This comes up now and then... re Star Trek II and whether or not it actually began as a TV movie project. We did a blog post about it today (link). I'll summarize the main points here but pop over to the blog if you want the full story plus our usual citations.
T V, Or Not T V, Is That the Question?
OTD 25 years ago (February 25, 1985) The ABC Sunday Night Movie featured the US commercial network television premiere of The Wrath of Khan, and probably the largest single audience the film ever had.
But have you heard the rumor that this triumphant sequel was originally conceived as a humble TV movie of the week? Some say it was so, others say no go. So where's the truth?
Starlog Magazine’s May 1981 issue gave many fans the notion that the film was planned to be a TV movie from. It reported:
A few weeks later, in mid-May of 1981, Roddenberry was telling the press that the film’s release strategy would depend on how well the film turned out:
A few months later, other press outlets began running with the story that Paramount hadn’t settled on a release strategy for the film. In an article that ran in Weekly Variety on September 9, 1981, for example, the trade paper indicated that plans for the movie were still in a state of flux only two months before filming would begin:
But the September 18, 1981 press release announcing the start of production had studio head Michael Eisner denying that a movie-of-the-week had ever been considered:
But Eisner’s blunt public assertion was contradicted internally in a memo from Paramount Executive Bob Rosenbaum to Gary Nardino dated September 29, 1981 [emphasis ours]:
Bingo. It was originally planned as a TV movie. Case closed.
The full article here for those who wants the deets.
T V, Or Not T V, Is That the Question?
OTD 25 years ago (February 25, 1985) The ABC Sunday Night Movie featured the US commercial network television premiere of The Wrath of Khan, and probably the largest single audience the film ever had.
But have you heard the rumor that this triumphant sequel was originally conceived as a humble TV movie of the week? Some say it was so, others say no go. So where's the truth?
Starlog Magazine’s May 1981 issue gave many fans the notion that the film was planned to be a TV movie from. It reported:
[...]Paramount has admitted that if the TV-movie is good enough, it could be released theatrically instead of being broadcast on the tube (as was done with Universal's Buck Rogers pilot).
A few weeks later, in mid-May of 1981, Roddenberry was telling the press that the film’s release strategy would depend on how well the film turned out:
A new “Star Trek” TV series is unlikely, said Roddenberry. “The route now is to two-hour movies. Paramount has one in the works. But whether for TV or theaters depends on how it comes out.”
A few months later, other press outlets began running with the story that Paramount hadn’t settled on a release strategy for the film. In an article that ran in Weekly Variety on September 9, 1981, for example, the trade paper indicated that plans for the movie were still in a state of flux only two months before filming would begin:
Paramount will release the project theatrically abroad, but has decided to take a “wait and see posture” domestically. At one point, it had been planned as a two-hour telefilm and later anticipated as a feature. Word is creative personnel are receiving salaries “commensurate with a feature film.”
But the September 18, 1981 press release announcing the start of production had studio head Michael Eisner denying that a movie-of-the-week had ever been considered:
“Contrary to all the unconfirmed reports and the inevitable speculation about this project, ‘STAR TREK II’ has always been intended as a full-length motion picture for release in the United States and Canada as well as in the international territories,” Mr. Eisner commented.
But Eisner’s blunt public assertion was contradicted internally in a memo from Paramount Executive Bob Rosenbaum to Gary Nardino dated September 29, 1981 [emphasis ours]:
On June 9, 1981 Television Production put out a budget based on a script written by Jack B. Sowards and Harve Bennett dated April 10, 1981. This budget was considered as a two-hour movie of the week to be made in thirty-five (35) days and to be shot and staffed in a television manner. It was budgeted at $4,914,786 excluding optical work. According to business affairs, if this script was to be released as a theatrical motion picture, there would be an additional cost of $667,018 to be added (as noted on the top sheet.)
Bingo. It was originally planned as a TV movie. Case closed.
The full article here for those who wants the deets.
