Wheaton On 'Star Trek XI'

[TrekToday]

Positive talk for 'Star Trek XI' is just a marketing bit that has been done before, according to Star Trek: The Next Generation's Wil Wheaton.

As reported by Geek Monthly, this isn't the first time that a Star Trek movie has promised to be good for both fans and non-fans. "It's something we've all heard before," said Wheaton. "'Long time fans of the franchise are going to be served and everyone is going to love it. But people who have never watched Star Trek before will also have fun. Even if you hate science fiction you will love this film. This movie is perfect for everyone!' And it just becomes this marketing thing."

Wheaton went on to explain that those creating Star Trek XI have a tall order. "...The people working on this next film have a very unique and daunting challenge," he said. "Star Trek is a phenomenon that spans generations. It has one of the most passionate, entrenched fan bases in the history of media. The truth is, over the last several years, Star Trek was run into the ground and the franchise was nearly destroyed by the films and the television series that were not being guided by a good hand."

Having a good person at the helm like J.J. Abrams is important, but according to Wheaton, "...You have this guy who's really creative and has a pretty good track record of making science-fiction related programs and you put him in the right seat and say, 'Now fly this franchise and recreate it.' The pressure that he must be under to deliver something magnificent, and the amount of studio interference must be enduring, has got to be nearly indescribable."

Fans of Star Trek, like Star Wars fans, are passionate about their science-fiction worlds. "We live in a post Phantom Menace world," said Wheaton. "That movie was a huge kick in the nuts to a lot of people. For those of us that Star Wars meant more to us than just a movie, it was devastating. I think the same thing with Star Trek. It means more to people than just being a TV show. If you look at the track record that Hollywood has making lifelong properties that really matter to people into movies you see a string of failures. Star Trek fans really want this to be good."

Wheaton will be in attendance at Comic-Con in San Diego, which runs from July 24 through July 27th, where he will be on one of the scheduled panels.

To read more, head to the article located here.

[Danoz]

TrekToday wrote:

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Positive talk for 'Star Trek XI' is just a marketing bit that has been done before, according to <i>Star Trek: The Next Generation's</i> <font color=yellow>Wil Wheaton</font>. <p>As reported by <A class="link" HREF="http://geekmonthly.com">Geek Monthly</A>, this isn't the first time that a <i>Star Trek</i> movie has promised to be good for both fans and non-fans. "It's something we've all heard before," said Wheaton. "'Long time fans of the franchise are going to be served and everyone is going to love it. But people who have never watched Star Trek before will also have fun. Even if you hate science fiction you will love this film. This movie is perfect for everyone!' And it just becomes this marketing thing."<p>Wheaton went on to explain that those creating <i>Star Trek XI</i> have a tall order. "...The people working on this next film have a very unique and daunting challenge," he said. "Star Trek is a phenomenon that spans generations. It has one of the most passionate, entrenched fan bases in the history of media. The truth is, over the last several years, Star Trek was run into the ground and the franchise was nearly destroyed by the films and the television series that were not being guided by a good hand."<p>Having a good person at the helm like <font color=yellow>J.J. Abrams</font> is important, but according to Wheaton, "...You have this guy who's really creative and has a pretty good track record of making science-fiction related programs and you put him in the right seat and say, 'Now fly this franchise and recreate it.' The pressure that he must be under to deliver something magnificent, and the amount of studio interference must be enduring, has got to be nearly indescribable."<p>Fans of <i>Star Trek</i>, like <i>Star Wars</i> fans, are passionate about their science-fiction worlds. "We live in a post Phantom Menace world," said Wheaton. "That movie was a huge kick in the nuts to a lot of people. For those of us that Star Wars meant more to us than just a movie, it was devastating. I think the same thing with Star Trek. It means more to people than just being a TV show. If you look at the track record that Hollywood has making lifelong properties that really matter to people into movies you see a string of failures. Star Trek fans really want this to be good."<p>Wheaton will be in attendance at Comic-Con in San Diego, which runs from July 24 through July 27th, where he will be on one of the scheduled panels.<p>To read more, head to the article located <A class="link" HREF="http://geekmonthly.com/blog/?p=148#more-148">here</A>.<center></center>

This article is evidence that Wheaton understands the complexity of this movies and the sheer difficulty in its successful execution. I'm shocked they're even doing this movie at all, but I'm as optimistic and hopeful as the next guy. I hope Wheaton is optimistic for its success, also.

[Augustus]

The Mighty Wesley Crusher has spoken.

So let it be written, so let it be done!!!!

[Pioneer]

I think Wil Wheaton (not Wesley Crusher ) has hit the nail squarely on the head.

[Augustus]

Pioneer wrote:

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I think Wil Wheaton (not Wesley Crusher ) has hit the nail squarely on the head.

I was being sarcastic. I think he has some valid points, but his opinion only means as much as anyone else's.... almost nothing with the movie still 10 months out...

[zenophite]

The more I read Wil Wheaton's comments the more I like him.

[T'Cal]

Me, too. His comments regarding the hype are spot on especially. I so want this to be a great movie and the things I've read are overwhelmingly positive for me. Still, I was jacked about what I read about NEM and, though it had its moments, it was a failure in that it is responsible for the fact that we will likely not see a series or movie that focuses on TNG and its sibs for a very long time. Too bad. I really thought it would be even longer before we saw anything Trek at the movies, although by the time STXI comes out, it'll be five long years since ENT ended

[Pioneer]

Augustus wrote:

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I was being sarcastic. I think he has some valid points, but his opinion only means as much as anyone else's.... almost nothing with the movie still 10 months out...

I believe that's "I was being sarcastic, Sir."

[PKerr]

Pioneer wrote:

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I think Wil Wheaton (not Wesley Crusher ) has hit the nail squarely on the head.

Yep.

[Morpheus 02]

Wil Wheaton & i are the same age....


while i couldn't relate to his character as Wesley, i CAN relate to him as a fellow fan. From things like this and his comments on VH1's "i love the ***'s", i like him as a person, and feel he has some really valid things to say. As opposed to know-it-all, save the universe Wesley, Wil shares what a lot of us think.

[The Old Mixer]

Have you read his TNG episode reviews? Hilarious stuff. He was only halfway through the first season last time I looked.

[The Old Mixer]

^ http://www.tvsquad.com/bloggers/wil-wheaton/

Actually, a great mix of humor and behind-the-scenes insight.

(Sorry, no edit feature on this forum.)

[ancient]

He's right about the hype machine. They said NEM was going to be the best Trek movie EVER and look how that one did.

There is an important difference between this movie and NEM though. Fresh blood behind the scenes. Berman & Co. were completely dry.

[The Old Mixer]

And this movie will feature the first Bond girl who is 007's equal!

Oh...wrong franchise...wrong hype.

[kissthestar]

Sigh. I suppose I will go see it, no matter what.