February 2007

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Toys | February 15, 2007 | By: John Tenuto 23 comments so far

Toys: The Wrath Of Con

It may not be a concerted effort, yet it is not entirely wrong to say that 2007 is shaping up to be the year of Kirk and Spock. The American International Toy Fare opened this week with Diamond Select Toys greatly expanding its line of varied Star Trek action figures and models. Star Trek toy fans are being treated with the most exciting year, with multifarious items and modern versions of favorites. Although there are some new items from TNG and DS9, it really appears that DST are trying to get in on the action of the resurgence of interest TOS.

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TNG | February 14, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 104 comments so far

Stewart: Star Trek Was A ‘Calamity’

Patrick Stewart seems to be continuing to distance himself from Star Trek and Jean Luc Picard. In an interview with The Stage, the veteran actor talks about the life changing event in 1986 when he choose to  do Star Trek: The Next Generation instead of taking a role in "Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf" on the London stage.    I was a different actor after that — doing that kind of play, and finally being able to make truth of an emotional commitment to a role like that in such a small, exposing theatre, with the support of three magnificent actors [Billie Whitelaw, Saskia Reeves and Matthew Marsh], made all the difference to me. The calamity that then happened to me was that I was offered Star Trek: The Next Generation. […]It did change many, many things, and I’m immensely grateful for that. I have worked hard not in any sense to feel they were wasted years —though time is a factor in all of this, and I now have a lot of catching up to do. I feel that acutely — not that there have been lost opportunities, but that there are things I might have done and I’ve got to do a lot of them quickly now.

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1-18-08/Cloverfield, Abrams, Rumor | February 13, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 30 comments so far

More Rumors: Abrams To Direct Dark Tower Adaptation? [UPDATED: Rumor somewhat confirmed]

The ‘Abrams is going to direct another movie’ rumors keep flying. Now IGN is reporting that Abrams will direct an adaptation of the Stephen King series "The Dark Tower." IGN claim their sources indicate an announcement is forthcoming, but are not sure if the project is for TV or film. Dark Tower is a popular 7 book series that mixes elements of sci-fi, fantasy and westerns. IGN speculate that the Dark Tower project may related to the previously reported mysterious "Cloverfield" project. TrekMovie.com has recently confirmed that Abrams does have multiple projects in the works (including one called Cloverfield) and that he is still considering directing Trek XI. Sources close to the production indicate that Trek XI news should also be forthcoming. Hopefully soon all the various Abrams projects and his involvement will be clarified. Even if Abrams does not direct Trek XI, all indications are that he will still produce and that the project is still moving forward (but is yet to get the official ‘green light’). UPDATE: Hollywood Repoter confirms talks between King and Abrams

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Memorabilia | February 13, 2007 | By: Alec Peters 12 comments so far

Trek Auction – Week 8

Week 8 of the Star Trek auctions on eBay from It’s a Wrap Hollywood was the first week where every item sold. It is possible there were no reserves, or if there were they were easily surpassed. Hopefully this means It’s a Wrap has learned that reserves don’t help its sales, but in fact hurt them. The total for the week was $70,503, which is the second best week so far. Week 8 saw some big sales, much of which were from Star Trek V. The biggest item of the week was Captain Kirk’s Commando costume which sold for $6,253 even though it had the wrong undershirt, no belt and no boots. Another incomplete Kirk item (climbing costume from STV) went for $3,366, These were the first Kirk items to come up on the IAW auction and both went for more than similar and more complete versions sold for at Christies. The Spock Camping costume was very nice (sans rocket boots!) and went for $3,405. The same bidder won the McCoy Commando costume at$3,363 (and the Sybok robes!). The bidder is clearly a ST V geek (there had to be one) as he also owns the Kirk and Spock Commando

The Doomsday Machine

Review, TOS Remastered | February 12, 2007 | By: Mark A. Altman 123 comments so far

Review: “The Doomsday Machine” Remastered

THERE WAS, BUT NOT ANYMORE: DOOMSDAY HAS ARRIVED! Before getting to my review of the new “Doomsday Machine,” let’s get through the preliminaries first. First up, let’s address why it’s sacrilege to screw with the original Star Wars Films (ok, really SW and ESB, I never really cared what they did with Jedi – although putting a new song in Jabba’s court was not really a step in the right direction) and not Star Trek. The answer: because George Lucas, for all intents and purposes, is supplanting the original Oscar nominated versions of Star Wars (which resides in the Library of Congress among other places) for all time and, frankly, making them worse. The Enhanced Star Trek, on the other hand, is an alternate version of the original episodes which continue to be in syndication and on DVD and are not intended to replace the original 1966-69 versions, but rather exist as a companion piece to them.

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Humor, TOS Remastered, TrekMovie.com | February 12, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 81 comments so far

CBS Digital Guys Use TrekMovie.com To Play Prank On Boss

We all know that "Doomsday" was the big one for CBS-Digital, and that Special Effects Supervisor Niel Wray went a bit grey getting it finished. Well the effects team thought they would play a little prank on Niel and try and convince him that eagle eyed TrekMovie.com readers spotted an error in the final product (in the trailer). To that end they recreated a fake version of TrekMovie.com with a faked trailer and some rewritten comments…

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Feature Films (TMP-NEM), Nimoy | February 12, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 56 comments so far

Nimoy Wanted STIV To “Lighten Up” – OK Being Typecast

Leonard Nimoy has had a long and successful career and now says he can trace much of that success back to Star Trek. In a new interview with FatFreeFilms he talks about how Trek opened up many opportunities for him to both act and direct. After directing Star Trek III, Nimoy went on to direct a number of films including the hit comedy 3 Men and a Baby. Regarding humor, the man who portrayed the original emotionless Vulcan talks about why he wanted Star Trek IV to have a sense of humor:  when we developed Star Trek IV I said going in "this film has to lighten up". We have been dealing with death and destruction in these Star Trek movies and we have had enough of that. Spock died and Kirk’s son died and the Klingons were all being killed, and I said "Enough – lets find a way to have a lighter tone. In spite of the fact that Earth is being jeopardized we have got to find some humor." And I think we did.

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TOS Remastered | February 10, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 81 comments so far

Remastered “The Doomsday Machine” Airs Today – as if you didn’t know

Kirk and crew find a weapon of mass destruction, and an unshaven superior officer obsessed with taking it down.  Preview | Ep. Info | Show times A classic if there ever was one. CBS have been working on this for months with over 100 new effects shots, you will see… Lots of shots of the Enterprise including multiple shots of weapons firing A seriously messed up USS Constellation A big scary planet killer A shuttle and shuttle bay and all of the above from some new angles

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TOS Remastered | February 9, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 35 comments so far

Spinrad On The Transparent Doomsday Machine

Some have noted that CBS’s new CGI Doomsday machine doesn’t have that partially translucent look of the original. Well their reasoning is simple, it was never supposed to have it. Mike Okuda tells TrekMovie.com that he talked to the the original writer for the episode Norman Spinrad about this issue. According to Mike, here is what Spinrad had to say: It was a glitch, not at all intentional. The FX was really primitive, simple blue screen stuff, which is why you can also see fringes around a lot of spaceships and so forth against star backgrounds.

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1-18-08/Cloverfield, Abrams, STXI Status | February 9, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 23 comments so far

Abrams & Trek XI Update

This has been a busy week for JJ Abrams and Trek XI rumors, here is what we know. The decision on the green light for Trek XI is still pending, but things look good for it to start pre-production in the coming weeks. Multiple sources close to the production tell TrekMovie.com that Abrams is still involved in Trek XI as well as other projects at Paramount as part of his multi picture deal. We have learned that one of these other projects is a horror film called "Cloverfield", but (contrary to rumors) it should have not impact Star Trek XI. We can also confirm that it is not related to a ghost story script called "The Battle for Cloverfield" which was to be made by Columbia before going dormant in 2003. Many of the preparations for Star Trek XI are already underway with inquiries on availability going out to various crew people. The art department is slated to start going in March, with set construction probably starting in late Spring. We have also been told that as many as 5 stages have been set aside for Star Trek XI, all of which have been used for Trek TV and film projects in the past. There is no word yet on Abrams directing, but that decision should be made soon. Again this is Hollywood so things can change, but that is the status as of now.

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Fan Productions | February 9, 2007 | By: Matt Wright 150 comments so far

Daren Dochterman’s Doomsday is Done!

After long wait, Daren’s take on the most effects heavy TOS episode is available. He has a list of notes for the fans about his artistic desisions: Yes, I know there is a “mistake” in (a certain shot… name it)… it is intended. An homage to 60s FX technology. (lol) Yes, the Doomsday Machine is transparent in some sections. This is intended. I still maintain that part of the transparency in the front of the cone was meant to be. The shuttle name I’m using is the NCC-1701/1 “Spinrad” I know the shots are grainy. They’re supposed to be. I don’t show exterior damage to the Constellation’s bridge much. There is a little bit of a burn mark… but that’s it. The original model shot had no damage to the bridge… and yes, I’m trying to duplicate that… but not have it look a foot long.

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Merchandise | February 8, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 9 comments so far

Star Trek Goes Mobile

CBS have launched the "CBS Mobile Store" providing exclusive content from CBS shows for mobile phones. Included in that are 12 Star Trek ringtone/voicetones and 15 wallpapers. For now the sounds are primarily from TOS and the images span all series. The wallpapers cost $1.99 and tones go for $2.49, or you can subscribe and get 3 CBS tones and 1 graphic for $6.49/month. Check em out at CBSMobile.com. Also in iTunes news – The Trek TV episodes (from Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: Enterprise) are temporarily not available due to technical difficulties. The Trek films are still available.  

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Comics, Review, TNG | February 8, 2007 | By: John Tenuto 14 comments so far

Review: New Trek Comics

2007 is the 20th Anniversary of Star Trek The Next Generation, and IDW is planning to celebrate by setting their first Star Trek comic in Jean Luc Picard’s time. IDW is the latest inheritor of the Star Trek comics license (after being owned by both DC and Marvel over the years). The six issue series titled "The Space Between" spans the TNG era, with the first issue taking place in season 1 and the second during season 5. IDW have assigned an experienced team with writer David Tischman and Casey Maloney doing the artwork. Considering that IDW has experience with comics based on media items (such as Transformers and 24) it is no surprise that fans should be hopeful for the future of Trek comics. TrekMovie.com got a chance to speak to IDW editor Dan Taylor and see the first two issues and we like what we are seeing (and hearing). 

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1-18-08/Cloverfield, Abrams, Rumor, STXI Status | February 7, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 94 comments so far

Abrams Still On For Star Trek XI – May Still Direct

Again with the rumors. Latino Review (who pushed last week’s debunked rumor that Abrams has left the project) have now morphed their rumor into saying that Abrams will not direct Star Trek XI, but will direct a different film called "Cloverfield" for Paramount. TrekMovie.com have been told by a source close to the production that this rumor is "so totally wrong". Abrams is still attached to the project as producer, the film is still going forward, and preperation are being made (including a number of stages being set aside). No decision or deal (either way) has yet been made regarding if Abrams will be directing the film. In addition Abrams confirmed to AICN that he is ‘not off Trek’.Some of this confusion may be due to the fact that Abrams has a multi-picture deal with Paramount; in fact Greg Grunberg recently told IGN Abrams had 3 projects going at the studio right now. As we have been reporting, this month may be where many of the big decisions on Trek are made so expect more rumors and more fact checking here at TrekMovie.com. And of course, things change so take it all in with the usual grains of salt.

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ST09 Cast | February 6, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 24 comments so far

McAvoy Being Coy About Scotty Role

After a report in a Scottish tabloid about James McAvoy playing Scotty, TrekMovie.com reported McAvoy’s publicist stated the actor had not been approached for the role. At the time it was noted that even if he hadn’t been officially approached, there still may be some interest. Now in an interview with IESB McAvoy puts a little more wood on the rumor fire. When asked specifically if he had been approached he cryptically says "not in so many words." To add more confusion, the first time TrekMovie made inquiries on this subject we were told by some one in his camp that he had been approached, but then were told later (by his publicist) that he had not been. Until Trek XI has a budget it is unlikely that actors would be officially appraoched (especially for secondary roles). One thing is clear from the McAvoy interview, he is a real Star Trek fan (see below). 

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Abrams, STXI Status | February 5, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 41 comments so far

Grunberg: Trek XI Script Being Finished – Abrams ‘really, really happy with it’

J.J. Abrams best friend Greg Grunberg is giving William Shatner a run for his money on being the best blabber about Star Trek XI. IGN caught up with the Heroes star and he told them that he doesn’t have the script yet, but that Abrams "was finishing it last week". On the subject of the day regarding if Abrams will direct or not, Grunberg noted how the answer keeps changing: One week he tells me he’s not sure. One week, he told me, ‘No. I’m definitely just producing.’ And then just last week he was like, ‘Man, I’m really excited to do it.’ I said, ‘Are you doing it?’ He said, ‘I don’t know.’ I mean, honestly, it’s like he’s still really up in the air. But he’s really happy with the script. I know that. Really, really happy.   

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Review, TOS Remastered | February 5, 2007 | By: Jeff Bond 38 comments so far

Review: “Journey To Babel” Remastered

For the last two reviews I’ve written for the site I deliberately took on Trek outings that I feel are a little undervalued by the community—not so here. Dorothy Fontana’s “Journey to Babel” is an acknowledged Trek classic and would be even if it had only conjured up Spock’s parents, Sarek and Amanda, in the flesh. But “Babel” offers much more than that—it’s a solid look at the Vulcan family relationship (albeit one somewhat disrupted by the presence of a human parent in the mix), an exciting tale of political intrigue, and an Agatha Christie-type murder mystery that also boasts satisfying action both onboard the Enterprise and in outer space.

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Abrams, STXI Status | February 5, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 105 comments so far

Big Decision Week For Star Trek XI?

TrekMovie.com has already reported that February is the point where Trek XI could move from ‘development’ to getting a green light (or not) and going into pre-production. In the last few weeks we have been getting various reports from sources around the studio that things are progressing and preperations are already being made to start some preliminary work the coming weeks. Now comes this from today’s Hollywood Reporter: Over at Paramount Pictures, for example, there is now a question whether J.J. Abrams will direct "Star Trek XI." …Although Paramount is hopeful that Abrams will captain the Starship Enterprise, sources said the director likely will make his decision later this week.

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TrekMovie.com | February 4, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 123 comments so far

The Future of TrekMovie.com

Later this month TrekMovie.com will reach its 6 month anniversary. In its short life TrekMovie.com has quickly become the leading site for news and information for the world Star Trek. It has also attracted an active community of dedicated fans who can discuss their favorite franchise in an open minded and thoughtful way. The success of the site is due to a focus on exclusive content and the diversity and quality of our writer contributors. As we move towards the second half of our first year it is now time to start thinking about where to go from here. Below is some of the current thinking presented as both a ‘heads up’ as well as an opportunity for feedback. I know some Trekkies are often resistant to change, but there is always room for improvement. 

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Memorabilia | February 4, 2007 | By: Alec Peters 0 comments so far

Trek Auction – Week 7

Week7 of the Star Trek auctions on eBay from It’s a Wrap Hollywood ended with arecord 96 of the 99 lots selling for a total of $61,374. The record low numberof items that did not hit reserve was due largely to It’s a Wrap’s judicious useof reserves this time. It seems that IAW is finally getting the message andreserves are becoming rarer each week. Some sources tell me there are only twooverworked (and presumably underpaid!) workers in the warehouse who are doingALL the work for these auctions. Not sure if that is true, but it would explainthe delay many buyers seem to have to endure in getting their items, as well asthe lack of a cohesive strategy and inefficient technology IAW is using.

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TOS Remastered | February 3, 2007 | By: Anthony Pascale 52 comments so far

Remastered “Journey to Babel” Airs Today

Kirk takes ill and Spock takes command, but he has to deal wtih bickering diplomats, attacking Orions and a nagging mother. Preview | Ep. Info | Show times This history-laden episode introduces Sarek, Andorians and Tellarites to the Trek universe. There are a good number of effects shots, expect new effects for… Planet Vulcan Shuttles and Shuttle bay A brand new design for the Orion ship Many shots of the Enterprise, including firing phasers and photons