You thought the new Star Trek was awesome, wait until you see the sequel! Wait a second…
Paramount is flexing its muscles and showing some confidence in the upcoming franchise-rekindling film, Star Trek, by already going forward with the sequel.
I can’t say it’s unexpected – Star Trek has already broken records for the amount of trailer downloads at Apple.com and last summer we reported that the studio was in the process of locking down the writers for potential future installments. On top of that, the simple fact is that the new Star Trek is breaching the mainstream and it has the people talking.
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Paramount has signed Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof to write and produce the Star Trek sequel. J.J. Abrams and Bryan Burk are also set to produce again but it’s unclear as of this time as to whether or not Abrams will direct again. He wasn’t originally going to direct the first Trek movie but he could not resist putting himself in the captain’s chair once development got underway – A decision I’m happy about.
The story for the sequel is apparently in its early stages but the writers are scheduled to submit the finalized script by the end of this year for a planned release in the summer of 2011.
Variety got a chance to speak with Damon Lindelof about the sequel to a movie that’s yet to be released:
“There’s obviously a lot of hubris involved in signing on to write a sequel of a movie that hasn’t even come out yet,” said Lindelof, co-creator with Abrams of ABC’s “Lost” who produced the upcoming “Trek” but did not contribute to Orci and Kurtzman’s screenplay. “But we’re so excited about the first one that we wanted to proceed.”
With the timing of everything, the critical and fan reaction to Star Trek will be fresh in the minds of the writers as they work the story for the sequel, allowing them to take notes on the positive and negative responses to the film. As good as Star Trek could be, we’ll hopefully get an even better film the second time around. Writer Alex Kurtzman reflects on this notion:
“Obviously we discussed ideas, but we are waiting to see how audiences respond next month… With a franchise rebirth, the first movie has to be about origin. But with a second, you have the opportunity to explore incredibly exciting things. We’ll be ambitious about what we’ll do.”
It should be pointed out that this news does not mean the sequel is 100% confirmed and going forward. The creation of the script doesn’t guarantee the production of the film, however, it has been long-rumored that the new Star Trek would spawn a new franchise of movies and there’s been quite a lot of speculation about the sequel for some time now – It all depends on how much money this one rakes in.
Let’s hope the movie performs well at the box-office and that we get a high quality movie worthy of a sequel. What do you think of this news?
Star Trek opens May 8, 2009 and I’ll be there.
Source: Variety (via TrekMovie.com)
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27 Comments
Not all that suprised that they are preparing a script for a sequel, hell even dragonball already has a script ready even though its might flop and the same w/ transformers
I say, bring it on. As long as they’re going to make quality movies, they can move in a new direction with multiple movies. Eventually series get to the point where they just need to be ended, but I doubt Star Trek will hit that after just one movie.
(I’m not taking into account older movies because they’re different all together.)
Why 2011? Hollywood have this recent obsession with pumping out a sequel in 2 years, it risks diminishing the brand the speed they mass produce some of the stuff.
I hope this leads to a new star trek show. Star trek was always ment to be on tv and not in cinemas
LOL why is this a surprise to ANYONE? This is the reason they did the reboot in the first place, to helm a new Enterprise with a bunch of kids, and produce a half dozen sequels afterwards with over the top action sequences and sex, and acting that (may) be quite sub-par. They had to do this to continue with the Star Trek franchise, because the last five movies bit so badly, that they killed the old franchise off. I just hope all this glitz and human attractiveness warrants people paying to see it.
Anybody remember Transformers? This movie, so far, looks like it could have been directed by Bay’s brother.
@ Charles,
You’re right in that it’s not surprising but I don’t think anyone really said they’re surprised – In the article I said it’s not unexpected.
I take it you’re not too excited for this movie?
I am really looking forward to this. What would be interesting is if this did spawn a new TV series. However, Heroes would have to end first, or Quinto would be a very busy man.
@Rob…
When is Charles excited for ANY movie? Almost everything he posts on here is negative.
I, for one, am excited about this movie and hope it leads to a whole new generation of Star Trek movies. I have enjoyed ALL of them, even the ones that were box office bombs.
@Mark, Quinto hasn’t been all that busy with Heroes that he couldn’t do a movie during the hiatus, plus there’s no telling what the state of his character will be in the show. After last night’s episode this season is definitely roaring towards the best finale it’s ever had.
(Season 1 finale crushed me in how poorly it was handles…a sign of things to come)
I saw on worstpreviews.com that they are expecting 285million take worldwide. Any thoughts?
@Vin
It wouldn’t surprise me at all. I have a feeling this is going to very, very well.
Vic
Charles, if the last five Trek movies bit, you’re including First Contact and VI in there but not V??!? Hmmm…
Star Trek Lives……Again, I hope!
I’ll bet it’s a good thing that the sequel is written taking audience reaction into account. Taking critics reviews seriously can translate to greater box success on the next one but not into better movie.
A new slew of Star Trek movies would be great, and I would even accept taking the franchise in a whole different direction from TOS if it was done with the sort of vision Roddenberry had. Special effects and sex and action are all fluff to get main stream audiences in the theater. When you have well written and interesting stories to tell, they will keep coming back.
I think I’m putting too much faith in Hollywood though.
You mean they have sex in the future!? Or is it the past? Oh I’m so confused.
Has anyone else noticed that Khan Noonien Singh isn’t ruling in Asia yet and WW III is way past due… Dammit, who changed history!? I’m an amateur critic, not a doctor!
Charles it wasn’t directed by Bay, but it was written by the two Shakespearean talents that scribed the pathetic Transformer film…
I’m thinking 285 mil worldwide would be considered a bomb in this case. ???
The Wrath of Nero?
It’s very difficult to predict but I hope for 285+ if the media is going summer-movie crazy come May.
It’ll be interesting seeing how strongly the May heavy hitters perform this summer
Rob, watching Terminator and Star Trek go head to head financially is more than half the fun,,,
Almost more entertaining then the films themselves.
For Star Trek to make $285 (or more) will require some sort of media miracle. The franchise has become, and it hurts me to say this, seen as tired and old. Add to that the fact that it is almost directly going up against the new Terminator movie, which has a current (hit ?) version on TV, gives it a current and fresher audience.
One more thing that TS has that ST doesn’t: An action style that is more like the game play in so many of the hit video games available today.
If Star Trek suffers the same fate that befell Watchmen, we could be reading Star Treks epitaph; “Damn-it Jim, I’m a doctor, NOT a magician!
Keep in mind JustDavid that Vin was reporting a 285mil. “worldwide” gross not domestic gross,,,
Could happen,,,
Star Trek: First Contact had an inflation adjusted $49MM opening weekend, $150MM domestic and $238MM worldwide. Considering the buzz and wider audience possibilities with this film I think it will top that.
My history at predicting box office is pretty lousy, but I wouldn’t be surprised at a $70-$80MM opening weekend.
Vic
Good call Vic,,,
I think its all going to come down to the hardcore fans, and their repeat viewing…
I sure do hope your right and I’m wrong! A strong box office would certainly mean more Star Trek at the theaters.
As for repeat viewings; I’ve taken a week’s (11 days actually) vacation from work, saved up almost $3 grand, and made it clear to the family if they want to see me, I’ll be at the local theater the whole time. Several friends have agreed (I’m buying) to meet me for at least some of the shows. I am currently trying to figure out how to camp-out for the week without getting the local police’s attention: Maybe an empty store nearby, if I can get in without tripping the alarm or the woods behind the theater! Wish me luck!
4/1/09
Been internetless for a few days: hey 790, good to see you back, man! Your stalwart presence has been missed…
Thanks: Big Dentist, I’m looking forward to the upcoming Star Trek buzz,,,
Buzz can be good and it can be bad…
For christ sake they have a whole universe of ideas to choose from.
Give the real fans those that have watched and re-watched the original series and still found relevance with what was happening today something to grab onto. Something reminiscent of the original ideas of the late Gene R. Roberto Orci if your out there give these characters a chance and at the same time challenge them. They have 40 plus years of history to uphold!
A real fan awaits a real story.
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