Trek, and has made comments indicating that he considers even the line of Star Trek novels to have canon value, although Gene Roddenberry never considered the novels to be canon.^[44] In contrast, Abrams has labeled Bryan Burk as being "relatively fresh" to the Star Trek universe. Abrams labeled himself as a "big fan", but not a "Trekker" nor a "Trekkie." ^[45]

References

Wikipedia information about Star Trek (film) This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Star Trek (film)". It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer). Help contribute to Americola and edit this article.