Star Trek XI- Official now- 12.25.2008 (merged)

Nelson Au · 02-27-2007, 02:32 PM

It's official, Star Trek XI is green lit and slated for release December 25, 2008.

I must say, that JJ Abrams is saying all the right things, but I am ambivalent about the news. I want to be happy, but re-boots can be either great or bad. It depends on where you stand as a fan, an old one or a fresh new one.

Casino Royale was a good movie, but I don't know if I want to see a young cocky James T. Kirk who makes mistakes (As Bond was in CR) and hasn't been assigned the Enterprise yet. It's conjecture as to the story, it could be Academy days or early days in Starfleet as a young officer on another ship. But it's suppose to include Spock and McCoy. If you ask me, the first half of the first season of TOS was early days of Kirk, Spock and McCoy.

We'll see, I will be open minded.

Here's the official press release:

J.J. ABRAMS TO DIRECT STAR TREK FEATURE FILM FOR PARAMOUNT PICTURES IN THEATERS CHRISTMAS DAY 2008

HOLLYWOOD, CA, February 26, 2007 – “Star Trek,” one of the most popular and successful franchises in the history of movies and television, returns to the big screen under the creative vision of J.J. Abrams, the force behind “Lost,” “Alias” and “Mission Impossible III” for Paramount Pictures.

The team behind the film will include Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci (‘Mission Impossible III”) who wrote the screenplay and will executive produce with Bryan Burk. JJ Abrams and “Lost” co-creator Damon Lindelof will produce. The film will begin shooting this fall for a Christmas Day 2008 release.

One of the most popular film and television franchises of all time, “Star Trek” has encompassed 726 total episodes for television in six different series, beginning with the original 1966-1969 series created by Gene Roddenberry. The 10 “Star Trek” films have grossed in excess of $1 billion at the worldwide box office. The original characters have been named among the 50 greatest TV characters of all time and the Enterprise has lent its name to two proposed spacecrafts.

"If there’s something I’m dying to see, it’s the brilliance and optimism of Roddenberry’s world brought back to the big screen,” said Abrams. “Alex and Bob wrote an amazing script that embraces and respects Trek canon, but charts its own course. Our goal is to make a picture for everyone — life-long fans and the uninitiated. Needless to say, I am honored and excited to be part of this next chapter of Star Trek."

Brad Grey, chairman and CEO, Paramount Pictures, said, “We could not be more thrilled to be back in business with J.J. Abrams. The revival of the ‘Star Trek’ franchise is an important part of Paramount’s turnaround.”

About Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global company that produces and distributes filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading entertainment content company with prominent and respected brands including Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks. The company’s labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, DreamWorks, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studios, and Worldwide Television Distribution.

Fact Sheet
“Star Trek” is one of the most popular film and television franchises of all time:
- 726 total episodes for television spanning six television series
- Original series, created by Gene Roddenberry, aired on NBC from 1966-1969
- 10 movies, grossing in total over $1 billion at the worldwide box office
- Hundreds of novels
- $3.5 billion in consumer products
- 3 million visitors of Las Vegas’s “Star Trek: The Experience” since 1998
- Over 60 interactive software products since 1991; games in production for current and next generation game platforms

J.J. Abrams is a talent widely admired by audiences and critics alike:
- Winner of two Emmy Awards for “Lost”
- 17 million viewers each week for “Lost”; a top-ten show
- Hailed by the New York Times as “one of the most exhilarating storytellers in television”
- Director of “Mission: Impossible III”
- Creator of “Alias” and “Felicity”

“Star Trek” has influenced the culture:
- NASA’s first test shuttle was named “Enterprise”
- The first commercial passenger carrier into space, Virgin Galactic, has announced that the first spacecraft of the line will be named V. S. S. Enterprise
- An episode of the original “Star Trek” featured television’s first interracial kiss
- Spock, portrayed by Leonard Nimoy, was named one of TV’s “50 Greatest Characters Ever” by TV Guide

**HTF Ads**

Gary Seven · 02-27-2007, 03:43 PM

This quote alone....

"If there’s something I’m dying to see, it’s the brilliance and optimism of Roddenberry’s world brought back to the big screen,” said Abrams. “

is very encouraging. Let's hope it comes to fruition.

Dave Simpson · 02-27-2007, 05:39 PM

IMDb today unofficially reports Matt Damon, Adrien Brody, and Gary Sinise cast as the principals. Cheers.

DS.

Sam Favate · 02-27-2007, 05:47 PM

Sounds like it is off to a promising start. Abrams' quote is the best thing in the release. That's a lofty promise, and I hope the film can live up to it. One could argue that Roddenberry's vision hasn't been seen on the big screen since the first Star Trek film (which is a film I have come to have great affection for).

Gary Seven · 02-27-2007, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Favate

One could argue that Roddenberry's vision hasn't been seen on the big screen since the first Star Trek film (which is a film I have come to have great affection for).

I agree completely and was going to post that point myself.

The first happens to be my favorite.

Lou Sytsma · 02-27-2007, 06:32 PM

Me three. Here is hoping that JJ can pull it off. I can't wait to see the Constitution class of starships on the big screen!

Quentin · 02-27-2007, 07:18 PM

Matt Damon has long been rumored as Kirk. I'm not so sure about Brody as Spock...kind of hoping that's a bad rumor. I like the idea of Sinise as McCoy. A little older, and able to pull off the attitude.

BrettGallman · 02-27-2007, 07:26 PM

I'm kind of torn on this, but for none of the reasons cited above.

I'm really excited about it, but why release this on Christmas day? I never go to the movies on Christmas. It just seems too weird to me.

But anyway, Gary Sinise is an ace casting choice for McCoy. Damon as Kirk sounds good too.

Kevin Grey · 02-27-2007, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrettGallman

I'm kind of torn on this, but for none of the reasons cited above.

I'm really excited about it, but why release this on Christmas day? I never go to the movies on Christmas. It just seems too weird to me.

Christmas is traditionally a very heavy movie going day and the week after it when everyone has off is pure gold. My family has had a tradition of going to a movie Christmas night for many years and the theaters are always packed.

Sam Favate · 02-28-2007, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Seven

The first happens to be my favorite.

When I saw this in the theater back in '79, I was not-quite 13, so I think it was too mature a picture for me. But as I rediscovered it years later on VHS, it grew on me, to the point where I was driven crazy by Paramount's decision to reverse-release all the Trek films on DVD. I think TMP is the movie that best captures Roddenberry's vision; he was said to be unhappy with the militant overtones of Nicholas Meyer's work. I also think Trek IV reflects the Roddenberry philosophy well. TMP also has impressive visuals and set and costume designs. I know the "pajama" uniforms have been criticed, but they are closer to TOS than anything since, and seem a logical progression from those designs.

Giving audiences a mature Star Trek is a tall order and a tough sell, which is why I think Abrams has his work cut out for him.

That said, I like the choice of Brody for Spock. He's a great actor and is very expressive. He'll do very well in the role if things can be worked out.

Josh Simpson · 02-28-2007, 08:41 AM

I just have this fear of having to see the backstory on everything these days. All these prequels, remakes, and reboots. I will be optimistic and hope it will be a breath of fresh air.