FedCon: TNG Stars Hit Germany + Burton Hopes For TNG Movie April 23, 2008
by Markus Kettner , Filed under: Conventions/Events/Attractions, DS9, Star Trek (2009 film), TNG , trackback
FedCon, Europe’s biggest Star Trek and Sci Fi convention took place over the last weekend in Bonn, Germany and over 5000 EuroFans came out to see the sci-fi stars. Among the many guests were TNG stars Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, Marina Sirtis and John de Lancie. Of particular interest were comments from Burton about hopes for another TNG move.
LeVar Burton
TNG’s Geordi La Forge was very enthusiastic and optimistic on stage, telling the crowd "I love my life, if you ever hear me complain about my life give me a smash to my head." He said that he and the TNG cast sees each other quite frequently and that they come together each year for a Christmas party. This TNG inner circle now also includes John Logan, writer of Star Trek Nemesis. Burton told the fans, that he still hopes for one more TNG movie and thinks JJ Abrams can make it happen, saying:
If the general interest in ‘Trek’ rises with the arrival of the new film by J.J. Abrams and it makes a lot of money, we might see one final movie with the TNG-crew. I don’t think ‘Nemesis’ was an appropriate farewell.
Burton, who worked closely with the late James Doohan in the TNG episode "Relics" also joked around about his time with Trek’s first engineer:
He was so much fun to be around, but he usually started drinking at 4 o’clock in the afternoon and after 5 o’clock he was pretty much wasted.
[EDITOR’S NOTE: Sometimes con reports loose something out of context, but Burton was joking around about Doohan. Remember that the episode “Relics” had a scene were Scotty got drunk, Burton was not maligning Doohan]
Burton also knew how to play to the home crowd, saying:
I haven’t had a good Bratwurst since I was eleven. It’s fantastic to be back in Deutschland.
LeVar Burton at FedCon XVII
(Photo: Jill Vanden Driessche)
Marina Sirtis
Marina Sirtis was generally much fun and very charming. The actress talked about recently travelled to Bulgaria to film a small part in the upcoming Direct-to-DVD horror sequel "The Grudge 3" and told the fans that she’s isn’t too picky when it comes to acting offers, joking:
I turned down a part in ‘Men in Black’, thinking it was a crap movie. There where other occasions that I made wrong decisions. Nowadays I take every offer, just in case it might be a good film
Sirtis also spoke about the role in the 2005 racially-focused film Crash and that she and her husband considered moving from the US to live in Europe. When on stage together wit Spiner and Burton she gave a beautiful rendition of Mary Hopkins’ "Those where the days, my friend". Her colleagues joined her for the refrain.
Marina Sirtis at FedCon XVII
(Photo: Jill Vanden Driessche)
Brent Spiner
Brent Spiner signed his new CD "Dreamland" and his panels were always filled with dry humor, hardly ever taking any question seriously. However, as he did at the recent Grand Slam, the actor said he was sure the new Star Trek movie was going to be a success.
Brent Spiner at FedCon XVII
(Photo: Jill Vanden Driessche)
John DeLancie
Q himself was also in attendance telling stories and taking questions. When asked how he felt about comparing the times he played Q on TNG vs. Voyager he said:
I enjoyed Next Generation and except for one show written by Michael Piller on Voyager about suicide ["Death Wish"], but I thought most of the shows were excellent. Next Generation were a little bit better than Voyager for me.
John DeLancie at FedCon XVII
(Photo: Caffey)
René Auberjonois
In addition to the TNG stars, DS9’s Odo, René Auberjonois was also at the show and the actor showed his ongoing connection with his character. He talked about how he would like to ask Odo what he thought about the abrupt end of his relationship with Kira Nerys and if he regrets going back to his people. When he was asked about the first kiss between Odo and Nerys he answered that he didn’t feel much, because tons of make up were between him and Nana Visitor. Apparently Nana wasn’t excited either, because her face was covered in his make up after that scene.
René Auberjonois at FedCon XVII
(Photo: Michael Müller)
Singing German Klingons
One last item just for fun, here are some vid clips of a group of German Klingons having fun singing and playing with Tribbles and Stormtroopers at FedCon.
Markus Kettner, TrekMovie’s new German correspondent, is one of the managers for The TrekZone Network, a leading German Star Trek website (and TrekMovie.com partner). More photos from FedCon XVII at TrekZone.
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Comments»
its good to see them all moving on to other things beyond trek
That DeLancie is one cool cat!
TIM BURTON MAKING A TNG MOVIE WOULD BE INTERESTING though it could easily end up like planet of the apes
BRYAN SINGER would be perfect for this
It would be interesting to see the mighty Q and his son in the mix again
:o )
I’m a huge TOS fan, but I wouldn’t mind another TNG movie! It would be a lot of fun!
mmmm Marina Sirtis - milfalicious
I didn’t get the part where they’re moving on to other things. They all flew to Germany to attend a Star Trek convention and get together during the Chrismas holidays while hoping to do one more TNG film.
I wouldn’t mind another TNG movie, but the odds are slim. It’s very obvious Paramount wants to go in a new direction.
Seeing Q again would be cool but…it probably won’t happen on the big screen….hopefuly on TV again.
“Burton told the fans, that he still hopes for one more TNG movie and thinks JJ Abrams can make it happen”
Hope … is a good thing. It keeps you going when you would otherwise fail.
Like others have said, go the direct to DVD route. That way maybe we can get a Titan DVD with the Rikers.
Dream on, Levar….
When TNG blew 3 out of 4 movies it killed all chances,
If they were set in the same era, you might be able to work some TNG characters into a sequel to the new film. Bt, alas, they aren’t.
If the new film brings in a l-o-t of cash, Paramount might warm to the idea of a film, or TV series, that is set in a time immediately post TNG, but is not a straightforward continuation of the voyages of Picard’s Enterprise, or any other starship for that matter. (And not another DS9). It’s a big universe, so there are lots of story ideas.
Jonathon Frakes made 1 amazing trek movie and one (i dont care what flame i get for this) better than average one. He knows the characters, hell, he IS one of the characters, he’s been one of them for 20 odd years.
Frakes and the rest of the cast have all proven themselves in other creative areas since TNG ended its run, Would giving the actors creative control over one last movie or a TV mini series be that drastic?
I wouldn’t be against a good TNG film, however, I do strongly believe LaVar Burton has a big mouth. If Doohan drank, that was his business as long as it effected no one else.
I don’t believe it was Burton’s place to talk about James Doohan’s habits. Very poor form and he should refrain in the future… it gains nothing for anyone.
IMO,
X
It’s frakkin’ geil (engl. = horny) to be here (Mary McDonnel about the FedCon)
I’m from Switzerland and every year I go to the FedCon and this time I must say: “It was really frakkin’ geil”
3. paul - “TIM BURTON…”
The first thing I thought when I saw that headline “Burton Hopes For TNG Movie” was “dear god please don’t let Tim Burton near Star Trek!!” and that was for his shameful remake of Planet of the Apes! Glad to see this was not about him!
I’ve thought about Bryan Singer directing a TNG film, too. It probably wouldn’t be bad. Just no Michael Bay, McG or Brett Ratner!
FEDCON is the best!!! Been to 12 of them and they make CREATION Cons look just like that: cons. American Trek fans have no idea what an incredible convention this is. Think European Dragoncon.
TREK RULEZ!!!!!!
I totally agree with Levar. There should one more TNG picture. Nemesis wasn’t the right way to end the great series.
I WANT TNG MOVIE (with Q please)!
I’m a mild TNG fan, but I agree with the sentiment that TNG deserves a TV / direct to DVD film.
I would not have felt this way prior to the last Episode of “Enterprise”, but that nut job Berman had to go and revive TNG (from a lame TNG episode at that) and go and leave a bad taste in every trek fans mouth.
I say make another TNG - and don’t let anyone from previous Treks be involved save Manny and the actors - let Frakes direct - He’s really solid.
Quoting Shamrock:
“I totally agree with Levar. There should be one more TNG picture. Nemesis wasn’t the right way to end the great series.”
Bryan Singer!!!!
The *only* way would be a time-bending, time travelling movie involving the *new* TOS crew and the older TNG crew, and in some way involving Shatner as old Kirk. It could happen.
Pigs can fly too! :)
I think the crew deserve one more chance at bat, maybe when JJ reaches his third picturde deal Star Trek movie it can shoot back into the Next Generation.
Funny, Spiner is looking like RICK BERMAN on that pic!
YEAH ONE MORE TNG MOVIE.A TV MOVIE WHERE THEY FIX ‘GENERATIONS’.
How nice to talk about Doohan being sloshed.
You know, it wouldn’t be too bad if we had another TNG-era movie. Maybe not with the TNG crew, but certainly in the timeline. Perhaps even a little after. The actors have aged a good bit, so that might be more difficult. But I would definately love to see another film or series after this movie.
It might even be a good idea to continue with these new actors for more NeOS (Neo [new] + TOS) films. I’m trying to coing something, here! Roll with with it…
I’d like to see more Quinto and Pine.
#2 Harry Ballz: *** “That DeLancie is one cool cat!” ***
When I was in college back in the early to mid 1980s, I used to watch “Days of our Lives” (hey! we had to do SOMETHING between classes).
My favorite character was the wacky (some would say “mad”, but benevolent) scientist/inventor Eugene Bradford played by none other than ***John de Lancie***. This was pre-TNG and nobody except us “Days” fans ever heard of this guy, but my friends and I loved him — he stole every scene he was in…he was truly “one cool cat” as Harry Ballz said.
One storyline had de Lancie’s character building a time machine with which he disappeared off the show for a few years…when he came back on the show, he had an android version of his wife that he built while in the future. Oh — and he also had a ’sixth sense’ that would allow him to know when bad things were going to happen.
…That’s some Great Stuff!! They don’t make good soap opera characters like that anymore.
I just saw Leonard Nimoy in a DAS Auto commercial
Xai#16- I assumed Burton was joking, Xai, refering to the Scotty character as being the drinking dude - Scotty ended up in 10-Forward getting drinks from Data in Relics.
#16 Xai
I couldn’t agree more. Sad
31:
“It is green.”
I hope we hear that in the NeOS movie. Yes, I will continue to try to coin this term! Stop me if you will!
#31, I believe the phrase was:
“It is green.” -Data
I hope that they reference this in the NeOS movie. Yes, I will continue to try to coin this new term for the movie. Stop me if you will! MUA HA HA HA HA!!
Sorry, my computer didn’t show the first one, so I thought it got lost, I’m having internet issues. Delete one if you care.
That Guy#28- You need to go see Quinto at a con, my friend. I am going to Toronto in July to meet up with Katie and Harry for a con featuring Quinto. You should come there, or try the con in Tulsa in June (I think he will be in attendance there for a couple days). There is nothing like seeing our beloved characters in person.
37, True is dat.
Despite the fact that we have not yet seen them in their prized roles in the upcoming NeOS movie as Kirk and Spock yet, I’m already hoping for another one. Do tell how it goes. I’ll be around.
Q is my role model. I once wrote a 10-page paper about him and how his words “All good things must come to an end” changed my perspective on the world. And it’s true, those words changed a lot for me. Q has since become a personal icon for me. Ever since then, my friends noticed that I seem to pop out of nowhere, especially when they least suspect me…
Maybe Q will be in the NeOS movie…???
Chris Doohan#32- Do you think Burton was not joking Chris, because, if that was the case, that was truly the most dispicable thing I have ever heard coming out of a con. Do you think he was saying that about your dad, not the character?
JC#36- Very callous remark. Sounds like the type of thing one might hear from the pappanazis who chase celebs down the highways pistoning them up against concrete walls in the hopes that they will get a shot of someone screaming - well, if they are celebs, they should expect that kind of thing right?
RE: doohan drinking
the article notes he was joking around…the episode it mentions also has a scene of scotty getting drunk. it was a joke. Sorry if it offended anyone…everyone knows that Burton is the nicest guy around and would never say a bad thing about some one in malice.
Thank you for the clarification, Anthony. It was hard to imagine him saying such a thing in front of thousands of people.
I think it would be great to have one last TNG movie, one that could truely bring closure to the series. I was hugely disapointed when it was announced that the current movie was going to be TOS, but I still have hope that it will reignight the franchise. If it does, though, I hope that they move beyond the 22nd and 23rd century. Just doesnt seem right to be moving back through time that way, there has to be some sort of temporal paradox for that…
Did anyone notice the showbiz fog behind Levar?
Haha. That’s pure cheese.
Also I’m sure Levar made the comment about Doohan getting wasted because its Germany (people). Half that audience was prob drinking (warm) beer. I didn’t feel it was in bad taste.
John Delance is a cool cat I met him years ago at a Grand slam con in Pasadena. He walked in the backstage door and I said “its Q!” He smiled and shook my hand. For a second I thought he might snap me into Oblivion.
Hey, I remember back in the day when Mr. Doohan asked a friend of mine who owned a comics shop and was hosting him in Fort Lauderdale if he could score him a little weed. (And that isn’t meant as any kind of a put-down at all–in fact, it just served to impress us that Scotty was a regular guy who knew how to party. It was South Florida in the ’80s, after all.)
Done right one last TNG movie would be brilliant. Frakes should direct, Coto and Ronald D. Moore should write, and Myers should Produce and Jeri Taylor should be Exec Producer.
There are a couple of unfinished story lines from TNG (Like that little alien thing from the end of TNG season one that took over much of starfleet and that sent a message) that could launch a movie, which in turn could launch the next TV series. The main thing is not to ignore what happened in Nemesis, don’t have Data in it, if anything Nemesis could be tied in (loosely, as could DS9 and ENT and TOS) all three series has one thing in common with TNG (parasites that can either take over your body or kill you) thus uniting the Trek universe. All it would take is careful and daring writing, and it could lead into a brilliant new TV series.
40. Anthony Pascale - April 23, 2008
RE: doohan drinking,,
Thanks for the clairification. Sorry to stir the pot Chris, I always enjoyed your Dad.
I think the world needs one more TNG movie :)
Seriously, lets get one more made in the next 5 years. 25th anniversary would be the perfect time for this film to come out. Bryan Singer or Jonathan Frakes should direct… it needs to be done by a fan of the series, and both those men are big fans!
I’ve wanted a NGen film since Nemesis. But the way it looks it aint ever gonna happen now.
Paramount would have to include Berman since he owns a piece of that show. And that’s not going to happen.
(Boy how cool would it have been to hang with Scotty!)
I shutter at the mare thought of another TNG Movie Crap -O-Rama.
I’m sure the TNGer’s are jumping for joy over the hopes of seeing their ever expanding crew wallowing across the silver screen once again.
Just for the record, I’m sure LeVar was just joking around and I’m sure he was referring to the character. My father would never get “wasted” after only one hour of drinking. He could out drink the best of them..even Scotty
#44
He was just a regular guy, but it never happened.
glad we got that sorted Chris
Also i want to thank Markus and the TrekZone team for bringing us news of happenings in Germany. Star Trek is huge in Germany and it is important for Trekmovie.com to keep tabs of whats going on there and the TrekZone people will be bringing it to us
#37:
If you’re gonna pick a role model, I guess an omnipotent being is as good as any.
#49:
Actors, like everyone else, do tend to expand as they get older. The right way to handle that is to allow their characters to age, also. In Trek, that means moving characters off the bridge of the Enterprise and into positions that high achievers of their seniority and rank would logically fill in Starfleet. The novels have handled that reasonably well; no reason why movies couldn’t as well. E.g., I just read a post-TNG novel in which Spock opts out of one scene because he’s old and tired.
Movies that keep on casting aging actors in young swashbuckling parts draw laughter they don’t want.
If another TNG movie is made (whether theatrical or direct to dvd), I’d give John Logan another shot as writer. Honestly, I think Nemesis is over criticised and underrated because of it being directed horribly. I know that there were alot of elements in Nemesis from other Trek films like the ship that could fire while cloaked, but lately I’ve begun to see these elements were meant as homage and were not simply lazy writing. If Jonathan Frakes or Nicholas Meyers had been director, that’s probably how those elements would have been understood, but that’s just my opinion.
As far as the content of such a movie, I think it should be a sort of handoff from the Enterprise E to the Titan, from Picard to Riker. It should also clarify details from Nemesis like why Worf was no longer an ambassador and why Wesley Crusher was at Deanna and Will’s wedding reception. Another important thing is I think it should be more of an ensemble movie and not having two characters’ plots dominate the whole film like past TNG movies. I’d also include characters from DS9 and Voyager.
I really like what #45 The Realist suggested, but I think i his/her idea is better suited as a miniseries than a movie.
Anyway, here’s hoping that TNG will be given another shot. For that matter, here’s hoping Enterprise is given another shot of some kind as well, that is as long as Manny Coto is involved.
In defense of Tim Burton, he was not the original writer, director, or producer of the Planet of the Apes remake. He was brought in as a replacement, and basically tried to do the best he could. Studios for years refused to do anything with a negative or dark tone. Burton was thrown out of the Batman franchise because Warner Brothers didn’t want the dark tone.
LeVar, a TNG movie ain’t going to happen, better stick with Reading Rainbow.
George Takei in the past has also felt it necessary to joke about James Doohan’s drinking (guess he ran out of anti-Shat material on those days).
Chris, your dad was a wonderful, talented man & whether he drank or not is NOBODY’S business! And it’s most certainly not a subject to use as joke fodder!
I just want to add before I go back into self-exile, the new photo of Marina Sirtis confirms from the other thread she’s indeed yummier than ever!
seriously guys? There will never be any direct-to-dvd star trek movies, no miniseries, and john logan will never get the chance to write for trek again. It is also very very unlikely that there will be another TNG movie, as much as I would like to see one.
Let’s be realistic here.
#57, you’re probably right, but stranger things have happened.
53. Joseph Brown - April 23, 2008 - I’m a he. I have always felt that the threat introduced then was a brilliant plot line never explored, and would lend itself brilliantly to a new series, or a movie or two or a mini series, with a true ensemble cast, bringing in elements of DS9, TNG, ENT and TOS would make a realy rich and compeling show, the possibilities are endless! To do it properly would take creative writing, planning and dedication, it would also alow Trek to explore the inner workings of Star Fleet and the Federation.
Star Trek was once a daring and trend setting TV show and needs to be again, drawing on the various Parasites in TOS (The episode with the Flying Fried egg thingys), TNG: Episode Conspiracy, ENT: A few episodes with strange pathegens: DS9: Any Episode with Trills in it (Can’t think of any for VOY) you could have a very compelling series. And yes I have been thinking about this for a very long time!
Very cool, Anthony, that you are able to bring us so much con news here, and TrekZone is a real coup. Is there anyone on the planet that you do not know…
Not really interested in another TNG movie. They kind of went downhill after First Contact, like TOS movies did after TWOK. I think both series has had enough movies (with the original cast.)
I guarantee you that Abrams would have nothing to do with a TNG movie. And I’m not bashing TNG. I like one-third to one-half of all their episodes. But this is about knowing when something has come to a finish. I hate it when we try to squeeze more blood out of a cinematic corpse.
This is why Abrams has taken the bold moves. The majority of us know that the old ways have died. I’m a child of the old waves, having grown up with first run TOS, and I am excited about new Trek, done a different way. It’s already been done the old way for over 700 episodes and Ten movies.
As for Doohan, what an awesome guy he was. And much more talented than TV ever let him be. LeVar’s joke about his drinking was meant with affection I’m sure.
I was there an talked to W Morgan Sheppard, who said he filmed a scene for Star Trek. Anthony, you may want to update the cast page accordingly.
Even though I talkled to him privately while he was giving me an autograph he could not say ANYTHING about the scene. He did say though that he thought JJ was a “very clever director” who was “not afraid to change his mind if a better idea came along.” When I asked him to give me a thumbs up or a thumbs down on the new movie (he was also the Klingon “welcoming” Kirk and Bones to Rura Penthe in ST:IV The Undiscovered Country) he uite emphatically gave me two thumbs up.
Right on Chris! Thanks for hanging around here.
Your dad was the best!!!!
^
Realist, I like your concept for a NexGen plotline. We would deffinitly need Section 31 involved.
Also Voyager had a great episode called Macrocosm, where huge bugs had taken over the ship and Janeway and the Doctor had to kill them before Voyager was going to be destryoed as a quarantine measure by an alien ship.
That one was in season 3….
I know there are at least 2 or 3 more episodes in later seasons that Voyager had to deal with Pathegens.
Species 8472 for example. Just a scrape of there claws cause a deadly pathegenic response to our bodies causing the pathegen to consume the host.
Voyager kicked all there ass’s. :-)
Hmm i well honestly i think this is one of the cases where paramount can milk star trek , and we (the fans ) want them to do , give him a bit of money and let them make a tng dvd movie , a real send off ( hell throw in some ds9 and voy charaters) and make two or three of them . i think it i would work , i mean dvd movies seem to be the places where the money is now .
but i guess paramount dont like that idea, i mean i dont see why, it would make money and money makes the studio happy . oh well i am jusy happy there will be new movie , …….now if only there was a new star trek show on tv cough .
oh well trekkies can dream right
oh and i must say FEDCON look brilliant, i dont really get to many conventions ( i.e. there are none in Ireland and but a few in England ) . might try and make it to FEDCON next year. my gf is german so i can put it off as trip to visit her family/me wanting to go to fedcon lol.
Levar Burton is living in fantasy land just like those TU people- TNG is dead (just like ENT and the rest of that Berman and Braga nightmare, thank God!) so he needs to move on.
I don’t agree with those who say TNG is dead. TNG had the highest ratings of ANY of the Star Trek series - Paramount made BANK with that show in first run syndication and currently in reruns. Why do you think Berman and company have had such longevity at Paramount - producing 2 TNG era spin - offs? That’s really an incedible thing when you think about it.
With the relative dismal performance of the Remastered TOS in syndication and poor DVD sales piled onto that, you could reasonably expect that CBS - Paramount may look to the TNG era again in producing a Trek TV series, mini-series, direct-to-DVD or even VOD. It’s just a smart business move.
Depending on the performance of the new film, I think they will definitely keep the TOS era reserved for major motion pictures at this point - or dump it all together if JJ’s flick fails (which is a very unlikely scenario - but could happen)
63. 790 - April 23, 2008 - Section 31 (or a form of it) would partly be behind the “Bugs” return. Thanks for “Macrocosm” thought there was one like that. I have an idea revolving around the “bugs” in Trek. Came to me years ago when I re-watched “Conspiracy” I saw an accidental link between TOS and TNG (in a way). I always liked the idea of “uniting” Trek, even though the series are set in vastly different time periods, it does not mean that by clever writing you can’t have them “united” in a film etc.
Galileo 7 (2nd great German Trek Con): R.I.P.
I would bet money on them never making another TNG film. It had it’s time but i think it would be a major step back words.
I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Burton that ‘Nemesis’ did not provide the crew of NextGen a proper send off, however, I doubt that they will ever get the opportunity to recieve one on the silver screen.
I would surmise the best bet for them would be in the novels, but then that would not be (gasp! that word) canon.
It is too bad really, they deserved better (as did the crew of TV’s ENTERPRISE, who also received a shoddy ending).
#8 yeah, backwards.
Who cares if Doohan drank anyways? I think that makes he seem more like Scotty, which in turn makes him cooler.
I want another TNG movie, a miniseries would be cool to see.
Hi. One of the FEDCON organizers here as well as it’s American MC for the last 13 years. 5000 attendees and main hall parties that lasted till 5am each nite.
As have already been mentioned, LeVar was making a joke.
As for cheesy fog behind our actors, go to a FEDCON, THEN judge for yourself. Atmosphere is everything and we’re the best at it.
To the Irish bloke who wants to come to a FEDCON, we had 26 countries in attendance and one of them were Ireland.
Hello to Chris Doohan. I hosted your dad’s final convention in LA and the launch of his ashes in the New Mexico desert with Wende (his wife). Good to see you hear. Need to get you overseas buddy.
W. Morgan Sheppard IS in STIX but even I could not get any info out of him. He’s VERY contractually tight lipped about it and I’m proud that he can keep a secret, even if it is on threat of his life. *lol*
There are many many links to photos and videos from this event. It truly is, as the actors have consistently said over 17 years, the best convention in the world. Go to our forum board for lots of video and photos and reviews and stuff. I DARE you. *lol*
Enjoy and hope to see more Americans next year. We had a good bunch this year including me who lives in Orlando, Florida
I LOVE this site. Congrats Anthony, on being a beacon of information to guys like me who love TREK. Wish I could give you an award or something personally so instead I’ll just say YOU ROCK!!!
@43: We don’t drink beer the whole day. I’m not even sure if alcohol is allowed at the FedCon. But if we drink beer, we don’t drink it frakking warm!
why not the occasional TNG made for tv movie?
this would satisfy the need for more stories covering the demand for DS9, the 1701-D and the Voyager project
maybe a new crew for the 1701-D would be in order… Tuvok as cap’n Rikers #1?
less demanding budget, high ratings, everyone would win… who do i pitch this idea to to make it happen?
I don’t remember seeing Marina in “Crash”
@Markus! I think “I” was drinking beer the whole day. Made more for my colorful performances on stage dude!
As for staying on topic: Marina was a goddess on stage as usual. She truly is the best promotional device TREK has created. Levar, Marina and Brent were great onstage together. I’m sure the prospect for a TNG movie would be very remote but it doesn’t hurt to dream does it?
There were private comments (can’t tell ‘ya) about the fan films that are out and NEW VOYAGES 2 famous productions were shown with German subtitles. It was a packed room and the added effects were received very well. It was a huge success.
With FEDCON 18 held one week before STXI premiere next year, It would be in the best interests of both Abrams and Paramount to host a premiere at FEDCON 18. Imagine 5000 fans watching this movie together!!
Hmm I think just about the only way I’d like to see another TNG movie is with some kindof crossover with the new cast.. Would I like a standalone TNG flick? Sure. But I don’t see how it could be done without snubbing the new cast.
As for a straight-to-dvd movie… hmmm.. why not just create a new series.. just have each episode be something that happened somewhere in the star trek universe.. no bounds.. so the writer for each episode can pick the era, characters, and situation that they choose.. in this scenerio there could be a handfull of TNG episodes in there.. do ties-ins and such.. but from week to week it could be an entirely different crew on a totally different ship.. probably not feasible but I’d watch it :)
The Realist - If you read the Memory Alpha entry about either The Borg or “the bugs” you find out that the “bugs” storyline eventually evolved into the Borg’s story. originally, according to sources, what became the Borg were supposed to be species that had been dominated by the Bugs. IF you look at the way the “bigs” operated, it isn’t that hard to see how they could get from one to the other.
I always hoped for a real resolution to the “bugs” storyline, but at this point, I think we’ve seen enough about controlling alien species and Starfleet personell gone bad.
In my opinion, if it were to happen it should be a movie set in the TNG time frame and featuring characters that have appeared in the TNG and post TNG shows. It should be about the Federation and Starfleet, and not necessarily about any one ship or group of characters. Make the Trek universe the star.
“He was just a regular guy, but it never happened.”
As you say, Mr. Doohan. Out of respect for your father and yourself I won’t press the issue. Again, the only reason I mentioned it at all is that for my money it was no big deal. Peace.
I’ve met the singing klingon woman (in the center) and she lives close to me :D
If you read this: You know me from the IMAX TOS-R event…
They should follow in the steps of their Trek brethren and do an internet streamed show. It would be groundbreaking. The fans love the charactors so the it wouldn’t have to be a war movie every episode. (It could be set on the Titan with Riker in cammand, and the story could build to his becoming, Commander, Star Fleet, and how that career path affected his relationship with Deanna.) It could just be interaction of charactors during missions with a few effects to make it feel like trek. If it were succesful, a TNG project could be justified, but they need to make this happen themselves. I don’t think JJ signed on to do a rehash of TNG.
Whoever wrote about Germans drinking warm beer (#43):
Noooo - we’re not Englishmen! - We like it fresh and sparkling
ON JAMES DOOHAN:
James Doohan (and DeForest Kelly) was a great working actor that did not care about being “the star” . In other words they were truly regular guys that happen to act for a living.
I have most of the TOS books on tape. By far the best ones are those read by James Doohan. He did not try to imitate the voices of the other actors, instead he did this own interpretation of the characters.
ON ONE MORE TNG FILM:
Not going to happen. Patrick Stewart has made that very clear.
… and cool!!!
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ONE MORE TNG MOVIE
I’d love to see it even if it was made-for-TV or direct to dvd. HOWEVER, they would have to do it right.
They would have to stay away from references to the previous 4 TNG movies. There isn’t much there anyway that is important and well done. Other than the destruction of 1701-D, I wouldn’t want any reminders of those movies.
Honestly, the TNG movies weren’t good for me. They ranged from okay to awful. I would love one more chance to get it right though.
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#87 - There is a substantial difference in what you can do with a movie and what you can do with a television series. The TOS films worked because they were able to touch on subjects that had not been addressed in the 79 original episodes. The characters as established in the show were already fuly formed, archetypal characters. They weren’t really meant to grow or change as much as they were meant to embody certain ideas. The TNG characters were not written as archetypes; they were written as more realistic humans who would then be able to evolve as characters through he course of the show. TNG went on for twice as long as TOS, so we ended up covering a lot more ground with those characters. We watched them get older, we watched their relationships change and we watched them deal with all manner of tragedy and triumph. by the time we got to the movies there wasn’t much character left to develop - so we end up with mainly plot driven stories the likes of which rarely ever feel like Star Trek.
#88–very astute. :-)
Well, I’m still waiting for that DS9 TV movie Berman was planning a few years back.
Speaking of Berman, I think people are really unfair. What is it really that he has done so wrong? I’m not to keen on ENT either but they had to make something different that time, in another timeline. He has given us three great Star Trek series in TNG, DS9, VGR. He may actually be the reason that Star Trek is still alive.
I would love to see a TV film or a miniseries with the TNG cast, and if the script was good enough, Pat S would probably give it another go since he is probably as unsatisfied with Nemesis as the rest of the cast.
ENT had a great ending btw. Period. I mean, the “these are the voyages” part in the end is just beautiful. Remember that Demons and Terra Prime was kind of a finale too. It gave a lot of closure.
Marc B. Lee
thanks for dropping by….and you want to give TrekMovie an award maybe I will go to Germany to pick it up on behalf of the team. Regardless I hope to have more coverage of Fedcon next year and have already spoken to Dirk about that…but feel free to email me via the tip line if you want to chat.
Fedcon really does seem like a fantastic con and it is probably worth it for Americans to make the Trek. Certainly for Brits and the Irish it is a worthwhile short flight
The thing is they can’t put out a low budget tv movie, miniseries, or direct to dvd feature while at the same time pouring something like $130 million into a brand new film. If paramount wants to keep Trek on the A list, they have to run it like the an A list franchise. Maybe they could do some animated tie in stuff, but as far as live action goes, they would have to commit to an ongoing series with a respectably high budget or nothing at all, CBS willing
Sorry LeVar. Still think you’re the man though.
Hey Anthony! Wish I could have provided fotos for you of the Doohan launch. I have a ton of ‘em! They wanted me to go out to the Marshal Islands to host the other launch but couldn’t.
Anyway, would love to have you cover next year’s event. This year’s was a mind-blower and for someone like me who’s been to almost every American convention in the last 25 years, I can honestly and biaslly (is this a word?) say that FEDCON is way above anything you are used to seeing. I’m tooting my horn because I am a fan of fans and fans deserve what fandom can give them (like that don’tcha?)
We’d really like to see a premiere in Germany next year. Hope it happens.
Check out http://www.fedcon-photos.de/ for pictures of our events. It’ll take a while to get thru them all.
Follow up: The folks at FARPOINT outside of Baltimore gave me my start so I need to plug them as the premiere event to attend if any of you are in the area. GO FARPOINT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
92 - I don’t think it’s a matter of one or the other in terms of where the money goes. Paramount has a feature films division and a television division (as a little trivia note, after TMP didn’t fair well at the BO TWOK was actually handed over to the television department of paramount to supervise and budget) so they could do both without having to sacrifice. The reason the last couple of movies went the way they did is because Paramount thought they could garner great returns on a lower budget based on the recognizability of the franchise and the established cast. Unfortunately, the reduced budget showed up on screen and we are where we are with the features. Humorously enough, and to show how the two worlds are so different, Enterprise actually flourished and hit it’s stride during the last season when it’s budget had been viciously slashed.
As for Berman, I give the guy agreat benefit of the doubt when it comes to how he has handled the franchise. We don’t know what kind of politics went on behind the scenes between Berman, the other producers, and Paramount. W have all seen how much work it takes to get Paramount to take any sort of real chances with their franchise, which by definition means they expect it to be a continuous and ever expanding money maker for them. The studio no longer sees Trek as an artistic endeavor, so the idea of moving away from established norms or committing more than what they see as “necessary” resources to it is was poisonous to them. It is only the attraction and event quality that J.J. could bring to the film that prompted them to commit the amount they have to it. The new Trek film has an estimated budget of $130 million. The contrast that, Nemesis had a budget just south of $70 million. For the fourth film in an established sci-fi franchise, that is woefully under budgeted. Paramount was betting they could play numbers by leveraging the attraction idea of this being the last TNG film against what the considered an acceptable dollar amount, instead of actually committing what was necessary to make the film successful on it’s own merits. If they didn’t think there was a profit to be made they would not have greenlit the film at all. They gambled on a numbers game and they lost.
And not to sound like a tin foil hat wearing theorist, but there is also the possibility of forces within the company that would have rather seen Trek relegated to low investment, high return syndication and DVD packages instead of dumping substantial money into chancy new endeavors. This is franchise management on a level that goes beyond Berman’s scope of abilities.
From what I understand, it is a subtle change in upper level personnel at Paramount that has brought about a more Trek friendly environment. This is the reason a new film is going ahead at all. Without sympathetic or interested parties at the corporate level, there is no franchise.
#88 - nice points as to the relative success of TOS versus TNG movie wise. Any first year film student can tell you the difference between episodic television versus motion pictures - and that is the TV shows are character driven and movies are plot driven. The problem with TNG Movies, is that they were written like TV episodes, trying to further develop the characters (what if Data installs an emotion chip) versus telling a compelling action driven story (what if Khan came back to take revenge on Kirk)
Berman had a hard time making that fundamental transition with the TNG films and so the mixed reviews. Though I believe he did handle the 3 TNG era TV shows very well.
Who will a TNG movie really serve though? At the end of the day, will it make enough money for Paramount/CBS? OK, one or two of the former cast want to do it, but it would take a lot of cash and convincing to bring back Patrick Stewart for a TV movie or even a theatrical film. Outside of a fanatical hardcore of fans, would anyone really give a damn?
Like it or not, Nemesis basically sucked and that bad taste wasn’t just left in the mouths of Trek fans: it irritated what was left of the mainstream cinema audience that might go to see it! With constant reruns, increasingly on more minor networks, late-80s/early-90s TNG comes over as very dated indeed and that won’t help convince audiences now!
Paramount have put up a heck of a lot of money to get JJ Abrams and his team to give Star Trek an overhaul. The new film is intended as a fresh start for the franchise. After that, it’d be mad to go back to the aging TNG cast and effectively take a retrograde step, not to mention, causing audience confusion! The only way TNG could sensibly come back would be if it was as a spin-off of the new Star Trek with a completely recast crew!
I wish these guys would properly move on to new projects. For Heaven’s sake, there’s a lot of talent there that could be directed into something else! Outside of books and comics, TNG’s had its time: it’s been off TV for nearly 15 years and the films never really captured the wider cinema audience’s imagination.
Change has happened. There should be no going back now!
95- Mike. I probably emphasised budget too much. Its more about perception. For example, Babylon 5 can do direct to dvd suff because its around the B-list, C-list range (in public ‘t afford to be percieved as niche. Paramount is depending on Trek to to pull in the audiance that A-list films like Iron Man or Indiana Jones will get. TV movies won’t happen because its not worth blowing your brand name for the relative few who want to see a Captain Riker movie.
#96 & #98 - Good points, both of you.
Another Next Generation movie would be great. It’s my favourite of all the Star Trek series, as it’s the one I grew up with. All they need to do is convince Picard to take the captain’s chair once again.
Marc B Lee, my cheesey fog comment was harsh and brought on by Star Trek convention jelousy.
5000 fans sheesh. We had like 500 at Grand Slam.
And also sorry for the warm beer comment. (Now I know). Lol.
One thing Marc and to anyone at Creation, start making dvd documentarys of these shows. I’m sure they would sell.
Rock on gang!
Who would a TNG movie serve? The egos of the actors who can’t seem to find anything else to do besides working conventions. Could you see Spiner trying to do Data at his age, wow Data you’ve really let yourself go.
I don’t want to see another TNG movie. I’d like to see a new Star Trek tv series. And it should be set in the future. No more prequels, please!
Despite what the TNG haters think, I think we still might see something with Picard or data again, those characters are just to rich with possibility to ignore!
Hey 790: No problem buddy! We knew no harm was intended. We are all fans here. Plan to visit us next year.
As for convention dvd, been doing it for years. All of our shows sell incredibly well on dvd. Let me know if you need one and I’ll direct you to our online store.
Think about this premise: A TV movie where Riker is the captain in the beginning of the film, and then when they have to go and make some cool mission, let’s say Admiral Janeway has been a captive on QounoS (yeah, let’s say the peace treaty is over again), Admiral Picard joins the crew for one last time. Sort of what we saw a couple of times throughout the original cast movies. As much as I love Data, this could be done both with or without him though I honestly feel it was a mistake to kill him off. You don’t kill Data. You just don’t.
I think it would become a heck of a ride and a cool fresh start for TNG.
Ok, I’ll carry on with my day-dreaming now.
Thanks for sorting out “cultural missunderstandings”. I´m sure Klingons don´t drink bloodwine all the time …
I´ve been to FedCon a lot of times and believe me: it´s one hell of a party!!
Greetings from good old Germany!
Fedcon Photo Gallery Completed:
http://www.fedcon-photos.de/con17.htm
http://www.fedcon-photos.de/con17.htm
Battletrek (104) it’s not about being a TNG hater: even people who are lesser fans of it admit it had some stonkingly good moments.
It’s the practicality: Trek is being relaunched with a new, young cast to bring in a whole new audience as well as bring back the old audience. Why would you effectively negate that relaunch by reverting to an earlier cast? Way to waste $150 million!
The way I look at it is that TNG ended well (All Good Things . . .) while the spin-off movie series never really caught fire. It’s best to remember the show for what it was and accept the movies as a coda to the adventures of Picard and co.
And DJ Neelix, I presume your post is a joke!
‘A TV movie where Riker is the captain in the beginning of the film.’ Fair enough.
‘Admiral Janeway has been a captive on QounoS.’ Fanwank!
‘Admiral Picard joins the crew for one last time.’ More fanwank!
‘As much as I love Data, this could be done both with or without him.’ Well, given the already gratuitous convoluted team-up continuity references, you might as well stick him in there!
‘I think it would become a heck of a ride and a cool fresh start for TNG.’ You’re the only one who does then! Most people would run for the hills at such a cliche-ridden, convenience-laden concept! Your ‘fresh start’ sums up everything that wrecked the later Trek shows and films.
Joe Public doesn’t really know who Janeway is or care about Qonos, however it’s spelt! Joe Public wants to walk into a cinema with no knowledge of 25 seasons of modern Trek and enjoy a film! And Joe Public is where the money comes from.
And any TV movie, should it happen, will inevitably be a spin-off of Star Trek (2008) not a retread of a finished series! What Trek needs right now is a little simplicity so people can watch it without 40 years of baggage.
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I appreciate the replies to my post (87) but i have to say it’s BS. I’m sorry, but it’s not that TOS only had 3 years and TNG had 7. It’s not how much development the characters had. It’s the they tried to make plot driven action movies instead of character driven dramas, AND they were poorly written and executed.
Don’t make it sound like good movies just weren’t possible. Those in charge had too much on their plates and rushed the work to the big screen. They were also inexperienced with movies. There could have been good TNG movies.
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@ 110 & 111:
So basically you’re saying First Contact was more like a poorly written, badly executed TV episode and not simply the best Star Trek film ever made?
Jeez.
111 I promise you, the sky won’t fall
I think it’s more the case that TNG as a format just doesn’t work in movies. Some of the characters could have been transferred into a Star Trek movie series, but shifting the whole TNG format and cast into films was doomed from the start!
TOS had a very simple structure: three archetypal leads - warrior, priest and doctor, alongside some entertaining secondary characters - an action-based format with a debate between the main three viewpoints. It worked well on TV and it works well in the cinema.
TNG was character-orientated, overwhelmingly set on board the Enterprise, and more soap-operatic, with less emphasis on action. Theoretically, its ensemble basis meant that no character was more important than another. Fine in a 26-episode season, but hopeless for a two-hour movie! I’ve always said TNG should have stayed on air for longer, but with a more fluid cast, as with most ensemble shows.
After seven years, there should been an almost completely different main cast in the show and ***some*** of the former cast could have moved into the movie series!
Personally I think TNG worked fine in the movies, it was the movies themselves that let them down. Although I like all of them for different reasons.
Hey Marc yeah could you give me a site link to get that dvd. That would be something I would like.
Thanks again!
Germany is a little far from Burbank. But maybe all see you at Comic Con (San Diego) this year?
Here ‘ya go my friend:
http://www.space-store.de/index.php/cat/c61_FedCon.html
As for Burbank being pretty far, many more Americans are discovering this con and wondering why they hadn’t done it sooner. Once you go Trek, you’ll say what the heck!
Well Marc, thanks Bro!
But I simply can’t afford it.
But thanks for the link I’m sure I’m not the only one that’s going to check out and order the dvds on these shows.
(Just like being there).
Thanks again!!!!
8:58 mins. of the OPENING CEREMONIES!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvHzYzwVjsM
Enjoy!
More FEDCON overload:
http://www.fedcon.tv/
If your going to make another or STNG movie; indeed ANY Star Trek movie
DO NOT just make a glorified TV Movie which is what too many of them have been in the past. That’s not good enough. Only something with a gripping story and top notch action adventure will do as First Contact touched upon.
The TNG movies just didn’t have the kind of story quality that the TV episodes had.
Instead of being some new villian or rehashing another paradise planet idea, for heaven’s sake make a “Q” movie!
That would make for a real mind-blowing story to go with all the special effects!
Q movie, please!!!
If you have a REALPAYER loaded, you will definitely enjoy this. Ignore the MC, that’s just me and my Saturday Night Fever pose is pretty lame.
This video is just another reason to travel to Germany next year.
Enjoy
rtsp://realserver.jfc.komed.de/ramgen/encoder/archive/spiritv/fedconxvii.rm
OOPS! Here’s the site if you couldn’t load that piece of language above.
http://www.spiritv.de/