Orci & Kurtzman: Star Trek Is The Story Of How The Enterprise Set Sail

In a new in-depth interview, Star Trek co-writers and executive producers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman talk more in depth about the new movie, including a bit of detail on the setting, canon and how they want to bring a bit of Star Wars into Star Trek.  

 

On the setting and canon
The pair were asked what their Star Trek was about…

Orci: It’s about how the original crew came together, which was never covered in its entirety by either the show or any of the movies. No one has ever told the story of how the Enterprise set sail.

Kurtzman: There are details in canon where the characters refer to their past but there are wide areas of interpretations and sort of blank spots where you go, "Wait, I understand this, but how did they get from here to there before they got to that point?" And that’s where you have some room.

Wired.com: While staying consistent….

Kurtzman: You have to remain consistent. You cannot break one rule of anything’s that’s gone before.

When asked about how fans will react to the film, they returned to the subject of canon.

Orci: There’s going to be a debate when this movie comes out whether or not it’s consistent with canon. We argue that it is. But there’s literally nothing we can say about this movie. Even if we think it’s not controversial, people will say, "Oh, that’s convenient, they’re covering a story that’s never been covered before instead of dealing with canon."

Wired.com: It’s a pretty intense legacy.

Kurtzman: The questions we’re most attracted to are, "What are the rules of these characters and the rules of that universe and the rules of what makes Star Trek works?" If we don’t tap into that, no matter how consistent the movie is with anything that came before, who cares? If you tap into that and come up with something that embodies the spirit of what we felt when we first saw it, then hopefully we have Star Trek.

A little Star Wars in Star Trek
Wired also asked the pair about how JJ Abrams has mentioned he is more of a Star Wars fan, but they are more Star Trek fans. While Orci agreed that they and Damon Lindelof were big Trek fans, he also agreed with Alex that they "have to bring more Star Wars into Star Trek" but noting specifically "original Star Wars" (not the prequels). But they feel it needs to be a mix:

Orci: Original Star Wars. I want to feel the space, I want to feel speed and I want to feel all the things that can become a little bit lost when Star Trek becomes very stately — which I love about it , but….

Kurtzman: Star Trek is often the space equivalent of sub battles, which is what makes it unique and different from Star Wars, so you can’t blow that away, either.

Orci: It’s somewhere between that the truth lies.

 

For much more goto wired.com..

 


 

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More Star Wars in Star Trek? Uh oh…let the games begin.

So are we going to see a really fast enterprise?

“. . . bring more Star Wars into Star Trek”??? That makes me a little nervous, depending on what it means exactly. If he really just means a little of the look and feel of the space scenes, then that might not be too bad.

Interesting. Hearing a bit more about their approach is somehow reassuring… sometimes I worry about whether the writing will really capture Star Trek the way it should (more so than with any of the actors, tbh) and I guess it’ll be a while before we really know, but hearing them out and discussing what they think and feel about the task is nice.

(Though I freaked out a bit over that Star Wars line in the preview, haha. Luckily it wasn’t what I was expecting. :) )

I think he meant it in the nicest possible way.

“Star Trek is often the space equivalent of sub battles, which is what makes it unique and different from Star Wars”

Glad they realize that! After all, innt Star Trek II basically a big sub battle?

3: yeah, that’s what I was thinking, too… if it turns out to be something else, though, you know there’s going to be a serious firestorm. LOL.

Let’s hope not!

Don’t bring Star Wars into Star Trek, Trek needs to stand on its own merit. Remember Trek was here first.

Long Live Star Trek

Mongo think what they need bring in it is box office. That kind of what Trek need.

Mongo not take quote too literal. Don’t think Orci mans and Kurtzman mans (that funny) want to turn Star Trek into Star Wars, but take some of fun element that work and adapt to Trek style. Mongo think that even though Star Wars fantasy it approach to space more gritty and dangerous. Star Trek sometime make space travel seem easy, like go on big cruise. Enterprise from TMP even look little like cruise ship.

Curious though. Mongo wonder how creative team apply this idea.

Here’s the key in which the writers support an element of ‘Star Wars’ being added to what Trek has done before—

“Orci: Original Star Wars. I want to feel the space, I want to feel speed and I want to feel all the things that can become a little bit lost when Star Trek becomes very stately — which I love about it , but….

Kurtzman: Star Trek is often the space equivalent of sub battles, which is what makes it unique and different from Star Wars, so you can’t blow that away, either.

Orci: It’s somewhere between that the truth lies.”

We’re talking about the ‘feel’ of the action in space…not turning Star Trek into Star Wars…

The creative team has said all along that this film is about the characters.

Kirk is a Jedi in this one.

#9—-Mongo very smart mans…Mongo understand that Trek ‘scale’ in space need help to convince new fans…

This was the best interview Mr. Bob and Kurtzman have done to date! “You cannot break one rule of anything that has gone before.” Did everyone read that?!

And I want one of those Enterprise phones…

A lot of Development for this Film and Sequels – I think it’s the Trek Farewell ?! !

#14

Why? Elaborate please.

Yay, i wanna see the caleidoscopic Ludricous Speed in the new Trek!

Although the Enterprise itself can´t maneuver like the Millenium Falcon, as it´s supposed to feel heavy but you can always add little star fighters.

In Star Trek VI, the speed was represented by following the torpedoes flying to it´s target..

#13—I did. I also remember Bob telling us that “anything which appears to violate canon will have a canon explanation”.

Unfortunately, although that has been reinforced here, those who wish to judge the canonical validity of the film before it even comes out will continue to ignore those kinds of statements in favor of their own preconceived assessments.

Heh,

Well, as long as the movie isn’t all ‘Stone Trek’d out, doesn’t look like it was made in my neighbor’s back-patio and doesn’t feature the Sombreroprise, I’ll be happy. :P On second thought, the Sombreroprise isn’t that bad. :-D

#15 Mongo Man , both Paramount and Cbs are Downsizing . . The Star Trek The Experience Closing .. The 2008 US Economy Collapse ?!!!

sub battles indeed!

Star Trek’s battles have always been a cool one on one battle of wits.

HOWEVER, large fleet battles such as Wolf 359, 2nd Borg Invasion, Most of the Dominion War, all blew me away and now I want to see cooler, better made, more realistic, more epic fleet battles (like star wars)!

That’s obvisouly what they mean here when they say “Star Wars” and “epic”, and obviously not mean turning Star Trek into a space opera

NOOOO!! Shun the non believers, SHUN!

Okay, I get what they’re saying; not Wookies or lightsabers, but a bigger feel, which we all know most of Star Trek lacks. Many of the best Star Trek movies focused on close 1 v 1 battles (The Wrath of Khan) or tight political issues that become close battles (The Undiscovered Country, Nemesis). I think that a feeling that broadens space to something that is beyond what our 5 characters on the bridge are thinking is what Trek needs – we need to know that all of the space we’re seeing on screen matters. Trek also should loose the stuffyness that has been the criticism of many Star Wars fans.

As long as Jar Jar doesnt appear, its fine.

I don’t know about you, but I really just want to see what the new Enterprise design looks like! How much longer do we really have to wait for crying out loud!

#23—Until they show it to you…You may not see “the whole thing” until May 2009.

You cannot sense speed in space…

speed is felt only when you can relate to other object, even when traveling at warp speeds the stars are so distant that you would not see them swooshing next to you.

Startrek is realistic in that context.. starwars is a space opera.

I hope they don’t bring back the “strobe” effect when the Enterprise goes fast. Simply hated it, so cheesy. I want to see the big E in all its HD big screen detailed glory.

The only way there’d ever be any Star Wars in Trek is with George Lucas producing and directing it. Which, if he’d followed through on a bid to buy the rights to Trek back in the 70s, would actually get me excited about this movie.

I HOPE TO GOD THEY MEAN:

More epic in scope, like STAR WARS. The “speed” thing I don’t have so much of a problem with… if they’re gonna delve into more “gollygeewhiz” explosions and rampant CGI aliens, then I’m not so sure that would be the right idea.

FOCUS ON THE HUMANS AND CHARACTERS! NOT the effects.

#27—After seeing what’s he’s done lately with his own tentpole franchises?

Personally, I’d be disappointed…not ‘excited’.

What Star Trek needs is a Batman like robot.

Man, am I glad someone finally said that! I had often wondered for years why in space the enterprise seems to list if it’s not going warp-speed. There’s no reason I can see why it shouldn’t have maneuverability, after all, it’s not a Star Destroyer that’s miles long. It’s big but still, get it moving already! The Star Trek world doesn’t have small, single-manned fighters like an X-Wing so that element is missing (at least for me) from the show and movies and I love that about Star Wars. something else I would like to see in Star Trek is the weathered and worn look. For the most part, everything about Star Trek is nice and clean and always new-looking (except in battle of course), and in Star Wars, things look used and have wear from use, they simply fit better in their environments.

I believe it’s the minutia, the details Orci and Kurtzman are talking about when they speak of including some elements of Star Wars into Star Trek. Sometimes it’s just those small things that make a big difference in how we accept certain implausibilities and scenarios. I for one welcome whatever changes they make, as if we were to stick solely to the TV show (TOS is from the 60’s, keep in mind, and has a very 60’s look and feel) and the movies, how modern of a movie would we get? How much of a director’s and writer’s vision would we see? Might as well not make a movie at all, just continue watching the reruns and movies, the last of was filmed what, 19 years ago?

“You cannot sense speed in space…

speed is felt only when you can relate to other object, even when traveling at warp speeds the stars are so distant that you would not see them swooshing next to you.

Startrek is realistic in that context.. ”

From the very beginnings of TOS, Trek has shown stars moving past the Enterprise and moving in relation to one another – sometimes quite quickly.

There is nothing “realistic” about Trek’s depiction of space travel.

#30 well we had Data and those robots in TOS i don’t see how one in a batsuit, while admittedly cool will not solve anything

This movie will be just like all the other really good “re-(fill in the blanks).” It’ll take the original concept and of the show and make the people in it actual people. It will be as if the characters are actually human and not the sterilized, idealized versions seen in the original shows/movies. I already know how the feel of the movie will be, but I’m really stoked to find out the plot and the details.

14. Darfyn – October 2, 2008
A lot of Development for this Film and Sequels – I think it’s the Trek Farewell ?! !
19. Darfyn – October 2, 2008
#15 Mongo Man , both Paramount and Cbs are Downsizing . . The Star Trek The Experience Closing .. The 2008 US Economy Collapse ?!!!

You never answered the question and this doesn’t make sense.

I still wish the movie were coming out this winter.

25. Spocks brain – October 2, 2008
“You cannot sense speed in space…

speed is felt only when you can relate to other object, even when traveling at warp speeds the stars are so distant that you would not see them swooshing next to you.”

You need to give Spock back his brain. First, this is fiction. Second, you, I and Harry Ballz have not traveled at warp speed, so I doubt you can say what it looks like. Trek can imply movement (like #32 mentioned) as a ship moves against a starfield.

I think the writers are pointing out the Trek Ships (of size) tend not to display drastic manuevers, (graceful). There is a certain grace (IMO) to many of Trek’s ships that SW lacked. The TMP Enterprise always reminded me of a winged horse from a certain perspective.

#27 #29 – The rumors about George Lucas considering buying the Star Trek Franchise seem to be true ! I have read that George always liked Trek , and I have read quote from his business manager that they were looking into it ! This rumor has been around for 20 years or more ! Recently his company said they weren’t interested . I wish he were !!!!
If he was , I’m sure it would be very serious discussion among Trek fans .
For the last 5 years , CBS has been desperately trying to sell the Franchise . And now , presently , they seem to have changed their mind !
I hope George , Steven or their friends read this , trekkies or trekkers need some serious Scifi Soap , LOL !!!!

36. Boborci – October 2, 2008
“I still wish the movie were coming out this winter.”

Me too… But I’m sure you guys made it worth the wait…right?

Star Wars has always been about fighter planes…..Trek is much more large Naval Battles. But more importantly Trek is about the characters. You live with them…care about them…feel with them.

How is any of what you said a Trek farewell?. You lost me.

#41 referring to #38

39

You bet your A$$!

43. Boborci – October 2, 2008
39

“You bet your A$$!”

ROTFL

Boborci

Glad to hear it.

#36 – Me too, dude. At this point, I’d be happy if a *trailer* came out this winter.

Sigh.

Boborci, I see JR Orci’s name on Fringe credits.. a brother?

GEORGE LUCAS???

I hope that man doesn’t come within 10 feet of STAR TREK. That guy wouldn’t have the FIRST CLUE how to deal with the fantastic human characters of the TREK world. He’s damned lucky EMPIRE came out as good as it did, what with the help he got from Irvin Kirschner, Lawrence Kasdan and Leigh Brackett.

STEVEN SPIELBERG, on the other hand, would be awesome. But let’s see how this J.J. Abrams guy works out first, shall we…?

#46 Cranston they already said before Xmas.

#35 Xai , What do want me to say ? This Downsizing is making the Studio or Network ineffective ?!! JJ Abrams Company is producing the Star Trek Movie XI , and are using the Paramount facilities ?!!!