New movie writer Orci comments on Trek novels

[Christopher]

From TrekMovie.com, part one of an interview with screenwriter Roberto Orci (emphasis mine):

http://trekmovie.com/2007/10/04/interview-roberto-orci-on-why-he-is-a-trekkie/

TrekMovie.com: In another interview you mentioned Trek books. So have you read many of them?

Roberto Orci: Tons of them. I have them all in my room.

TrekMovie.com: Is that because Paramount sent you all of them?

Roberto Orci: No no no, these are things I have read for pleasure. Some of them I have read many times, never imagining I would be a part of it. When I found myself being paid to re-read those books - you don't get luckier than that. That is a blessing.

TrekMovie.com: So what are a couple of your favorites?

Roberto Orci: My favorite one is "Prime Directive" and I would say "Spock's World" is my other favorite. I saw your interview with Judith and Garfield Reeves Stevens and I think they are great. I have read "Prime Directive" three or four times and I think it is one of the best Star Trek stories ever...period. Here is an interesting tidbit. In casting we have to give sides out to actors [scenes from scripts]. But since we are being so secretive we don't want to give real scenes from the movie so a lot of the scenes we have been using are from their books.

TrekMovie.com: Of course the books are not officially part of Star Trek canon, but as fans of the books are you guys going to grab any elements and give them little mentions in the film...essentially canonizing them?

Roberto Orci: We are actually still pouring through and we are going to do stuff like that for sure. Because it would be an homage to my and Damon's view of Star Trek.

I gotta say, this is really nice to hear. Of course, it doesn't mean the books will be "canonized" in any way, but even getting homages and acknowledgments from onscreen Trek would be refreshing, and it's nice to see the screenwriter for this high-profile Trek project talking about the books in his interviews.

 

[Rat Boy]

Maybe they'll throw in the audition reels on the DVD.

 

[Turtletrekker]

Now that is sweet. :thumbsup:

 

[JD]

That is so cool.

 

[Julio Angel Ortiz]

Absolutely awesome.

 

[captcalhoun]

he's shot up even further in my estimation by bigging up PD. Prime Directive is my all time favourite Trek novel and i've probably read it at least eight times.

apologies to KRAD, Mack, Wardilmore, CLB and any other writer on here who's work i've praised to the skies, but PD is "teh coolest!!!!!111!1"

 

[Ronald Held]

It seems encouraging, but we will see.

 

[Nardpuncher]

Why no (sic) after "pouring" ? Christopher? Getting lazy?

 

[Captaindemotion]

As a big fan of Treklit (frankly, the best ST since DS9 ended has been in the novels), this is really cool to read. Gives me a lot of hope for the movie.

I'm sure you writers must be delighted to see such high profile recognition of and praise (all deserved) for your work.