The filmmakers behind this summer's hit movie discuss the upcoming sequel to the popular re-imagined franchise
One of the most popular films of this past summer was the re-imagining of Star Trek, so naturally fans can't wait for the inevitable sequel to the film. The movie saw the re-telling (in an alternate time-line) of the early days of the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise so now that the stage has been set fans can't wait to see where the filmmakers take the series next. Director J.J. Abrams and writers Roberto Orci and Alec Kurtzman appeared at an event in Santa Monica yesterday to speak about the upcoming DVD and Blue Ray versions of the film and answered some questions about the upcoming sequel.
Abrams began by discussing the upcoming project, which is just in the early stages of brainstorming right now according to the writers. The director was asked if he thought the next film would incorporate more of the mythology of the original series or if the script would be an original story? "Going forward the fun of this movie series is that we will have opportunity given its kind of alternate time-line to cross paths with any of the experience, places and characters that existed in the original series," answered Abrams. "We've got to be very careful obviously doing that," he continued. "I don't want to do something that is so inside that only die-hard fans will appreciate but I guarantee you what ever the story, we're just now working on the script and beginning the process of story-breaking, but what ever the final movie ends up being, I know that the intent is that it will work on it's own terms and not be something that you need to know and study "Star Trek" to get but if you are a fan there will be, hopefully gift after gift of connections, references to characters and things that you hopefully as a fan hold near and dear."
The director went on to discuss his hopes for the sequel and his hope for adapting some of the allegories that the original show was so famous for. "With Star Trek it's not like we're looking to make the second movie some kind of heavy political allegory. I think that it's important that there is a metaphor to what we know and there is relevance. I think allegory is the thing that made show's like "The Twilight Zone" and "Star Trek" resonate and still vital today. But because the first movie was so much about introducing these people and is very much sort of a premise movie, which is, how do you bring these people together? It made it difficult to also have the film go as deep as it could about certain conflicts, about certain relationships, about the heart of who some of these characters are. I think it was successful in what it needed to do, to introduce these people but I feel that now that we've done that, and yes there is still going to be getting to know each other I'm sure in some degree, but I think that it is the job of the next film to go a little bit deeper, not to be any less fun, not to take it self too seriously but to consider now who these people are and to sort of grow with them and just examine them maybe a little bit more closely now that we've gotten through the pleasantries and introductions."
Roberto Orci added to that by saying, "Now that we've established the characters we can have a more philosophical allegory where what's happening in the future represents our world like the best versions of it in the '60s did, representing Women's rights, racial equality and progressive issues." When asked how much time will elapse between the two films, Orci said, "We're actually debating that." "We don't have an answer yet," replied his Krutzman.
Orci and Krutzman went on to discuss rumors that they were writing a second and third sequel at the same time. "You know I think we tend to look at this and I think it's very important to us that each movie is good," said Krutzman. "Not, hey lets do as many as possible but lets make sure that they're good. I think we feel like we've inherited this incredible honor and this mantel of Star Trek and the most important thing is to make sure that we're protecting that first. So if the studio wants more than one, great but our thinking is going to be very much about the story, whether it prescribes that they'll be more than one. Part of what's great about Star Trek is it is a continuing adventure so you naturally think that there will be many, hopefully but we only focus on what comes next and then build off of that. So right now we're not thinking specifically about making 2 and 3. It may come up but it's not where are heads are right now," he continued.
The writers were also asked if there were elements from the later Star Trek TV series that they had thought about incorporating into the films. "I think we think about it just because we do love "Star Trek: The Next Generation," but I think our instinct would be to first look at the original series before we considered that," said Orci. "But all that is on the table for us," he continued. The writers were then asked if they had given any thought to the inclusion of Khan in future films? "I think where we're starting is where our characters are now and what are interesting complications that we can put in their lives," said Krutzman. "What feels like an organic emotional place for them to get to or how do we want to test them? Then you look at everything. You look at everything and start asking who would be the best foe? But the short answer is that we haven't landed on anybody yet."
Orci continued, "There's a mental exercise that we play with. In fact we even at one point had a conversation I recall about the first movie that it could have ended on ... and then the Botany Bay floats by. So you can't be fans of this and not sit around at night and go, what if we ... so we've gone through probably whatever you've gone through in your mind."
Abrams was asked about a comment that Leonard Nimoy recently made about the Star Trek franchise no longer needing him. "I can say that I can't imagine a Star Trek movie not needing him," answered the director. "I'm sure what he is saying is a combination of modesty and honesty. He may actually feel that way but the truth is we could never have made this movie with out him and working with him again would be a joy. It is clearly to early now given that we are just talking story to conclude whether or not Spock Prime is in the film or not. But do I want to work with him again? Of course, one hundred percent, I'd love to."
Abrams also talked about the possibility of incorporating William Shatner back into the series. "In terms of moving forward, I'm open to anything," he said. "I would love to figure out something that given the challenge of introducing these new characters, given the burden of having to cast these people. I feel like the first movie did some of the heavy lifting that needed to be done in order to free us to continue going forward. Maybe there is less of a burden and there is going to be more opportunity to work with him. I would love to work with him. We speak; we actually have a lunch date planned. I'm a fan, I'm a friend of his or he's at least a friend of mine. He may say otherwise on his blog today, I have no idea. But I really couldn't like him more and would love to work with him."
Finally, Abrams was asked if he has considered shooting Star Trek 2 in 3D. "It's funny, Paramount talked to me about doing the first one in 3D and having it only be my second film I was petrified," the director said. "I thought it would be another dimension of pain-in-the-ass. I just wanted to make a descent 2D movie. I was so worried that rather than being a descent 2D movie it would be a bad 3D one so I'm open to looking at it because now I feel a little bit more comfortable. If I in fact direct the sequel of our Star Trek film 3D could be really fun. So I'm open to it. What I've seen of Avatar makes me want to do it because it's so crazy cool looking."
Star Trek 2 comes to theaters May 17th, 2013 and stars Zoe Saldana, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Benedict Cumberbatch, Anton Yelchin, Simon Pegg, Karl Urban, John Cho. The film is directed by J.J. Abrams.
Comments (17)
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Saavik
I have been a die-hard Trekker since I was tiny (the horror of seeing my hero Spock die when I was so young!) and I admit the new movie made me pause. I was not thrilled at the idea.
When I saw it the first time, my friend had to slap his hand across my mouth to prevent me from constantly muttering, "That's not canon." However, I did my research and read up on Mr. Abram's concepts and watched it again. This time with eyes wide open. What a difference! The actors are beyond talented, the story actually moves me, and what are you all saying about the score? When I heard the music the first time, especially "Enterprising Young Men", I was captivated. And I was a music major, so I'm pretty picky about music.
Overall, I have to say in my ever-so-humble opinion the franchise is in excellent hands; Mr. Roddenberry can rest well. The newest movie was delightful and I am on pins and needles for the second! Standing ovation for all involved--cast, production staff, crew, musicians, everyone!
2 years agoby @saavikFlag
Vanboy
digital3dg, I was with you until I read all of those typos and when you dissed Tron and Terminator.
And if you knew he Trek world, you would know that it was never meant to be an R rated franchise. Trek stands above the common gratuitous "t*ts and ass" fare. Doing that to Trek would flush it's merits and credibility down the toilet.
I agree, bring back Brad Feidel. He created the Terminator feel and tension. Why he hasn't done every Terminator score is beyond me! They get these morons who sputter to create something original, when the thing that we really want is continuity and familiarity, as least in the music.
2 years agoby @vanboyFlag
digital3dg
and cliffhanger this sh*t, bring back the cliffhanger in this and the bond (wich the great bonds had multiple cliffhangers). abrams knows how to make a great tv show with lost, why he blew chucks with this crap is beyond me.
2 years agoby @digital3dgFlag
digital3dg
abrams would have my respect if they would have gone with making a hard R rated startrek movie for action and gone with the original film music wich the next generation series brilliantly did (those films started to tank when they watered down that score).
2 years agoby @digital3dgFlag
digital3dg
i should say remove actors/music. removing music seems to be the new trend for reboot/remake/sequels :(. reboots are nothing more than demographic filmmmaking designed to make a buck off a gauranteed percentage of an older film/franchise. Im starting to get a low opinion of people that reboot sh*t, like having someone sh*t in your mouth and tell you its chocolate when your bright enough to know its not.
2 years agoby @digital3dgFlag
digital3dg
tron is going to suck balls without wendy carlos's score. where would star wars/indy/jaws/psycho be without thier score? no where thats where. music is 85% of a movie and just as important as a character in it. when franchises remove music they historicaly tank.
2 years agoby @digital3dgFlag
digital3dg
trekkies are not dicks comrade, go back to russia where you belong. star trek franchise needs to stop doing what every franchise is doing thats tanking it and removing the great music (wich is why 1-4 were great and the rest except first contact sucked ass). All these terrible franchises do the same thing, bond music sucks and is watered down compared to connery/moore (goldeneye being last good bond film still had watered down bond music), terminator sucks for removing/watering down brad fidels soundtrack. Im almost tempted to rescore some of these sinking franchises just to show how much difference good music makes in a movie. I wouldnt have minded this reboot had the music sucked balls. they should have blended music elements of the first four with the fight song of the classic.this franchise is tanking balls with its score. Im not fan of batmans soundtrack over burtons either.
2 years agoby @digital3dgFlag
Vanboy
Necros, What about the destruction of Vulcan? Screw the Romulans. They were always sneaking behind the Federation anyway. But there was that part at the end of the forgettable Nemesis, where the Romulans pulled a Klingon move from Undiscovered Country. What series did they set up there? Hmmm. Maybe The Next, Next Generation?
And Comrade, Star Trek movies require thought. That said, we understand your hatred toward them. Why be nasty and insult Trekkers? If you don't care for Trekkers, why not simply keep your mouth shut? And if you hate Trekkers, you hate Star Trek. This is our thing. If you like Trek, then you either really like us, or you ARE a Trekker yourself and don't know it or want to admit it.
But if you don't like Trek and just want to piss on it, It's okay, you can stick with Jar Jar Binks.
That's just an insult for your insult.
2 years agoby @vanboyFlag
-comrade-
"XI was a good sci-fi action movie but a crappy Star Trek movie."
But a lot of good Star Trek Movies are sh*tty ANYTHING ELSE movies.
Trekkies are dicks.
2 years agoby @taberjohnson18Flag
Necros_hun
XI was a good sci-fi action movie but a crappy Star Trek movie... :( And they've destroyed Romulus in the original timeline and Vulcan in the alternate. Was that necessary? And these writers call themselves Trek fans. Yeah, right...
At least make one or two DS9 direct-to-DVD movies (ignoring the destruction of Romulus) from the profit you earned guys. Then I won't mind you messing with the Star Trek universe.
2 years agoby @necros-hunFlag
-comrade-
Should be good. I think this will avoid the 3D craze right now, at least in the shooting phases, and that's not really a great thing or a terrible thing. Either way, I'm looking for a plot that is equally or more engaging than the first.
2 years agoby @taberjohnson18Flag
GROND29
Please not in 3D!
2 years agoby @grond29Flag
Vanboy
CBF, great points about Star Wars! I have always shouted those same things. Thank you!
And Lucas Star Trek Fanboys would never allow Lucas to get near Trek. It would bring forth the Apocalypse!
".....we've inherited this incredible honor and this mantel of Star Trek"...
Nicely said.
YESSSSSSSS! Pleeeease make it 3D! Trek 3 was supposed to be 3D, but it didn't happen and I have never found out why. Many of the scenes, you can see, were meant for 3D. The Grissom exploding, and the vapor cloud coming toward the camera. The barge traitor ship that gets blown up in the beginning, and the pieces flying passed the camera, and finally, Genesis blowing up and asteroid pieces shooting by, as Kirk says, "Goodbye David". I hope this is in 3D. I has to be. I'm glad to hear he's open to it.
Okay, not every movie has to be in 3D, but this one does!
2 years agoby @vanboyFlag
CBF
It was a pretty amazing movie, not saying it wasn't. But why go back in the timeline to do a prequel to the timeline but then completely destroy the timeline? Even if Abrams does a series of three films, the average these days for a franchise (trilogy), what was the point really? Just to create an alternate version? OK, no, I understand the story. It's all current up until the point Nero time-travels back and destroys Vulcan. OK, so... still, it's all relevant, why? Because they want to establish this new timeline to introduce a new Kirk/Spock series after the films? If the answer is no, why the hell would Star Trek 11 be an alternate timeline prequel? I never understood why Janeway and the Voyager crew never got their own movie.
And I hear you about the Star Wars thing. Although I liked the prequels. I know, a lot of SW purist fans didn't, but the only thing I feel that was f-ed up in I-III were the casting choice of Anakin and the sh*tty written dialog by Lucas. Also the major plot holes like in II when the Jedi were investigating the Bounty Hunter and the creation of the clones, and then... all of a sudden they weren't anymore with no explanation. I hate plot holes.
2 years agoby @comicbookfanFlag
joekerr2e
Come on... he gave the franchise new life. Look at it this way... at least he didn't f*ck the Trekkies. You could've had George Lucas directing it and then ended up the same fate we got stuck with for Star Wars. I was always SW over ST and even I had to admit that the new ST was pretty freakin' fun to watch... enjoyed the hell out of it.
2 years agoby @joekerr2eFlag
CBF
Except for the part where all continuity of Star Trek = f*cked.
2 years agoby @comicbookfanFlag
Draktyr
Awesome. Abrams did an incredible job with the first movie! Can't wait!
2 years agoby @draktyrFlag