News

[Niemz]

Trek 11 Not Dead?

Screenwriter Erik Jendresen told SyFyPortal that his proposed Star Trek: The Beginning, the 11th film in the franchise, is not dead, though Paramount has made no decisions about moving forward with the franchise.

Jendresen's script would take place after the events of TV's Star Trek: Enterprise and before those of the original series, during the Earth-Romulan war. The film would center on an entirely new crew and ship, led by a captain called Tiberius Chase, the site reported. The film is envisioned as the first in a trilogy that would culminate in the formation of the United Federation of Planets.

"We wanted to reveal the actual cause of that war, which was surprising to all involved at the time," Jendresen told the site. "We simply wanted to reveal the truth behind that startling incident."

Jendresen (TV's Band of Brothers) was commissioned to write a script last year, but uncertainty about the moribund franchise was heightened when Paramount merged with DreamWorks and management changed.

For now, Paramount is still evaluating what to do with its most profitable franchise and whether it will resurrect Jendresen's script.

"There is a producer at Paramount who has been championing this and the notion that we have the opportunity to plug the gap with this trilogy." Jendresen said, without providing names. "We have a chance here to fill in the canon, and to create a continuum ostensibly from the beginning, from Enterprise all the way out to the future."

[Niemz]

04.21.2006
BREAKING NEWS: J.J. Abrams to Produce/Direct "Trek XI"

J.J. Abrams, producer of hit shows Lost and Alias, as well as director of the upcoming Paramount film "Mission: Impossible III," is slated to produce and direct the next Star Trek feature, according to today's Daily Variety and sources at Paramount Pictures. There is no title as yet for the new movie, but it will be the eleventh in the franchise. (Until a title is selected, we will usually refer to the project as simply "Star Trek XI.")

Although there isn't an official Paramount press release announcing the movie, it is a confirmed project under development with a 2008 release date targeted. Word about the Abrams project surfaced this morning in the daily trade paper. He will be writing the script with Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, who penned "M:i:III." STARTREK.COM will keep you up to date on all official statements as they are released.

The proposed story will focus on the early days of James T. Kirk and Spock, including their first meeting at Starfleet Academy and their first mission in space.

Abrams' producing partners from Lost, Damon Lindelof and Bryan Burk, are cited as being producers on "Trek XI." This project is separate from the previously rumored script developed by Eric Jendresen and overseen by Rick Berman. The former Star Trek producer is not involved in this project.

This announcement is exciting news, and we look forward to following developments on this project every step of the way!

[earthcrusher]

COOL ANOTHER STAR TREK MOVIE!!!

[Niemz]

Yes, I think either plotline would be great!

[earthcrusher]

yeah this promises to be interesting

[Niemz]

05.18.2006
Christie's to Auction Star Trek Items

BREAKING NEWS: FULL PRESS RELEASE

SET PHASERS TO STUN:

CHRISTIE'S NEW YORK TO MARK STAR TREK'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY WITH FIRST-EVER OFFICIAL AUCTION OF STAR TREK STUDIO ITEMS

40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection

October 5 - 7, 2006

New York — In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Star Trek, Christie's is honored to be holding a remarkable auction on October 5 - 7, 2006 of official Star Trek contents from the archives of CBS Paramount Television Studios. Over 1,000 lots from the never-before-released archives of CBS Paramount Television will include material from all of the Star Trek television series and movies, encompassing costumes, props, weapons, set dressings, detailed models of the Enterprise and various alien ship and space stations.

Over the past 40 years, Star Trek in its various incarnations has had a monumental influence on pop culture, inspiring a global fan base to become one of the most popular franchises in television and movie history. First conceived by author Gene Roddenberry in the mid-1960's, Star Trek has spawned six television series and ten feature films, and has launched the successful careers of many of Hollywood's most respected actors and actresses. Today, it still captivates millions of fans around the globe and lives on in syndication and home video.

Cathy Elkies, Director of Special Collections at Christie's says, "Star Trek has been a cornerstone of American popular culture for forty years, and continues to impact generations of fans around the globe. Christie's is thrilled to bring this unprecedented collection to market and to partner with CBS Paramount Television in paying tribute to this seminal television and movie phenomenon."

The collection includes items representing each chapter of the Star Trek story, from the very first television series to the most recent movie, "Nemesis." The items for auction range from costumes and small props, to models, large-scale props and sets. Never has a collection of this scope and depth come to the auction market, nor will it ever again.

Auction Highlights include:

Set dressing:

* The highlight among the set dressing pieces is a replica of Captain James Kirk's chair from the original television series made for the 1996 Deep Space Nine episode "Trials and Tribble-ations" (estimate: $10,000-15,000)
* Also created for "Trials And Tribble-ations" are two console sections made as replicas of the Starship Enterprise bridge from the original television series (estimate: $6,000-8,000)

Of over 60 special effects models, highlights include:

* Starship Enterprise-A miniature used in visual effects for "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" (estimate: $15,000-25,000)
* Romulan Warbird Ship used in several episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (estimate: $10,000-15,000)

Costumes worn by all major original main characters: Captain Kirk, Spock, Scotty, and Uhura:

* Starfleet uniform worn by Captain Kirk in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" (estimate: $7,000-9,000)
* Officer's uniform worn by Spock in "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" (estimate: $7,000-9,000)
* Starfleet jumpsuit worn by Uhura in "Star Trek: The Motion Picture" (estimate: $6,000-8,000)
* Mustard Starfleet mini-dress uniform worn in original series (estimate: $4,000-6,000)

Costume highlights from the later generations of Star Trek include:

* Starfleet jumpsuit worn by Captain Picard (estimate: $8,000-12,000)
* Deanna Troi Starfleet mini-dress worn in pilot episode for The Next Generation, "Encounter at Farpoint" (estimate: $3,000-5,000)

Auction:

* 40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection
October 5 - 7, 2006

Viewings and Tours:

* FedCon, Star Trek and Sci Fi Convention - Fulda, Germany, May 19 - 21
* Comic-Con Convention - San Diego, July 20 - 23
* Christie's South Kensington - 85 Old Brompton Road, London, August 3 - 8
* Creation Star Trek Convention - Las Vegas, August 17 - 20
* The Science Fiction Museum at Experience Music Project - Seattle, September 8 - 10
* Christie's Los Angeles - 360 N. Camden Drive, September 12 - 16
* Christie's New York - 20 Rockefeller Plaza, September 29 - October 4

Auction Inquiries Phone:
212.468.7100

www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/16195.html

[earthcrusher]

who in the world would pay those prices for clothes and movie props?

[Niemz]

06.19.2006
Shatner Named to TV Hall of Fame

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS) — the organization behind the Emmys — on Monday named William Shatner as one of the latest inductees to the academy's Hall of Fame.

Described by Broadcasting & Cable as "the poster-actor for second acts, having shattered the typecast of Captain Kirk with the equally memorable Denny Crane of ABC's Boston Legal," Shatner owns two Emmys for playing that latter character (first as a Guest Actor on The Practice then Supporting Actor on Boston Legal). He also earned an Emmy nomination for playing "The Big Giant Head" on 3rd Rock from the Sun.

ATAS has not yet announced a date for the induction ceremony, but a spokeswoman said it take place this year, in Hollywood. We will provide updates as they become available.

Shatner was one of five inductees in the latest round of selections (it is not an annual ritual). The others are former NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw, comedy director James Burrows, producer Leonard Goldberg and talk show host Regis Philbin.

Hall of Fame candidates are submitted by academy members and the industry at large to the selection committee, which decides on inductees by vote. That committee included Leslie Moonves, chairman and CEO of CBS Corp.; Gail Berman, president of Paramount Pictures; Dawn Ostroff, president of entertainment for The CW; and other industry executives.

Since 1984, more than 100 actors, writers, executives, producers, directors and craftspeople have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Among the ranks of inductees are Lucille Ball, Johnny Carson, Walter Cronkite, Milton Berle, Walt Disney, Bob Hope, Mary Tyler Moore, Oprah Winfrey and Carl Reiner.

Shatner is the first Star Trek-related personality chosen for this honor.

[earthcrusher]

IN MY OPINION SHATNER ISNT A NOTEWORTHY ACTOR.

[Niemz]

08.10.2006
In Search of: The Next Shatner!

The William Shatner Science Fiction DVD Club announces a new contest with the intention of finding the most talented sci-fi personality in the United States. With Shatner automatically disqualified because a) he's already the most talented and b) it's his contest, the search begins for someone to assume this lofty position. With a large cash prize and the honor of being the "Official Spokesperson for the William Shatner Science Fiction DVD Club," contestants have to prove they are worthy. Ah, but how do I become the most talented sci-fi personality in the United States you ask? It goes like this ...

William Shatner knows how hard it is to become a bona-fide science fiction star and that's why he's making it a little bit easier for the next generation of would-be Captain Kirks. To find this person, he is holding an on-line contest to discover the most talented sci-fi personality in the United States. Now this is where the work comes in to it. To enter, contestants just have to create a short video clip that shows why they are the heir apparent to William Shatner, and upload it at Shatner.blip.tv by September 30th. Like many reality TV shows, this contest will rely on the voting public to help choose the winner. Anyone who wishes can view the contestants' video clips and vote for their favorites online at Shatner.blip.tv. The top ten highest ranked entrants will be named finalists, and given a chance to win William Shatner's Sci-Fi Challenge.

Unlike popular reality TV shows that focus on contestants with one particular kind of talent (American Idol perhaps?), William Shatner encourages a much broader range of applicants. Aspiring actors can submit a tape of themselves re-enacting a memorable sci-fi role or performing something new. Young directors and filmmakers can create a sci-fi short or a brief homage to Bill's career that demonstrates why they should win. Budding film critics can showcase their insight in a taped movie review. This diverse group of contestants makes for a richer talent pool, and a more interesting competition.

Some early submissions show the range of entries that contestants can make. A brief scan of the site reveals a sci-fi short featuring a light-saber battle between Darth Vader and William Shatner (mrpink468.shatner.blip.tv), a handsome but somewhat deranged fan who runs the Bill Shatner TV Station (billtv.shatner.blip.tv), and an intergalactic celebrity roast (BjornBorg.shatner.blip.tv). While these videos may not all become finalists, each of them is certainly fun and sure to entertain.

In addition to those finalists voted in by the audience, Shatner has selected seven celebrity judges who will each be allowed to select an additional finalist (for 17 finalists in total). The celebrity judges are a diverse group of science fiction luminaries, and include representatives from StarTrek.com (that's us!) and the Sci-Fi Channel, and even Chase Masterson from the cast of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Also represented on the celebrity judge panel are Ain't It Cool News, Planet Magazine, the Slice of Sci-Fi Podcast, and VideoDetective.com. Shatner will select the winner from the 17 finalists.

To sum up: The grand prize winner will receive a large cash award and will be named the Official Spokesperson for the William Shatner Science Fiction DVD Club. William Shatner started his Science Fiction DVD-of-the-Month Club earlier this year, and the club now boasts nearly 5,000 subscribers. The club identifies great but unheralded science fiction films, and offers them to customers for just $4 each (ShatnerDvdClub.com).

William Shatner's Sci-Fi Challenge promises to be entertaining and engaging for both entrants and audience members. Although you need to submit a video to be eligible for the grand prize, anyone who votes on-line for their favorite submission can win a free Video iPod. William Shatner summarized his vision by saying, "This is an opportunity for new faces and new voices in the science fiction world to be seen and heard. Plus, this is a chance for passionate fans to be the first to discover the next M. Night Shyamalan or Brandon Routh, and help propel them into stardom.”

The contest runs from now until September 30, 2006. To submit a video, learn more about the contest, or view submissions, visit Shatner.blip.tv (there is no .com).

[earthcrusher]

yawn booorrring

[Niemz]

10.09.2006
SOLD! See the Enterprise-D Go to the Highest Bidder!

The Christie's "40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection" auction, spanning three days last weekend (October 5-7), was momentous in many ways. But the highlight, both in price and drama, was the sale of a famous shooting model from Star Trek: The Next Generation.

This moment in Star Trek history, captured live on camera for posterity, was the auctioning of Lot 712 ... the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D. Final bid ... $500,000! Selling for 20 times the pre-sale estimate (not counting taxes and fees), this was one of the most photographed models in all of Star Trek's long history. It isn't small either (78 x 59 x 14 in.) — the buyer will need either a large house or a museum of some sort to display it. It all depends on who purchased it, of course (information we don't have). Maybe one day fans will have the opportunity to see this impressive ship.

If you were not there in person or did not watch the auction live on History.com, we have for you the next best thing: exclusive video footage! Experience the drama as the bidding unfolds, the prices spiral ever upward ... the pregnant pauses, the oohs, the aahs ... and the final cheer once bidding closes. To witness this event, click the video link to the left of the page.

[Niemz]

10.13.2006
TOS Guest Star Hal Lynch Mourned

Hal Lynch, who memorably played the baffled 20th-century Air Police Sergeant accidentally beamed aboard the Enterprise in "Tomorrow is Yesterday," died last Thursday, October 5, of an apparent suicide. He was 78.

James Harold Tilton Lynch was born and raised in Alabama, served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and started his acting career in the 1950s, performing on Broadway before coming to Hollywood in 1964. For about 12 years he appeared in several films and did guest stints on numerous TV shows, including Gunsmoke, Hogan's Heroes, The Wild Wild West, The Fugitive, and Barnaby Jones alongside fellow Star Trek guest star Lee Meriwether. With Meriwether, Lynch also helped establish Theatre West in Hollywood, a non-profit arts organization.

"We had lots of fun times together," said Meriwether in an Alabama obituary. "He was always very supportive of me. He did so much for our theater here. He even built our light fixtures."

Returning in 1975 to the town where he grew up, Opp, Ala., Lynch dedicated himself to preserving the community's history, and to that end wrote a weekly historical column for The Opp News.

According to reports, Lynch dropped off his last column to his newspaper editor at 8:00 a.m., and just after 9:00 a.m., his friends say, he dialed 911 and then shot himself.

Services were held last Friday in Opp. He is survived by two children.

We extend our condolences to Lynch's family and friends over this tragic loss.

[earthcrusher]

What does OPP mean?