George Takei got to experience floating in zero gravity yesterday.
The actor and his husband Brad joined twenty fans who had each paid
$6,500 to ride in the special commercial aircraft which “achieves an
altitude that simulates weightless free fall. Rod Roddenberry, son of Gene Roddenberry, also took part in the flight, in a joint collaboration between Roddenberry Adventures and The Zero Gravity Corporation, who provides the zero gravity experience.
“We are so happy we could celebrate [Trek’s Fiftieth Anniversary] with George and his fans,” said Terese Brewster, President and COO of Zero Gravity. Roddenberry Adventures is an “adventure club…embedded with the philosophies of Star Trek” which includes activities such as scuba diving trips, a Hawaii Trek convention and the ‘zero g’ adventure.
lunes, 15 de agosto de 2016
Seven of Nine was supposed to be in a Star Trek: The Next Generation movie.
Seven of Nine was supposed to appear in Star Trek Nemesis and
possibly further Star Trek: The Next Generation films, but actress Jeri
Ryan turned down the role.
Seven of Nine was an extraordinarily popular character and after Star Trek: Voyager ended the producers of Star Trek Nemesis wanted to take advantage of that. Last night during the 50 Years of Star Trek special Jeri Ryan revealed that she had been offered a part in the Star Trek: The Next Generation film. Ryan says she turned down the role because she didn’t want to be pigeon holded as an actress
If Seven of Nine had been in Star Trek Nemesis she would
have replaced one of the characters in the film. I don’t think this
means they would have written anyone in the cast out, but that Seven
would have ended up replacing someone.
The obvious character for her to replace would of course be Data.
Brent Spiner didn’t want to continue to play Data because he was
getting older and thought it didn’t look right for him to be portraying
the android. This was also the reasoning behind B4 replacing Data; B4
was of course originally supposed to be played by a different actor.
It’s obvious that the creators of Star Trek Nemesis wanted a plan in place to make further Star Trek: The Next Generation films without Data. And as much as I love Star Trek: The Next Generation, I’m really glad they didn’t go through with this plan. Star Trek: The Next Generation would be like Star Trek: The Original Series
without Spock. It would still be most of the crew, but you’d be missing
a very important piece of the puzzle. Explaining why Riker and Troi
were back and not on the Titan would have been hard to do in future
movies as well of course.
Jeri Ryan is fantastic, and I’m a fan of Seven of Nine, but it
just wouldn’t have felt the same having Seven on the bridge in Data’s
place.
domingo, 14 de agosto de 2016
50 years of star trek in history channel
“50 Years of Star Trek” celebrates the iconic Star Trek franchise
that has spanned generations and spawned a diehard cult following. Cast
and creators, including Leonard Nimoy in one of his final full length
interviews, give an inside look into the series and reflect on its
legacy. The two-hour documentary “50 Years of Star Trek” premieres
Sunday, August 14 at 8pm ET/PT on HISTORY®.
From primetime television series to worldwide blockbuster, the Star
Trek franchise has long been a pop culture phenomenon. Directed by Ian
Roumain, “50 Years of Star Trek” explores the series with those who know
it best. The documentary features interviews with cast members and
creators from all Star Trek television series and films including Whoopi
Goldberg (“Guinan”), Jonathan Frakes (“Riker”), Nichelle Nichols
(“Uhura”), J.J. Abrams, Bryan Fuller, and Simon Pegg as they reflect on
their contribution to the ground breaking franchise and reveal their
all-time favorite episodes and iconic moments from the past 50 years.
The documentary also highlights the unique fan culture the series has
created. Notable Trekkies Michael McKean, Olivia Munn, Bruce Campbell
and others share their memories about the series and explore how it has
impacted American history and culture.
“50 Years of Star Trek” also includes one of the final full length
television interviews with Leonard Nimoy, the beloved actor who
originated the role of Spock. Nimoy shares memories and stories from the
five decades he spent aboard the USS Enterprise.
“50 Years of Star Trek” is produced by New Wave Entertainment.
Executive producers for New Wave Entertainment are Brian Volk Weiss and
Joe Braswell.
domingo, 7 de agosto de 2016
Ira Steven Behr Reveals Details About Deep Space Nine Documentary Coming Soon
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine showrunner Ira Steven Behr
today revealed that he has been working on a documentary on DS9 for
several years that explores what the show was really about and its
lasting impact on the Star Trek franchise and culture. After the
announcement, TrekMovie secured an exclusive interview with Behr to
further discuss the project, which he hopes will be out in 2017.
During the first Deep Space Nine panel at the 50th
anniversary convention, showrunner Ira Steven Behr revealed that he had
been working for years on a documentary that explored what DS9 was
really about, and what its lasting impact has been on the Star Trek
franchise and culture in general.
As part of the documentary, which is currently being edited, Behr
brought together the DS9 writing staff and gave them one task: break the
story for the first episode of season eight.
Nicole DeBoer learns from Ira that her character will get a story in “season eight”
Behr commented, in an exclusive interview with TrekMovie, that the
writers still had the same chemistry they had when they were making DS9.
The writers even went on to map out some of what they would like to do
later in a notional season eight, even though they were only tasked with
coming up with the first episode.
August-September 2016 Trek Conventions And Appearances
There will be nineteen conventions, shows or appearances in August and September that will feature actors of interest to Star Trek fans. This listing of conventions and shows features actors from all of the televised series and several of the Star Trek movies.
August begins with the Official Star Trek 50th Anniversary Convention, to be held Aug. 3-7 at the Rio Suites Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. In attendance at the Official Star Trek 50th Anniversary Convention will be just about everyone in Star Trek, so it seems, including: Kirstie
Alley, Vaughn Armstrong, Rene Auberjonois, Scott Bakula, Ira Steven
Behr, Robert Beltran, Casey Biggs, John Billingsley, Robert Blackman,
Paula Block, Brannon Braga, LeVar Burton, Bobby Clark, Jeffrey Combs,
Denise Crosby, Robin Curtis, James Darren, Nicole de Boer, John de
Lancie, Elinor Donahue, Jack Donner, Christopher Doohan, Michael Dorn,
Doug Drexler, Aron Eisenberg, Ike Eisenmann (Peter Preston), Terry
Erdman, Terry Farrell, Michael Forest, Jonathan Frakes, Whoopi
Goldberg, Gary Graham, Max Grodenchik, Martha Hackett, Hana Hatae (Molly O’Brien), Richard
Herd, J.G. Hertzler, Clint Howard, Sherry Jackson, Barry Jenner,
Dominic Keating, Sally Kellerman, Sean Kenney, Walter Koenig, Gary
Lockwood, Cirroc Lofton, Barbara Luna, Chase Masterson, Neal McDonough (Hawk in Star Trek: First Contact), Gates
McFadden, Robert Duncan McNeill, Eric Menyuk, Lawrence Montaigne,
Anthony Montgomery, Ronald D. Moore, Kate Mulgrew, Larry Nemecek,
Nichelle Nichols, Adam Nimoy, Natalija Nogulich, Mike and Denise Okuda,
Robert O’Reilly, Eddie Paskey, Ethan Phillips, Robert Picardo, Suzie
Plakson, Andrew Robinson, Rod Roddenberry, Trevor Roth (Executive Producer for Star Trek Discovery), Tim Russ, Jeri Ryan, Camille Saviola (Kai Opaka), William
Shatner, Armin Shimerman, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, George Takei,
Hallie Todd, Bjo and John Trimble, Connor Trinneer, Nana Visitor,
Garrett Wang, Gwynth Walsh, Celeste Yarnall, and more.
Next up is Creation Entertainment’s 50 Year Mission Tour which will be held Aug. 12-14 at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In attendance at Creation Entertainment’s 50 Year Mission Tour will be Vaughn
Armstrong, Casey Biggs, Jeffrey Combs, Michael Dorn, Aron Eisenberg,
Terry Farrell, Max Grodenchik, J.G. Hertzler, Dominic Keating, John de
Lancie, Chase Masterson, Gates McFadden, Robert O’Reilly, Ethan
Phillips, William Shatner, Marina Sirtis, and Connor Trinneer.
The Boston Comic Con will be held Aug. 12-14 at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston, Massachusetts. In attendance at Boston Comic Con will be William Shatner.
The Steel City Con will be held Aug. 12-14 at the Monroeville Convention Center in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. In attendance at Steel City Con will be Sid Haig and Christopher Lloyd. Wizard World Comic Con Chicago will be held Aug. 18-21 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. In attendance at Wizard World Comic Con Chicago will be Christopher Lloyd, Kate Mulgrew, and William Sadler.
The Pensacola Comic Con will be held Aug. 20-21 at the Pensacola Interstate Fair in Pensacola, Florida. In attendance at Pensacola Comic Con will be Larry Nemecek and Tim Russ. TerrifiCon will be held Aug. 19-21 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. In attendance at TerrifiCon will be Rene Auberjonois, and Tony Todd.
Wrapping up August will be Creation Entertainment’s 50 Year Mission Tour will be held Aug. 26-28 at the Crowne Plaza Cherry Hill in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. In attendance at Creation Entertainment’s 50 Year Mission Tour will be Vaughn
Armstrong, Casey Biggs, LeVar Burton, Jeffrey Combs, Robin Curtis,
Nicole De Boer, John de Lancie, Michael Dorn, Max Grodenchik, Dominic
Keating, Walter Koenig, Chase Masterson, Gates McFadden, Ethan Phillips,
William Shatner, Brent Spiner, Connor Trinneer, Nana Visitor, and Garrett Wang.
September begins with the Fan Expo Canada, to be held Sept. 1-4 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In attendance at Fan Expo Canada will be Christopher Lloyd, Kate Mulgrew, Nichelle Nichols, William Shatner, Brent Spiner, and George Takei.
Next up is the Salt Lake Comic Con, to be held Sept. 1-3 at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. In attendance at the Salt Lake Comic Con will be William Shatner. Star Trek: Mission New York will be held Sept. 2-4 at the Javits Center in New York, New York. In attendance at Star Trek: Mission New York will be Rene
Auberjonois, Robert Beltran, John Billingsley, Brannon Braga, LeVar
Burton, Robin Curtis, Michael Dorn, Alice Eve, Terry Farrell, Jonathan
Frakes, Bruce Greenwood, Dominic Keating, Walter Koenig, Cirroc Lofton,
Gates McFadden, Robert Duncan McNeill, Anthony Montgomery, Kate Mulgrew,
Adam Nimoy, Julie Nimoy, Ethan Phillips, Robert Picardo, Rod
Roddenberry, Trevor Roth, William Shatner, Armin Shimerman, Marina
Sirtis, Connor Trinneer, Karl Urban, Nana Visitor, and Peter Weller. Dragon*Con will be held Sept. 2-4 at various hotels in Atlanta, Georgia. In attendance at Dragon*Con will be William Shatner and Alexander Siddig. Starkane will be held Sept. 8-10 at Red Lion Templin’s in Post Falls, Idaho. In attendance at Starkane will be Chris Doohan, Walter Koenig, Lawrence Montaigne, Tim Russ, Rick Sternbach, and Connor Trinneer.
Next up is Creation Entertainment’s 50 Year Mission Tour, to take place Sept. 9-11 at the Westin O’Hare in Rosemont, Illinois. In attendance at Creation Entertainment’s 50 Year Mission Tour will be Vaughn
Armstrong, Casey Biggs, LeVar Burton, Jeffrey Combs, James Darren, John
de Lancie, Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Max Grodenchik, Chase
Masterson, Gates McFadden, Suzie Plakson, Andrew Robinson, William
Shatner, Armin Shimerman, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, and Nana Visitor.
The Rose City Comic Con will be held Sept. 10-11 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon. In attendance at the Rose City Comic Con will be Denise Crosby. HawaiiCon will be held Sept. 15-18 at the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows in Puako, Hawaii. In attendance at HawaiiCon will be Jonathan Frakes, Manu Intiraymi, Walter Koenig, Chase Masterson, Nichelle Nichols, and Rod Roddenberry. Intervention 7 will be held Sept. 16-18 at the Hilton Washington DC Rockville in Rockville, Maryland. In attendance at Intervention 7 will be Rene Auberjonois and Dwight Schultz.
The London Comic Con will be held Sept. 23-25 at the Western Fair District in London, Ontario, Canada. In attendance at London Comic Con will be LeVar Burton.
Wrapping up September will be Wizard World Comic Con Austin will be held Sept. 23-25 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. In attendance at Wizard World Comic Con Austin will be William Shatner (Saturday only).
Movie USS Enterprise Restoration Kickstarter
A new project seeks to raise funds to recreate the USS Enterprise seen in the early Star Trek movies.
“Thanks to the personal involvement of Star Trek legend Nichelle Nichols leading and inspiring the original Enterprise design team, with the support of Rod Roddenberry, Star Trek fans can be a part of something that will preserve Star Trek history and share that passion for the Trek universe – regardless of timeline – with something lasting and meaningful.
“Star Trek is now without it’s most loved, revered, and recognized iconic movie symbol since Paramount sold off our damaged, resprayed, and mishandled original movie Enterprise, which has become the quintessential Enterprise
in the minds and hearts of fans, into private hands in 2006. This is a
cinematic catastrophe, and while we are still around to do it, we want
to correct this ridiculous state of affairs by recreating our original
Starship—only this time fifty percent larger and two-hundred percent
more beautiful than our original using the most modern technology and
materials to then travel the world forever for the delight of Star Trek fans everywhere. Not a digital phantom, but the real Enterprise
by the people who created her in the first place. We guarantee she will
knock your socks off when you see her. But as Nichelle says, first, we
need your help, and we have some fabulous incentives and great premiums
to offer you in exchange for your contribution at any level.
“Once out of space dock, this brand new Enterprise will go on tour around the world over and over again and forever to bring joy and satisfaction to Star Trek
fans everywhere. This isn’t going to be a CGI representation or an
intriguing work of digital wizardry but a real and solid and tangible Enterprise by the people who created her in the first place.
“The perks on offer are nothing short of extraordinary and should be considered every Star Trek fan’s dream come true. Rewards include rare collectibles from behind the scenes from Star Trek including Enterprise
blueprints, signed show scripts, autographed books, collectible patches
and other goodies that will light up the smiles of Trekkies brighter
than dilithium crystals.
“For as little as $20, every fan can achieve Star Trek immortality by having their name projected on the Scroll of Honor sculpture designed by Richard Taylor, who designed the movie Enterprise, that will accompany the Enterprise on her dais wherever she appears. Fans can also choose to have their names fired from the Enterprise onto the scroll, have their names placed inside the Enterprise
on a golden scroll, and receive a credit in the feature documentary of
the rebuild. True immortality. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for
Phase Two fans and expires September 11, 2016.”
Star Trek fans pay tribute to Anton Yelchin at 50th anniversary convention
Leaving personal messages on a larger-than-life poster, grieving fans honor the actor who died in an accident in June.
Fans express their love for Anton Yelchin.
Walter Koenig originated the role of Pavel Chekov on "Star Trek" in
the 1960s, but young actor Anton Yelchin carried the torch forward in
the reboot movies, including this year's "Star Trek Beyond." Yelchin died in June after being pinned by his SUV in an accident. The Star Trek 50th anniversary convention
is happening in Las Vegas this weekend. And one of the main halls here
hosts a large photo mural of Yelchin where fans are paying their
respects in short messages.
Hundreds of
handwritten notes already cover the poster, even though it's only the
second day of the convention. Here are some of the heartfelt messages:
"You are now among the stars!" "An amazing talent, lost far too early."
"You will always be in our hearts. Live long and prosper." "May you go
boldly into that final frontier, but stay forever in our hearts."
Russian-born
Yelchin was just 27 years old when he died. The likable Chekov was not
the only role he played, but it was the one he was best known for. There
are many beautiful thoughts written on the mural, but this is perhaps
the one that touched me the most: "Your mission ended too soon. Forever
will you sail with the stars."
The organizers hope to the deliver the fans' tribute to Yelchin's family after the convention.
Anton Yelchin: parents of Star Trek actor sue Jeep manufacturer for wrongful death
The parents of "Star Trek" actor
Anton Yelchin on Tuesday sued the makers of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, an
SUV that was under recall when it crushed and killed the 27-year-old.
Victor and Irina Yelchin filed the wrongful-death and
product-liability lawsuit against automaker Fiat Chrysler in Los Angeles
Superior Court roughly six weeks after their son was killed. The suit
contends that the gear selector in the actor's Jeep was defective and
poorly designed and manufactured.
"Anton Yelchin was crushed and lingered alive for some time, trapped and suffocating until his death," the lawsuit says.
It does not say how much Yelchin's parents are seeking in damages.
The actor's Jeep rolled backward down the driveway of his Los Angeles home
June 19, pinning him between a mailbox and a security fence. The SUV
was among 1.1 million vehicles recalled in April because its gear
shifters have confused drivers, causing the vehicles to roll away
unexpectedly and leading to dozens of injuries.
The lawsuit says Yelchin's SUV did not engage or maintain its "park" gear and that led to the vehicle crushing the actor.
Yelchin is perhaps best known for his role as Pavel Chekov in the
rebooted "Star Trek" franchise. The third film in the series, "Star Trek
Beyond," has grossed more than $106 million in the U.S. in its first
two weekends.
The actor was the Yelchins' only
son, and they filed Friday to oversee his estate, which is valued at
nearly $1.4 million. Anton Yelchin left behind several unreleased
projects, including the Netflix animated series "Trollhunters" and four
films.
Fiat Chrysler extended its sympathies to Yelchin's parents in a
statement released before the suit was filed but added that the company
had not been served with the case and could not comment on it.
Drivers of the Jeep under recall have complained that they had
trouble telling if they put the transmission in "park" after stopping.
Many reported the vehicles rolled off after the driver exited.
A government investigation into the gear shifters found 266 crashes that had injured 68 people as of late June.
Fiat Chrysler has said it is speeding up its recall of the vehicle.
Both the company and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
have urged drivers of vehicles subject to the gear shift recall to set
their parking brakes before getting out of their vehicles.
David Semel, one of Hollywood's most-prolific directors, has been tapped to direct the first episode of Star Trek: Discovery, it has been confirmed. Semel is adept at both first episodes/pilots and sci-fi/fantasy. His pilots include those for Madam Secretary, Code Black, Person of Interest, Intelligence, Legends, American Dreams, Heroes and No Ordinary Family, as well as The Man in the High Castle and the upcoming shows Pure Genius and Goliath. And among his genre credits are at least one episode each of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Roswell, Angel and My Own Worst Enemy.
- See more at: http://www.startrek.com/article/discovery-first-episode-director-announced#sthash.M0vQGvnb.dpuf
David Semel, one of Hollywood's most-prolific directors, has been tapped to direct the first episode of Star Trek: Discovery, it has been confirmed. Semel is adept at both first episodes/pilots and sci-fi/fantasy. His pilots include those for Madam Secretary, Code Black, Person of Interest, Intelligence, Legends, American Dreams, Heroes and No Ordinary Family, as well as The Man in the High Castle and the upcoming shows Pure Genius and Goliath. And among his genre credits are at least one episode each of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Roswell, Angel and My Own Worst Enemy.
- See more at: http://www.startrek.com/article/discovery-first-episode-director-announced#sthash.M0vQGvnb.dpuf
David Semel, one of Hollywood's most-prolific directors, has been tapped to direct the first episode of Star Trek: Discovery, it has been confirmed. Semel is adept at both first episodes/pilots and sci-fi/fantasy. His pilots include those for Madam Secretary, Code Black, Person of Interest, Intelligence, Legends, American Dreams, Heroes and No Ordinary Family, as well as The Man in the High Castle and the upcoming shows Pure Genius and Goliath. And among his genre credits are at least one episode each of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Roswell, Angel and My Own Worst Enemy.
- See more at: http://www.startrek.com/article/discovery-first-episode-director-announced#sthash.M0vQGvnb.dpuf
David Semel, one of Hollywood's most-prolific directors, has been tapped to direct the first episode of Star Trek: Discovery, it has been confirmed. Semel is adept at both first episodes/pilots and sci-fi/fantasy. His pilots include those for Madam Secretary, Code Black, Person of Interest, Intelligence, Legends, American Dreams, Heroes and No Ordinary Family, as well as The Man in the High Castle and the upcoming shows Pure Genius and Goliath. And among his genre credits are at least one episode each of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Roswell, Angel and My Own Worst Enemy.
- See more at: http://www.startrek.com/article/discovery-first-episode-director-announced#sthash.M0vQGvnb.dpuf
David Semel, one of Hollywood's most-prolific directors, has been tapped to direct the first episode of Star Trek: Discovery, it has been confirmed. Semel is adept at both first episodes/pilots and sci-fi/fantasy. His pilots include those for Madam Secretary, Code Black, Person of Interest, Intelligence, Legends, American Dreams, Heroes and No Ordinary Family, as well as The Man in the High Castle and the upcoming shows Pure Genius and Goliath. And among his genre credits are at least one episode each of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Roswell, Angel and My Own Worst Enemy.
- See more at: http://www.startrek.com/article/discovery-first-episode-director-announced#sthash.M0vQGvnb.dpuf
jueves, 28 de julio de 2016
Space Station Drives 'Star Trek' Fiction Toward Reality: NASA Video
"Star Trek" shows a universe where people can warp out to nearby stars
and visit many worlds that are similar to Earth. While humans in the
real world are much more limited in their options for space travel, NASA
said that the International Space Station (ISS) is paving the way for a
future where humans can reach farther out into the universe.
Last Friday (July 22), the administration released a new video called "NASA: On The Edge of Forever,"
referring to the name of an episode of "Star Trek: The Original
Series." The video was released on the same day that the newest
installment to the Trek movie universe, "Star Trek Beyond," hit theaters across North America.
The video features interviews with several astronauts, NASA officials
and "Star Trek" stars. They talk about how science fiction and science
fact are becoming one on the orbiting laboratory. The space station,
which was first launched in 1998, has been continuously inhabited since
2000. [Watch William Shatner Talk Science Fiction vs. Space Fact]
"For most of us, the thought of traveling to another galaxy probably
seems like science fiction," NASA astronaut Victor Glover said in the
video. Glover was selected in 2013 and hasn’t flown in space yet. "But
the truth is, the foundation for humankind's journey beyond Earth's
solar system is being laid right now aboard our very own International Space Station."
Living in weightlessness
"In the original 'Star Trek' TV series,
space stations served as deep-space research laboratories, as well as
rendezvous points where starships could dock before exploring the
unknown," Glover said. "When we were envisioning our own space station,
the applications were similar."
The real space station serves as a test bed for developing microgravity technologies (such as 3D printers and coffee machines), and astronaut health techniques (such as effective exercise regimes and growing fresh food).
Currently, NASA is aiming for a human mission to Mars, which would
require crews to spend more than a year in space — much farther away
from the resources of Earth than crews on the space station — so these
technologies will be even more crucial for keeping crew members happy
and healthy.
Among the things that NASA has to account for when considering a human trip to Mars
is the effect of microgravity (or weightlessness) on the human body.
(The various crews of "Star Trek" had artificial gravity aboard the USS
Enterprise, something that real-world space agencies haven't quite
mastered yet.)
"When you remove the force of gravity from your body, you will lose
things like muscle mass, bone density. Your heart doesn't have to work
as hard," Jeanette Epps, an unflown member of the 2013 NASA astronaut
class, said in the video. Another problem that arises from living in
microgravity (though it is not brought up in the video) is vision changes from long-term stays in space that, in many cases, are permanent.
"But thanks to the International Space Station, we're able to study the
effects of weightlessness and develop countermeasures in orbit, close
to Earth," Glover said.
On average, astronauts spend roughly 90 minutes to 2 hours every day
lifting weights or running on the treadmill to slow muscle and bone
deterioration. To help with psychological health, NASA also gives
astronauts regular free time and chats with loved ones by video. The
long-term effects of life in space were recently put to the test when
two station crewmembers, NASA astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian
cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko, both spent an entire year on board.
Modern space exploration may not look exactly like it does in "Star
Trek," but many people feel that humans will inevitably push out to more
and more distant locations in the universe.
"I think it's in our evolutionary creed that we have a manifest destiny
to go into space and to find new worlds to live in," said "Star Trek"
actor Walter Koenig (who played Pavel Chekov on the original series) in
the video.
Added Epps: "So every step we take, we're just getting further and
further into space and becoming more and more like 'Star Trek.'"
William Shatner Won't Return in Any New Star Trek Movies?
Producer
J.J. Abrams reveals that fans will never see William Shatner's Captain
Kirk in this new Star Trek timeline, and he explains why.
In just two short days, Star Trek Beyond will hit theaters, the third adventure since director J.J. Abrams rebooted the franchise
with the 2009 movie, and the 2013 sequel Star Trek Into Darkness. Ever
since this movie series was rebooted, a point of contention for many
fans is that William Shatner, the original Captain Kirk from the
groundbreaking Star Trek TV series, was never brought back for a cameo
appearance, even though Leonard Nimoy has returned as Spock. During a
new interview, producer J.J. Abrams revealed that fans will likely never
see William Shatner in this new version of the Star Trek timeline.
The Toronto Sun spoke with J.J. Abrams,
who remained on as a producer on Star Trek Beyond while Justin Lin took
over as director. The producer revealed that he has heard several
pitches throughout the years about how to bring William Shatner back
into this timeline, but nothing has worked so far. Here's what he had to
say.
"Obviously it's Star Trek, nearly anything is
possible. There's the fairly simple notion that on the day Kirk was born
another timeline began. But in the other timeline, Kirk died onscreen
(in Generations). I don't know how he would come back unless we went
into this other reality and we did a timeline and reality jump. In all
the years we've been working on this, I've yet to hear a pitch that
didn't sound too contorted and contrived for an audience to swallow. And
I've talked to him (Shatner) about it. If Kirk had lived there'd be an
answer. But there's something about his having died that makes it
impossible."
As you may well know, William Shatner
has been quite outspoken in the past about not being cast in any of the
reboot movies. At one point, when J.J. Abrams signed on to direct Star
Wars: The Force Awakens, Shatner even called the filmmaker a "franchise
pig," saying he thinks that the filmmaker not casting him yet is
"foolhardy." Still, J.J. Abrams did say that "anything is possible," so
perhaps we may see William Shatner's Captain Kirk in the future.
It's also worth noting that, just a few days ago, Paramount Pictures confirmed that Star Trek 4
is happening, with Chris Hemsworth, who made his feature film debut in
the first Star Trek as James Tiberius Kirk's father, George Kirk, set to
return in this sequel. George Kirk died in the opening scenes of the
first Star Trek reboot, but in Star Trek 4, he will reportedly reunite
with his son James Kirk. It's clear that there will certainly be some
sort of time travel element in Star Trek 4, which could alter the
current timelines and open the door for William Shatner to be cast as a
future version of Captain Kirk, much like how Leonard Nimoy was
portrayed as a future version of Spock.
Still,
we don't exactly know how the time travel elements of this story will
play out yet, but hopefully we'll learn more soon. Chris Pine, Zachary
Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, John Cho
and Karl Urban are expected to return, with J.D. Payne and Patrick
McKay set to write the screenplay for this new Star Trek sequel. J.J.
Abrams and Lindsey Weber will produce through Bad Robot Productions.
We'll keep you posted with any updates about William Shatner's future in
the Star Trek franchise as soon as we have more information.