TV & Showbiz

Boldly Going Where We’ve Already Gone Before

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Last Updated on April 25, 2021

Trekkies have reason to celebrate: Paramount Pictures is, by the looks of it, going ahead with the eleventh Star Trek film, known so far only as Star Trek XI.

If I were going to make a new Trek film, I’d take either the cast from Star Trek: Voyager and give them a new adventure, or I’d take Sulu and the crew of the Excelsior and give the new adventure to them. It would be fine with me if they wanted to get a new crew with a new ship and give them the new adventure.

Of course, neither of these scenarios seem to be what the studio is planning. Instead, as I understand it, they’re going to “reboot” the original series with new actors playing the classic parts and set it (apparently) before the time of the original series.

Matt Damon has been tapped to play Captain James T. Kirk. Adrian Brody will play Mr. Spock. The curmudgeonly Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy will be played by Gary Senise.

Certainly some big names. Some interesting interpretations of those characters we’ve known for forty years are likely to come.

But I hate prequels. I absolutely despise them. For one thing, there’s very little surprise potential. Let’s face it: in a prequel to the original series, some alien kidnaps Kirk, Spock, and Rabinowitz. Even if Rabinowitz wasn’t wearing a red shirt, you’re all the more certain that if anyone’s going to die, it’s going to be him, because you know Kirk and Spock have a television and movie series-worth of adventures still to come.

Beyond that, today’s filmmakers are so high-tech when it comes to special effects that they can no longer afford to do things the “old” way. So a prequel to the original television series would look more like it was set after the original series because of the controls and displays. That’s why I couldn’t get into Star Trek: Enterprise.

There’s one more problem, too. Even if this new “rebooted” Star Trek is a huge hit, even if it’s a well-done new series of adventures that’s faithful to the original, I would have a hard time believing that this trio of actors is seriously committed to the potential series of new films that this 11th feature could inspire. If each movie to come features a different actor (or actors) in key roles, I’m going to be even less interested than I already am.

I’m trying to keep an open mind, but I don’t think it’s working all that well. What about you? Are you a Star Trek fan? Are you looking forward to this movie, or are you dreading it?

the authorPatrick
Patrick is a Christian with more than 30 years experience in professional writing, producing and marketing. His professional background also includes social media, reporting for broadcast television and the web, directing, videography and photography. He enjoys getting to know people over coffee and spending time with his dog.

1 Comment

  • George Takei is a bit too old to make a movie work. Five years ago, maybe.

    As for the cast of Voyager, the less we see of them and that scenario, the better.

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