Burton: Fans Want More 'Next Generation'

TrekToday · June 23 2008, 11:28 PM

LeVar Burton thinks that there is still life in Star Trek: The Next Generation and hopes that the new original series movie will spark an interest in a TNG-era movie.

As reported by TrekMovie.com, Burton feels that fans would support a TNG movie. "At the end of the day I’m pretty certain that a lot of the fan base would like to see the Next Generation cast do one more turn around the galaxy," said Burton, "and I guess the performance of this next movie [Star Trek XI] will have a lot to do with whether that comes to pass. It will make people see whether there’s an appetite for Star Trek again."

Although Burton praises J.J. Abrams, saying that he "is a really talented guy," the former TNG star is not as sure of his emotions regarding Abrams's Star Trek XI. "I have really mixed emotions," he said. "I haven’t quite decided how I feel about this new picture. My life is going to go on and Star Trek will always be an important part of it. Whether we do another movie or not is not in my control."

Whether or not a new The Next Generation movie ever happens, Burton has fond memories of his Next Generation days. "I have lasting friendships and memories from the seven years I spent on the show," he said. "And that’s better than the price of latinum."

To read more, head to the article located here. The interview can be found in Star Trek Magazine.

MattJC · June 24 2008, 12:21 AM

I wouldn't hold my breath for new TNG if I was him.
If Abrams movie is successful, then Paramount will want more of that crap.
Sad to say, TNG is over with.

FalTorPan · June 24 2008, 12:44 AM

I agree -- it's dead, Jim. I mean Jean-Luc. And Benjamin. And Kathryn. And Archer.

misskim86 · June 24 2008, 01:57 AM

They could definitely make a profitable TNG movie if they really wanted to

RobertScorpio · June 24 2008, 02:44 AM

Translation...Burton needs more money..

Rob
Scorpio

StarMan · June 24 2008, 02:55 AM

misskim86 wrote:

They could definitely make a profitable TNG movie if they really wanted to

They have tried.

They failed.

D Man · June 24 2008, 03:27 AM

I wouldn't use the word "try" when looking at Nemesis. Just about everything about it went wrong, but no one at all caught it. Some of the people involved still say they're very pleased. Mr. Burton's pipe dream is not going to come to pass, as much as I love TNG and would like to see another legitimate TNG movie. Too late now.

Augustus · June 24 2008, 04:00 AM

Hypothetically, if they were to do a TNG movie again, it would have to be totally different with people having moved on in their lives. Would Geordi and Crusher and Worf still be hanging around the Enterprise with Picard?
No it would have to be All Good Things style, where everyone has to come together for the story. But I think it is wishful thinking. Then again, a few years ago, I didn't think they would be casting a new Kirk.

ancient · June 24 2008, 04:11 AM

Trek's future is currently in limbo, riding largely on what they do for STXI.

Of course, a lot of people are convinced they know what's going on with Trek at the top level. This is the internet.

LeadHead · June 24 2008, 07:15 AM

I would really like for the TNG crew to get a chanc to undo the damage of Nemesis. Sadly, even if the movie next year does really well, TNG trek has 2 chances of getting to make another movie: Slim and None.

Tulin · June 24 2008, 08:15 AM

^ rre:Your bumpersticker: Actually there is a verse in the Bible that refers to the "sphere" of the Earth.

Just saying.

ChristopherPike · June 24 2008, 09:25 AM

With a real downslide in over public interest since 1998, TNG films have been the franchise's last great hope to revive Star Trek twice already. Nemesis was basically their chance to prove themselves. I like all of it, but those days of the fanbase single-handedly supporting the features are gone... not when sci-fi is so expensive to make. Looking at the cost of films II thru VI, it's more than just inflation... Paramount seem determined to bankrupt themselves for glossly FX, when a decent script should be the priority.

Pingfah · June 24 2008, 10:31 AM

He's deluded, if the movie is successful the franchise will continue from there, not revisit past failures.

Meredith · June 24 2008, 03:16 PM

I think they should make a TV-movie or mini series, i think that would be a better and more accessible than a major motion picture.

How about a couple of mini-series that equate to ab out 1/2 to 3/4 of a season. It could be fun and cost less and with current V production values it would look as good as the generations film.

patlandness · June 24 2008, 06:06 PM

Pingfah wrote:

He's deluded, if the movie is successful the franchise will continue from there, not revisit past failures.

Um, TNG (despite the box office performance of the last 2 movies) was light years from failure. For example: it's the *only* Trek show to actually have consistently high Neilsens throughout its run. It had 3 count 'em 3 spin-offs of its own (admitedly with varying quality) and brought mainstream attention to Trek that no other Trek show, not even the Original Series, had ever been able to achieve.