The Star Trek franchise is being given new life by the Genesis experiment Lost cocreator J.J. Abrams, the man behind this summer's Mission: Impossible III, Variety reports. The as-yet-untitled feature, slated for a fall 2008 release, will focus on the early adventures of James T. Kirk and Mr. Spock, including their first meeting at Starfleet Academy; Abrams will direct as well as help write and produce the pic. Is anyone else getting goose bumps, or am I just a big ol' Star Trek geek? Seriously, no one's Kirk Halloween costume could ever compare to mine.
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - More than three years after the last "Star Trek" movie crashed at the box office, the venerable sci-fi franchise is being revived by the director of the upcoming "Mission: Impossible" sequel, Daily Variety reported in its Friday edition.
The as-yet-untitled "Star Trek" feature, the 11th since 1979, is aiming for a fall 2008 release through Paramount Pictures, the Viacom Inc. unit looking to restore its box-office luster under new management, the trade paper said.
The project will be directed by J.J. Abrams, whose Tom Cruise vehicle "Mission: Impossible III" will be released by Paramount on May 5. Abrams, famed for producing the TV shows "Alias" and "Lost," will also help write and produce.
Daily Variety said the action would center on the early days of "Star Trek" characters James T. Kirk and Mr. Spock, including their first meeting at Starfleet Academy and first outer-space mission.
The paper described "Star Trek" as Hollywood's most durable performer after James Bond, spawning 10 features that have grossed more than $1 billion and 726 TV episodes from six series.
The 10th film, "Star Trek: Nemesis," bombed at the box office on its December 2002 release, earning just $43 million in North America. Last year, Viacom-owned broadcast network UPN pulled the plug on the low-rated series "Star Trek: Enterprise" following a four-season run.
I knew 10 was gonna suck and I went anyway. I wish I hadn't. It was just stupid.
What would be cool, is if they get a new Kirk in the movie, then grandfather him and the new spock into a kickin series on one of the major networks. They need to respect Star Trek and do it right. Get it away from Rick Berman and let someone with some talent run the ship.
Wouldn't it make more sense for him to play Spock, while Matt Damon plays Kirk? Why not have Jay and silent bob to do a cameo as some naieve aliens in the wrong place at the wrong time...
Please pardon my pseudo-intellectuaphilisophicalismysiticality.
Could they be thinking of bringing back William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy?
I wouldn't mind that. Those guys in their 70's. But they'd have to get Kirk out of that... place... he's stuck in.
Maybe have some strange spiritual episode where Kirk and Spock are chatting it up in Heaven (or whatever) and reminissing about old times in Star Fleet.... hmm...
Please pardon my pseudo-intellectuaphilisophicalismysiticality.
04-21-2006 03:52 PM
