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You would think that Leonard Nimory would know the intricacies of playing Spock like the back of his hand, considering he's been portraying the character for nearly forty years. But Nimoy wasn't afraid to go to director J.J. Abrams for advice. Nimoy told Entertainment Weekly:
It was clear [Abrams] was nervous, and I'm glad he got over it. Look, I had been away from the character for a long time. His input was important to me.
It's still a mystery just exactly how the elder Spock will fit into the Starfleet Academy-set reboot, but with Eric Bana portraying a time-travelling Romulan with a grudge against Chris Pine's James T. Kirk, it's possible Nimoy's Spock may actually meet young Spock, portrayed by Zachary Quinto.
Posted 04.27.09 by BrentJS -
When you think of Star Trek, it's hard not to think of William Shatner as James T. Kirk, Captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise. Shatner portrayed the character on television and in film for more than 30 years and even voiced the character in a short-lived animated series.
However, with J.J. Abrams' relaunch of the franchise just around the corner, a whole new generation of fans are going to experience Star Trek with newcomer Chris Pine in the captain's chair.
Though he won't be appearing in the film, Shatner has high hopes that the film will be successful, opening up the door for the original Kirk to live again. In a recent interview, Shatner said:
When they were thinking about doing the movie, they talked to me a couple of times, I don't know what it really was all about, and then they stopped talking to me and went their way. But you just know it's going to be wonderful because J.J. Abrams is such a good moviemaker. I just regret that I'm not a part of it. But if it's successful, then maybe there will be a call.
Posted 04.26.09 by BrentJS -
The original directive J.J. Abrams gave to designers of the new U.S.S. Enterprise was to make it more of a "hot-rod type of vehicle." So the designers at Industrial Light & Magic explain to SCI FI Wire how they gave it an overall more sweeping line, added motion to some of the devices on the outer hull, and gave it a new paint job using a substance they call "interference paint." This has very tiny mica prisms in it, creating an iridescent effect that changes color depending on the angle it' viewed from. Sounds like a pretty cool rod.
But just in case it still ended up looking a little too much like daddy's ride, the official movie website is displaying what a number of artists came up with when they weren't given any such limiting directives. The gallery includes some very imaginative organic designs, including what looks to be a flying roller skate, and even a Slusho variation.
Posted 04.20.09 by reelz -
It was just supposed to be a 10-minute clip following a replay of The Wrath of Khan. Some apparent technical difficulties ensue, and then Leonard Nimoy takes the stage and calls for a vote on who wants to see a full version of J.J. Abrams' new Star Trek. All a total surprise to most of the audience at the Alamo Draft House in Austin, Texas. The outcome of the vote was, of course, never in doubt and these lucky fans got to go where none have gone before. Even before the movie's official world premiere in Sydney.
So what did they think?
AICN, which helped organize the event, is overflowing with fan reviews. Regular AICN contributer Quint relates his own first-hand experience and gives the film a strong thumbs up: "I think Abrams pulled it off. Star Trek isn't just a successful reboot, but a genuinely fun and exciting science fiction action adventure."
Posted 04.07.09 by reelz -
X-Men: The Last Stand director Brett Ratner wants to keep working with comic book adaptations, but may never get his chance. Ratner told MTV:
I was so upset when I left Superman [Bryan] Singer has his X-Men, [Christopher] Nolan has Batman -- there's nothing left. Hulk has been exploited already. There's nothing left for me.
Ratner originally left the Superman adaptation because he could not find a suitable actor to play the Man of Steel. Ratner's Superman script, written by J.J. Abrams, "tookplace on Krypton for about half of the movie," and was "darker, because there was a civil war on Krypton," according to Ratner. He then turned to the highly criticized X-Men: The Last Stand, which Singer had ironically left to direct Superman Returns.
Is there a franchise Ratner wouldn't have touched? Yes, Iron Man. "I wouldn't have been interested in Iron Man. I have a lot of respect for [Jon Favreau] because, to me, it was a B-character.... But look what he did."
Ratner still has a chance for a comic book franchise, just not a traditional, super hero one. The director, hard at work possibly killing off another franchise with Beverly Hills Cop 4, is close to officially signing on to direct a Conan reboot.
Posted 03.19.09 by Ryan -
"We are making this movie for you," Star Trek director J.J. Abrams assured the crowd of die-hard Star Trek fans at Wondercon. He had raised some eyebrows recently with statements to the press suggesting that the movie is "not for Trekkies." This is all just part of an attempt to broaden the audience, he explained, promising that the new movie will remain true to the spirit of the original. Better than words though was the sneak peak he offered of the new trailer that will be bundled with Friday's Watchmen debut. Among the highlights are Kirk taking the captain's chair for the first time; Spock assuring Starfleet cadets, "You will experience fear, fear of certain death"; and an imploding planet that might be Vulcan.
Posted 03.02.09 by reelz -
The latest featurette for Star Trek revealed by MTV shows a few behind-the-scenes shots and short interviews from the cast that really show the love to director J.J. Abrams. If the cast's fawning over Abrams doesn't get you excited, how about this from Abrams himself:
When they asked me to be involved with 'Star Trek,' I realized it was an opportunity to do everything I love in one movie.
So, Star Trek's filled with giant monsters, time traveling islands, and Tom Cruise? Check out the featurette below to find out:
Posted 02.25.09 by Ryan