Star Trek XI
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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. | Image:Crystal Clear app aktion.png |
| Star Trek XI | |
|---|---|
| Image:ST11poster1.jpg Star Trek XI teaser poster | |
| Directed by | J. J. Abrams (offered) |
| Produced by | J. J. Abrams Damon Lindelof |
| Written by | Alex Kurtzman Roberto Orci |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
| Release date(s) | 2008 |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Preceded by | Star Trek: Nemesis |
| IMDb profile | |
Star Trek XI is the working title of the planned eleventh entry in the Star Trek film series, based upon Gene Roddenberry's science fiction franchise. The film received extensive coverage in the entertainment press during 2005-2006. 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 being given the option to direct 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 release date is expected to be in 2008; however, neither an official release date nor a title has been announced.
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[edit] 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. Due to the 2004-2005 failures of the franchise, however, including the tenth movie, Star Trek: Nemesis, and the cancellation in 2005 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.<ref>McNary, Dave. "Trekkers consider series' future", Variety, 2005-02-15. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.</ref>
Despite being tangled up in rumors of other screenplays under consideration<ref>"Singer Considers Trek Movie", SCI FI Wire, 2005-12-05. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.</ref><ref>Davidson, Paul. "Star Trek 2010?", IGN.com, 2005-07-26. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.</ref><ref>Leao, Gustavo. "Patrick Stewart Says STAR TREK XI May Feature Characters from Various TREK Series", TrekWeb.com, 2006-01-19. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.</ref><ref>"More Star Trek Rumors", CanMag.com, 2005-12-13. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.</ref>, the Jendresen script was widely believed to be in pre-production. It was believed that the story, entitled 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.<ref name="syfy">Hinman, Michael. "Star Trek XI Is Down, But It Is Not Out", SyFy Portal, 2006-04-12. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.</ref>
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. <ref>Cullen, Ian. "No More Trek Claims Insider And PA For Rick Berman", SciFiPulse.net, 2006-02-25. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.</ref> 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." <ref name="syfy" />
There has been no further word on Erik Jendresen's Star Trek script.
[edit] 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, although Abrams has not yet decided whether to direct. (He has confirmed that he will produce.) 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. The film is expected to be released in 2008, based on multiple reports and the recently released promotional poster, although Paramount Pictures has (as of September 2006) yet to make an official release date announcement.
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. <ref>"Orci Reveals Star Trek XI Schedule", TrekMovie.com, 2006-08-24. Retrieved on 2006-08-26.</ref> 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. <ref>"Trek XI Update: Abrams Already Auditioning Actors - On Track To Start Shooting In Spring", TrekMovie.com, 2006-10-19. Retrieved on 2006-10-19.</ref> Despite Orci's hopes of an October script, however, J. J. Abrams said in a November 2 interview <ref>"Trek XI Falling Behind?", IGN, 2006-11-08. Retrieved on 2006-11-09.</ref> that, "they are in the midst of it and it’s in progress." Despite some news agencies taking this as a sign of possible delay for Trek XI <ref>"Abrams Talks Kirk and Spock With TrekMovie.com", TrekMovie.com, 2006-11-02. Retrieved on 2006-11-09.</ref><ref>"Trek XI Already Hitting Scheduling Problems", Cinematical.com, 2006-11-08. Retrieved on 2006-11-09.</ref>, 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.<ref>"Composing Trek XI", IGN.com, 2006-08-22. Retrieved on 2006-08-23.</ref>
[edit] Cast
No roles have been confirmed for Star Trek XI, nor is there any credible information definitely pointing to any actor or actress in any part in the movie. There have been a number of rumors and some well-sourced speculation, however.
Much of this points to 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.<ref>Malkin, Marc. "Matt Damon's Star Trek Blessing", Yahoo! Entertainment, 2006-06-20. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.</ref> Shatner's approving comments to USA Today seemed to confirm these rumors.<ref>"Emmy nominees share their thoughts", USA Today, 2006-07-10. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.</ref> The official Star Trek website later denied that Shatner had been contacted in any way.<ref>"News Roundup: Christie's; Online Trekking; Rumors Refuted", StarTrek.com, 2006-07-10. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.</ref> Writer Tony Pascale of The Trek Movie Report has launched an investigation of the matter, with some success, reporting that both Malkin and StarTrek.com stand by their stories. He speculates that both may be true: "Shatner may be acquiescing to the cloak of secrecy that J.J. Abrams has imposed."<ref>Pascale, Tony. "Abrams Lured to Surprise B'day party with Shatner Meeting Ruse", The Trek Movie Report, 2006-08-02. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.</ref>
Pascale later confirmed, after suggestive comments by Leonard Nimoy to the Toronto Star<ref>Arpe, Malene. "Future Enterprisers", Toronto Star, 2006-08-27. Retrieved on [[2006-09-04]].</ref>, that both Shatner and Nimoy have recently signed contracts giving them some approval power over any recasting of their Star Trek characters.<ref>Pascale, Tony. "Confirmed: Nimoy & Shatner Have ‘Recasting Approval’ Contracts", The Trek Movie Report, 2006-08-31. Retrieved on 2006-09-04.</ref> It is unclear exactly how much power they have, as the full terms of the contract have not been revealed.
Other uncorroborated 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)<ref name="newblood">"New Blood for Star Trek", IGN.com, 2006-04-21. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.</ref> and Ben Affleck as playing either Kirk or, in light of the Damon rumors, Mr. Spock.<ref>Schneider, Karl. "Ben Affleck is Captain Kirk?", Cinescape, 2006-05-02. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.</ref> These rumors have been denied or disputed by Paramount<ref name="newblood" /> and Moviehole.net<ref>Morris, Clint. "Moviehole MailBag - 17/5/06", Moviehole.net, 2006-05-17. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.</ref>, 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. Damon's publicist told the Wall Street Journal on August 5, 2006 that Matt has not been approached about the film to date.<ref>Lavallee, Andrew. "Trekkies Worry Damon Will Go Where One Man Has Gone Before", Wall Street Journal, 2006-08-05. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.</ref>
[edit] Storyline
Producer J. J. Abrams has stated repeatedly that "it is infinitely too early to be talking about the plot" of Star Trek XI.<ref name="starscribe">Adalian, Josef. "Star scribe beams up", Variety, 2006-07-18. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.</ref> A number of sources, however, including Variety magazine,<ref name="newleader">McNary, Dave. "Trekkies have a new leader", Variety, 2006-04-20. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.</ref> an interview with Abrams' childhood friend Greg Grunberg,<ref>"Abrams Pal Greg Grunberg Attests Star Trek XI To Go Back in Time", TrekWeb.com, 2006-05-06. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.</ref> and, most notably, a promotional poster released by Paramount and StarTrek.com,<ref name="newposter">"New Poster Sends Clues to Direction of Next Movie", StarTrek.com, 2006-07-22. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.</ref> 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,<ref name="newleader" /> 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.<ref>"It Won't Be Kirk And Spock", Empire, 2006-04-26. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.</ref>
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."<ref name="starscribe" />
On July 22, at the Comic-Con convention in San Diego, Paramount Pictures began circulating a Star Trek XI promotional poster,<ref name="newposter" /> believed to have been designed by J. J. Abrams.<ref>"Designer of Star Trek XI Teaser Poster Confirmed…It’s JJ Abrams!", TrekMovie.com, 2006-08-22. Retrieved on 2006-08-23.</ref> 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. Beginning in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, however, 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.
[edit] 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; others worry 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.<ref>"Cruise Controller", The Irish Times, 2006-05-05. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.</ref> 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."<ref>"Abrams Has New Ideas For 'Trek XI'", TrekToday.com, 2006-06-01. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.</ref> 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.<ref>Krutzler, Steve. "Abrams Cohorts Emphasize Respect for Mythology in Trek XI, Say Script Will Contain Old and New", TrekWeb.com, 2006-06-07. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.</ref> 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".<ref>"J.J. Abrams Reveals the Spirit of Star Trek XI", TrekWeb.com, 2006-06-19. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.</ref>
[edit] References
<references/>
[edit] External links
- Star Trek XI at the Internet Movie Database
- Star Trek XI article at Memory Alpha, the Star Trek wiki.
- The Star Trek Movie Report: Independent website dedicated to exhaustive XI news coverage and commentary.
| Star Trek television series and feature films | ||
| Television series The Original Series · The Animated Series · The Next Generation · Deep Space Nine · Voyager · Enterprise | ||
| TOS-Era Feature films The Motion Picture · The Wrath of Khan · The Search for Spock · The Voyage Home · The Final Frontier · The Undiscovered Country | ||
| TNG-Era Feature films Generations · First Contact · Insurrection · Nemesis | ||
| Unknown-Era Feature films XI | ||
