Today is Anton Yelchin’s Birthday and He Thinks Trek is ‘Awesome’ March 11, 2008
by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: ST09 Cast , trackback
Today (March 11) is Anton Yelchin’s 19th birthday. He may not be old enough to drink, but he is old enough to get a seat on the bridge of the USS Enterprise as Chekov in JJ Abrams’ Star Trek. In a new interview with Total Film Magazine, the young actor says he thinks the new movie isn’t going to be ‘old Trek’ and that it is going to be ‘epic’ and ‘awesome.’
Yelchin on the mega film’s budget and where it is going:
Most of the money is going into making it look awesome. You have to realize how epic it is. That word is so overused, but we were shooting on the bridge and you sit there thinking, ‘I’m on the Enterprise!’ Would I ever have thought I’d be on this set? Never!
The new Chekov also talked about what kind of film he thinks they are making:
I talked to JJ a lot about what he wanted. He said, ‘We’re not making something that’s supposed to be the old Star Trek’, but I think people wanna see the things they love so we’re all trying to remind people of the old characters.
More from Yelchin in the latest issue of TotalFilm (via SciFi Pulse)
oh…and Happy Birthday Anton from TrekMovie.com
Anton Yelchin at the 2008 ACE Eddie Awards February 17, 2008 (Wire Image)
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Happy Birthday, Chekov! Koenig has toups older than you.
He’d be old enough to drink if he was in the UK =)
19. So young and so lucky.
The adventure continues….
“awesome”…………..hmmmm, that’s a 23rd Century expression, isn’t it?
Is it “awsome” in a Michal Bay kinda way?
I’m not sure there are that many photon torpedoes in the whole universe.
(Won’t link to it, but I can’t hear the word without seeing the Verison advert he did recently…)
He’s only 19? So he was in the film when 18? Is that… uhhhhh canon?
(/Ducks and covers)
Happy Birthday, Anton!
Peace. Live long and prosper.
The Vulcanista }:-|
Well, happy b-day, Anton! Hope it’s a good one!
It would be so nice to hear the actors, production crew, etc. refer to TOS as the original Trek instead of the old trek. Both words start with “o” – wouldn’t be that difficult to wrap their brains around…
I love it when the term “epic” is used for this movie, but as mentioned before how about a little something new? Cast photo, another partial ship photo, just something new. I know the movie seems a long way off, especially with the dates being pushed back, so JJ has to stretch things out, but how about a little something new?? A cast pic, or even of Nimoy as Spock in uniform.
Do we really need to be presented with every minor statement made by these people?
We know. The actors think it is awesome. They think Abrams is the greatest. The third cousin of the assistant key grip’s step-sister thinks this movie is going to rock.
And I will further chastise my own self for reading that drivel.
@ 10 – if you don’t want to hear it, Stanky, why do you bother checking out the site and reading the articles?
I for one am appreciative of the work Anthony & crew are doing to give us any little morsel they can. May 2009 seems SO far away.
Happy Birthday Mr. Chekov!
May you Live Long and Proseper.
Happy B-day Yelchin! I wonder what it must be like to be young, handsome, rich, and in demand?
Probably pretty nice! :D
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANTON!!! Someone buy the man a beer!!!!
19 huh? is that even old enough to be a Starfleet ensign?
Happy Birthday sir. By being cast in this movie, you have already received the birthday present most of us on this site could only dream about! Enjoy it to the fullest!
#14
Don’t you mean buy the man a wodka? :)
Happy Birthday Anton, I remember being 19, hell it was only a few months ago!! and guess what?? Im allowed to drink :P!!
Have to agree with Stanky though… we dont need to hear every segment that is being said about this film by the actors… only new stuff like accidental plot hints etc etc
ARGGHHH 422 days 22 hours and 52 minutes!! I wish i had a Klingon wessel to slingshot round the sun, but go forward in time!!
The best thing that could happen is that the film breathes new life into Trek and the world picks it up and carries it around on it’s shoulders shouting “we love Star Trek!”
The worst thing that could happen is that the film only recycles old Trek and only makes the existing fans happy, and it dies.
So let’s give up the insistence that it cling slavishly to the original and enjoy the new growth. Otherwise it will die with us old Trekkers and be buried along with us and our Photon Torpedo caskets and tribbles placed around out bodies, clutching our “canon-accurate” phasers.
Happy Birthday, sweety! He’s just too cute and adorable… :-D
Personally, I like hearing from the actors, and in defense of the site, the authors never know when someone is here for the first time.
As for his reference to TOS as “old Trek”, he is only 19 years old. TOS is more than 2 decades older than him! And let’s not forget who he made the comments to. One of the stated goals is to appeal to a new audience and create new fans. Whether we like it or not, there is a stigma of sorts to Star Trek for many people. The more they can do to get people to give ST a chance—the better.
#5 – I’ll take an 18-year-old who is an Academy grad over some annoying eager-beaver child prodigy who gets underfoot only because Mama is the resident sawbones.
INCOMING!!!! LOL :-)
Surely he will scream in this movie! If he’s in it enough
In truth, Walter was too old for the part, though I love him dearly in it. Some of the ‘green’ jokes will work better with Yelchin.
Be careful of women in velour, Anton. Otherwise, enjoy your birthday and Trek. Now that combo really is awesome!
oops. I called him by his last name, not first. I’m sure he’ll forgive me. :)
10. Stanky McFibberich – March 11, 2008
“And I will further chastise my own self for reading that drivel.”
May we help?
;-)
Closet#20- Okay bro, let’s dig into it:
Debate point #1- Constantly referring to TOS as “the old Trek” weakens, not strengthens, the film’s prospective fanbase. In the next year, so much press will be put out concerning the film that continually hearing the words “the old” in association with Trek will subliminally turn off the very audience JJ’s team wants to draw into the theatres. Referring to TOS as “the original”, on the other hand, gives the film more “umph” and validates that there was an original – now there’s a new version.
Debate point#2- Constantly referring to TOS as “the old Trek” , by anyone involved in the making of the film, diminishes respect for Trek in general, thereby diminishing prospective audience expectations before they ever get to the theatre. This, of course, results in lesser box office revenue because, well, Johnny doesn’t want to go to the mall on Saturday with his buddies to see a movie about an “old” TV show.
Summary: If television, print ad, magazine and internet media is awash with the words “old Trek” for the next twelve months, the bottom line will result in decreased ticket sales as well as less revenue in Trek merchandise. If, however, the production team values its product and shows respect for what has gone before (by calling TOS “the original show”), the viewing public will, most probably, respond with interest and, hopefully, more butts in seats.
Young Mr. Yelchin shares a birthday with me! Of course, I’m old enough to be his father, but what the hey!
Happy Birthday, Anton! Hope yours was as good as mine!
I am not Old… I am original!
Vintage?
Classic?
pisces mount up!
There is no need to refer to Star Trek as anything but “Star Trek.” There was only one series with that name. All the later “versions” had some kind of subtitle.
re: 11 Newman
It’s a sickness I can’t seem to shake. An apparent need to continually punish myself.
and Xai….if I need any help, you will be the 5280th person I will call. ;)
Decloaking . . .
26. Denise de Arman. That’s your second “Right On” of the day. The term “Old” is considered marketing death. That is precisely why there is no longer an “Oldsmobile.”
You can beam your Juliet/Emily self onto my cloaked wessel anytime.
I’m currently docked in Minsk, yes Minsk. Where Seven and Iowagirl should go to honeymoon . . . Minsk . . . Minsk.
I actually think all you Trekkers / Trekkies / Trekites / and MotherTrekkers
are AWESOME. Thank you all for a very fun day!
Must now hit my nice hard Klingon sleeping platform here on the East coast of . . . Minsk.
Recloaking.
I dunno, I’ve never met anyone outside of a Trek board or convention who habitually called TOS “the original series” or anything other than either “Star Trek” or “the old show.”
Yelchin is awesome, his own self :) After seeing Charlie Bartlett I’ve placed him in the iron-clad “no worries” category … He’d have to say something extremely scary to tarnish my faith in him at this point.
Faith in Cast continues to hold steady at approximately 99% Total Faith overall.
Faith in Script/Direction continues to wobble uncertainly around 43% (slowly climbing) mainly due to information I lack rather than information that specifically worries me.
The overall trend has been: the more I learn about any of it, the more faith I have. Overall. Resulting in current odds of seeing this movie at 71%, with 100% warm, huggy HOPE :)
Ok, this nitpicking is really starting to get to me. First Pine’s off-hand remark about Harrison Ford, now this.
The show was made before many of the audience for this new film were even born, so it’s only natural they’d think of it as ‘old’. It isn’t intentional disrespect and I doubt any of the general public are keeping count. If anyone actually chooses to skip the movie because a 19 year-old referred to TOS as ‘the old show’, they’re far, far too sensitive and should probably never leave their homes for fear a stray offensive remark should reach their ear.
#30: I was under the impression that both TOS and TAS are later, tacked-on subtitles, and that both shows were simply titled “Star Trek” when they aired.
Happy Birthday Anton! =)
Cheers Mate! ;-)
OK, time to lighten up with a Star Trek joke I made up:
Hey, did you hear about the spin-off Star Trek movie they’re working on………about a renegade lizard captain who suffers from excessive flatulence?
Yeah, they’re going to call this epic……………GORN WITH THE WIND!
Harry Ballz:
In light of your recent joke, you are no longer allowed to post on trekmovie.com. Please pick up your thing and go…
Blake
p.s. Trekmovie.com = free
waiting for the next star trek movie = sucks
Gorn with the wind joke = priceless
He’s so cute…
But this use of the word “awesome” is starting to make me cringe. C’mon, kiddo. Learn more words. Someone give that young man a dictionary for his birthday!!
BTW he’s going to make an awesome Chekov!!
:-)
kg
Blake “Please pick up your thing and go…”
Isn’t that usually “your things”?
Freudian slip on line one!!
And, er, thanks for the compliment…….I think.
Happy birthday, Anton! And here’s to many more :)
Hey Anton, hope you had an epic party… ans since you are in California, maybe it’s still running. S dniom razhdjenia!
For all you may say, but his “old” comment is in line with most other statements we’ve heard from the XI people so far.
Anyway – hope you had a happy birthday, Anton!
Check off one more year for Anton!
Doesn’t TOS Stand for “The Old Show” ;)
Happy Birthday!! If you want a celebratory beer, come visit Canada!
#26
I like that “they” refer to TOS as “old Trek”. It shows great respect for TOS and it’s fans. They are, in essence, acknowledging that they cannot and will not recreate such classic greatness. They are attempting to build a new, different, but familiar Trek. I think that that will serve to increase the potential audience. Keep up the good work JJ. And please, no spoilers!!
18:
“The worst thing that could happen is that the film only recycles old Trek and only makes the existing fans happy, and it dies.”
Nope. The worst thing that could happen is that it gets us fans pissed off, and makes millions in the process.
Considering the respect heaped upon us by Roberto et al, I do not see that happening. But if Trek’s last gasp makes us happy and bombs, I could think of worse things.
But let’s face it, a lot of fans only want a new TV show… they’d be much happier if The New Voyages… I mean “Phase II” sets, props and costumes were borrowed and used for the new movie, and made exactly in the style of the the old show with updated effects. That’s all they want.
But if that’s all they got it would only ever be a direct-to-DVD movie and ST would be dead as far as the general public was concerned.
I for one want it to live.
re: ‘old’
Star trek was off the air for 19 years when he was born.
think of a show that far back…two decades before you were born…and tell me if you think of it as old. hell for some people visiting here, 20 years before they were born they were just starting to do ‘talkies’
arrrr….
most o’ the money goes to make it look awesome…
Sounds good. I relished tha animated space battles in DS9, however breifly shown… and they were amidst a decent story…
But spending money ta look good isn’t what a good film be about.
I mean, saving the money spent on their costumes, an all nude “Elizabeth: The Golden Age” could have have been just as good… maybe better…
Oh, and, just in case there do be money troubles, rememeber ya always got that shot of Kirk and Sulu blowing up that Klingon ship to re-use again…
Anthony- Anton does not need to be singled out in his constant reference to TOS as the “old show”. Yes, he is a cool, young kid (and obviously talented). My concern is placed in the consistent use of the word “old” as it is used in its descriptive reference to the TV show the film is based on. For the next twelve months, would it not be more advantageous to the film’s success if the words “original show” were used in interviews read and heard by young kids (those kids think eighteen is old)? As indicated by Commodore above, the word “old” is advertising and marketing death; frankly, I’m surprised that someone connected to advertising for the film hasn’t contacted JJ to banish the word “old” from their vocabulary in interviews. Keep in mind, this would work to the positive receptiveness of the young prospective young audience come May’09.
Commodore#31- So you have a wessel in Minsk? If you can afford a cloaking device for your wessel, surely you can throw down a few quatloos for a better mattress – throw out the “old” Kilingon pallet!
#26—Denise, I don’t see any basis for your conclusions. Certainly, referring to TOS as “Old Trek” doesn’t sit well with some “Old fans”, but to people in Yelchin’s age group it IS old—whether he calls it such or says “Original”. In this particular interview, he is not speaking to the established Star Trek fanbase. He is speaking to an audience that has, for whatever reason, never given Trek a chance. He is distancing this movie from the “old”, and presenting it as the “new”.
Now I doubt that Anton, at 19 years of age, has given this much thought himself, but this is consistent with Abrams’ marketing strategy. Like Mr. Orci said, we should be wary of reading too much into their comments to mainstream media. STXI, with its enormous budget, HAS to attract a wider audience to succeed. They will obviously use whatever strategy is necessary to get that audience. Let’s be realistic. Star Trek does not have an existing fanbase large enough to justify this film’s budget. It has to have mainstream appeal. If that means distancing it (marketing wise) from a 40 year old TV series which younger people don’t watch, then fine. I don’t see any problem with that. If they did anything less, I would submit that they are setting themselves up for box office failure. We like to think of ourselves as the crowd that will make or break this film, but we are not. All of us could pay to see this movie 5 times, and I doubt that the numbers would reach $130 million. Relax. Understand that they speak a very different language when talking to us, and take the comments to the mainstream media with an imaginary wink. Personally, I don’t see why the comments of a 19 year old kid, who plays a character with little screentime anyway, could even ruffle your feathers.
We are all upset that Harry is “M.I.A.”, but let’s not lose sight of the prize (LOL)!!!
Anthony is right. Star Trek (TOS) is old. I still think it’s great, but if I were 19 right now, would I even have given it a chance? Probably not.
#26 — You COULD NOT have stated it any better. Enough with this “old Trek” already. If t weren’t for the so-called “old Trek” — there would be no other Treks period!
Closet#51- You made my points for me in your post – when you were 12 and your mom took you to the mall and dropped you off to see a movie with your pals, would you have chosen a film playing that you had heard referred to as being based on an “old” TV show time and again on TV, in mags, etc.? The word itself bears a stigma to anyone under the age of eighteen. Dropping that word from interviews and any type of press concerning the film is the logical thing to do to insure a derth of young, giggling, spitwad-throwing, money-spending audiences. Call up any ad agency and just ask any rep how many successful ad campaigns are launched with the word “old” in the branding – get my drift?
And Harry is floating around here somewhere… I just don’t know if Anthony is going to let me talk to him or not! LOL
Sam#52- Thank you Sam. Just want the film to break records in revenue and get every kid as entranced with Trek as I was when my parents and I used to watch the reruns together… sigh…good times.
What’s on your mind, gorgeous?
arrrr…
I be so trendy with Yank tv shows that I consider “That 70s Show” an old show…
Wait… it is an old show… or a show about an older time 3 decades back…so it’s a show about old… but the actors all are young… and tha 70s wasn’t that long ago…
hmmm… oh, buggers, it’s a time anomoly… a matter of perspective… Tower O’ London was built in the 1000’s and tha US has only been around since tha 1700s… so what’s old? I agree that if yer 19 all tha above…
whar’s Janeway with her chronoton particles & tachyon pulses ta sort it out?
She’s what?? In Ohio?!
arrrr
arrrr….
Harry- Hey, meet me over on chat before Anthony sees that we’re talking!
Brit Dude#56- Too funny, man, you are just too funny…
#52—You are correct in pointing out the significance of TOS of course. But what does that mean to a 19 year old? For Surak’s sake, it IS old! So am I! Who cares what this kid says? Does his characterization of TOS in comparison to STXI really affect your self-esteem? Old, original, what’s the difference? Calling it “original” doesn’t change the fact that the show aired 40 + years ago. That is more than twice this kid’s age, and twice the age of alot of the movie’s target audience. It makes perfect sense to me for him to distance it from TOS in that regard when speaking to younger moviegoers. Now, given the sensitivity of some of the fans here, I might question his choice if he were speaking to trekmovie.com, but he isn’t…
#53—-His use of the word “old” is geared toward convincing people who either did not like “old” Star Trek, or just never gave it a chance, to see this film. He is obviously distancing STXI from something that was previously unattractive to his age group. Like it or not, Star Trek and Star Trek fans have a certain reputation. He is distancing STXI from that reputation as well, for the benefit of a non-Trekfan audience. I find it difficult to imagine that you actually do not see the difference.
If he were to say to his fellow teens and young adults that “this movie is like the old Star Trek”, then your point might have more merit, IMO. But what he is saying is that it is “different” from what they ALREADY view as “old”, and let’s face it—-outside of their interests. He is calling it something “new”.
Now, I have said way more than I ever wanted to regarding the choice of words in an interview by a teenage actor in a minor role in a Star Trek movie!!!
…..Free Harry Ballz!!!! LOL.
Closet#58- (Laughing uncontrollably, tears messing up makeup…)
I’m going to call Callie and tell her to growl at you… Forget Anton, it ‘ain’t about him, bro – it’s about a word that should be eliminated from interviews because kids don’t like “old” stuff, and they don’t like to hear about “old” stuff, and they don’t like to see “old” stuff… Copy? Or should I just go ahead and pound my head on the desk…
Speaking as a lifelong Star Trek fan with extremely TOS-centric leanings, I too refer to it casually as “old.”
Because … well, mainly because it’s so old.
I mean … Lucille frickin’ Ball was involved. Any older than that and we’d be in the Triassic.
#59—Unfortunately, she’s abit overweight since I can’t get the kids to stop indulging her in between meals. So the only way she’ll growl at me is if I dared to be late with her dinner! Seriously, she was quite fat when we rescued her, but I worry about her health.
I think you’re right that kids don’t like “old”, and that’s why I like that he is attempting to present it as “new”, and “unlike the old”, at least for the benefit of those who either don’t like Trek or won’t give it a chance because it’s old. I often use the example of my kids. My boys think TOS is goofy, and their Dad is goofy because he still watches it.
They are mildly excited about this movie because it involves JJ Abrams and some faces they recognize. If they thought it was anything like the “old”, they wouldn’t bother, and I wouldn’t drag them to see it. As it is, we plan to see it together. I hope it will add a few Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and Bones fans to my household.
#60
so, I gather then that old can be defined as being a dead redhead…
Ya mean Queen Elizabeth the 1st is old?
Ya mean Howdy Doody (technically never alive) is old?
Ya mean (according to average ornithological lifepsans) Woody Woodpecker be old?
Rob Roy?
Khan’s wifey- Lt Gyvers?
Poor, poor gingers…
grab me some dye and go blonde…never go old then, even when dead…
Closet#61- You think you and the kids will be able to convince your wife? Tell her it’s a family outing – that will make her feel guilty and she’ll give.
BritDude- “old being a dead redhead”… between you and Closet my eyemakeup is now completely smudged and I undoubtedly look like a racoon as I wipe messy laughing tears and gasp to catch my breath…
- 19 years..?!?…wow ..he is really very young….
I’ll have you know that a leetle old lady from Moscow inwented the word “awesome.”
I remember when I was 19, it was 1975. 1935, 40 years earlier, was bloody old to me. Before the last world war, my parents were born around then! Those was ancient times man! Star Trek Original finished over 2 life times ago for Anton … it’s OLD to him!
I think it’s important that todays youth thinks of this new movie as just that …new. The further the producers distance themselves from the hokey look of the cheap sets and production values of the 60’s the better.
This new movie has be of today to succeed using the FORMULA that made the “original” so great. I’m an old trekie but TOS was a long time ago, in a galaxy not so far far away.
A hamburger sitting in the McD’s warmer for more than two hours is “old.”
So the word definitely means different things. To most young people, whatever came before what is now, is old.
News flash:
TNG is old.
Denise…where is this preponderance of cast members using the word ‘old’. I cant remember any instances, it certainly isn’t “consistent.”
Happy B’day Anton and hope you have many more.
I don’t like the term old when regarding star trek. I always refer to it as The Original Series as it is. But that’s just my opinion.
It’s like I always use to call my self a trekker and this was long before TNG was even made. I used to attend loads of UK trek conventions and I never heard anyone there call them selfs trekkie’s.
But that’s neither here nor there now, as I don’t consider my self as a Trekker or Trekkie as I’ve not been into trek for years now.
Anthony- I was speaking of interviews I have read here on this site Anthony, and I am 99.9% sure that JJ himself was one of those I recall using that term. I am, however, quite sure there have more instances of the production crew and/or cast members in these articles besides JJ and Anton who have dropped that in conversation also – hence, my annoyance at once again reading it today. Do you think this is a serious enough issue for me to go back in past articles to find for your reference?
Anthony- I believe a couple of the “old show” terms were video interviews as well.
“We’re not making something that’s supposed to be the old Star Trek”
“remind people of the old characters”
OLD??? REMIND??? And people wonder why the Preservers of the Canon are in mourning!!!
#69: Well said :)
“I talked to JJ a lot about what he wanted. He said, ‘We’re not making something that’s supposed to be the old Star Trek’, but I think people wanna see the things they love so we’re all trying to remind people of the old characters……except Chris Pine, he wants to remind people of Harrison Ford…….and Zachary Quinto is doing his own thing too kinda……yeah, but the rest of us are totally trying to respect the original characters. It’s just the two lead that don’t care all that much.”
#69: No, TNG is original… ;-)
TNG is original. Let’s see, a ship called the Enterprise sets out exploring the Galaxy with a diverse crew. Most of the key interaction takes place on the bridge. The show is called Star Trek. Yup, original.
I’m just goofing around, Paolo. I know that there were many differences between TOS and TNG and I love them both. But it came on TV 25 years ago. It is old. That’s not a bad thing.
:)
“We’re not making something that’s supposed to be the old Star Trek’, but I think people wanna see the things they love so we’re all trying to remind people of the old characters.”
It annoys me when I read comments like these.
We want proper Star Trek, not JJ Abrams screwing up our beloved show to fit his style.
JJ has got me so worried I want Rick Berman back
Captain………..nobody could ever be THAT worried!!!!!
sorry but that is how worried Mr Abrams has got me.
I want to see see Star Trek, not a film that is only the same in name only
#82—I think you are taking the comments of a 19 year-old actor a bit too close to heart. Let’s keep a bit of perspective here.