Who will direct the premier episode (pilot)?

[jefferiestubes8]

The previous Trek TV series pilots were directed by these men:
TNG: "Encounter at Farpoint"
Directed By
Corey Allen
died June 2010
Director credits 9 episodes
TNG: (5)
DS9: (4)

DS9: "Emissary"
Directed By
Cliff Bole
died February 2014
Director credits 42 episodes
TNG: (25)
DS9: (7)
VOY: (10)

VOY: "Caretaker"
Directed By Winrich Kolbe
died September 2012
Director credits 48 episodes
TNG: (16)
DS9: (13)
VOY: (18)
ENT: (1)

ENT: "Broken Bow"
Directed By James L. Conway
currently age 65
Director credits 18 episodes
TNG: (3)
DS9: (7)
VOY: (4)
ENT: (4)

So living would be James L. Conway for a veteran Trek director who happens to have directed the ENT: "Broken Bow" pilot also or will Alex Kurtzman, and Heather Kadin hire a director from the pilot of one of their other TV series they've worked with to direct the new premiere episode (pilot) for the greenlit-to-series Trek show? Since the premiere will be on CBS network TV as a one-time event viewing and be used for trailers in at SDComicCon, TrekCon2016, on the TrekXIII Blu-ray Nov.2016 and promotions for up to 6 months before the premiere for marketing the show as well as CBSAA service for subscriptions in Autumn 2016 leading up to the series start.

 

[AviTrek]

Fringe Director: Alex Graves
Sleepy Hollow Director: Len Wiseman
Limitless Director: Marc Webb
Scorpion Director: Justin Lin

Kurtzman is much more likely to go with someone he's worked with in the past than a previous Star Trek director. Also, the trend on the pilots is for the EP working on the show to be the one directing the pilot. After all, spending 5 months is not really directing an episode, but doing all the prep-work for a new series. So when they hire the EP, that will be a good indication of who will be directing.

Of those names, Justin Lin is the one who obviously stands out for his Trek connection. But of course, it's doubtful he'll have time to direct the pilot while finishing the movie.

 

[Shalashaska]

George Lucas.

 

[Kor]

Television directors aren't really allowed individual creative visions the way motion picture directors are, so I don't think it will make much difference who it is.

Kor

 

[AviTrek]

Television directors aren't really allowed individual creative visions the way motion picture directors are, so I don't think it will make much difference who it is.

Kor

Precisely why the pilot directors have often been Executive Producers. They're not hired as generic directors. They're EP's deciding on the look of the entire show.

 

[Jedman67]

I can see Simon Pegg being involved, but this is really premature speculation.
This show is almost certainly a clean break from any trek media prior to ST:09; the chances of them hiring anyone with any previous trek experience is pretty nill, imo.

 

[sojourner]

Frank Darabont. So he can get subsequently fired and go off in a huff.

 

[C.E. Evans]

Uwe Boll. It could be his triumphant return to Hollywood.

 

[Campe]

Television directors aren't really allowed individual creative visions the way motion picture directors are, so I don't think it will make much difference who it is.

Kor

Precisely why the pilot directors have often been Executive Producers. They're not hired as generic directors. They're EP's deciding on the look of the entire show.

But that's not entirely true when it comes to the pilot episode. Directors of pilots tend to contribute much to the visual style of the show as they collaborate with the EPs. When you get to the series proper, yeah, I agree with that.

Regardless, they are trying to bring Star Trek on the small screens into the 2010s. The likelihood that they will use anyone from previous Treks for creating the visual style of a new series is absolutely nil. I mean, when you have feature directors like Justin Lin, Rian Johnson or Frank Darabont, who have made it big in features but are willing to work on the small screen? Its more than likely that Trek 2017 will have a much more cinematic feel than anything Trek has done on TV to date.

As for who that director might be? I wonder if JJ would come back and direct the pilot (leaving the lens flares at the door, of course). I do admit. That's probably a pipe dream.

 

[JohnnyTenToes]

Like AviTrek said, I'd guess the EP. Probably someone who Kurtzman has worked with before. JJ is the dream choice of course, for the publicity alone, but very unlikely

 

[sojourner]

JJ is the dream choice

LOL, you're new here, aren't you?

 

[Shalashaska]

I'd also love J. J. to direct the pilot. It's unlikely, but he could do a great job.

His pilot for LOST was so good that people still link his name to the show every time it's brought up.

Unlike others, I think he did a great job on '09 and Into Darkness. That opening to '09 had tension, emotion, everything. My main issue was to do with the writing (*cough* *cough* Kurtzman *cough*)

 

[Herkimer Jitty]

George Lucas.

You're pretty good.

 

[Shalashaska]

George Lucas.

You're pretty good.

 

[Tim Thomason]

Could Kurtzman himself want to direct the episode? He might want to brush up on his directing skills (as in, gain some) in time for that Mummy reboot that may or may not be happening as of September.

 

[JohnnyTenToes]

JJ is the dream choice

LOL, you're new here, aren't you?

He's a pretty big name and would probably make more people watch it.

It's good marketing when you can say the director of 2 critically acclaimed blockbuster Star Trek movies is directing the new pilot (and people who hate on nuTrek are watching anyways... just so they can have something to complain about)

 

[sojourner]

Dream choice to some, not to others.

 

[JohnnyTenToes]

Dream choice to some, not to others.

Of course. Who's your dream choice?

 

[drt]

Fanboy hate aside, I'm sure CBS would be thrilled if JJ directed. I believe he directed the pilot of Almost Human a couple of years ago, so it's not an impossibility.

 

[AviTrek]

Doesn't look like he directed Almost Human. IMDB lists Felicity, Lost, Alias, The Office, and Undercovers as his TV directing experience. I'm sure this decision will come down to the direction Kurtzman takes. If the show is tied to the movies in anyway, then it would be a HR to get Abrams. If Kurtzman wants his own take, then he may not want Abrams involved in directing the pilot.