The two script writers for the next film in the Star Trek franchise were recently on MTV.com and they dropped a few crumbs on the floor (about the movie) for us hungry press hounds to scarf-up. Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, longtime friends and collaborators with the film’s producer and director J.J. Abrams weren’t as free with the information as we would have liked, but they still revealed much more than we officially knew, eliminating some of the speculation. However, if you are expecting casting or storyline details, you will be disappointed.
First, something that will be good news to die-hard Trek fans, the setting will be mostly aboard a starship, not Starfleet Academy (as has been long rumored), secondly, the movie will be action-packed (more than Khan even), and with a much bigger budget than any previous film.
The other news is that this will be more of a reimaging of the original characters than a prequeal, which removes most of the danger of blowing established canon out of the airlock. And, the writers promise that this film will continue to adhere to the original vision of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, something that started to wane during the “Voyager” years. While not giving any of the plot away, both writers did indicate that the heart of the movie’s story will be what Star Trek has always been about, humanity reaching out beyond its grasp, finding its soul in the adventures of space and interaction with other species, and the friendships it forges between shipmates.
“We’re not going to start totally from scratch,” stated Orci. “We want it to feel like it’s updated and of the now. That’s actually the discussions we’re having now: how to keep the look of the universe yet have it not look like nothing’s new. It’s tricky.”
In a bit of surprise news, the film will probably not have the dreaded odd-number attached to it and will most likely be simply called “Star Trek.” The finalized title is still under discussion in the hallowed chambers of Abrams’ office. That too is a bit of good news for hardcore Trekkies since all the Trek films ending in an odd number were less than their even numbered counterparts, “Nemesis” being the exception to the rule.
Paramount appears to be behind this production 100 percent, which is a change from previous endeavors. They have given Abrams and company carte blance and have placed no limits on what he and his team would like to do. If there was one stipulation it was that the movie not be made just for a Star Trek audience, but that it have broad audience appeal and drawing power. That can both bode well or poorly depending on your point of view.
“They were just like, what would you do with ‘Star Trek’?” Orci beamed. “We’ve been watching [Trek] all our lives. I’ve even read the books. It was all about, what have I always wanted to see in Trek?”
“The economic models of the other [Trek movies] were very much based on the fans out there and their purchasing power,” Orci added. “With this one we’re going for the broad audience to bring people into Trek for the first time.”
Kurtzman agreed. “The challenge of the movie is to be 100 percent true to the fanbase but also to bring in a whole new group of people who’ve never seen Trek before.”
If you are a true Trek fan don’t worry too much. Both writers are themselves die-hard Trek fans and all that geeky Trek-speak will still be had along with the things that has made Star Trek the unique 40-year phenomenon.
“I actually love the technobabble!” Kurtzman said. “I don’t think you can do Trek without technobabble.”
One other note. Kurtzman and Orci did reveal that they and J.J. Abrams did actually visit with William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy to brief them and get their blessing.
“It was pretty much the most stressful thing ever, but it was wonderful,” Kurtzman said. “They were amazing.”
Ed from Texas says
Sounds promising. I grow cautiously optimistic.
Kreg Steppe says
I agree with you Ed. “cautiously” I am looking forward to it.
J. Marcus Xavier says
“The movie will be titled, simply, Star Trek”
RED ALERT, notify all the Star Trek fan associations immediately! No semi-colons or subtitles this time! But on a more serious note, thats an interesting 180 from the stance they took with “Enterprise,” where they tried to remove any reference to the shows Trek heritage in the title. Maybe it represents a turning around on the part of the Paramount Hollywood elites, and a recognition that the Star Trek franchise is actually a powerful and valuable brand?
Not likely.
“it will take place aboard a starship”
This one is just too easy, so I’m going to leave it alone.
“and they’re OK with Matt Damon playing Capt. James T. Kirk…Not that the writers confirmed that Damon had been cast, as rumored.”
Is this what we’re reduced to in Star Trek fandom these days? Wondering if MATT DAMON will now be the face of the new Battlestar Galactic–err–Star Trek? What about focusing on engaging stories with space-bound metaphors that challenge us to think about our own lives? What about characters that we care about? What about real risk and a sense of adventure, the kind of thing that set our hearts on fire as children and adolescents?
Alas, no. We get this:
“The writers wouldn’t discuss details of the story, other than to say it is a reimagining of the franchise that will remain true to its history, but aim for the broadest audience possible. Kurtzman promised: ‘There will be more action in this movie than any Trek that’s preceded it.'”
Because, you know, that’s really what Star Trek needs. Maybe if we just water it down to better appeal to the Dawson’s Creek audience and fill it with more fighting and explosions, that will solve the franchise’s problems. I mean, heck, it worked for Enterprise, didn’t it? It worked for Star Trek: Nemesis, didn’t it?
Both Enterprise and Star Trek Nemesis were (to one extent or another) predicated on the false assumption that what’s “wrong with Star Trek” can ultimately be fixed by straying farther and farther from Gene Rodenberry’s vision. If we fill it with tighter skirts, more action, and less character development, then every 13-35 year old in America will flock to it, right? Wrong.
This movie is going to fail. Just like Nemesis failed. Just like Enterprise failed. Why? Because it’s just another attempt to re-write Star Trek from the ground up. It doesn’t need to be re-written, it doesn’t need to be remixed. It’s an established brand that millions of people appreciate and are comfortable with. People seem to forget that Star Trek TNG was hugely rated, and it didn’t have to resort to the kind of nonsense that we’ve seen recently in the franchise.
You don’t bring Star Trek into the 21st century (in the entertainment sense) by re-writing it from the ground up. No, you ADD something to the already familiar mix. Starting over from the ground up is what caused so much trouble for Voyager, and what doomed Enterprise to failure before it began. TNG didn’t go off the air because of good ratings, that show went out with a bang. Start back there, and build off of it. What about having a story where the crew is joined by the first Romulan Starfleet officer? Or Cardassian, for that matter. What if the Breen want to join the Federation and there’s a plot to stop it from happening? These people have gone through several bloody wars, and the mixing of cultures is going to cause tension on personal, community, and galactic levels. There’s a lot of opportunity for drama in that situation alone . . . but somehow it’s better to hire people to work on Star Trek who can’t tell if Geordi LaForge is an alien or not, and have no concept of what “continuity” means.
Yeah, good job, Paramount.
J. Marcus Xavier | Executive Producer: The Silent Universe Podcast: Sci Fi Drama, direct to your ears!
Mark in St. Louis says
Personally, I think I would prefer a Star Trek movie from, to coin a phrase, a different point of view. Make it about the Klingons, Andorians, or maybe even the Orions. Where did tribbles come from, and why do they hate Klingons? Where did the planet killer come from, and why was it built?
There are many questions from original canon that have yet to be answered, with many different directions to go. Why does it have to be only about Starfleet?
J. Marcus Xavier says
I think it has to do with human characters being easier to relate to. A movie exclusively about the Klingons, Romulans (or, even worse) someone relatively obscure like the Orions would probably even turn off casual Trekkies. But that’s just my opinion.
Sam says
(Not SoSF’s Sam)
Hey, I’ve heard one or two conflicting rumours but does anyone know where the film will be shot?
People are saying Australia… any truth to this?
BRYAN says
I can not wait til STAR TREK XI comes out. I have been watching STAR TREK for a number of yrs. I think the new TREK film is going compliment the other TREK films..