I won't pretend to think that what Jendresen described will even begin to really give us an idea of what the movie will be like, but from what little he's said, I think this could be interesting. I like the idea of pursuing a different set of characters besides a command crew and involving several different starships.
Personally, I'm still astonished that they're actually trying to do a theatrical release. I could see this more as a television mini-series ala Band of Brothers or television movie. Straight-to-DVD still has a bit of a sleazy feel to it, so I'd think a television run before a nice DVD release could really be the way to go.
Braga and Berman have everything to do with allowing Enterprise to go down the hole. Notice how every show after TOS, including TNG, starting season4, the writing was getting better. Enterprise was no exception, and it would have been better through season 5 6 and 7, but what was allowed was moving the time slot from wednesday to friday. THAT'S what killed the show, Sci-Fi channel could have picked it up, Space as well, it wasn't up UPN to run it into the ground. It all had to do with someone having to pay for the show, it's all about money. Not fair at all.
the next generation series brought the star trek series back to life. making a prequel movie with no major characters will bomb - if they make it they might as well just make it straight to video. the TNG cast are the only ones i want to see in a movie, i say they forget they ever made two movies after first contact, bring the cast back and actually have paramount spend some money on special effects on this one. first contact was amazing, then they cheaped out after that, ive seen better special effects in video games. for the right price they'll all do another movie, find a clever way to bring data back, assemble the cast - bring back the borg if you have to or Q, something... the TNG movies went out with a whimper and that cast had so much potential for more. drop this beginnings movie and stick with TNG
I had no problem with Enterprise. I think it was really getting good at the end. The problem I have with Enterprise is the sorry way they killed if off with that piece of crap series finale where they killed off trip without the slightest bit of trip/t'pol interspecies action and then they don't even show captain Archer's speach.
Now about the movie. It's not a terrible idea, but it's not time for it. While Nemesis wasn't the best Trek movie ever it did leave alot wide open for a sequel. If they don't make a sequel they're wasting their trek movie fund. If they've already decided to make another movie they need to tie up loose ends first in the 24th century before they go back to the 22nd for a movie. If Patrick Stewart doesn't want to do Trek then they can center the story around the Titan. We already know Frakes will do Trek still because of the previously mentioned piece of crap series finale for Enterprise.And since there are already novels based on the titan then a screenplay wouldn't be hard to adapt.
RE: movie
by GustavoLeao @ 12:52:18 on Aug 29
I've had it with Rick Berman's Trek. I have no interest in this movie. Enterprise sucked. I have no interest in a new crew, in an era not too far off from Enterprise, where they can violate canon even more for their own little revisions.
No Kirk? No thanks.
I've had it with Rick Berman's Trek. I have no interest in this movie. Enterprise sucked. I have no interest in a new crew, in an era not too far off from Enterprise, where they can violate canon even more for their own little revisions.
No Kirk? No thanks.
I'd like to know what this is about, but it's a risky idea. Obviously they aren't using old characters-- too much salary money is the main reason. One thing is worrisome, this business about not having a starship-- but they have two. So there's nothing really new, they're just reinventing the same thing. Star Trek was and is the big idea on its own, you can't really improve it. I don't think Star Trek is like anything else, to ignore its prehistory is a difficult road, but they seem to want to exploit the name. I'm sure I'll skip this one. No fooling.
You know!! If "ENTERPRISE" was cancelled for all the reasons that they said, if its supposed to be true. Then why do they continue support this idea for this movie. Are they truly out of there minds! Rick Berman, Erik Jendresen. What is wrong with you people! As a Star Trek fan I am really getting sick of the mockery this franchise is being put through by these people in charge, there just not making any sense at all! So as a fan what am I supposed to believe from these people at this point.
What a stab in the backs and twist it of the cast of ENTERPRISE, your show was cancelled, what the heck lets throw you out. But we have an idea for another Star Trek project, it'll been great, bye now! nice knowing yah!!
While I'm certainly not as opposed to the basic idea of this story as many of you apparently are (I didn't really bother with Enterprise, so perhaps I just haven't become as jaded by the prequel concept as some. I don't know), at the same time I do agree that perhaps a theatrical film isn't the best course of action right now.
Perhaps a made for tv movie, or miniseries. Or even release it directly to DVD (like the last couple of Crow movies).
When the movie is over, the end result will be that the Federation is formed and starships will be built that boldly go where no one has gone before. There can be NO other outcome. Where is the dramatic tension? Guess what: When Earth was attacked by the (sheesh, can't even remember their name!) at the end of Enterprise's second season, we already knew that Archer would defeat them and save the day. So, a whole season was wasted because there was no buildup of dramatic tension. The only drama was in how the day would be saved, and as it turned out the whole trip into the Expanse was like spending a vacation in Delaware (sorry, Delawarians). Skip the prequels, and let's go see what's happening in the 25th century. How about establishing a base in the Andromeda galaxy? What about letting the Borg take over the Federation, and let our heroes have 3 movies to kick them out? Whatever happened to V'ger? Who sent the probe that stirred things up in The Voyage Home? What will Sisko be like when he comes back from the Celestial Temple? Will the Dominion stay quietly in the Delta Quadrant, or will Fed expansionism get things cooking again? We Want To Know!
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"Dammit, I'm a doctor, not a... oh, yeah, right..."
--Phil Hartman as McCoy, Saturday Night Live
that there are people either excited or impressed with Erik Jendresen and his attachment to this project.
Anyone forget that instead of a couple little things on TV the guy who wrote Nemesis was an Academy Award nominated writer. He actually wrote movies, like Gladiator and Aviator. What did that mean to Star Trek? Nothing.
This movie is never going to be made. Paramount will bring in someone else next year in Bermans place, probably Manny or perhaps one of the DS9'rs and they will start working on a new series for 2008 or so. They are not going to seriously think about another movie until they can prove through TV there is a market. They can do one movie for $40-50 million, or a season and a half of a show for the same money. If they go the Canada route, and/or the limited season series like BSG, 4400, or Monk, they can do probably five years for $40 million. What they don't get in TV money, they can clean up with DVD sales.
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The Big Picture value in this news isn't the detail of anything that Jendresen has said -- it's that Paramount Payroll is ponying up for an Emmy Award winning writer specifically for STAR TREK.
I doubt that Paramount wants Rick Berman's name to appear on any future STAR TREK. The studio can drag its heels, waiting for Berman's contract to expire, while Jendresen's script development keeps the TREK ball in play.
Considering the franchise executive shakedown, it's currently Who's on first, What's on second, and I Don't Know is on third.
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Try before you buy Video Games!
RE: It's Who, What, and I Don't Know...
by GustavoLeao @ 12:19:16 on Aug 27
RE: It's Who, What, and I Don't Know...
by y2santos @ 21:12:02 on Aug 26
RE: It's Who, What, and I Don't Know...
by Scorned @ 21:24:43 on Aug 26
RE: It's Who, What, and I Don't Know...
by Scorned @ 20:49:15 on Aug 26
RE: It's Who, What, and I Don't Know...
by TRexx @ 21:09:15 on Aug 26
RE: It's Who, What, and I Don't Know...
by Scorned @ 21:28:57 on Aug 26
RE: It's Who, What, and I Don't Know...
by TRexx @ 22:16:55 on Aug 26
RE: It's Who, What, and I Don't Know...
by Scorned @ 14:41:00 on Aug 27
RE: It's Who, What, and I Don't Know...
by Sxottlan @ 13:36:53 on Aug 29
RE: It's Who, What, and I Don't Know...
by TRexx @ 18:18:07 on Aug 27
RE: It's Who, What, and I Don't Know...
by Scorned @ 20:21:39 on Aug 27
RE: It's Who, What, and I Don't Know...
by TRexx @ 22:25:55 on Aug 27
RE: It's Who, What, and I Don't Know...
by Scorned @ 07:03:10 on Aug 28
RE: It's Who, What, and I Don't Know...
by TRexx @ 09:53:51 on Aug 28
RE: It's Who, What, and I Don't Know...
by Scorned @ 10:17:44 on Aug 28
RE: It's Who, What, and I Don't Know...
by TRexx @ 10:45:53 on Aug 28
RE: It's Who, What, and I Don't Know...
by Scorned @ 11:17:59 on Aug 28
RE: It's Who, What, and I Don't Know...
by TRexx @ 11:40:26 on Aug 28
RE: It's Who, What, and I Don't Know...
by Scorned @ 16:03:06 on Aug 28
RE: It's Who, What, and I Don't Know...
by TRexx @ 23:14:09 on Aug 28
RE: It's Who, What, and I Don't Know...
by Scorned @ 15:25:52 on Aug 29
RE: It's Who, What, and I Don't Know...
by TRexx @ 22:32:09 on Aug 29
RE: It's Who, What, and I Don't Know...
by Desk Clock @ 01:59:17 on Aug 27
Is this supposed to make Berman look good the way Goyer is probably going to make Braga look like a competent person?
The idea itself sounds promising. After all, Star Trek isn't necessarily about an enlightened crew in a twin nacelled spacecraft, it's about trekking through the stars, it's about the human adventure. Berman lost sight of that, then tried to regain it, but all too late.
I like the idea of breaking away from the mold. DS9 was succesful because it told a set of Star Trek stories with depth. Voyager might as well have been branded as a cheap knockoff, it was counterfeit Star Trek halfway through the series, Enterprise was counterfeit too, but it redeemed itself in the end.
The basic idea of Star Trek is valid and good, but I think that people won't trot out to see yet another movie about a Federation starship, it's been done to death and it's time for a break. If having a show that resembled Star Trek on the surface of its thin skin but had no substance (ENT), then a production that IS Star Trek in name and substance but which bears no direct similarities in basic plot should prove succesful, provided they can come up with a story that people want to see.
The traditional directions that Star Trek can go, and have gone, have pretty much been all used up. I'd be willing to bet that the characters in this proposed script have a presence similar to that of the crew of Kirk's Enterprise, but without a Federation starship, without a prime directive, but with a real purpose... a reason for the motives that drive them. I'd bet they're streaking across the galaxy in a tiny but powerful ship, probably on a mission that is dodgy.
Star Trek TOS was an "out of the box thinking" kind of show in it's day. The franchise became predictable after the showrunners had secured more money than they could possibly know what to do with. I mean, is the goal really to have more than one expensive car, or is the goal to write good material? The basic idea is good, and as much as I would like to see a competent prequel to TOS made someday, I don't think that now is really the right time to do it. Enterprise left a very negative sentiment in the fanbase, but in the end, it really shouldn't matter as long as the stories are Star Trek type stories and not some lame "what wierd thing should we write about this time.
I'd like to know more about this idea, I think it has merit, I just hope they can keep to the canon...
...oh yes, and fire Rick Berman too!
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She came to town and then she drove away,
sunlight in her hair...
I highly doubt this film would be released in 2007 WITHOUT Rick Berman. He's the executive producer of Star Trek, under contract with Paramount to produce TV and film projects (until the end of 2006). I find it highly unlikely he'd let a movie be made without sticking his nose in its production.
That being said, I also doubt this film will even be looked at seriously by Paramount brass until after Rick Berman's contract is up. And even then, Paramount will probably hire someone new to take over the franchise, give them this script and tell them, "Do you want to film this?" This new person says, "Nope" and bye bye Star Trek: The Beginning. Right now it'll go on a shelf. There's no way a sane production company will make this movie. Guess we'll see how the "New" Paramount handles this.
This is one Star Trek fan who feels like he's been kicked in the face yet again, a prequel?? Again??? However Mr. Xindi will forever be the optimist, the idea of less people and a deviation of the standard ship/crew is intriguing, also Erik Jendresen is a highly rated writer, we need an epic tale, we'll see in a couple of years.
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Hoshi: I was hoping you'd put up a fight.
T'Pol: I'm surprised you're not exhausted from all the beds, yo've jumped into, recently.
"In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II"
I thought the prequel movie idea was put on the back burner. Also what about those rumors of the movie taking place 10 years from the present time? God I hope this and the rest of these idea are THROWN out!!
Quote:"I'm excited about this project
Too bad most of the Trek fans are not.
Quote:"I think the chances of it getting made are good,"
We can also hope there is a good chance it WON'T!
Quote:"It all depends on what the studio thinks, and Paramount has been through significant changes lately. But the people who are making the decisions are pretty responsible folk with a fine body of work behind them. So, we'll see.
Responsible folks and Paramount in the same sentence? That statement is a real "Sci-Fi Fantasy" idea. Hopefully the studio with its "Anti-Trek" will shoot this train wreck down. That is the only good thing the Anti-Trek attitude is going to be good for.
Quote:"Right now, I'm optimistic."
Right now, we are not!
Quote:"Jendresen tells writer David Bassom that the working title for the project is currently STAR TREK: THE BEGINNING.
So we are now ripping off "Batman: Begins"? This movie is going to bomb.
Quote:"You'll recall that producer Rick Berman, who is working with producers Kerry McCluggage and Jordan Kerner on the project, has said that the film would not utilize any existing STAR TREK characters and would be a new prequel to THE ORIGINAL SERIES. Jendresen gives more details.
A prequel movie to follow the failed prequel tv series. What was that nonsense about "responsible folk at Paramount"? Again.....bomb!
Quote:"This would take place just a couple of years after the end of the events in ENTERPRISE but well before the original series, and it would look at the inciting incident that started everything," he states.
So you are not going to use any ENT cast members? I find it hard to believe that ANY of the ENT cast members would be too expensive to use in a movie. Also this idea of "one incident" sound pretty stupid. It is safe to assume that Jendresen is NO fan of Trek and has seen none in his life time. I mean would it have killed him to do some homework?
Quote:""The story is big and epic, and it isn't as antiseptic as the television stories had to be."
In other words it is going to suck much like the last 2 Trek movies. Nice ego. When it bombs it will be nice to see a few more egos crushed at Paramount.
Quote:"He says THE BEGINNING would also not be centered around the traditional STAR TREK model of a captain, crew, and starship.
So in otherwords it is not even Star Trek at all but in name alone? Cough....bomb....cough....going to suck!
Quote:""We're looking at a very small group of men and women, particularly focusing on one character," explains Jendresen. "There are a couple of ships, including a principal ship, but this is not a traditional captain and crew of a starship story in the least."
Then whats the point?
It's obvious they're still trying to capitalize on the "prequel" hoopla.
However, Jendrenson sounds promising. It looks like he has a vision of what he wants to see on the screen, at least. Just keep Rick Berman out of it.
Here's to hope it's on the Romulan Wars.
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"Oh, that you will bless me indeed and enlarge my territory, that your hand may be on me, so that I wlll not cause pain." 1 Chronicles 4:11
The only way a STAR TREK movie is made is if its *not* a prequel.
I highly doubt Paramount would greenlight another "prequel" after its own tv prequel ENTERPRISE.
The only way a new STAR TREK film will pull in both the nostalgia hard core fans and new members if its a crossover film of some sort, a new cast in an adventure propelled or inspired by veteran members such as Kirk and Spock and maybe some cameos by DS9 or other series regulars.
If this new film had a GODFATHER II structure to it, for example, a continuing storyline that flashbacked and flashforwarded from, say Captain Kirk's command to a newer member, it could work.
If this film is like SERENITY, a bunch of young unknowns jetting around space, with or without spaceships tongue in cheek-like, it will FLOP and cheapen the series.
Frankly the only way I see a new movie bringing in excitement is if Captain Kirk and/or Spock were in it even if their roles were minimal.
Well into Hollywood's hopefully temporary prequel phase, we get the prequel "Enterprise."
In the Summer of a pretty good prequel - Batman Begins - we get the announcement "Star Trek: The Beginning."
That's some fine keeping up with the Joneses.
It's nice that Jendresen is optimistic that the suits at Paramount are going to take the story and run with it. He must have a nice fantasy life.
In reality, the suits at Paramount would be seen as a bunch of morons if they greenlit this (or any) project involving Star Trek and "the big screen." The series was cancelled. Fans (and ex-actors from the various series) have all commented on the poor decisions made by the executive producers in charge (read: Rick Berman and Brannon Braga). Interest in Star Trek is around nil to nothing in the general public. A big budget movie will... BOMB. Especially if fandom, you remember them don't you... the ones who would actually consider going to see a Star Trek movie as opposed to the general public who will probably only go if it looks good and it gets good word of mouth... yeah, them, fandom will probably condemn any Star Trek movie to the abyss (I know I will) if the words "Executive Producer Rick Berman" appear on it anywhere. I can tell you I won't go spend any amount of money to see the film in theatres if he's involved.
I'm fairly certain Paramount will, at best, shelve the script and it may or may not see the light of day in a few years. But right now, I wouldn't be holding my breath.
With the popularity of Star Trek being at an apparent all-time low, why would this movie even be considered for a theatrical release? Especially considering that it won't feature any characters from previous shows, it would make more sense to create a Band of Brothers type mini-series. I only have two problems with this project (asides from it being released in theaters): still not sold on the prequel idea due to ENT, Rick Berman.
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[Praying heavenward]
Homer Simpson: I'm not normally a religious man, but if you're up there, save me Superman!
I was afraid it was going to be a worldwar-III movie or something set before Captain Archer. What Jendresen tells us now, sounds better.
I like the idea of moving away from the starship & captain format, and the idea to concentrate on a few characters. This could allow the story to become more character-oriented. Though I suspect there is still going to be more death and destruction, more action, than I'd like to see... This is so typical hollywood block-buster.
Would it be "Captain Garrovick vs. The Romulans"? This is a bad plan. The cinemas are losing share, and the best a flick can expect is one or two really good weeks before getting bumped by something new.
I still say that P-mount should dabble in a number Trek miniseries on CBS. This could get the least risk, the most bang for the buck and still allow the studio to tell epci stories with new characters and to reprise old characters.
(Let me guess.... Scorned thinks that idea is f#$%ing stupid!)
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GET A LIFE, will you people? I mean, for crying out loud, it's just a TV show!.... You've turned an enjoyable little job, that I did as a lark for a few years, into a COLOSSAL WASTE OF TIME! -- William Shatner on Saturday Night Live (1986)
Clearly the Romulan War then, culminating in the formation of the Federation... kinda like WW2 culminating in the formation of the United Nations.
Will we see the incident that ends the war, or are they planning on a trilogy? What happens if the first one bombs?
Why it is that they think that a prequel is a good idea when the last time they tried it, it almost killed the entire franchise.
The real reason is because they have no ideas and they are just borrowing from better writers. They couldnt think of a new direction to take this franchise to save their lives.
To quote Obi-Wan Kenobi "I have a bad feeling about this".
Gustavo
Anyone know what role/influence Berman will have on this project? If he has any creative input, then I'm skeptical. If he's simply the Corporate Suit in charge of moving things along and general production oversight, then I'm fine.
I'm also keeping my impressions very limited, as the titbits provided above don't reveal much of anything beyond it's time period being between ENTERPRISE and TOS, and not necessarily focused on the starship command structure-based approach to storytelling (Captain and senior staff)... all of which I'm also fine with.
The key, for me, is compelling storytelling and faithfulness to the spirit of Star Trek. Everything else is icing.
LLaP
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Kira: Well, now that you have another pip on your collar, does that mean I can't disagree with you anymore?
Sisko: No. It just means I'm never wrong.
I'm starting to wonder if "Enterprise" was just one big, long work in progress...
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