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Star Trek XI Story Buzz
Is it a Starfleet Academy story or not?
by IGN Staff
March 1, 2007 - It has been widely reported that the next Star Trek film would be a Starfleet Academy story recounting how a young James T. Kirk and Mr. Spock first met as cadets. But, according to IGN's insiders, that is not quite the case.

IGN was informed that Trek XI -- to be directed by J.J. Abrams from a screenplay by Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci -- will be more of a "first adventure" for Kirk and Spock rather than their first meeting. It is possible that they met while at the Academy -- didn't it seem like Jim Kirk served with every young officer's father at the academy? -- but the movie will explore their first mission together.

One source claims there is a reason why the Starfleet Academy idea won't be central to the film: Harve Bennett, the producer of Star Trek II-V. IGN was advised that, since the Academy idea was Bennett's and has been kicked around for so long without success, Paramount and the filmmakers are going in the "first adventure" direction.

No sooner had we been told this than TrekWeb.com pointed out a new interview with Bennett in the latest issue of Star Trek Magazine. "It's a complicated issue for me…" Bennett told the magazine. "Right now, no one knows for sure what the next film is going to be. I thought it was interesting that the day after the story came out about them doing a Starfleet Academy movie, J.J. Abrams came out and said, 'That's not necessarily true.' I am assuming that the current regime at Paramount didn't realize that the studio had already bought that premise and someone went, 'Hold on a minute!'"

Bennett added, "It's possible they might do 'young Kirk and Spock' and, depending on what they do with it, it might be something I might not contest. But if they ever decide to do a Starfleet Academy film, my feeling is that they better call us because that was our baby."

Sources advised us that the plot will focus more on Kirk and Spock than the other characters, with Dr. McCoy being more of a supporting role. IGN recently reported that Paramount had three actors in mind for the roles of Kirk, Spock and McCoy, respectively: Matt Damon, Adrien Brody and Gary Sinise.

We must stress again that these are the actors that the studio wants; it does not mean that they will indeed be cast, although we hear that Damon is closer to becoming a reality than any other rumored contender. Repeated inquiries for confirmation or denial to Damon's reps at Endeavor and to Brody and Sinise's at CAA have gone unanswered.

Sinise is only available to work on other projects during his hiatus from CSI: NY, which we were told is scheduled for April to August 2007. If he is indeed cast, Sinise could conceivably film his scenes in August before segueing to CSI -- especially if McCoy is not a large role. If not, then Sinise might be unavailable to do Trek. However, some actors -- such as George Clooney juggling ER and Batman and Robin or Steve Carrell with The Office and his films -- have been able to do both TV and film projects simultaneously.

Damon is also awaiting a script rewrite before committing to starring in The Fighter, which could lens in Massachusetts this summer. Brody, meanwhile, has been rumored for the lead role in The Incredible Hulk, which begins filming this summer in Toronto.

We were also advised that actor James McAvoy is basically somebody Paramount has in mind to play Scotty; that's all. It may not even go beyond that.

The studio's recent press release announcing Abrams' hiring as director only gave a vague fall '07 start date for Trek. In movie production terms that could mean anytime from August to November.

Sources also advised IGN that soundstages on the Paramount lot will start being reserved starting in May.

Rigil Kent

Mar 2 2007, 06:17 PM

I'm still indifferent about this...are they going to be wearing the goofy primary colors from TOS? (Sorry, TOS purists, but those "uniforms" are almost (but not quite) as annoying as the silly TNG costumes for me.)

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By Michelle
March 19, 2007 - 10:32 PM
The latest rumours about Star Trek - that's the eleventh Star Trek feature film, which reportedly will bear no numeral - suggest that Gary Sinise may be close to signing on as Dr. McCoy, though much less probable stories are also circulating.

IGN cited sources stating that Sinise was close to being cast, though McCoy's role will likely not be very large. Sinise must juggle the schedule for the shoot, said to be slated to begin in October, with his CSI: NY schedule.

The names of Matt Damon and Adrien Brody continue to be circulated as the leading candidates to play Kirk and Spock in a storyline that rumour says will focus on their first adventure in space, rather than Starfleet Academy as previously thought. IGN claimed that filming will take place on five soundstages on the Paramount lot in Los Angeles, mostly containing alien sets, rather than starship interiors.

When Star Trek opens for Christmas 2008, another rumour states, it may offer a familiar face as a love interest for Spock. TrekMovie.com has a scan of an article from the US tabloid The Star claiming that the script contains a romance for the Vulcan and stating that Jennifer Garner would be perfect that role.

While director J.J. Abrams is very familiar with Garner's work, having cast her on Alias, it is unknown whether the film in fact will give Spock a love interest or whether anyone has approached Garner about the film.

chrisis1033

Apr 1 2007, 08:55 PM

Perhaps Rigil should direct his fav email buddy FREEDOM to this link so FREEDOM can really sink his teeth into this endeavour.

chrisis1033

Apr 1 2007, 12:55 PM

Perhaps Rigil should direct his fav email buddy FREEDOM to this link so FREEDOM can really sink his teeth into this endeavour.

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by Anthony Pascale

In the new issue of Star Trek Magazine, JJ Abrams finally breaks his silence….a tiny bit. Trek XI’s producer/director  tells the official Trek mag  "James T Kirk appears in the movie." Although this has been the rumor and essentially working assumption, it is actually the first time that anyone associated with the film has officially disclosed any plot detail about the film. Still no word on who will actually play Kirk in the film or any other official details from Paramount, but Abrams did offer this…

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The respect we all have for Star Trek canon - and for a brand-new audience - is massive. The script is done. We’re now starting pre-prep, and we can’t wait to start shooting! Many more details to follow!

Although more of a confirmation than breaking news, it is still a bit of a coup for Star Trek Magazine to be the first to get Abrams on the record, and TrekMovie.com is told we should expect more Trek XI exclusives from the mag. It is also heartening to see Abrams finally break the total ‘cone of silence’ and to commit to ‘more details.’

For more pick up Star Trek Magazine (#132 in the UK, #5 in the US) on newsstands this week.