"To be continued..."

[The Mirrorball Man]

We seem to know very little about this movie, so little in fact, that I don't think we really know if it stands on its own, if it's a one-off story taking place in the Star Trek universe, or if it's just the first episode of a longer saga.

I guess most of us assume that it's a freestanding movie, but what if we're wrong? What if the new Star Trek movie is intended as the first part of a trilogy (like, say, "Fellowship of the Rings")? What if the story is so open-ended that it leaves us craving for a sequel (a la "Wrath of Khan")? In other words, what if this is not just "Star Trek", but "Star Trek: Episode 1"?

Do you think it's possible? Do you think it's probable? What would be your reaction if the last words you see on the movie screen before the credits are "To be continued..."?

 

[TeutonicNights]

I'd like that. worked with 007 and a trilogy might be a good way to start afresh.

 

[Eric Cheung]

Orci said before that they're not arrogant and presumptuous enough to assume this will be a sufficient hit to warrant a sequel. So, it's unlikely that this wouldn't at least be able to stand on its own.

 

[Warp Coil]

I suspect the film will be stand-alone. However, Abrams and the writers probably know what direction a sequel would take if they're given the opportunity to make another film, and there could be elements introduced in STIX that could carry forward.

 

[Timelord79 (he/him)]

This will be stand-alone.
However, if the first one is a hit than the ending of the sequel will be a Lost-like shocker cliffhanger!
This IS JJ Abrams we're talking about here.

 

[M'Sharak]

Do you think it's possible? Do you think it's probable? What would be your reaction if the last words you see on the movie screen before the credits are "To be continued..."?

I'm inclined to think we won't see those words on the screen. I think what we're likely to get is a standalone movie, but one with a door left tantalizingly ajar, just at the very end. That would be smart storytelling: always leave your audience wondering about something.

 

[Samurai8472]

Flash the "To be continued" then show Kirk in the old west trying to save Doc Spock from getting shot by Buford tannen

 

[CheapTrick]

It should end with "The Human Adventure Continues"

Or whatever that was at the end of TMP....

 

[FredH]

So, it's unlikely that this wouldn't at least be able to stand on its own.

To be fair, Casino Royale and The Wrath of Khan both actually do stand perfectly well on their own; it's just that both are emotionally involving enough that they make you want to see what happens next. But had neither Quantum of Solace nor The Search for Spock ever been made, CR and TWOK would still feel complete. I could imagine something like that happening with Star Trek XI--where the ending makes you want to see what happens next, but you don't necessarily need to.

(Not saying that STXI will do this, of course.)

 

[dave_R_treker]

I for one wouldn't really mind it if it was part of a multipart movie, so as long as the movie is good. I made a post on another thread about them doing it with a DS9 movie.

 

[CommanderRaytas]

...just like the ending of that Planet of the Apes film with Mark Wahlberg. It had people wondering if there might be a sequel, though I thought the ending was kind of cool for a stand alone film, providing a real WTF moment when you thought everything was well.

So, if they do something like this in Trek XI, they'll keep the door open, but it wouldn't necessarily need a sequel.

I think that's what we're all hoping for: a story so brilliant and compelling that we'll want to know what happens next....

 

[seigezunt]

We seem to know very little about this movie, so little in fact, that I don't think we really know if it stands on its own, if it's a one-off story taking place in the Star Trek universe, or if it's just the first episode of a longer saga.

I guess most of us assume that it's a freestanding movie, but what if we're wrong? What if the new Star Trek movie is intended as the first part of a trilogy (like, say, "Fellowship of the Rings")? What if the story is so open-ended that it leaves us craving for a sequel (a la "Wrath of Khan")? In other words, what if this is not just "Star Trek", but "Star Trek: Episode 1"?

Do you think it's possible? Do you think it's probable? What would be your reaction if the last words you see on the movie screen before the credits are "To be continued..."?

I'd be annoyed. I was SO pissed when the second Johnny Depp pirate movie ended like that, never saw the third.

 

[trekkerguy]

We seem to know very little about this movie, so little in fact, that I don't think we really know if it stands on its own, if it's a one-off story taking place in the Star Trek universe, or if it's just the first episode of a longer saga.

I guess most of us assume that it's a freestanding movie, but what if we're wrong? What if the new Star Trek movie is intended as the first part of a trilogy (like, say, "Fellowship of the Rings")? What if the story is so open-ended that it leaves us craving for a sequel (a la "Wrath of Khan")? In other words, what if this is not just "Star Trek", but "Star Trek: Episode 1"?

Do you think it's possible? Do you think it's probable? What would be your reaction if the last words you see on the movie screen before the credits are "To be continued..."?

I'd be annoyed. I was SO pissed when the second Johnny Depp pirate movie ended like that, never saw the third.

Oh come on, like everyone didn't already know there was going to be a third one. I thought it was great, makes it all feel like one grand adventure and you're only waiting till next summer to see more. It was an amazing experience.

 

[Aragorn]

The worst movie ending was The Matrix Reloaded. No ending. There was a scene, and suddenly it stopped.

They wouldn't pull a Golden Compass. An incomplete movie would be idiotic.

 

[CommanderRaytas]

I agree with that- the Golden Compass was horrible, the ending even worse. Are they gonna make the other ones? Never bothered to check.