Abrams, Orci & Kurtzman on sequel, Trek 3D, Shatner and more

[SalvorHardin]

Some interesting stuff from a Paramount press event for their upcoming home video releases.

Question: Any chance of you shooting the next Star Trek film in 3-D?

JJ Abrams: It is funny. Paramount talked to me about doing the first one in 3-D and, having it only be my second film, I was petrified just at the addition–I thought it would be another dimension of pain-in-the-ass.
I thought I would be like, "oh my god, I just want to make a decent 2-D movie.” I was so worried that, instead of being a decent 2-D movie, it would have been a bad 3-D one.
So I’m open to looking at it because now I feel a little bit more comfortable and, if I, in fact, direct the sequel to our Star Trek film, 3-D could be really fun, so I’m open to it

JJ Abrams: But, having said that, with Star Trek, it’s not like we’re looking to make the second movie some kind of heavy political allegory.
I think that it’s important that there is metaphor to what we know and that there is relevance, and I think allegory is the thing that made shows like The Twilight Zone and Star Trek resonate and still vital today.
But, because the first movie was so much about introducing these people, and it was very much a premise movie very much about how you bring these people together, it made it difficult to also have the film go as deep as it could, about certain conflict, about certain relationships and the heart of who some of these characters are.
I think it was successful in what it needed to do to introduce these people, but I feel now that we’ve done that. And yes they are still going to be getting to know each other to some degree, but I think it is the job of the next film to go a little bit deeper–not to be any less fun and take itself too seriously–but to consider now, who these people are now and to grow with them, and examine them a little more closer, now that we’ve gotten through the sort of pleasantries and introductions.

On Shatner :

JJ Abrams: I am open to anything. I would love to figure out something. Given the challenge of introducing these new characters, given the burden of cast these new people, I feel like the first did some of the heavy lifting that needed to be done in order to free us going forward, maybe there is less of a burden and more of an opportunity to work with him again.
We speak, we actually have a lunch date planned. I am fan, I am a friend of his, or he is at least a friend of mine–he may say otherwise on his blog today, I have no idea.
I really couldn’t like him more and would love to work with him

On Nimoy :

JJ Abrams: I can say that I can’t imagine a Star Trek movie not needing him. I’m sure what he’s saying is a combination of modesty and honesty. He may actually feel that way.
But, the truth is, we could never have made this movie without him, and working with him again would be a joy. It is clearly too early, given that we are just now talking story, to conclude whether or not Spock Prime is in the film or not, but do I want to work with him again?
Of course, 100%. I’d love to.

On Nick Meyer

JJ Abrams: But I want to speak for a moment about Nicholas Meyer, who was an amazing director and writer, and was friends with my parents when I was a kid.
When I was a kid, among the other embarrassing things I would do, and there is a list of stupid things, I would make these dumb comedy tapes.
I would often make prank phone calls and would do it with friends and Greg Grunberg and I would make countless moronic comedy tapes.
I vividly remember one night though when Nicholas Meyer was over for dinner. He came into my room, and I was maybe nine or ten, and he and I made a tape together, and it was some stupid interview tape, where he and I were playing characters interviewing each other.
He was just this guy who was willing to be silly and goofy and I knew he was a writer, but I didn’t know much about him. And the idea that he would later go on to direct a Star Trek movie and that even later I would is so weird to me. Years later he came to my bar mitzvah and he gave me the unabridged annotated Sherlock Holmes, which I still have.
It is just bizarre to me, because I was such a fan of the films he did, and really that was the height of my Star Trek fandom. I saw the first film, but when his films came out I just loved him. I always felt a kinship because I knew that guy and it was just sort of surreal to be in those shoes and getting to say action.

Bob Orci & Alex Kurtzman

Question: Is there anything from Enterprise or Next Generation or Deep Space or elements, like the Borg, Cardassians, Bajorans, anything on the top of your list that you might want to throw in to the next movie?

Bob: I think we’d think about it, just because we do love The Next Generation…I think our instinct would be to first look at The Original Series, before we considered that. But, all that is on the table.

Question: Recently Bob, you and JJ talked about allegory for the sequel and going back to that Original Series notion doing an allegory. I think you alluded to torture. How are you going to balance the allegory and still keep the positive future.

Bob: The torture thing was just a for instance. Someone asked, “Modern day issues like torture?,” and we said, “Yeah, sure, modern day issues,” but, we’re not doing a story about Gitmo as I read on some site that it was going to be about Guantanamo Bay. But, now that we’ve established the characters, we can have a more philosophical allegory, where what’s happening in the future represents our world, like the best versions of it in the ’60’s did, representing women’s rights, racial equality, progressive issues.

Question: And can you give a status update on where you are with the story and the script, etc.

Bob: We’re still just brainstorming, internally and are going to get together soon and bust our riffs out and see what happens, and start putting it together.

Question: So, you haven’t figured out a story yet?

Bob: No.

Question: As fans of The Original Series and mythology, have you given any thought as to how you could incorporate Khan?

Alex: Where we’re starting is, “Okay, where are our characters now? What are interesting complications that we can put in their lives? What feels like an organic emotional place for us to get to? How do we want to test them?” And then, you look at everything and start asking, “Who would be the best foe?”
Bob: There are mental exercises we play. You can’t be a fan of this and not sit around and wonder.
Alex: But, the short answer is that we haven’t landed on anybody yet.

Question: Have you guys decided how much time will have passed between the first Star Trek film and the sequel? Are they still going to be new on the job, or will they have some experience?

Bob: We’re actually debating that.
Alex: We don’t have an answer yet.

source and full interviews at Trekmovie

http://trekmovie.com/2009/10/08/jj-abrams-talks-star-trek-sequel-shatner-nimoy-nick-meyer-more/

http://trekmovie.com/2009/10/08/orc...star-trek-sequel-fringe-writing-process-more/

 

[Kegg]

So, judging from that the next Star Trek movie will be about something, but still also a fun action romp. Hm. Hey, it could work, and it's at least nice to hear them hint they won't just give us more of the same in the sequel (which honestly would also be fine with me).

Even if the mix doesn't quite work, well, at least they'd be trying and failing.

As for the rest I wouldn't read too much into it. The new film's relationship with the Berman-era shows amounts to throaway lines such as Cardassian sunrises and Admiral Archer's beagle. Likewise, while a Spock Prime appearance in the next Trek film may be possible, it either won't happen or will be a small cameo.

 

[Hoshi_Mayweather]

I'm eager to see what they come up with for the next film...

 

[Admiral James Kirk]

I hope since he's talking to Shatner that the movie is like The Wrath of Kirk and features an evil older Kirk from the Mirror Universe leading an invasion against the JJverse. Gives Shatner a chance to ham it big time and gives Pine a chance to face his predecessor. Kirk Vs. Kirk. Just a chance to see Kirk take on a guy who knows everything he's going to do before he does it and in bold glorious 3D. WOWZA!

Hey a guy can dream can't he?

 

[Borgminister]

Shatner in 3-D??

 

[startrekrcks]

I would love if they had Shatner onboard for the sequel. what are your thoughts on this

 

[M'Sharak]

Shatner in 3-D??

Here you go.

 

[Sabataage]

I would love if they had Shatner onboard for the sequel. what are your thoughts on this

Please, I can't take any more time travel. Let him be "Uncle Tiberius". He has a video chat with Kirk where he's still raw about Jim wrecking his priceless antique car from when he briefly lived with him at age nine. He can hit on Uhura's aunt (played by Nichelle Nichols) at the awards ceremony at the end of the movie.

 

[Valin]

Shatner could be grandpa Tiberius; that would make sense since according to the movie that was who James T Kirk's middle name comes from.

 

[startrekrcks]

I don't see a problem with bringing Shatner back imagine if a fight commenced on the enterprise between Junior and Senior Kirk

 

[JarodRussell]

Why would there be a fight between those two?

 

[PhasersOnStun]

I would love if they had Shatner onboard for the sequel. what are your thoughts on this

It would depend completely on the role. If they had a pivotal cameo for him, the way they did for Nimoy, that would be great. If they just gratuitously threw him in to appease fans or for marketing value, that might not do a disservice to the movie.

 

[JarodRussell]

I hope the next movie ends with Shatner-Kirk waking up, saying: "Thank god, just a silly nightmare."

 

[Devon]

I hope the next movie ends with Shatner-Kirk waking up, saying: "Thank god, just a silly nightmare."

Ahhh. An attempt at humor.

 

[startrekrcks]

you would love to see it

 

[startrekrcks]

and what would be wrong with bringing Kirk prime he could do a cameo or something to give the guy at least some credit and praise.

 

[number6]

As I said in another thread, There's no reason for Shatner to be involved. Shatner could have had a cameo in this last one but he "doesn't do cameos." It looked like a heartfelt scene that would have brought a tear to many fan eyes.. But he wouldn't do it. He pulled this same crap with Rick Berman... He seems to just want Paramount to give him a huge payday.. I'm not a Shatner hater.. Shatner warped my fragile little mind.. I am a huge fan.. I would have loved to see him show up on Enterprise. With this altered timeline, he could very possibly be able to show up as his future self, no doubt, but the torch has been passed. I would rather have this new crew establish its own legacy. Shatner had his shot at it, many times.. and said no.

 

[startrekrcks]

but he could be persuaded like Kirk shouldn't have died in Generations like not a legend.

 

[number6]

I don't think it's their job to somehow "fix" Generations. Kirk went out sacrificing himself to save others in that film...twice. I'm not as pissed off about Generations as most are around here. Shatner doesn't really need to be in this film, unless they have a good reason for him to be there.

 

[startrekrcks]

maybe they might have a surprise up their sleeve you never know