Here’s what we know.
J.J Abrhams (MI3, Lost, Alias) is writing, producing, likely directing.
Shatner and nimoy have been hired as consultants, and there is talk of them being in the movie.
The plot centers around the early exploits of a young Kirk, Spock, Scotty, and Captain Pike. Likely a flash forward to Spock and Kirk will ensue as well. There will likely be no relation to TNG era Trek. Enterprise will also likely go unmentioned.
Matt Damon had been suggested as Kirk. Daniel Craig (the new Bond) has expressed interest.
The movie will be “character based”, and the focus is to appeal to non-fans more than fans.
The possibility exists that the movie will contradict some known continuity, and may completely reboot the franchise.
Paramount is looking for a July 2008 release, and will likely try to use the film as the big tentpole for their summer.
SO – What are your thoughts? Casting? Rebooting the franchise angers a lot of TNG fans who love the continuity (I’m in there somewhere). Excitement levels? Predictions?
I’m excited
I get the rebooting thing, actually. Its got to have a fresh start with modern moviemaking principles if its going to be sustainable by a major studio in front of today’s audiences.
Take the Superman and Batman reboots. Sure, they tweaked a few purists and there were complaints about the action sequences in Superman (like, did he even hit anyone?) But, the movies were a success, sequels with the same core cast and crew are underway, and I have to bet the gloves come off and we see more archetypal themes/images throughout the next send-ups.
If Abrams can get Trek back onto the big screen, and with some clever writing and effects maybe help us forget about ST: Enterprise, we get the franchise back where it belongs, the big screen. I’ve got a good feeling. I’ve been subscribed to the feed from http://trekmovie.com/ for a while now, they seem to have some good intel now and again.
And, if you want some more Trek in the meantime, check out the progress with Of Gods and Men at http://www.startrekofgodsandmen.com/.
And if you’ve not seen remastered ST:TOS, set yours DVRs and enjoy. They are a real treat.
I’m Game…
Seeing a reboot of the franchise would be a good thing. I was impressed with the Batman:Begins. I am looking forward to the remakes in the new “theme”.
I am by far not the biggest trek fan, but I am looking forward to the remake.
Batman Begins
Yeah, I really liked Batman Begins. I decided to watch it and then watch the first three Batman movies…
…wow. Ugh. I remember enjoying the Batman movies as a kid, but by the time you have Jim Carey and Arnold Schwarzenegger as the bad guys, it’s jumped the shark and the ocean they swam in.
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Matthew P. Barnson
Funny you mention Batman
We were killing some time wandering around Best Buy this past weekend. On one of the flat panel TVs, they were showcasing the first Batman (with Keaton/Nicholson) and it was near the end, during the parade fight sequence. On the flip side of a half-wall on another TV they were running Batman Begins, during the chase sequence after Batman saves Rachel and was escaping to the cave. Gotta say, Begins was so much cleaner, cooler, just plain better, when running nearly side by side. And I generally think Keaton did justice to the character. Generally, I said.
Apparently Heath Ledger is cast as the Joker in the sequel. Sounds good to me.
TEC
Not to divert.
Not to divert the post too much, but i got to get one of those tumblers. If you ever get the chance to watch the “making of” footage about how they made that vehicle and all the stunts that it actually did… Very cool.
Four..
Weren’t there four old Baman movies? Batman (Joker) Batman Returns (Catwoman/Penguin) Batman Forever (Riddler/ 2 face) Batman and Robin (Freeze, Poison ivy / Bane / bad script)
Visit the Official Justin Timpane Website Music, Acting, and More! http://www.timpane.com
I skipped…
Huh, yeah, guess I skipped Batman Forever.
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Matthew P. Barnson
Batman Forever
Not so bad, that one.. if you lose the context of Batman and Robin, which follows it.
Jim Carrey is funny, but Tommy Lee Jones and Nicole Kidman are Awful. I like the way they handle the intro of Robin, and a few of the fights are fun. (Tim Burton produced but didnt direct this one)
Its over the top, but still has a meaner tone like the first two. BUT – if you see Batman and Robin with Ah-nold, which Tim burton had NOTHING to do with – you see where Schumacher (the director) was taking the franchise with Batman Forever, and you see the beginning of the end.
I like Batman Forever, but like a good relationship gone bad.. it shows the fatal flaws that will kill the franchise in its dreadful Sequel.
ALL that being said.. I LOVE Batman Begins (and I like Superman Returns a lot too) – because it takes its source material seriously. It says: Okay, lets make a batman movie that is a good MOVIE, not just a good COMIC BOOK movie. And it makes all the difference.
Visit the Official Justin Timpane Website Music, Acting, and More! http://www.timpane.com