What if it BOMBS

If it does bomb, well, fanflicks. If it is a hit, great, but that's still not going to buy us what I want, which is a new 24th- or 25th-century series, is it? And Star Trek Online is not happening, either.

But modern architecture and appliances are taking on a Trekiverse look to some extent, which means that most TV shows (not to mention the real world) will have more of a Trek look to them, if only to a small degree.

 

First, the pent up demand almost guarantees that bombing won't be possible. To me the real question is will it be good and will it do well enough for a sequel (2 are planned). I personally think it will do pretty well and we will get another film much faster than previously has happened. I also think they are trying very hard to make this movie not just for Trek fans - as they have said many times.

But a true bomb would hurt the franchise greatly.

 

OK, turn over the crystal ball, mister! You know you're not supposed to have that! I put it away for a reason. Now give it to me and go to your room. You're grounded!

 

Does anyone think Paramount would attempt to unload the franchise if this movie bombs? Or are all of the tie-ins, syndication and royalties still worth too much money to pass the buck?

If the movie does well and we get a series of them, do you think we might see a Star Trek TV show on a major network (CBS)? I know that's a way off.

 

I wouldn't be suprised if it bombs. I've told people at work and school that a new Star Trek film was coming out and everyone pretty much rolled their eyes or made negative comments.

 

^Ya, I'm not sure the hiatus has been long enough to get the average person off the rolleyes when they hear Star Trek. They are still confused if Trek is Shatner/Nimoy, the bald guy, the black guy or the lady (no they don't know that the quantum leap guy even did Trek nor do they care.)

My question is, can the new Trek be anywhere as good, or strike a chord in the average movie going public as LOTR FOTR did. Trek will have to be 'that' good for it to re-enter mainstream acceptance.

 

I don't think it will bomb, but if it does, oh well... There's other stuff.

 

Abrams and company are about as original as Trek's ever going to get, so let's hope it succeeds - almost no one with an "original thought in their heads" would want to bother with "Star Trek."

 

This is the only place where I hear stuff like that... and I'm always suspect of it coming from a Trekkie since their framing is doubtless biased depending on where they fall on the whole issue.

I'm pretty sure if you started out by saying "Did you know that guy who made 'Alias' and 'Lost' he's making a Trek movie?" You'd end up with an entirely different positive reaction - that's been my experience, more so after I mention its going to involve Kirk and Spock and having nothing to do with TNG. There is also a heavy Abrams crossover factor - have no doubt that'll bring alot of people to the seats who wouldn't otherwise care about a Trek film.

Its also been my experience overall reaction to the teaser trailer was good by anyone who has seen it.

So lets not take these little anecdotal interactions and blow them up as if they were exit polling data from a Presidential Primary or something and even then those are often misleading...

That's already happening, its a pity some can't wrap their brains around it. Simply going ahead in time or making "new characters" is not in and of itself 'original' in regard to Trek this is more so true virtually every incarnation of the franchise has been a ripoff of the what came before.

Take something all ready known and add a new dimension to the mix explore established characters in a way that makes you as the viewer re-assess your assumptions about them. And this is why I think a vocal group is screaming over this movie - their fanon assumptions are in danger or turning to dust and they don't like that much at all.

Sharr

 

I'll chime in with the "I don't think it will bomb" camp. It will probably break even or turn a small first run profit. The DVD's and merchandising will be the big payoff.

And Denis, that picture of you in your avatar's scarring the hell out of me. Dude, what the hell happened to your hair?

Q2UnME

 

Star Trek has been pronounced dead more times than I can count. And it always comes back.

Even if Star Trek XI bombs, Star Trek will be back.

 

Anecdotal stories like that aren't a good basis to judge how well received the movie will be received. For example I can actually provide you with the exact OPPOSITE reaction. Everyone I've spoken with at work really seemed excited at the prospect of seeing a younger Kirk and Spock again, and I know plenty who were fans of Heroes who are really interested in seeing Quinto play Spock. So which one of us has experienced the reaction that is going to be an accurate representation of the public's when this movie premieres? We'll just have to wait and see, for there's nothing conclusive one way or the other.

 

Exactly, "Everyone I know has laughed at the idea" isn't a substantive argument agianst this film. Conversely the inverse is also true. But then that's why we must trust in Paramount and JJ Abram's marketing abilities to sell this to the general public not to mention get what they're expecting out of this film. In both cases they know more about it then we do as fans on a message board.

Unless any of us were there at the pitch meeting that is?

Sharr

 

This film already has some good buzz. I have the feeling that by the time it is released, there will be plenty of anticipation and very little eye rolling. Average movie goers (myself included) are definitely a fickle bunch -- what rolled eyes a few years ago (the idea of the average person going to see a Star Trek film, thanks to the "insiders only need apply" attitude of most TNG films) will not necessarily roll eyes a year from now.

I know we've had the discussion before that it may never be cool to be a Trekker/Trekkie, but I think that the right marketing campaign -- one which shows that this film will be accessible to the general movie-going public -- can make this film be "THE" movie to see in May and June of next year.

 

You depress me, sir. May we not be allowed even a little hope, or must we accept that we will each be free of this albatross only through our personal deaths?

 

If it's got enough explosions, the foreign box office will make it a hit. Hey, it even worked for that last Riddick movie. It's almost impossible for Hollywood blockbuster type movies to "fail" anymore, financially speaking.

 

The correct term that applies here is "international" rather than "foreign."

But, I wonder? How will this film be marketed to those countries where Star Trek is not a popcultural icon, and barely known or understood by the populace at large?

 

Lots of pictures of the ladies in revealing outfits and miniskirts along with some fight scenes and explosions probably.

 

If it bombs, it bombs.

Who knows, after all this god worship over "a movie" and all the hype, it could turn complete shit. *shrugs*

There are still some 726 episodes (Thanks, Wikipedia) and 10 movies to go watch and enjoy again. Big deal if it bombs.

Itll hurt the franchise yeah, especially as the franchise is being defribulated back to life as we type. Then for all those dollars poured into it for it go tits up, then thatll be a smack in the face and a punch in the chest, no doubt about that.

But still, itll just pick itself up again with the same or new production guys and come back all guns blazing...


hopefully.

 

It won't bomb. or, at least it is very unlikely. Even something as WTF inducing as INS made out ok, so Star Trek isn't really a 'weak brand'. The 1 movie in 10 that bombed did so for obvious suckitude reasons. I can't think of any reasonable arguement for why STXI would bomb. There're no real negative warning signs from the money POV.