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An Interview With Gene Roddenberry Sheds Interesting Light On TREK Franchise Development & Reveals That He Almost Pulled A JJ!!

First! by santi01	Feb 28th, 2008 09:55:10 AM
Holy Cap!
An here I thought by norrinrad	Feb 28th, 2008 09:55:36 AM
they resurrected him just in time for the new movie.
Pulled a JJ? That's DYN-O-MITE!!!!! by tonagan	Feb 28th, 2008 09:59:06 AM
Unless "JJ" was a nickname for his "li'l Gene".
So he stole this idea by santi01	Feb 28th, 2008 10:07:51 AM
So Roddenberry in a round about way has given JJ the idea and the greenlight
Recorded on A-Track? by Frodo T. Baggins	Feb 28th, 2008 10:09:18 AM
No spanks. 4th? Holy Cow
Like Stan Lee, Roddenberry took all the credit by BrowncoatJedi	Feb 28th, 2008 10:10:27 AM
for his underlings' ideas and hard work. Screw him.
Jeans Dingleberry by Frodo T. Baggins	Feb 28th, 2008 10:10:41 AM
Heh...silly
Isn't that J.J. McClure? by Darth Busey	Feb 28th, 2008 10:13:51 AM
He's nothing. Don't worry about him. It's the Blimp next to him! The Blimp! When he puts on that mask, he'll blow your goddamn doors off!
RODENBERRY...!!!! by superduper3000	Feb 28th, 2008 10:14:30 AM
Seriously, even though the idea sounds vaguely like J.J.'s I think everyone's greatest fear is that Hollywood is going to teen-up the classic series in an effort to make the franchise palatable for younger audiences. Although I liked Nemesis, by the time it hit even the hardcore Trekkies had largely given up on things... I don't like the cast (except for Sylar), but let's see what happens. No doubt I'm going to feel a bit strange looking at another Kirk, Spock, Bones.... Thriller Chiller! http://tinyurl.com/2nkscz
I'm OK with a Star Trek action movie, are you? by AxeBox	Feb 28th, 2008 10:17:39 AM
NT
a prequel was fine in 1976 not so much in 2008 by Jett	Feb 28th, 2008 10:24:38 AM
you see back in 1976 there where 70 episode with one series and that was it, flash forward to 2008 theres over 5 hundred episodes, 5 series and 10 movies worth of continuity that jj is esentially been given the go ahead to fuck around with, going back and showing the teen years also impacts TNG, DS9, VOY and to an extent enterprise, where has had rodenbery dione it it would have just impacted TOs and not much time had past so the look would have been the same, but its been 40 years so jj has to indroduce cgi and flat screen displays to a cast of characters and places that never had them before...the prequel idea would have sat beter with TNG then it does with TOS. TNG was the better show anyways
What Not by WeLiveStill...OrNot	Feb 28th, 2008 10:45:33 AM
Star Trek news is always very exciting.... but can I take anything seriously from a man that uses "what not" twice in a post?
Wheres my DS9 movie?!? by Reelheed	Feb 28th, 2008 10:49:01 AM
Trek went straight down the pooper after the dominion war. Anyways its no suprise the big ol' reset buttons been charging up since before they thought up that POS "Enterprise". Ultimate Star Trek here we come...
What we need is... by 69DUDE	Feb 28th, 2008 10:53:50 AM
A reboot. STAR TREK: THE EROTIC ADVENTURES OF SPIRK AND KOCK!!! Also starring Dr 'Boner' McCoy and Scotty 'She cannee take no more' Scott!! Hilarity will almost definitely ensue.
Reelheed by cutest_of_borg	Feb 28th, 2008 10:57:23 AM
You'll get yer DS9 about the same time I get my ENT movie. Although here's to hoping Bakula will make a cameo at the 1701 christening. Canon places him there in 2245 and kicking the bucket that night at the ripe old age of 133.
Star Trek was fine up until by kwisatzhaderach	Feb 28th, 2008 10:57:48 AM
around 1994, then the final series of TNG and Generations sunk the franchise. Voyager and Enterprise were awful. First Contact was ok but face it, it was no Wrath of Khan. Insurrection and Nemesis were piss-poor. I've really no interest at all in seeing different people play Kirk, Spock and McCoy.
We have to hear about this thing for another 15 months by I Dunno	Feb 28th, 2008 10:58:22 AM
This movie better make Wrath of Khan look like The Final Frontier. Of course we all know that it's going to make Wrath of Khan look like Wrath of Khan and The Final Frontier look like The Final Frontier.
Continuity by Sithdan	Feb 28th, 2008 10:59:56 AM
Why are people so hell-bent on adhering to established continuity? The old Star Trek series ended with Nemesis, now it's time for a reboot with a fresher, younger cast. No one complained when they rebooted the James Bond series and Batman movies. I think it's refreshing to press the RESET button and start over. I welcome a fresh start in this series.
...and the DS9 movie ship sailed by I Dunno	Feb 28th, 2008 11:03:30 AM
That's what Trek 9 should have been, a big ass Dominion War movie, instead of whatever the hell Trek 9 was about. Very little for non-trekkies to catch up on and it could have introduced the DS9 cast for future films.
It's not exactly a new continuity though is it? by photoboy	Feb 28th, 2008 11:06:40 AM
I mean if it were it wouldn't have Leonard Nimoy as Spock if they were going in a new direction. From what we know (and we haven't heard much) it seems more to me like a half-assed reboot where some stuff is new (building starships on the ground in Area 51, etc) and some stuff adheres to the continuity (Kobayashi Maru, old Spock, etc). Which means it's status in the continuity is confused. Luckly when Bond did that (keeping Judy Dench, setting it in modern times, etc) they did it well. But with Kurtzman and Orci finger painting the script with their faeces I'm less confident in Trek's outcome.
What the FUCK is "A-Track"??? by Geekgasm	Feb 28th, 2008 11:08:07 AM
Do you mean EIGHT-TRACK?? which is a real thing? Why are people hung up on continuity? What's wrong with a reboot? Talk to the producers, writers and director. They're the one's playing it cute with the whole thing, insisting on NOT calling it either a direct prequel/continuation, OR a reboot, but trying to have it both ways. Personally, I think a reboot would be fine. I think a well constructed prequel to the original series would also be fine. But this trying-to-have-it-both-ways shit is for suckers. No man can serve two masters, for he will love the one and hate the other. Piss or get off the pot, JJ. Trying to have it both ways is going to make for a bad movie - fans will hate it and the rest of the world won't give a shit (which is what is likely to happen anyway).
I'm all for it by Friendo	Feb 28th, 2008 11:08:29 AM
Our culture is turning to steam anyhow, according to Alan Moore. Bring it on - bring it to a boil, bitches.
What's wrong with a reboot is... by I Dunno	Feb 28th, 2008 11:12:17 AM
It just smacks of "I got nuthin". Ten movies and five TV series have created one of the largest fictional universes ever created and all the suits can think of to do is go back and examine how Kirk and Spock met? It's fucking lame.
Sithdan... by Jett	Feb 28th, 2008 11:15:54 AM
the problem is that its not just a reboot, its using actors from established continuity doing a time travel sotry but it won't look at all like we remember, what if the DS9 tribble episode went back and all of a sudden the enterprise had dark corridors of super duper lasers attached to it i would welcome a clean reboot, but this is just a grab at cash from a franchise that wasn't really as dead as paramount thinks, a solid TNG or even DS9 movie would have been a better gift to the fans, hell i would have lovved to see a show or movie dealing with a new cast and ship
Well.. by DonnieDorko	Feb 28th, 2008 11:18:35 AM
Screw continuity, let it end with Indiana Jones saving Kirk from being killed by the Lost-smoke-monster like Spock was.
Insurrection by Sithdan	Feb 28th, 2008 11:19:40 AM
I actually enjoyed Insurrection for what it was. It didn't try to compete or outdo any of the previous Trek films like First Contact or Wrath of Khan. It played more like a two-hour Next Generation episode as nothing really relevant occurs to the central characters. It was as if the producers said, "Shit, this is an odd-numbered episode, so let's not even try to make it intense." As a result, Insurrection is light-hearted, routine day-in-the-life outing for the crew of the Enterprise. It provides entertainment, nothing more. Nemesis, however, fell into the opposite trap. It tried to replicate and compete with Wrath of Khan and First Contact in terms of intensity and drama before ultimately collapsing under its own weight. The writers seemed to try too hard to recreate Wrath of Khan instead of crafting an original story.
Gene is the final cylon. by StudioPlant69	Feb 28th, 2008 11:20:05 AM
So say we all.
new star trek tv series by Philo	Feb 28th, 2008 11:20:23 AM
It's about time for another tv offering from the star trek universe. There are plenty of concepts out there for another series, they ust need to come ask.....
Are 7of9's tits in this one? by henrydalton	Feb 28th, 2008 11:22:18 AM
Just askin'.
Roddenberry used to boff Nichelle Nichols by YackBacker	Feb 28th, 2008 11:22:30 AM
The man was a pimp!
Gene Roddenberry has a beer and cheets on his own vision. by Kubla_Khan	Feb 28th, 2008 11:27:02 AM
Arf
My problem with the new Trek by Jack Colby	Feb 28th, 2008 11:36:26 AM
I don't mind a total reboot, but this isn't one. They are hedging their bets, trying to reinvent it all while still adhering to the old stuff. You can't have it both ways. That's what Singer tried with Superman, and I don't expect Trek to fare any better.
Steam Punk Star Trek! by tough_times	Feb 28th, 2008 12:00:37 PM
Scotty shovels coal... Bones uses leaches... Spock wears a derby... and Kirk pack a pair of Colt revolvers. If you going to reboot, man, go crazy!
HERE'S THE PROBLEM by BurgerTime	Feb 28th, 2008 12:02:00 PM
I have with the new Trek series...the original cast already had a three year series with a cult following behind them. So it was a no-brainer for each and everyone of them to show up for the next installment. Paramount did a terrific job keeping them all happy and together during that time. TNG had the same thing. A good long solid run on TV, with a big loyal following. So they call came back. Now along comes this new reboot with a fresh young cast. All of them have good intentions and are enthusiastic. But let's say the first film only does so-so bank. The cast doesn't have the history or loyalty that would compell them to reprise their roles. Sure, the studio would sign them to multi-picture deals. But let's face it, if one of these films is a turd people will leave. No contract is unbreakable. So what you might end up with is a Trek series with revolving-door casting. A "Playing Kirk this time will be...." kind of scenario which would do more harm to the brand than good. I wholeheartedly agree with Jack Colby. They should have explored a different crew in the fleet. Expanded the universe. The original crew has been done. They had their moments. Even though this is an origin storyline, retreading over these iconic characters might prove to be difficult, especially if the series hits a bump in the road. Just my two cents.
Halfway Through Part 1 by Aquatarkusman	Feb 28th, 2008 12:04:58 PM
Fascinating stuff. The first Star Trek movie was a bit disappointing, what with tying in Voyager and all those goddamned perms everywhere.
Wrong "JJ" A-hole!!! by Evil Lincoln	Feb 28th, 2008 12:12:04 PM
I'm laughing my head off over here! You guys crack me up!
Roddenberry's Vision by Sithdan	Feb 28th, 2008 12:16:54 PM
Didn't Roddenberry write a very different Star Trek movie than the one that ended up on the silver screen? I think I read somewhere that Roddenberry originally intended the crew of the Enterprise to travel back in time to stop the JFK assassination. Studio execs didn’t particularly warm up to that idea and jettisoned Gene’s script. So it appears that time travel has been a Trek motif from the beginning.
hmm by Automaton Overlord	Feb 28th, 2008 12:26:00 PM
Do you think J.J's enterprise will get smacked with another second week "word-of-mouth" torpedo?
Guest Stars in First Movie by Aquatarkusman	Feb 28th, 2008 12:30:15 PM
Alluded in the third part... I don't think any really materialized, in that they were fighting a giant AI. Also, it was released about 18 months later than Roddenberry was thinking, probably because of the success of Star Wars in the intervening summer.
Roddenberry pulled a JJ???... by Kid Z	Feb 28th, 2008 12:39:59 PM
...So Gene Roddenberry actually had access to time travel technology which he used to travel forward in time to about 2006, 2007 so he could steal ideas from JJ Abrams for revamping his Star Trek franchise? To be more accurate, you should have entitled this "JJ Abrams pulls a Roddenberry!"
We will never get a Direct-to-DVD Deep Space 9 movie... by Demode	Feb 28th, 2008 12:43:20 PM
It would be to expensive to make. I doubt they kept the sets from that show. Probably the only way they could do it is if the whole thing was set on the Defiant. And anyways, that show actually had some closure. It's my favorite Trek show, but I can see it being just too expensive to do. If TREK gets wise and starts making a few Direct-to-DVD movies, they should do some with either SULU, RIKER, or the whole TNG gang (I would be down with a 4 hour direct to DVD mini-series to wrap up TNG.)
Pulled a JJ? What, he almost DESTROYED the franchise? by uss cygnus	Feb 28th, 2008 12:47:37 PM
Oh, wait. Rick Berman already did that.
I don't get peoplethe DS9 movie by I Dunno	Feb 28th, 2008 12:48:06 PM

Nemesis Had Closure by Sithdan	Feb 28th, 2008 12:50:32 PM
Didn't Nemesis have some closure as well? I mean, Data died and, after tying the knot, Riker went on to command his own starship. I felt this chapter sort of closed the book on the Next Generation.
I don't get people's need for a DS9 movie by I Dunno	Feb 28th, 2008 12:51:50 PM
Although it was the best Trek series, it ended. Okay sure, Sisko could return and maybe he will in the future or maybe he did in the past. But DS9 has way too much back story to pass as a feature film. Granted, Wrath of Khan had a back story but it was basically "this guy is pissed at Kirk". You can't summarize DS9 that way.
Nicholas Meyer Already Tried this, Damnit by Gungan Slayer	Feb 28th, 2008 01:20:38 PM
Look, Nicholas Meyer tried to move forward with a "Star Fleet Academy" film that would show the early days of Kirk and gang, but Roddenberry, among other people as well, DID NOT WANT TO DO THIS. Perhaps he wanted a prequel way back in the begining, ok, fine, that's fine if this was 1976, but we're in fucking 2008, we've gone nine Trek films, countless shows, books, games, etc...there is no fucking need for a stupid prequel....especially one with the OLD CREW. We love'em all, but let's get over and move on--leave them the fuck alone. Give us new shit. and fuck JJ Abrams.
Aint it 1979 news! by skywalkerfamily	Feb 28th, 2008 01:38:16 PM
Dig up old Roddenberry news.
At this point by The Bandit	Feb 28th, 2008 01:53:13 PM
I dont really care about this film one way or the other. I dont know if its going to be the big hit anybody is hoping for but as far as fucking with continuity, if its a time travel movie it can get away with that to a degree right?
You can spot the hardcore Trekkies. by Kurutteru Yatsu	Feb 28th, 2008 02:01:10 PM
They're the ones calling for a new crew/new ship. Listen, I love Star Trek but the fact is if you're going to do new films a reboot with the original gang is probably the best way to do it. People have at least heard of Kirk and Spock. They're pop culture icons and it'll drive the curiosity factor. Trying to get something going on the big screen with completely new characters will bring out the diehards but that's it.
I don't see why you can't do a "Titan" series... by uss cygnus	Feb 28th, 2008 02:09:33 PM
Get Frakes and Sirtis back, and build a new ship and crew around them. It would work, and it's not like people are beating down Frakes and Sirtis's doors for work, either....
I Just Gave Her A Little Prick... by uss cygnus	Feb 28th, 2008 02:10:13 PM
...with this.
At least we'll realize... by The 6th Conchord	Feb 28th, 2008 02:30:11 PM
Kirk's the 5th Cylon.
new Warp 11 albulm out this Saturday! by warp11	Feb 28th, 2008 02:30:57 PM
It's called Suck My Spock Some MOre! www.warp11.com, Warp 11 is the only thing cool about Star Trek anymore
I don't care how "early days" it is... by W3bzpinn3r	Feb 28th, 2008 03:07:40 PM
There is no way in hell to explain how muscular Karl Urban is supposed to age into skinny, ugly DeForest Kelly. What is McCoy, a Pokemon?
Sithdan, well said by OtisSpofford	Feb 28th, 2008 03:28:58 PM
I am a fan of all Trek (well, not so much Voyager or early Ent), and I WELCOME a chance to see some new doings with the TOS characters - it's a sad fact that actors, like everyone else, age... So, do we stop making movies about certain characters because they cannot be played? I think Connery is still the ultimate Bond, but Daniel Craig kicked serious ass in Casino Royale. And I have never been 100% happy with a Batman film, but Batman Begins was far better than any of its predecessors. Look, no one can replace Shatner as Kirk, Nimoy as Spock, Dee as Bones, etc etc etc - but they are still great characters and many of us would like to see more stories about them with newfangled effects and better writing... As for continuity, it's only TV kids - why not pretend it's a different timeline? I hated Ent for bringing in elements prior to TOS, but that didn't stop a lot of you from enjoying it... As for a DS9 or Ent movie, who knows - maybe one of your kids will produce it. As I said before, I am excited about this project and hope it kicks ass.
How about a 24th Century style animated show? by skywalkerfamily	Feb 28th, 2008 03:54:36 PM
Eacb week could spotlight DS9, Voyager, or even an ENT flashback. You could bring in different actors to do voices.
Where's my Voyager & Enterprise Movies? by pokadoo	Feb 28th, 2008 03:59:15 PM
Lost in a wormhole, hopefully.
The Bond/Batman comparisons don't work by KanekoFan	Feb 28th, 2008 04:00:55 PM
James Bond and Batman are both characters who were created in other media and have been adapted to the screen by various artists. The crew of the Enterprise were not defined in another medium; their creation occurred in motion pictures, and was in large part defined by the actors portraying them.
The biggest problem I have with this now is by jsm1978	Feb 28th, 2008 04:03:08 PM
the fact that it's a time travel story. Again. That will be 4 out of 11 Star Trek movies that have used time travel as a plot device of some sort. 4, Generations, First Contact, and now this. Time travel is a concept played out already, particularly in Trek thanks to Voyager and then Enterprise relied heavily as well early on. There needs to be a moritorium on time travel Trek stories.
The recasting by jsm1978	Feb 28th, 2008 04:04:34 PM
bothers me some, but I've moved on (other than Urban as Bones, that's just ridiculous). It would just be nice if they could show some vision and move forward instead of feeling the need to revist this time period.
About New Line... by Gungan Slayer	Feb 28th, 2008 04:09:50 PM
They're the ones that fucked themselves over with these past few years...they've made some really dumb mistakes and choices. Still, sad to see this happen. and fuck JJ Abrams
animated and/or anthology show by WickedJacob	Feb 28th, 2008 04:20:04 PM
People are suggesting this all the time, but there is no way an anthology show would work because only the truly diehard fans like ALL the series . . . and really, the more of a continuity geek you are (or a "half decent script" geek), the less you should like ENT. An animated show could be cool ala Clone Wars if it referred to the other series only briefly.
You don't know what A-Track is? by TheNorthlander	Feb 28th, 2008 05:22:02 PM
It's kinda like Duck-tape.
They re-casted Bond and Batman by I Dunno	Feb 28th, 2008 05:23:49 PM
because they had nowhere else to go. They're both set in 20th/21st century earth. What else could they do? It's silly enough that now we have a Bond who never even dealt with the Cold War. But with Star Trek there's a huge ass universe that they could explore. And they're wrong if they think that bringing back Kirk and Spock with different actors is going to bring back any familiarity. It's going to have the opposite effect.
Familiarity? by Bill Clay	Feb 28th, 2008 05:49:58 PM
My teenager is SO unfamiliar with Star Trek that she really thinks that Nimoy's character is "Mr. Spork". To her age group, Star Trek is the show that her old man watched when she was growing up. Other than her geek friends, the average teenager knows precious little about TOS.
When are you guys going to learn? by Lloytron	Feb 28th, 2008 06:08:07 PM
This movie, at best, will be above average. I keep seeing that "this has to be better than Wrath of Khan". Well, sorry, its not going to be. I loved Wrath Of Khan, but part of that was because I was a teenager when I saw it, and it was a great movie experience for me. Go into a cinema expecting a great movie experience, and unless you are very lucky, you will be hugely disappointed. I'm hoping this sucks as much as Final Frontier because when I watch it, if it doesn't, I'll be a happy man. "Will this movie be as good as the one I have fond memories of from my childhood?" - if you ever ask youself that then good luck.
pokadoo by Falcon5768	Feb 28th, 2008 06:33:57 PM
Say what you will about Voyager, but Enterprise once it got going was the closest we had to the fun and adventure the 60's show was since TOS. The problem was it took 3 years for the higher ups to realize the Beebs where ruining the show, and then only gave Coto one year to turn around what had at that point been 7 years of destruction (4 years of Voy from the point Tailor left as show-runner, and the first 3 years of Enterprise) Enterprise at the end was a very entertaining and fun show, with some awesome nods to TOS and TNG, without totally making a episode where you HAD to know the backstory to get it. And had it kept going they had some very interesting plans for the Romulan War, and the bringing back of the Kzinti of Animated series fame as a possible reoccurring enemy. They even got so far as to CG the ships to be throwbacks of the one that they had on the Animated Trek.
Holy shit! Only one typo! by robertplant	Feb 28th, 2008 07:02:22 PM
Harry could take a lesson from Merrick.
An actual NEWS story, gets posted in Talkback by V'Shael	Feb 28th, 2008 07:08:34 PM
and is ignored by all the Trekkie fucktards and staff on this site. Go figure.
I'm with DonnieDorko, screw continuity! by br1947	Feb 28th, 2008 07:15:30 PM
But I have a better idea, a much better idea. 7of9 vs T'Pol vs Ezri Dax vs Jadzia Dax vs Troi vs Nurse Chapel vs Uhura vs Lt Savik all out Enterprise de-con chamber gel grudge match!!! And Kirk is selling tickets. Who's with me?!?!?!
Throw is Leeta and the green women too! by br1947	Feb 28th, 2008 07:18:16 PM

De-con chamber gel match! by Marvinatmiddleage	Feb 28th, 2008 08:21:30 PM
Lose Troi, Uhura and Chapel. replace them with Orion slave girls.
mask-a-tron - by Mac Styran	Feb 28th, 2008 08:29:25 PM
Nice JesusChristSuperstar variation. I don't think many got it.
And for Round 2... by br1947	Feb 28th, 2008 09:39:04 PM
Winner takes on the girls from Firefly.... My money is on a River. Although Inara vs Jadzia would kick some serious ass...
Interesting but.. by Nasty_Nick	Feb 29th, 2008 02:59:08 AM
This is sort of already common knowledge. I think this was also mentioned in the Star Trek compendium. However the bits I didn't know was why they didn't decide to do it.
This is news? by lotusblade	Feb 29th, 2008 03:04:23 AM
The quote is "We also considered a story about how the group came together," which I'm paraphrasing. Wow. That isn't JJ's idea. JJ wants to recreate how they got together. How could the Enterprise be under construction, Kirk at Star Fleet Academy, etc. all at the same time? Spock would have been serving under Pike in real continuity. I know, the continuity of Star Trek was destroyed almost immediately after the death of Roddenberry. I still can't believe this is news on here. Pointing to a link where for about 15 seconds Roddenberry says they thought of a prequel then decided it would be too much make up. This just isn't news. JJ would be lucky to have half the story telling ability of Roddenberry.
steam punk trek = firefly by ArcadianDS	Feb 29th, 2008 10:59:22 AM
been there done did that.

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An Interview With Gene Roddenberry Sheds Interesting Light On TREK Franchise Development & Reveals That He Almost Pulled A JJ!!

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