'Star Trek XI' Update From Abrams

TrekToday · December 23 2008, 03:55 AM

Star Trek XI director J.J. Abrams left a message for fans at the official Star Trek Facebook page.

As reported by Facebook, Abrams updated the production status of Star Trek XI, which was originally planned for a Christmas 2008 release, but was moved to May of 2009.

"We're just making final tweaks to the movie," said Abrams. "We should be totally locked next week. Then we're going to flash-freeze it so it's totally fresh for you in May. I can't wait for you to see the movie. The cast is awesome. The action and effects pushed the stunt team and ILM beyond their limits. I'm so grateful to this cast and crew, and to all of you for your interest and patience."

Abrams promised future updates on the Facebook page. "We'll continue to update this page with new info and exclusives, so check back when you think of it," he said. "In the meantime, have a happy, healthy, fun holiday!"

To read the entry, head to the link located here.

billcosby · December 23 2008, 04:26 AM

"tweaks?" "locked?" "flash freeze?"

Is he describing a movie or a video game??

I stand ready for JJ's tweaked, locked and flashed freezed fresh feature film for our consumption.

Or whatever.

GulDucati · December 23 2008, 02:40 PM

Pardon my ignorance of movie production terms, but what is "flash-freeze" and how will that make it more fresh in May??

Outpost4 · December 23 2008, 03:11 PM

Who knew Clarence Birdseye was JJ Abrams hero?

Lord Garth · December 23 2008, 03:22 PM

Makes sense. All they changed was the release date not so much the production schedule. Nice to see there won't be a down-to-the-wire last-minute rush.

Charlie Kelly · December 23 2008, 04:24 PM

Cast awesome. Check.
Action and effects pushed beyond limits. Check and check.

Story?

Charlie

Procutus · December 23 2008, 05:48 PM

Geez, how many times is Abrams going to say that they're almost locked? If the film really is almost 100% complete, I still feel it's absurd to sit on a fimished movie for that length of time.

That said, I'll be there on May 8 to consume this 'freshly-thawed-out' extravaganza.

RobertScorpio · December 23 2008, 06:51 PM

Procutus wrote:

Geez, how many times is Abrams going to say that they're almost locked? If the film really is almost 100% complete, I still feel it's absurd to sit on a fimished movie for that length of time.

That said, I'll be there on May 8 to consume this 'freshly-thawed-out' extravaganza.

Me too...I think this movie may have the same build up, in my mind, as TMP did...I remember going to that opening night and standing in that long line. Then watching the laser show that proceded it. Then the long view of space while they played the Ilya/Decker love song..and then that opening battle with the Klingons...all so great!!!! I hope this has the same build up, but, is also a better experience than TMP. TMP was good, but the movie, coming on the heels of Star Wars/Close Encounters, was a bit slow and the story seemed tired..

TREX XI has all this 'reboot' going for it...hope they cash in their chips and they are winners..

Rob

Procutus · December 23 2008, 07:08 PM

RobertScorpio wrote:

I think this movie may have the same build up, in my mind, as TMP did...I remember going to that opening night and standing in that long line. Then watching the laser show that proceded it. Then the long view of space while they played the Ilya/Decker love song..and then that opening battle with the Klingons...all so great!!!!

I agree with you on that, for me, this has been very much like waiting for TMP back in '79. You're lucky though, here in Cleveland we had to wait until December 21 for the movie to open here. Matter of fact, I saw it exactly 19 years ago today, December 23. Brings back memories.

I hope that May 8 creates some new ones, all of them good!

M'Sharak · December 23 2008, 08:14 PM

Lord Garth wrote:

Makes sense. All they changed was the release date not so much the production schedule. Nice to see there won't be a down-to-the-wire last-minute rush.

I think I recall reading after the change in release date was originally announced that they intended to stick as much as possible to the original production schedule, but that they didn't mind having the extra time available, just in case it might be needed.

Edit:

He doesn't really comment on the schedule here, but there's a comment by a Paramount exec here saying that the movie was still expected to be completed before year-end and here some more details from March about the expected schedule.

Procutus · December 23 2008, 08:21 PM

^

Well certainly, they won't have the problem that they did with TMP, where it was locked into a December 7 national release, and many of the effects really weren't completed to either Trumbull's or Wise's satisfaction.

With the extra time that Team Abrams and ILM have, there is no excuse for the FX not to be as perfect as possible.

I want to be wowed in the same way that LOTR wowed me.

Lord Garth · December 23 2008, 08:28 PM

Procutus wrote:

Well certainly, they won't have the problem that they did with TMP, where it was locked into a December 7 national release, and many of the effects really weren't completed to either Trumbull's or Wise's satisfaction.

Exactly the contrast I was thinking about.

RobertScorpio · December 23 2008, 08:38 PM

I think I said this elsewhere, but when TREK 2 came out they eventually paired it with TMP at the dollar theatre...I went there at 1030am and stayed until 1AM the following morning watching 1 and 2 back to back...I would sleep during TMP later in the day/evening, so as to be rested up in time for another showing of Khan...but in my case it was YAWNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!

Rob

Procutus · December 24 2008, 02:23 AM

While I'll agree there were some slow moments in TMP, over the years it's become my favorite Trek film, simply due to the fact it's the most epic feeling of the group. Granted, that might change come May, but for the moment, it still evokes a sense of wonder about 'what's out there' in me when I watch it (and I just viewed it again about a week ago on our new 42 inch LCD).