  Archives for 2001 December 12, 2001
Source: Cinescape
To say the least, Wil Wheaton is thrilled about being a part of the coming tenth STAR TREK
film, NEMESIS.
On his official website [http://www.wilwheaton.net/], the actor gave his take on the film's
script and an update on the project's progress, saying, "It's easily, far and away, the best
TREK movie since maybe WRATH OF KHAN. Certainly the best TNG movie. I am so excited to be in
this movie, I can't even begin to describe it.
"I talked to Brent Spiner yesterday, and he told me how excited they are that I'm going to be
working with them. I'm going to call Rick Berman today, and tell him 'Thank you' and let him
know how excited I am..."
He adds, "I am having my final costume fitting tonight, and I work Wednesday and Thursday. I
will take all the pictures I can get away with, and I'll post them when I get the OK from
Paramount." December 1, 2001
Source: Cinescape
Recent rumors suggest that Brit thesp Tom Hardy might be joining the cast of STAR TREK X look
to be nearly true.
According to TrekWeb, Hardy (BLACK HAWK DOWN, BAND OF BROTHERS) is currently in negotiations
to take on the role of the coming film's main villain, Shinzon.
The site also reports that Paramount and Hardy's agent have both confirmed the negotiations
are taking place. November 24, 2001
Source: Cinescape
After hemming and hawing on her possible participation in the coming 10th STAR TREK film,
STAR TREK: VOYAGER's Kate Mulgrew confirmed that she's on board the coming film after all.
According to TrekToday, while making an appearance at the Philadelphia Slanted Fedora
convention this last weekend, the actress revealed that she will reprise the role of Janeway for
the film, noting that she will be "ordering Picard around."
Previous rumors have suggested that her character was promoted to Admiral upon Voyager's
return home, ("Endgame").
In related news, Gates McFadden was also in attendance and revealed that Data (as played by
Brent Spiner) may be getting a new look in the coming film. November 18, 2001
X-Men 2 & Star Trek: Nemesis: Picard himself just talked with UK's Impact magazine and
confirmed a few rumours: "There's no start-date for X-Men 2 yet. That was due to start in
January or February and I guess it's fortunate that it's no, given that Star Trek X got pushed
back too. What I'm hearing now is July/August of 2002. It's a little frustrating because I was
looking forward to doing those films back to back, where I would have a solid six month block
when I was working and not available for other things. I'm actively trying to balance my theatre
work with my other projects". Also confirmed is the late November start of shooting date with
the scenes utilising 'Death Valley' likely to be first.
While making a public appearance over the last weekend, Patrick Stewart briefly touched upon
what's up with the tenth STAR TREK feature film.
According to the Trekker Newsletter, while appearing at the Galaxy Ball in Los Angeles on
November 10th, Stewart spoke again of the project, saying that "shooting was set to begin a week
from Monday."
When asked if the delays on the project had anything at all do with the events of September
11th resulting in script changes, Stewart said that "the script is going ahead as planned, no
changes have been made."
He then added that considering the tragic events in recent weeks, "there is no better time
for a STAR TREK movie and for this movie in particular."
Wil Wheaton has revealed that he's poised to join the cast of STAR TREK: NEMESIS, most likely
the last TREK feature to star the NEXT GENERATION cast.
On his own official website [http://www.wilwheaton.net/], the actor gave the word on his participation,
saying, "Last week, on Friday, my agent called me to let me know that there was an offer from
Paramount to reprise the role of Wesley Crusher in STAR TREK X. We just needed to work out the
details."
Wheaton went on explaining three reasons why he's excited about joining the project, as
follows:
"I am going to get to work with my friends again. Wesley Crusher will have some real closure,
finally. For the last 5 years, at least, everywhere I go, fans ask me if I'm going to be in a
movie, and what happened to Wesley, and I can honestly say that I'm doing this for the fans,
because it will be so damn cool to see all of us together again." October 30, 2001
On the October 29th edition of Entertainment
Tonight, both William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy talks about their troubled past to E.T.
Nimoy talked about his addiction to alcohol and how it nearly ruined his life, while Shatner
talks candidly about the alcohol problem of his late wife, Nerrie Ladd, who drowned in his
swimming pool in 1999, due to alcoholic problems. This is all part of a promotional stint for
the new video and DVD release entitled, "Mind Meld", which can be ordered at www.williamshatner.com. This special
section was on E.T.'s cover story segment.
In other news, Dark Horizons reports
of the reason why Star Trek: Nemesis was late, the latest Star Trek feature film, and the tenth
in the overall feature film phenomenon. Dark Horizons reports that the delays are due to the
lukewarmly received mid-2001 draft, which underwent major revisions. Despite this set back, the
film is scheduled for production to begin, November 28th. Source includes Trekweb.
Many sites are reporting that Roswell will have an Enterprise theme carried into its show.
The episode entitled, "Secrets & Lies", has Max, one of the characters on Roswell, travel to
Hollywood to audition for the role of an alien on Enterprise, while also unmasking the last sole
surviving shape-shifter. The shape-shifter offers Max his last chance on finding his son. Actors
John Billingsley, ENTERPRISE, and Jonathan Frakes, STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION, makes an
appearance on this episode. Jonathan Frakes plays a director on the episode, directing an
episode of ENTERPRISE. September 30, 2001
Although two weeks late, Captain Spirk would like to pass out condolences to the victims
family and friends of the September 11 tragedy in the U.S. After this terrible tragedy inflicted
to harm the democracy of our world, I hope that people can now embrace the ideals of the 24th
Century to heart, one of tolerance, peace and acceptance. This tragedy will not affect our
everyday normal life and hope that the terrorists who committed or harbored this act will be
brought to justice. I commend President George W. Bush on his efforts to stop terrorism once and
for all.
TNN: The National Network has announced a new documentary called AMERICA LOVES...STAR TREK
which will pave the way for a week long STAR TREK: NEXT GENERATION marathon on the cabler.
AMERICA LOVES...STAR TREK will look at the characters, dramatic storylines and casts over the
years that helped to make it television's most enduring series. The special also traces both the
influence and impact the series has had on society, how storylines have helped to explain the
political climate, inspired scientists to create new technology and the lessons it has taught us
about tolerance and diversity.
AMERICA LOVES...STAR TREK mixes clips from the original and spin-off series along with
exclusive interviews with former cast and production team members, space experts and devout
fans. Those interviewed include Majel Barrett Roddenberry, widow of creator Gene Roddenberry and
original series cast member; William Shatner, Captain James T. Kirk on STAR TREK; Rick Berman,
executive producer and former writer for STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION; Kate Mulgrew, Captain
Kathryn Janeway on STAR TREK: VOYAGER; Michael Dorn, Lt. Commander Worf on STAR TREK: THE NEXT
GENERATION; Marina Sirtis, Counselor Deana Troi on STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION; Dr. Mae
Jameson, the first African-American woman astronaut in space and Rick Searfoss, NASA shuttle
pilot.
The 5 day marathon, NEXT GEN ON TNN: A 5-DAY MISSION, will feature three of the STAR TREK
movies and 77 of the most popular episodes of the first spin-off series, STAR TREK: THE NEXT
GENERATION. The marathon will telecast daily during that week of October 1-5, from 9:00 AM -
3:00 AM, ET/PT.
Paramount has finally given the tenth STAR TREK feature film, STAR TREK: NEMESIS, the
production greenlight.
According to Variety, the special effects for NEMESIS (that's the title the trade is using,
too) will be overseen by Digital Domain. In particular, Mark Forker will operate as visual f/x
supervisor for the film out of Digital Domain.
The film, which will likely reunite the STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION cast for the last
time, is now set to ramp up production on November 28. After the production wraps, Patrick
Stewart will jump immediately into X-MEN 2.
Stuart Baird will direct the coming film with a script by John Logan
The season premiere of ENTERPRISE resulted in the second biggest night in the history of the
UPN TV network. The only previous viewership for a UPN program that was higher was, ironically,
the first episode of STAR TREK: VOYAGER. To be fair, that broadcast also launched the network in
1995.
The two-hour pilot episode averaged 12.54M viewers landing it a 6.3 rating/16 share in adults
18-49 and a 5.2/15 in the 18-34 age group.
The network won the two hour slot in a few major markets, including New York, San Francisco
and Detroit.
What makes this even more impressive is that one should note that not every market even has a
UPN affiliate, with word that the network currently has 82% national clearance. If the network
had that remaining 18%, chances are that it would have done even better.
Jolene Blalock has been talking about her gig as Subcommander T'Pol on ENTERPRISE.
While talking to Ian Spelling's Inside Trek & Sci Fi syndicated column, Blalock touched,
again, upon how she got the role, saying, "I took the script home, read it and loved it. I came
in, auditioned, had one meeting with Mr. Berman and Mr. Braga, and that was it - there was no
network, there was no studio, there was nothing. It was just, 'Hi, how are you?'...And they'd
been looking for this girl for over a year, and the character had been in development for two
years. So it was pretty amazing."
The actress also belives that her character will gradually become more a part of the ship's
crew, adding, "We're responsible for everything we put our hands to and the effects of it. T'Pol
just wants to make sure it goes down right, so Captain Archer and T'Pol are learning how to
groove together. I guess that's the most important relationship that's being developed... And
the others will get developed, too, over time."
Blalock also addressed her role of being the program's bait for male teens (and older),
saying, "I'm here for the character rather than the va-va or the voom. That's something I can't
control, because it's completely physical. It's something that doesn't occupy my mind.
"I'm not worried about the character's appearance getting in the way of how she is perceived.
The character works completely, in terms of the way she's being written and the way she's meant
to be portrayed." August 29, 2001
Jolene Blalock says that she almost didn't jump on board ENTERPRISE. While talking to TV
Guide Online, the actress revealed, "I passed on the [STAR TREK prequel] three times without
reading the script."
Eventually, though, she read it and signed on. Regarding her close call. she says, "Had I
passed on this, it would've been the dumbest move of my life. Talk about regrets! I'm so
fortunate to be chosen for this part."
Regarding her character of T'Pol, she says, "She's 65 years old, so she's older than the rest
of the crew. She is feline in movement. She is diplomatic with her words. And she does not look
at humans condescendingly, though she is a superior race, so it may seem that way. She's just
learning about human nature and the positives of feeling emotion."
August 22, 2001
Star Trek: Nemesis: Aside from the old Connery as Shinzon rumour, which has now been
disbanded as script reviews have indicated the character is in his late 20's/early 30's, rumours
for the role of the guest stars are now non-existent - till today. An anonymous source has
chimed in to both DH and Coming Attactions with the next batch of rumours for the roles: "I have
a friend at Paramount and he has informed me that Jude Law is up for the role of Shinzon the
main villian in Star Trek X and that Craig T. Nelson is up for the role of Shinzon's Advisor and
right hand man - the Reman Viceroy. He also informed me that Sean Connery was never up for the
role of Shinzon but is in fact up for the cameo role of the Praetor of the Romulan Senate."
Rick Berman and Brannon Braga have been talking candidly about their hopes for the coming
ENTERPRISE and revitalizing the STAR TREK franchise.
While talking to TV Guide for this week's ENTERPRISE cover story, Berman, spoke of TREK's
past and its future, saying, "We needed to bring back the wonder and excitement and scariness of
outer space. In the last two spinoffs, our characters were not where they wanted to be, and I
think that lost us viewers. [DS9's] Captain Sisko and his colleagues weren't crazy about life on
their space station, and [VOYAGER's] Captain Janeway was heading a vessel pointed in the wrong
direction. But Captain Archer is dying to get into space. I think the viewers who stepped away
when NEXT GENERATION went off the air will come back and want to go with him."
When Brannon Braga was asked if the powers that be at Paramount should have just replaced
him and Berman and got some new blood, the producer answers, "That's a totally fair question,
and there's part of me that thinks Paramount should fire and replace me. But I think Rick and I
are the perfect guys to deconstruct and reconceive STAR TREK, because we know exactly what the
problems and frustrations have been all these years."
Meanwhile, Scott Bakula gave his take on the coming program and its ability to revive TREK,
saying, "People are wondering if Berman and Paramount should have waited a while maybe laid low
for a year before doing another spinoff, but I'm sensing a groundswell of excitement. I think
the fans are very ready to reenlist."
The article in the coming issue (which has three covers) also features pictures of the crew
in uniform as well as T'Pau standing in the ship's sick bay. Click on the thumbnails here and
below to see the larger images.
Paramount Home Entertainment has announced the release date and some of the details of the
coming STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE -- THE DIRECTOR'S EDITION DVD. The two-disc set will be
hitting video stores on November 6th with a suggested retail price of $29.99.
The newly enhanced, recut version of the film will run 136 minutes. Extras on the set will
include group commentary by director Robert Wise, special photographics director Douglas
Trumbull, special photographic effects supervisor John Dykstra, music composer Jerry Goldsmith
and actor Stephen Collins.
In addition, there will be three new retrospective documentaries with cast and crew
interviews as well as five additional scenes (from the 1979 theatrical version) plus trims and
outtakes, and 11 more deleted scenes (from the 1983 TV version).
The film will also be released on VHS in letterboxed format for the first time and will
include a bonus featurette with new interviews of the cast and crew.
August 20, 2001
Source: TrekToday
Jeffrey Combs says he'll be turning up in a future episode of ENTERPRISE. While talking to
his official fan club [http://www.angelfire.com/stars2/jcfanclub/home.html], Combs revealed,
"ENTERPRISE called and asked if I would appear in episode 5 of the new series. I was reticent at
first, but ultimately my curiosity got the better of me!"
The actor revealed that he will be playing one of a familiar alien species on the series,
saying, "I'll be playing an Andorian. They were a race introduced in The Original Series, but
not utilized very much. They're blue with white hair and antennae and an edge. They despise
Vulcans."
Source: TV Guide
Don't ask William Shatner about what he knows about the coming ENTERPRISE. While talking to
TV Guide, the STAR TREK veteran gave his take on the coming series, saying, "I don't know
anything about it. I know less than you know."
Still, Shatner has compliments for Scott Bakula, saying, "Scott Bakula will be wonderful.
He's a very powerful actor."
When asked what the new captain of the Enterprise will need, Shatner offers, "Stamina, for
one. That's the main one. It's a long, arduous shoot."
Source: TrekToday
Robert Duncan McNeill, best known for playing Tom Paris on STAR TREK: VOYAGER, has been
shedding some light on the flavor of the coming ENTERPRISE TV series.
While appearing at the Slanted Fedora Convention held in Washington DC last weekend, McNeill,
who is directing an episode of ENTERPRISE, gave his take on the program, saying, "I've been [on
the ENTERPRISE set] twice since VOYAGER ended - once just to say 'hi' to the crew, from VOYAGER.
Most of the crew from our show has gone over to the new show. And then one day I came over just
to meet the actors and hang out for a little while, since I'm directing in September, and so I
was going to be gone, directing for DAWSON'S CREEK."
As for the coming prgram's tone, McNeill suggests it will be lighter than VOYAGER, saying, "I
know they're going for a lot of humor, and Scott Bakula is very funny. The one scene that I saw
them shooting, there was more humour, that kind of goofy humour, than we tended to do on our
show. So I think they're kind of going back to the Original Series in a way."
Source: Inside Trek & Sci Fi
Majel Roddenberry admits that she's surprised at how durable the STAR TREK franchise has
been. While talking to Ian Spelling's synidicated Inside Trek & Sci Fi column, the
actress/producer spoke of the franchise, saying, "It's totally incomprehensible. I cannot
conceive of a phenomenon like this happening anywhere. It's kind of like having a miracle go on
and on and on and on, where people see things that aren't really there, in religion and so
forth.
"I think, 'Oh my God, where did it come from? Will it never go away?' I guess it's not going
to go away. Of course, I'm delighted. My personal reaction is `Bring 'em on!'"
Roddenberry also revealed that she hadn't been approached to provide her voice for the
computer, if it needs one, in the upcoming ENTERPRISE. On this point, she says, "Remember, this
is 100 years earlier, and they haven't invented the computer voice yet. I'd love to do a scene
where I record the computer voice, but I don't know about being seen doing it because I'd
eventually evolve into Nurse Chapel if you kept it chronologically correct."
Roddenberry adds, "If they did a scene of me recording the voice, I suppose you could shoot
me from the back and go ahead and record it. But I don't think they're going to do that. They
finally got rid of me, so why would they put me in again?''
She also relates what she knows about the coming program, saying, "From what I've heard from
the writers, their endeavor is not to keep everything chronologically correct - that this is
just taken out of time. They can jump forward. They can go back. They can do anything they want.
That's where it really deviates from STAR TREK, because there was an almost military kind of
thing where STAR TREK could be unbelievable, but it had to be believable. August 11, 2001
One of CINESCAPE's sources close to the ENTERPRISE production has revealed the names of more
writers attached to the coming fifth STAR TREK TV series.
Besides the previously mentioned Antoinette Stella, Fred Dekker and Andre Bormanis, word has
it that VOYAGER writing team Mike Sussman and Phyllis Strong have jumped on board.
In addition, the writing team of Maria and Andre Jacquemetton as well as scribes Stephen Beck
and Tim Finch will be there, too.
July 29, 2001
One of CINESCAPE's sources close to the ENTERPRISE production has revealed the names of more
writers attached to the coming fifth STAR TREK TV series.
Besides the previously mentioned Antoinette Stella, Fred Dekker and Andre Bormanis, word has
it that VOYAGER writing team Mike Sussman and Phyllis Strong have jumped on board.
In addition, the writing team of Maria and Andre Jacquemetton as well as scribes Stephen Beck
and Tim Finch will be there, too
Paramount Pictures have just tapped director Stuart Baird, Executive Decision, to direct the next installment of the Star Trek
feature film, currently entitled "Star Trek: Nemesis". Baird has
been a film editor on a number of big blockbuster films ranging from Demolition Man, Lethal Weapon to Superman. Baird's directorial debut was in Executive Decision.
July 20, 2001
Paramount Pictures have just registered trademarks for "Star Trek:
Nemesis", the working title for the next "Star Trek" feature-film, which is written by
John Logan, Gladiator. They have also registered names for the characters of the brand new
series, Enterprise.
|
There will be no open
script submission policy for the new series "Enterprise" during its
first season. Although this is unconfirmed, Paramount may not have an open script submission
policy throughout its seven year run of the show, the first in a long line of Star Trek series,
which has accepted script submissions from fans for other shows.