Star Trek XI - What We Know 341
Jean Lucy writes "TwitchGuru has an article outlining in detail what is known about Star Trek XI. The film is in the early stages of production, led by J.J. Abrams (creator of Lost), and the movie will most likely be a prequel featuring Kirk and Spock in their younger years. No word of Matt Damon to play Kirk, though..." From the article: "As reported in early September, even former Star Trek actors are saying that CBS has kicked Rick Berman off the Trek bandwagon. This helps to allay the fears of those who say that 'they' will screw up this movie as 'they' have been doing for the past several years. As Anthony Pascale put it to me, however, 'There is no they any more. Everyone who has worked on Star Trek previously, from the top executives at the studio to the guy who sweeps the floor on-set, is gone. There's now a totally different production team running Star Trek. This is what people have been asking for now for years.'"
Harsh (Score:5, Funny)
Poor guy...
Re:Harsh (Score:5, Funny)
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Poor guy...
Don't feel too bad for him he's head of programing now.
Re:Harsh (Score:5, Funny)
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Yeah, first they cut Wil's scene, and now this.
What a shame.
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Myspace Alert (Score:2)
you're extremely brave to post the URL to THAT myspace page. I have seen people on Slashdot hanged, drawn and quartered for much less.
CBS? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:CBS? (Score:5, Insightful)
You do realize that only half a dozen distinct corporations control 99% of the entertainment industry, don't you?
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Actually, It's only ten [thenation.com].
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Re:CBS? (Score:5, Informative)
Basically, CBS created Paramount, which split off back in the 1970s, which was eventually aquired by Viacomm, which got swallowed back up by CBS.
Since corporate splits and mergers rarely make sense to me- go read the wikipedia article instead.
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Wait, wasn't that a Star Trek episode where the giant space amoeba
Lucille Ball! (Score:2)
*Ricky Ricardo voice*: Luuuuuccyyy, I'm back from the Romulan Neutral Zone! (hits bongo drum)
- Bee Tiberius Beard
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There was CBS, it created Viacom to syndicate old tv shows. Westinghouse bought CBS, renamed to CBS Corporation, Viacom bought CBS Corporation. Viacom didn't like the new structure so split into two groups, one named CBS Corporation and . . . Viacom.
Paraount! CBS! Star Trek! Lost in Space! (Score:2)
You've got the story slightly muddled. Paramount dates back to the silent movie era. The CBS radio network was founded in 1927, partly with backing from Paramount.
The company that CBS created was Viacom itself. Viacom started out as CBS's syndication [wikipedia.org] division, and got spun off in 1971. Somehow, Viacom became this massive media conglomerate, buying up dozens (literally!) of companies, including both Paramount and its former parent CBS. When it bought CBS it renamed itself CBS.
And that why's CBS owns Star Tr
Viacom (Score:2)
That's how it happened but it's sorta turned around when you state it like that. The Viacom of today [wikipedia.org] is not the same as the Viacom media giant we all used to know.
Viacom didn't get swallowed back up by CBS, CBS got swallowed up by Viacom, which then split itself into two entities, the larger one took the CBS nam
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Separated [wikipedia.org] at Birth [startrek.com]!
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New Trek Comics (Score:3, Informative)
Everyone gone? (Score:4, Funny)
They fired Steve? Bastards!
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>
>They fired Steve? Bastards!
But also in TFA:
"...the movie will most likely be a prequel featuring Kirk and Spock in their younger years"
So sure, they fired Berman from his janitorial duties, but because there a slash-fic author managed to sneak into the focus group, so they hired that Foley creep in his place.
"There's clingons on the aft nacelle, s
I don't care about young Kirk! (Score:4, Informative)
Re:I don't care about young Kirk! (Score:5, Interesting)
The real problem with prequels is trying to squeeze existing characters into them (yes George Lucas, I'm looking at you). A prequel to Star Wars with Luke in it would be very dull (he was just a farm-boy, after all), or it would destroy continuity. A prequel to Star Trek that had both Kirk and Spock in it would just leave the fans wincing.
Prequels themselves are not a bad idea, but they are difficult to execute. There is a lot of Star Trek continuity you are constantly running into. The first episode of Enterprise had me wincing as they seemed to be trying to cram as many continuity errors into 40 minutes as possible. Sequels are generally easier, although it would be difficult to follow the Voyager finale where Janeway single-handedly defeated the Borg using a shuttle from a couple of decades in the future (are the Federation really only 20 years behind the Borg in terms of tech?). I might be tempted to take the series in a completely different direction; make a show about a group of Vulcan and Romulan terrorists/freedom fighters on Romulus pushing a reunificationist agenda, for example. Have the occasional interaction with the Federation (possibly some weapons being smuggled to them by Star Fleet Intelligence, and the moral issues involved with supporting 'terrorists'), but keep it mainly focussed on the Romulan Star Empire.
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The Borg has always disappointed me for just this reason. They've been wandering the cosmos for ages scooping up races. They should have technology that makes ours utterly pointless. But I guess it's okay given that Star Trek is fantasy, not Science-Fiction :P
I have an idea! (Score:5, Funny)
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Q: If an indian armed with bow and arrow met a white man with a rifle, how long until they were on comparable levels of tech?
A: About the time it takes to shoot with the bow and arrow and take his rifle.
A few decades can be next to forever whe
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What a short memory you have.
USS Cole bombing [wikipedia.org]
Re:I don't care about young Kirk! (Score:5, Funny)
Or... or... an entire series about the Mirror Universe! Fu-manchus and gold bikinis all around! They could even recast the same actors, use half of the same plots, and rebuild all of the old sets... just EVIL!
You could even have it written and directed by the Mirror Universe Rick Berman, who makes thoughtful, entertaining, and understated cinematic art.
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My prediction: It will suck, hard, particularly with no one previously involved in Trek involved. A prequel works, if it all, by carefully balancing new insights with fidelity to the original charac
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No kidding. I'd much rather see a movie that took place in the future with Riker as Captain of the Enterprise with that uber-awesome cannon on top where the federation was in chaos. Kickass space battles, the universe at war, lots of death and phasers and really cool stuff...
None of this prequel crap. it sucked with Star Wars. It sucked with Enterprise, and it'll
I don't know if a complete replacement is good... (Score:5, Insightful)
I think that replacing the problem people is a good idea, but replacing some of the other key old hands who know Trek inside and out? This along with the report on NPR this morning that A TON of old Star Trek memrobelia, props, costumes, ship models, etc are being auctioned, has me worried.
Sure Trek was really going downhill fast since Voyager, but fix the problem, don't just toss it all away. We still want our Trek, not something new.
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Comparing to Marvel, I think their "Ultimate" universe restart was one of the best ideas they had had in a long time, as while the characters were basically the same, it helped s
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I think you confused Voyager for DS9. The aftermath of a war would make a good story, and if it is properly executed, you can entice new viewers to the series while tying it into past continuity. It can even be used to increase sales of DS9 on DVD.
Think about it. The setting is
Re:I don't know if a complete replacement is good. (Score:2)
Re:I don't know if a complete replacement is good. (Score:2)
People like that should be the first against the wall.
Seriously.
Re:I don't know if a complete replacement is good. (Score:3, Interesting)
Everyone? (Score:4, Insightful)
I don't know if this is exactly what people have been clamoring for. Quite a few people, yeah, they needed to go to get some fresh blood in there. But to mix in some new people and still have have some people around who have a history with Trek and who understand what the franchise is about wouldn't be so bad. Hopefully.
I guess it could go either way, though. You could bring in all new people who also have an understanding as to what it's all about and have them really rejuvenate things. Or they could get people like that guy who directed Nemesis (Stuart Baird) who was so clueless about the franchise that he thought Geordi was an alien for awhile.
Re:Everyone? (Score:5, Funny)
I was. I hated the guy who swept the floor.
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See, in TOS you had the brushed kind of metal/plastic grey floors that were so classic in the sixties. You couldn't see dirt or footprints in that, you waxed it - it was shiny, it was a little camp, a little primitive by today's standards, but you kind of look past that, you see the show for what it really is at the core: a clean, shiny floor.
TNG took a while to find its own direction, but I think carpets were a good logical development on the theme. You brought in new technology - vacuum cleaners, carpet
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Okay, jokes aside, in any case, I guess it's more of a wait and see thing at this point.
And to those who are gonna slam me re: the BSG ref, I like the new series.
Hurry up and make this, then make Star Trek XII (Score:5, Funny)
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Amazing (Score:2, Funny)
Someone at CBS actually has a brain?
New production crew, why not new characters? (Score:3, Interesting)
I don't like the idea of introducing new characters and a set in a Star Trek movie, but I dislike the idea of bringing back old characters in their early academy days even more.
What is this movie going to be about? Kirk spent the night with a girl when he should have been studying for his final test, Spock tries to warn Kirk, but Kirk doesn't listen. Now Kirk may not pass and become a officer. The future of the entire Alpha Quadrant is at stake, Kirk won't be able to fly the Enterprise around and seduce alien women!
Let's move beyond prequels let's even pass up the 24th century. We already know the past, lets see the future of the Federation of Planets in the 27th or beyond.
To the guy that sweeps the floor. (Score:3, Funny)
NOOOOOOOooooooooo!!!!!!
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They Killed Data... (Score:5, Insightful)
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That said, I dunno if the new movie will be any good, I'd rather see the Federation in the 27th-29th centuries.
Prequel!?! What's next? (Score:5, Funny)
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Trek needs NEW, not OLD (Score:5, Insightful)
Bring back any of the TNG/DS9/VOY actors that want a job; seed the environment with a couple familiar faces. Everybody loves Worf and Michael Dorn basically never turns down a chance to come back, get him. Get some new blood and tell a new tale. How about the crew of the Titan; heading up that task force near the neutral zone, that has some options and I'm sure Frakes needs a job. How about a period of recovery for the Alpha Quadrant post Dominion War; paralleling the WW2 Europe -> European Union evolution?
Maybe you like my ideas, maybe you don't. All I'm saying is seek out new life, and new civilizations; and don't try and cowardly go where we've already been a billion times. Unless you're trying to duplicate the success of Enterprise
~Rebecca
No one's gonna watch this movie because.. (Score:5, Funny)
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I thought that limitation only applied to that specific warp corridor?
Riker takes the Enterprise to Warp 13 towards the end of "All Good Things".
Bring back the Gorn, dammit! (Score:2)
Fuck, a prequel? That's pretty damn sad. Didn't they learn anything from Enterprise?
You know what I want to see (it's there in the subject line so you shouldn't have to guess too hard). That's right, the friggin' Gorn. That was the coolest damn alien in the original series and he only got one episode. Stronger than hell but also very clever. They seem like they would be an interesting species to have as an enemy. There was a ST:TNG comic featuring the gorn that made them sound like just another warr
Thank GOD! (Score:2, Insightful)
It was bad enough hearing Berman defend his crappy opening credits music choice for Enterprise on the first season DVD.. About time he got the boot.
I for one welcome the new trekkie overlords..
"You killed my franchise. Prepare to die." (Score:5, Funny)
-- Ensign Montoya
from the creators of Lost (Score:3, Funny)
half of the crew is the enemy.
there is a lot of sexual homosexual hermaphoditic and beastial sexual tension going around.
you have two watch 10 movies just to know what is going on.
oh yea and their trapped in an alternate univers that they cant get out of.
Prequilitis (Score:4, Funny)
So Kirk will be 12 and Spock will be 100 and McCoy will *still* be 90 and Uhura will not have developed yet.
It will die quickly.
Brokeback Enterprise (Score:5, Funny)
Kirk and Spock were young men with dreams of trvavelling the universe. As they tweaked the knobs on their prototype spacecraft, Kirk let out a sigh and said "Is it getting hot in here, Spock?" The nubile, yet distinguished young Vulcan replied "My temperature sensor does indeed indicate much wamrth and humidity." Kirk nodded coyly to Spock as he peeled off his lycra bodysuit. "That seems like a logical thing to do," noted Spock as he proceeded to do likewise, revealing his silky-skinned chest. Striking up a conversational mood, Spock enquired "What is this thing you humans call fisting? Is it a medical procedure?" Kirk winked and said "It's the way we calibrate the Warp Drive." Unaware of Kirk's subtext, Spock replied "Most interesting. Would you care to demonstrate these techniques in the interest of knowledge?" Kirk tried to subdue his enthusiasm. "Oh damn, I dropped my wrench. Could you bend over and pick it up for me?" Kirk could no longer control himself. "Engage! Engage like a pig!" he cried, as he set his thrusters to full.
Re:Brokeback Enterprise (Score:4, Informative)
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I can already think of one problem (Score:2)
It's just like in the Star
Early concept designs (Score:2)
Haiku (Score:2)
Attempt to reap more money
It will suck and blow
Re:Haiku (Score:4, Funny)
Three Words (Score:5, Interesting)
Wesley
Crusher
BS (Score:2)
It happened during First Contact... (Score:3, Insightful)
Although if they'd wanted to portray it in a humorous manner, (although it would have clashed with the existing vibe at the end of the film, as I said) as the Enterprise left Earth at the end of First Contact it would have been appropriate I think to have a spacebound shark [wikipedia.org] at the bottom of the screen, with the Enterprise entering warp above it.
Star Trek is dead. Let it rest in peace.
Creativity (Score:5, Interesting)
I say set the next story 60 years in the future. Have the Vulcans break away from the Federation to pursue their own logical ideas. Have the Klingons a now extinct race. The Romulans haven't been heard from in 30 years. The Ferengi have been accepted into the Federation. The Borg have become completely independent from the Collective, yet they continue to assimiliate. Make them evangelicals of a better way of life. You know, just shake everything up. Make it completely foriegn from the Star Trek we have come to know, but also have it link back to the prior series.
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Actually, the fifth movie sucks donkey. You are right however that The Undiscovered Country was pretty good, but its the sixth.
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier [imdb.com]
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country [imdb.com]
Cheers!
~Rebecca
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~Rebecca
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I actually liked it a lot more than IX - Insurrection and V - The Final Frontier.
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I knew so when they started talking about their breasts.
Not so fast! (Score:3, Insightful)
Nuh uhhhh, Picard * (Score:5, Funny)
# Quotes Shakespeare all the time. Hell, even the ability to speak without pausing every two to three seconds puts him above Kirk
# Not only the president of the Enterprise, but also a client.
# Was turned into a robot. Robots are cool.
# Can say "Make it so" in 43 different inflections in 6 different languages.
# Isn't a walking sexual harassment suit. Hiring Picard instead of a skirt-chaser like Kirk is estimated to have saved the Federation 23 billion credits worth of legal fees and hush money paid to the mothers of illegitimate children spread out across hundreds of star systems.
# Has an annoying techno song compsed totally of his lines. Then someone took the time to make a music video by finding the scenes the lines were from, and editing them to fit the song. Crazy.
# Wasn't made an admiral. Kirk told him not to let starfleet promote him, and he didn't. Therfore Picard is better.
# Picard would never, ever tell his fans to GET A LIFE!
# Kirk was a leader of followers. That's the only reason he (almost) got away with it.
# Picard's worst episodes were originally written for Kirk.
# Picard discovers new life, new civilizations and strange new worlds, not discarded movie sets from 1950s period dramas.
# Picard can act out entire Shakespearean plays, not merely remember 5 or 6 lines.
# Picard can get his ship to orbit a planet in both directions.
# Picard would never ever date a shape-shifter who had previously morphed into a little girl.
# Picard doesn't need to wear glasses.
# Picard has so much backbone Starfleet designers had to cut out a section of his command chair for it all to fit in.
# Picard didn't have to reprogram a computer to give him better grades in order to graduate from Starfleet Academy.
# Picard has to contend with crap Starfleet Admirals. If he stole a starship only to have it get destroyed, he'd get vaporized, not given captaincy of a new one like in the easy old days.
# Picard commands his ship using the big head.
# Picard has a ship whose engines can take it.
# Three words: seven whole seasons.
# Picard never uses Grecian 2000.
# Picard has to contend with the "Prime Directive", a ruling imposed on him by Starfleet after they saw what a complete shambles resulted when they let Kirk meet new alien races.
# The only way Picard would allow Tribbles on his ship would be as hors d'oeuvres.
# Picard never met Joan Collins.
# Picard's bridge doesn't sound like an aviary.
# Picard participates in the odd archaeological dig. Kirk would make a suitable subject for one.
# One question: to which Captain would you entrust the safety of your daughter?
# Picard is far too cool to beam down to a planet, strip to his waist and wrestle with some guy in a rubber lizard suit. He lets his First Officer do all that for him.
# Picard never shot his best friend's body into space in a photon torpedo.
# Kirk probably thinks a concerto is a kind of ice cream dessert.
# Picard doesn't need hair, real or not.
# Picard's crew are too sophisticated to be taken over by a bunch of women in gogo boots and have the most intelligent person aboard controlled by a box that has less buttons than a Super Nintendo joypad.
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# Picard's adventures spun off three new series, each longer than Kirk's run. Kirk only inspired a one-seasoned cartoon, and six movies.
# Kirk's First Officer played some form of Vulcan harp, an instrument that makes the trombone look like just about the most macho thing this side of Kirk's toupee.
# How many innocent yellow-shirted security officers have been killed by crazed al
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Also:
# Picard - Won the Academy marathon as a freshman. Kirk - A stack of books with legs.
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Re:What's known? (Score:5, Insightful)
ST:TWOK(2) is good entertainment.
ST:TUC(6) is decent entertainment on par with ST:TSFS(3) and ST:TVH(4).
What I mean by "they all suck" is that they don't hold up well today. Watching them is like watching Logans Run, severely dated and off.
The only one that stands out as a decent timeless piece of science fiction is ST:TMP(1).
ST:TMP holds up as well today as it did then; slow, kind of boring, pretty to look at and listen to.
It is not nearly as dated as the rest of them and has a better vision of technology in the future.
One of the worst offenders of displaying future tech was ST:G(7). That movie is as dated as any Twilight Zone/Night Gallery episode that dealt with future technology.
Why the hell do camera crews have huge cameras on their heads when a starship can view, while in orbit, people on a planet at a comfortable distance?
The worst one was ST:TFF(5) followed by ST:N(10),ST:G(7),ST:I(9) as far as being unwatchable.
The only watchable Next Gen crew movie was ST:FC(8).
Alien holds up extremely well today. The only dated piece is the `mother` computer room but maybe by then, Linux will really have a foothold and command line interfaces will be commonplace.
Planet of the Apes (1968) is another timeless piece of Sci Fi.
Star Trek:The Motion Picture is probably the best Star Trek movie in terms of what Star Trek is about.
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That's what you get for leaving your screen unlocked.
Ahh, I see you're not familiar with the illustrious GNAA [www.gnaa.us]... (I'd prefer not even to type what that stands for)
Ich.
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I don't think The Passion of Kahless would bring in the Christian movie-going crowd.
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Sounds Best In Klingon (Score:2)
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Meh, Lost is kinda crap but it's entertaining crap. They took an ensemble cast and let fly with all kinds of wild ideas about where they all came from and what they're supposed to be doing. When people start analyzing every frame of the episode and reading hidden meanings into it, I tune right out. Timeless classic, it ain't. It's fun popcorn TV. I'll be watching the new season.
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The original Death Star did not have any kind of energy shield. I've also never seen the Death Star go faster than light, although I presume it must, in order to travel from planet to planet -- regardless, anything faster than light in Star Wars must enter hyperspace to do so, which is difficult, takes a lot of calculations and preparation.
The Enterprise can go Warp 8 easily, and actually be maneuverable at that speed. If Luke can