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Berman Confirms Star Trek Prequel Film Project
Steve Krutzler writes "TrekWeb can break the news STAR TREK producer Rick Berman has confirmed that work on a new STAR TREK feature film project has begun. Speaking in the new Dreamwatch magazine, Berman describes it cryptically as a "prequel" and says he's working with two other producers on the project."
I'd be very interested to know if this is going to be a prequel to The Next Generation or to the original Star Trek series. Considering the last number of films were based on TNG, I would personally find it odd to go back to the original series at this point.
Still, the article only refers to STAR TREK, which would indicate that perhaps Kirk and not Picard might be our captain in this one. At least it would be a welcome change from Priceline.com adverts and Miss Congeniality 2 for William Shatner.
While the typos and spelling errors in the article were entertaining ("STAR TRKE" and "the future of their first series remains in limo") I'm not sure what to make of this. When they talk "prequel" are they talking about Pre-Enterprise? It seems like any earlier and there wouldn't be much opportunity to explore other species, etc. Can a Star Trek movie without existing characters/actors be successful? I mean Nemesis, which was based on the much-loved TNG crew, made about $53 at the box office. (OK, that might be a slightly low estimate.)
:)
I think a Starfleet Academy movie (mentioned in the article) could be compelling, but I'm losing interest in the whole franchise. I'd like to see another season of Enterprise despite the fact that it's a fairly weak show (in my opinion) but I think that Gene Roddenberry's vision is running out of gas without his input. I have mixed feelings: on one hand, Trek has gotten pretty lame, and it is probably time for them to stop producing it for a while, but on the other hand I'd miss even bad Trek... Is bad Trek better than no Trek at all? Am I even making any sense?
Drooling fanboys will be happy to read this line from the article, though:
"...insiders suggest Berman and/or Braga might take a reduced role in a fourth season of ENTERPRISE, though this is entirely speculation."
--- JRJ
jrjBlog
Potential to suck: 75%
Potential to be Great: 25%
Kaaaahhhhhhhhhnnnnnn!
Why, oh why, do they continue to insist on beating this dead horse into the dust? I'm as big a Star Trek fan as anybody, but it's gone way too far away from its roots, and quite frankly the last couple of movies have sucked so hard that I can't stand thinking about what they're going to bring out next.
Long live TNG on DVD.
I'd hope that it's a prequel to TNG. Rachel Garret needs her own series and movies.
Captains Log ...
~SpermanHerman
Rick Berman: "Prequel" Film in the Works, Plus Developing New Series With Braga
By Steve Krutzler / 12:42, 22 April 2004 / General Star Trek
After over a year of silence on the future of the STAR TREK feature film franchise, producer Rick Berman has finally dropped the first hints of a new theatrical project for the franchise. The news comes in the new issue of Dreamwatch magazine, just coming out in the UK.
Speaking in issue #117, Berman confirms for the first time that he is now developing a STAR TREK feature film project: "I am involved in the very early stages of what could be the next STAR TRKE movie," reveals Berman, in an excerpt provided by Dreamwatch. "It's something I will be producing with two other producers."
Unwilling to offer many details he cryptically describes it as "a prequel" without any further elaboration. The names of his producing cohorts will have to remain unknown for now, as well. This follows a report earlier this week from Dark Horizons that Paramount may be working on a project the site described as "Starfleet Academy." Coincidentially, former TREK producer Harve Bennett (STAR TREKs II-VI) revealed recently that several years ago he had pitched a Starfleet Academy-based STAR TREK movie concept.
On the television front, while the future of their first series remains in limo, Berman confirms that he is developing a non-STAR TREK sci-fi series with partner Brannon Braga. Both Berman and Braga have development deals with Paramount. If a new series begins development in earnest, TrekWeb insiders suggest Berman and/or Braga might take a reduced role in an adults-only supermarionation version of ENTERPRISE, though this is entirely speculation.
For the full interview and much more, check out issue #117 of Dreamwatch magazine in the United Kingdom.
Because we all know how well he's done with the current prequel series Enterprise. I'm sure this will be a homerun. Look, I understand various people (Stewart, Spiner, etc) want a lot of money/don't really want to be involved... that's fine. But there are enough people that do, and enough ways to craft a story. Captain Riker in charge, Dr. Bashir in the data role (perhaps as an Intelligence Officer or something). Maybe a plot about those parasite things that TNG never followed up on. Perhaps Riker finds out his clone Tom is still alive, and they need to go rescue him? There are lots of options that don't require prequels.
...they announced plans to dig up Gene Roddenberry's corpse and kick it around in the street. Sources close to the production crew said they were in the market for dead horses and clubs.
But there is another kind of evil that we must fear most... and that is the indifference of good men.
Prequel .... So... shatner with hair and Nemoy accidentally emoting all over the place?
- and small change got rained on with his own 38
The entire crew of the Enterprise is still at school and Spock Jr is being bullied by ignorant full-blooded humans when Jamie Kirk leaps to the rescue and saves Spock Jr who says "you humans are so emotional. on my planet i would have left myself to be beaten to a bloody pulp". Jamie Kirk then kicks Spock jr in the groin, rips off his shirt and makes out with one of the local girls.
Ceci n'est pas une signature
But that'w what I said when "DS9" started...
the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
They could call this film... "Trekkies".
Sorry. forgot. someone already did this.
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
Have TNG, DS9, and Voyager casts on hand, tell a story about the Borg finally getting fed up and invading federation space wholesale.
:P
You want to see money fly? Have Q amusing himself by bringing the Borg there.
Karma: Chameleon (mostly due to the fact that you come and go).
Don't you know the tastes of the many outweigh the tastes of the few, or the none?
I still find the idea of prequels in Star Trek rather silly. In Star Wars there was a storyline, so in that case it might have made some sense, but Star Trek?
The only result is that they can show *less* technological tricks, *less* alien species, and, importantly, *less* developed Star Trek ideals and moral conflicts.
No Prime Directive? No teleporting?
I would find much more appealing a series or a movie some two-hundred years *after* TNG, instead...
The web servers canna take much more of this capt'n
What kind of story will it be?
Star Trek: 0.5 - The Trouble With Jar Jar, think of all the horrible possibilities! With only a modicum of chance for success.
This probubally won't be anything to do with TNG. They had pretty much said they were done with that cast and the movies. Plus the last one didn't do that great at the box office.
Before Kirk there were 2 wars they might cover. One with the Klingons and one with the Romulins. This could provide for some action
Another scenario they had talked about was doing a movie of the Excelusier and Chekov (yes I know I butchered the name)
Evolution or ID?
I wish they would let this once noble francise just die.
A Prequel. Egads! Could that mean Scott Bakula meets Kirk? Lots of CGI will be needed to remove 200lbs from the now-flabby Shatner.
They might even waste the whole CGI budget on keeping Kirk trim. Let's just pray that Data is dead for good. Ohh look I'm an ass now that I have emotions.
I never got a chance to watch Farscape, and honestly I don't think much will ever match Babylon 5 for depth and quality.
"The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men." ~Plato (427-347 BC)
Seeking Writers: "Pro Nanny, "Au Pair", "Paranoia", "Star Fleet Command", "Stranger in a Strangeland", "Homeland Security", Peter Weir's "War Magician", Tony Scott's "Warriors" and an untitled Johnny Knoxville project
Sources close to Berman and Braga say that "they are really excited about this new project. They have some really hot ideas mainly from their marketing departments. This 'prequel' will use the 'Freaky Friday' story and give it a fresh new take with the cast of the hit series 'Enterprise'." Berman is quoted as saying "there's a lot of life left in the universal story of a young hip teen switching places with an older cranky Starship Captain."
- For the complete works of Shakespeare: cat
While I do read /. everyday, and I am very aware that the general relevant population doesn't think much of Enterprise, I have to respectfully disagree. Take last night's new episode as an example: Archer attacked and stormed a totally innocent ship because he needed their warp coil; T-Pol turns out to be a drug addict! These are things that NEVER would have happend on the original Trek or on TNG. The writers are finally writing morally fallible characters, and I for one am thrilled.
That said, a prequel has MUCH more potential to be good than another sequel. They can have the Klingons be evil again (who wouldn't want that?). Technology wouldn't be as advanced, which makes easy-outs of plot points harder to resolve, and hence more interesting. The federation isn't as strong, which also opens up more complex plot possibilities.
I think this is the best announcement for Trek fans in years. Nemesis was simply awful, and I'd hate to see the Data v2 re-learning how to paint, play violin, or some such garbage. Old can sometimes be new again!
It's sad, because I've always loved Star Trek. But I realized the truth when I saw the latest installment in the theater, which in my opinion was nothing but a bad rehash of The Wrath of Khan.
But then, I guess this is a sign of the times. Lately it's seemed to me that we as a culture are running low on creativity. I don't ever remember a time when so many sequels and so few original films were released. And of course, people flock like lemmings to see the latest rehash of whatever. I haven't heard an original musical group in what seems like years. I'm sure there are indie groups that I've never heard of that are doing great stuff, but the mainstream... I guess the latest thing is for bands like The Darkness to resurrect the same lame ass hair metal that Nirvana wiped off the face of the earth. And most of the the rock music that I've heard in the last couple of years has been variations on the Korn theme... detuned guitars and shameless lyrics about childhood trauma. Hey asshole, you're rich -- go get some therapy and get the hell over it!
Anyway, I know I've drifted a bit off topic, but I see this as another attempt to squeeze the every last penny out of what used to be a great franchise by driving it even deeper into the ground. All to avoid, *gasp*, coming up with something ORIGINAL! But no, that would be too risky. Let's just serve up another plate of leftovers.
Lets face it - we NEED a show with some good space battles, NO cutesy-poo whimps like Wesley, or that Hyena-freak on Voyager. The eugenics wars when Kahn came into power would also be very good to cover - much of the Earth was trashed.
..........FULL STOP.
It would be nice to see some more of the backstory on the Enterprise C. They could even involve the actors from TNG episode - don't remember the title but it was a parallel universe one with Tasha back alive...
Great ideas often receive violent opposition from mediocre minds. - Albert Einstein
Why, oh why, do they continue to insist on beating this dead horse into the dust?
Because each time they whack the horse's corpse, it coughs up another wad of hundred-dollar bills.
Long live TNG on DVD.
I agree. I need to invest. TNG was the best series by far.
sudo eat my shorts
In other news, the Trekweb site was brought to its knees at a factor of warp 4.
This sig no verb.
The wonderful thing about science fiction is that, imho, it isn't really about science at all. Instead, it gives writers an opportunity to change small (or large) details about the world around humans, and see how they react. So, SF is all about humans at the end of the day. For a while, Star Trek understood that. Almost all of the first series understood that, with wise old Gene at the helm. TNG understood that as well, which is why "The Inner Light" is one. of. the. best. damn. episodes. of. any. series. ever.
Berman and his band of merry idiots don't understand this simple fact. I remember reading an article in which he said something like: "Star Trek fans loves aliens and time travel."
Star Trek 2, 4 and 6 understood that it's all about the people. First Contact was good because it was so damn cool, and nobody can dislike anything with the Borg in it.
So yeah, if I have simply lost interest in Star Trek because Berman wants to fill every movie with "aliens" and "time travel" then troll me.
I agree, but as long as they have a guy who can make funny noises with his mouth, while leaving out Steve Guttenberg.
... just skip the bloody humans! I'd like to see the early days of Vulcan, or even better, the origin of the Borg...
...it started with this news commenting service that people spent a lot of time communicating on, but eventually, the only sentiments issued from it were a uniform set of thoughts. ;-)
[puts on the Star Trek hat]....
People were afraid that once the Federation had figured out a way to combat/make peace with the Klingons (ST:VI), the Borg (ST:VOY), and then finally the Romulans (ST:X) the story would start to run out of steam.
I believe there is still much life in the Star Trek universe. Unfortunately, the young-ones of today's modern shows do not see the qualities of the episodes the older generations remember. Star Fleet is about exploration (to avoid using the show's cliche) and meeting new races. The UFP does not encompass every civilization from the Alpha to Delta quadrants. I can remember being mesmerized by the countless ST:TOS episodes of meeting new aliens and the numerous occasions where the Enterprise was about to be blown to smithereens.
There was an episode of ST:TNG (the Traveller) where Commander Data said that Star Fleet had only explored a little more than 11% of _our galaxy_ in the three hundred years of space development and exploration. Even with ST:DS9 and ST:VOY timelines, that leaves over 85% of the galaxy as uncharted. There are tons of lifeforms and battles to be generated with 85% of the galaxy remaining. ST:VOY revealed the transwarp system developed by the Borg for fast movements throughout the quadrants. And Starfleet captains still do not always agree with the Federation Council.
The problem with modern Star Trek is the incorporation of Soap Opera-like drama into the storyline. The audience is now addicted to this notion that an episode must be directed as if it were a feature film. Many episodes of the TOS did not focus on character development directly. Instead, we learned about these characters by their everyday performance of their duties. ST:ENT is currently battling this very issue.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the ten films produced under the Star Trek banner. When it comes down to it, I would prefer an episode over a film anyday. Look at how much stuff can occur to capture an audience's interest in a season. ST:ENT reveals a modern take as to the lessons that had to be learned before the great Jim Kirk could take the center stage out into the Alpha quadrant. Think about all the historical development of the Federation we've heard about (especially in ST:TNG) that have yet to be shown on TV or in a film...
Ayup
I'm sick of the people that will Star Trek to die. If you don't like Star Trek nowadays, quit trying to ruin it for me. Why badmouth it if you're not going to watch it?
Some of you people have seen maybe three episodes of Enterprise and declared it horrible. The same goes for Deep Space Nine or Voyager. However, we find Star Trek fans whos' favorite series are any of the series made so far. Ya, TNG is the amazing god of Star Trek - but some of us find Enterprise, DS9, or Voyager to be a hundred times more interesting than a new sci-fi show on a choked budget.
My friends and I have been watching Enterprise religiously. It is an amazing show. Every week they put out a movie-quality episode. Ya, there are some corny parts. But, the all-amazing TNG had corny parts too. And don't forget how corny the original series was - all computers are a grid of colorful blinking lights.
However, willing the Star Trek universe to simply die is such a waste. Star Trek fans know the aliens, we know the different politics for different alliances, we know the history... starting a whole new universe with a new show makes that all wasted.
Also, what is the deal with hating Rick Berman? He worked on part of TNG, DS9, Voyager, and now Enterprise. He's contributed as much to the Star Trek universe as Gene Roddenberry.
I hope they make another series after Enterprise.. and I hope Enterprise goes for at least 5 years. It's simply an entire wealth of creativity larger than Lord of the Rings and Star Wars combined.
--- We need more Ron Paul!
Speaking in issue #117, Berman confirms for the first time that he is now developing a STAR TREK feature film project: "I am involved in the very early stages of what could be the next STAR TRKE movie," reveals Berman, in an excerpt provided by Dreamwatch. "It's something I will be producing with two other producers."
Unwilling to offer many details he cryptically describes it as "a prequel" without any further elaboration. The names of his producing cohorts will have to remain unknown for now, as well.
We allready know the names of his accomplices: Bragga and the Devil.
Rick Berman has been turning Star Trek into a distilled form of crap ever since Gene Rodenberry passed away.
First he took out the technological eutopia element, because, who wants to watch a show abuot a future where humanity has learned to live in harmony with itself. Then he added religion, turned StarFleet from a para-military space exploration outfit into a facist military government, turned a formally edgy show (first interracial kiss on america TV, a russian and chineese working with a U.S. born captain, etc) into a steaming pile of politically correct drivel, etc.
I used to be a trekkie, but the things that are called Star Trek nowadays aren't Star Trek anymore. He took the brand name and threw away the substance.
That movie won't be Star Trek, it will be the Rick Berman Time-Travel-Reset-Button Hot Alien Chick Spectacular. He should call it that.
You can't take the sky from me...
Nemesis broke that law finally, we are no longer bound by its chains or uplifted by its promises.
In the law there is no overlap between theft and copyright infringement whatsoever.
I watched all of DS9 and loved it. I can't remember there being a bad episode, although it sort of twiddled its thumbs for the first two seasons. I watched all but the last season of Voyager. While there were few really bad episodes, the show was hampered with throwaway cast members and a lack of really good episodes: most were "below average".
Enterprise? At least the premise is good (Voyager was a botched effort that should have not made it out of the starting gate), but somewhere between TNG and Enterprise, they have forgotten how to film. Everthing is all dark and grainy, and might as well be on a black and white TV set.
Compare this to the average bridge scene on those "Spike" ST:TNG reruns: they knew how to actually light a set. Only DS9 had any reason to look this way, being a grungy Cardassian station. The strength of "Trip" Tucker (one of the best actors/characters in Trek, I think) shows how the rest of the cast really comes up short.
"Star Trek fans know the aliens, we know the different politics for different alliances, we know the history."
Uh... not really. The Klingon/etc stuff has been shelved. All you have now are Xindi which are totally new, and races like Andorians and Vulcans who were around before but now are having the history created or re-written.
"I hope they make another series after Enterprise.. and I hope Enterprise goes for at least 5 years."
This season is better than the first two, but even then, the Xindi are nothing to write home about (nothing like the Borg, Vulcans, and Klingons that fired fan interest before). Still waiting for the show to "find its groove".
Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
Same idea goes for replicators, holodecks, whatever. Star Trek just usually cops out and gives us "regular life surrounded by cool toys." The advances they have almost never change their lives the way they would change our own.
Well, StarTrek did begin with TV's most flagrant split infinitive. ("...to boldly go...")
Seeing bad movies only encourages them. Watch responsibly
If they had any sense, they would eject Berman and let Nick Meyer run the show. So much of the best of Star Trek films was from him.
His directorial debut was... Star Trek II. He wrote all the script for Star Trek IV that took place in the 20th century. He also directed Star Trek IV and did a great deal of the story, based upon an idea by Nimoy.
He has a sense of the show that Berman lacks utterly.
Never confuse feeling with thinking.
All the best ST movies have (with one exception) been their darkest - and even Voyage Home had a pretty bleak undertone (goodbye Earth). On the other hand, their "cute" movies have also been their worst - and Nemesis proves they shouldn't try for a core bad guy until they can give us a good one (I was not impressed with Nemesis, but at least it helped drive away the bad taste of Insurrection's diarrhetic implosion).
As for Enterprise, regardless of it's ratings I think it's the best effort they've made since TNG's final season. It has the best characters (all have distinct flaws that aren't cute, which makes their finer aspects shine a little more). It has a dark and slightly twisted sense of humor I like. They do not always make the moral choice in the end, instead of always figuring out what's right by the end of the show. Their doctor is the first alien ST crewmember who seems to fit in as a castmember instead of the token alien.
And... it brings back some of the Blood, Booze, and Babes element that made the original last so long. When they fight, they fight like they mean it. Bodies fly out of gaping holes in the ship, there are redshirts all over the place, and sometimes they have to be cold and brutal just to survive, not to make a highhanded point.
I want to see a Star Trek movie that makes your brain twist... something approaching hard sci-fi, but not enough to drive people away. I want Arthur C Clarke to make me a Star Trek. Or, if they can ever get him to talk to them again, Harlan Ellison (who wrote their best episode, period). Something dark and bleak, where instead of being preachy, they tear their entire world apart and let them climb out of the wreckage.
I don't want a happy Star Trek movie. I don't want to hear Picard soliliquizing on philosophical matters like it was a pleasant tea party, or Riker worrying about his love life, or La Forge being bored with his job. I want to see all hell break loose, and characters who ACT like they're not having fun. And if the TNG guys get one more go, kill some of them off in acts of violence, not dramatic self-sacrifice. I want Shakespearean Tragedy, not As The Federation Turns.
Or maybe... just maybe... I'll be impressed if I see a title like "Star Trek: Holy War" or "Star Trek: Apocalypse"... not "Star Trek: Earl Grey, Hot".
Do not confuse "Freedom of Choice" with "Free Will".
Meesa gots a baaaaaad feeling about this!
-- dR.fuZZo
From what I remember, Star Trek was a way to see things with clarity without preconceptions, stigmas, conditions and feelings that may be a little biassed in one way or another compared to our neighbours across the street or world.
But, with every new show it, this piece of the puzzle becomes less and less important.
What we need is a trilogy or something (can they make 3.14 movies?) to move the current time to 4 or 5 hundred years after Voyager. (heck, why not just move Archer, the ship, the crew (and the show) there (haha)).
That would give the stories more chance to breathe and maybe give some power to whoevers job it is to shoot down stupid ideas that are there just for ratings and not to make the story better.
That's my rant if you can call it that.
Dan
(also... is it me or are the scenes of the shows getting darker and darker as they come out? kinda sucks)
The Vorlons return from beyond the rim and drag Babylon 5 into a seperate reality. When the 1701-E stumbles upon it, they request aid from Admiral Janeway who sends Voyageur (with her on board) and she also commands the crew of DS9 to arrive with the Defiant in case we need Worf to make rude noises. O'Brien happens to be on the 1701-E, as Picard missed his old transporter-chief and decided to liberate him from Starfleet Academy.
So, we have all these crews here, but we're missing two. Sisko, while speaking with the wormhole aliens, asks them to drag the NX-01 and the NCC-1701 from the past to the planet where Babylon 5 is orbiting. All hell breaks loose. Sisko materializes on the bridge of the Defiant and begins to command the fleet (while Picard quietly plots his death, feeling upstaged). Babylon 5 launches it's fighers, and the harrowing corpse of Sheridan begins to emanate a strange energy signature. All of a sudden, three Spacing Guild ships appear above the station, and the fighters of Muad'dib begin to use their illegaly-taught Bene Gesserit teachings to subdue Starfleet. Babylon 5 lays waste to all Starfleet ships with the White Star, and subsequently becomes entranced themselves by the wily ways of the Fedaykin.
Afterwards, another Guild Highliner arrives carrying a delegation of the Bene Gesserit who tames the Vorlons with lessons they've learned from The Scattering.
The movie ends with Captain Kirk in an escape pod singing "Row Row Row your Boat"
"It's here, but no one wants it." - The Sugar Speaker
"TNG had excellent continuity with storyline...The characters progressed and grew..."
You have got to be kidding. With probably the notable exception of Wesly, Barkley, and maybe a certain holographic doctor, nearly every Trek character has been as static as a maniquin. Their actions from episode to episode did nothing to affect donwline events, nor did these events have any affect on their personalities. Each show was self contianed and the Riker you knew in one episode would be exactly the same in the others. And as much as you malign Voyager (rightfully so n some cases) it probably had the most character development I've ever seen in a Trek series and the most reactive plot to boot. They were normally short range arcs, but at least they stepped out of their own airtight compartment for a change.
Frankly, I'm tired of trek in general. Most of the plot is self contained and most of the characters are static. You can only do it so many times before it gets stale. At least do it right.
Like Firefly.
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