Roberto Orci Not Directing Trek XIII

[Kelthaz]

What do you mean? STID has an 87% critical ranking on Rotten Tomatoes, exceeded only by TWOK, FC, and the '09 film.

You're using Rotten Tomatoes incorrectly. The rating only means how many critics have a more positive than negative opinion on the film, but it doesn't tell you how much those critics enjoyed the film. A movie could have a score of 100% and have a general consensus of "eh, it's alright". Here are the blurbs for the first three positive reviews from the top critics section.

"Happily, there's a good deal of fun if you like things crashing violently into each other and out of warp-drive at regular intervals."

"The conceptual sci-fi of the original series is nowhere to be found, though you might enjoy watching the skinny young actors approximate their counterparts from the 60s; Chris Pine is especially good as Captain Kirk."

"While the action is often electric, it's the relationships that matter. That, and a lippy regard for a cultural legacy."

All three of these reviews are positive, but two of them aren't exactly glowing reviews.

 

[Harvey]

This is mildly disappointing, but I am curious to see who Paramount brings in as a replacement.

Orci had no experience and no track record, so his departure is less frustrating than, say, Edward Wright from Ant Man.

Not surprised to hear that Devin Faraci is revelling in the news, though. I'd take what he's reporting with a grain or two of salt...

 

[Christopher]

That's all true and I don't disagree, but I would wager that after the goodwill the first film got, Paramount weren't expecting the backlash against the second one.

That's what I mean. What backlash? How does an 87% critics' rating and a 90% fans' approval rating constitute a backlash? Sure, there's a loud, vocal core of critics online, but they're just noisy, not numerous. The critical response overall, outside the media bubble of Trek fan boards, may have been more lukewarm than the first film got, but it was still mostly positive.

With a franchise like Star Trek, the narrative surrounding it regarding quality and fidelity is surely more important than one like Transformers, and the negativity got quite a bit of press (the Las Vegas con voting it the worst film, the widespread mocking of the direct lifts from Wrath of Khan, etc became part of the cultural conversation for a while).

That's the fan community. Again, if you step outside that bubble and look at the reaction of the larger audience, it's not nearly that negative.

Besides, there's a huge logic hole in this premise: The movie came out a year and half ago, and Orci was announced as the director of the third film a whole year later. If Paramount had been unhappy with STID, they wouldn't have given him the job in the first place. Logically, if they made him director seven months ago and have now removed him from the post, it must be in reaction to something that happened within the past seven months, not back in 2013. In other words, it's not about the last script, it's about the current script.

 

[Mudd]

Faraci's a useless gasbag who's enjoying himself because he thinks that someone he dislikes (and who also deservedly treats him as a joke) is having a career disappointment. What a level to function on.

 

[BillJ]

Faraci's a useless gasbag who's enjoying himself because he thinks that someone he dislikes (and who also deservedly treats him as a joke) is having a career disappointment. What a level to function on.

+1

 

[BillJ]

What do you mean? STID has an 87% critical ranking on Rotten Tomatoes, exceeded only by TWOK, FC, and the '09 film.

You're using Rotten Tomatoes incorrectly. The rating only means how many critics have a more positive than negative opinion on the film, but it doesn't tell you how much those critics enjoyed the film. A movie could have a score of 100% and have a general consensus of "eh, it's alright". Here are the blurbs for the first three positive reviews from the top critics section.

"Happily, there's a good deal of fun if you like things crashing violently into each other and out of warp-drive at regular intervals."

"The conceptual sci-fi of the original series is nowhere to be found, though you might enjoy watching the skinny young actors approximate their counterparts from the 60s; Chris Pine is especially good as Captain Kirk."

"While the action is often electric, it's the relationships that matter. That, and a lippy regard for a cultural legacy."

All three of these reviews are positive, but two of them aren't exactly glowing reviews.

If you look at the nearly 300,000 viewer ratings, for Into Darkness, they average 4.3/5 stars. But why would viewer ratings actually matter?

 

[Mudd]

If you look at the nearly 300,000 viewer ratings, for Into Darkness, they average 4.3/5 stars. But why would viewer ratings actually matter?

Especially as those ratings - along with box office for the previous two films and a host of other inconvenient facts - contradict the desire of some trekkies to spin their silly "the reboot's not really so good or doing so hot" narrative.

 

[Saul]

I honestly did think that for a first feature Orci might not be the most suitable director. It's a shame for him that he couldn't do it but I can't imagine the script will change much if they want to get this out in time for the big 50. Edger Wright and Cornish don't really give me any warm feelings for this films future...

 

[BillJ]

If you look at the nearly 300,000 viewer ratings, for Into Darkness, they average 4.3/5 stars. But why would viewer ratings actually matter?

Especially as those ratings - along with box office for the previous two films and a host of other inconvenient facts - contradict the desire of some trekkies to spin their silly "the reboot's not really so good or doing so hot" narrative.

If this split is happening, it isn't happening because of Into Darkness or the fuck you to the fans. It has happened because of something that has happened recently. Or else they'd have never hired Orci to begin with or started pre-production work on the film.

 

[MakeshiftPython]

Orci was booted?

[yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GwjfUFyY6M[/yt]


That aside, I really hope for Edgar Wright. He has the right kind of jovial tone that I want out of the next Trek film.

 

[MoonlightSinatra]

In my dreams, they hire Christopher Nolan, but that will never happen. (No Interstellar spoilers please.)

 

[fireproof78]

If you look at the nearly 300,000 viewer ratings, for Into Darkness, they average 4.3/5 stars. But why would viewer ratings actually matter?

Especially as those ratings - along with box office for the previous two films and a host of other inconvenient facts - contradict the desire of some trekkies to spin their silly "the reboot's not really so good or doing so hot" narrative.

If this split is happening, it isn't happening because of Into Darkness or the fuck you to the fans. It has happened because of something that has happened recently. Or else they'd have never hired Orci to begin with or started pre-production work on the film.

Yep.

All we have is speculation and assumptions. Personally, I will wait for Paramount's official announcement and the determine my reaction.

I'm with Yoda on this one

 

[Anticitizen]

I just want a Star Trek movie that feels like the Star Trek that I've been a fan of since I was barely old enough to tie my shoes. These first two movies haven't done that for me. If nothing else, this news gives me hope that things might change for the better.

 

[ralph]

Someone in December 3, TrekMovie comments, was the first one who mentioned some issues with the movie production.

"I have heard some rumors being circulated by some folks who have connections to the production of Star Trek that suggest that there are some “issues” going on behind the scenes between Paramount and the production company concerning, primarily, the script. I believe also in play is the contract between Paramount, Bad Robot, and CBS concerning licensing and TV production expiring in January. As I said, these are rumors and I am not going to stake my reputation (good or bad, if any) and give a bunch of details that may or may not be true. But I heard this about a month or so ago and noticed that all at once there was no more news coming out."

 

[HaplessCrewman]

If you look at the nearly 300,000 viewer ratings, for Into Darkness, they average 4.3/5 stars. But why would viewer ratings actually matter?

Especially as those ratings - along with box office for the previous two films and a host of other inconvenient facts - contradict the desire of some trekkies to spin their silly "the reboot's not really so good or doing so hot" narrative.

If this split is happening, it isn't happening because of Into Darkness or the fuck you to the fans. It has happened because of something that has happened recently. Or else they'd have never hired Orci to begin with or started pre-production work on the film.

Let's not hold Orci's 'fuck you' to the fans against him. After all, he did later recant/apologize.

 

[Tulin]

Meanwhile, I have some advice for Mr. Orci;


http://www.trekbbs.com/showthread.php?t=260242

 

[Ovation]

Don't care if Orci is in or out as director but for the love of all that's holy, I hope that alleged plot rumour is a bad joke. That rumour is far scarier than anything else I've heard about this production.

 

[Taylirious]

JJ is done with Star Wars right? I am sure MI:5 will be wrapped up soon? ST can wait.

 

[johnjm22]

Orci comes off as a bit hot headed and combative.

I could see a scenario in which his "demotion" didn't go over well, leading to friction and an eventual split from the movie entirely. The producer credit being just a consolation.

I think this is great news.

The alleged script sounds terrible, and it sounds exactly like something Orci would go for. I'm surprised The Borg aren't in it.

Personally, I hope whoever gets the job can make something more mature and story focused than the previous Abramsverse films.

 

[anotherdemon]

Orci probably had a temper tantrum as soon as anyone dared question his greatness. Enter constant escalation and him being thrown out.

Good riddance. Orci is a jerk.