Comments»

1. spockatatic - April 17, 2009

20 days!!!!

2. Red Shirt - April 17, 2009

Star Trek will crush puny Wolverine!

3. Starman - April 17, 2009

Ok, this is cool. I have Home, I’ll have to try it out.

4. Mr. Zoom - April 17, 2009

That cartoon graphic has me thinking, will we get to see Spock use the Vulcan Neck Pinch in the new movie?

5. sean - April 17, 2009

Amazing how different the perspectives on the marketing campaign are. We’ve got hardcore Trek fans saying the marketing isn’t catered to them at all, and now we have an industry outlet saying they’re marketing to the fanbase *too* much.

I think I’ll just wait till the film hits and see what happens :)

6. MP - April 17, 2009

Wolverine has negative buzz, especially after that leak. It’s going to drop like a rock after its first weekend. Everything I’ve heard about Trek has been very positive. I think it’ll bury Wolverine out of the gate.

7. sebimeyer - April 17, 2009

Who cares if it makes more or less than Wolverine? As long as it is enough to finance a new movie I am happy.

Now how about a ST tv show? ;)

8. Closettrekker - April 17, 2009

I think that Wolverine will do well opening weekend, but falls to #2 when ST09 opens. I think ST09 opens at #1, and holds steady in the top 2-3 for the next 2-3 weeks.

I do think that the overwhelmingly positive reviews will come down to Earth a bit when it opens to the general public, but I am pleasantly surprised not to have seen a single poor review by anyone who has actually seen it (even from those who went in fully prepared to rip it apart).

9. Marky - April 17, 2009

Wolverine is pretty awful. I, uh, heard…

10. MORN SPEAKS - April 17, 2009

I think Star Trek will be in the top 3 of the year, 1 Transformers, 2 Harry Potter, 3 Star Trek

11. WhatInBlueBlazes?! - April 17, 2009

As long as it’s a good film that performs well enough to ensure Trek’s survival, I’ll be pleased.

That said, I wouldn’t mind if Spock put the neck pinch on Hugh Jackman.

12. ShatPine - April 17, 2009

I dont think the ladies will be clawing over Simon Pegg when they have Wolverine, sorry love Star Trek…..But reality is most ladies see the words Star Trek and think well lets face it geeks or nerds….

Then they have these previews with a bulked up muscular Hugh Jackman…So Wolverine now has TWO areas compared to Star Trek’s ONE.

They have the Fandom in there corner AND the women who like Hugh Jackman..

All Star Trek has is “I like this ship its exciting” Still 35-55 million for star trek opening weekend isnt bad, and if it makes 110 million overall that would be good for the franchise.

13. Closettrekker - April 17, 2009

My wife loves the X-Men movies, but she hates Star Trek.

I’ll end up contributing to the box-office figures for both, although she’s still not willing to commit to Trek09. *That’s* how poorly Trek is looked upon in many circles.

She loves “Lost”, is a casual fan of “Fringe” and (not so much anymore but) “Heroes”—-and I’ve tried to play upon that, but she still rolls her eyes at Star Trek.

She is going to have to be convinced by someone other than me.

14. Crusade2267 - April 17, 2009

Great FSNP pick. Trek will rock!

15. frederick - April 17, 2009

AdAge is nuts. Trek will beat hairy butt two to one at least. Paramount is NOT marketing to us fans as much as everyone else, that’s what we have been beefing about, as if it were a bad thing. And Trek will have greater staying power when word of mouth spreads and people start going back again. Wolvie is a one-off, plus buzz about Trek has been great, buzz about the clawman is bad.

Wolverine will receive a Vulcan Death Grip from Trek.

16. Will_H - April 17, 2009

First, I still think its messed up that the movie opens in other nations before the US, as it is an American movie. Nothing against the rest of the world, but it just seems weird that half the other nations its playing in get to see it first. As for Wolverine beating Star Trek, it may, but not by double. Last night, playing some Halo with some friends on Live, I heard this remark, “I dont wanna sound like a nerd, but the Star Trek movie looks pretty badass, I think Im gonna have to go see it,” and a couple more of my friends agreed. From those same group of friends, none of whom like Star Trek in the least, have I heard a word about Wolverine from. No, I think Star Trek’s done a lot better in promotions than Wolverine, and putting my self out of the Trekkie that I am for a bit, looking at the two movies, Star Trek just looks cooler and more original. We’ve been flooded with comic book movies for the past few years, I think its time for a change, and Star Trek’s that change.

17. frederick - April 17, 2009

#14… I grok your Viewmaster Trek booklet reference! I did a blog entry on that here…
http://mystartrekscrapbook.blogspot.com/2009/03/omega-glory-viewmaster-reel.html

18. mntrekfan - April 17, 2009

Not related to these subjects, but did anyone catch CSI last night? I found it very funny, but my wife didn’t since isn’t a Trek fun. She didn’t get all the inside jokes. I think that Ron Moore even made a very brief cameo. The victim on the show was rebooting a classic sci-fi series into something more real and gritty ala BSG. When he finished showing his clip, Moore jumps up and says” You suck!” ha ha ha. There’s more to the show the relates to Trek, so I hope some of you get to see it.

19. Annie Ok : tangent » Star Trek boldly goes into PlayStation Home - April 17, 2009

[...] STAR TREK in PlayStation Home: SCI FI Wire Amazon Game Room’s Blog TrekWeb MoviesOnline VG247 TrekMovie PlayStationLifeStyle TheSixthAxis JeuxVideo screenWEEK Annie Ok, MMO, communication, film, gaming, [...]

20. BrF - April 17, 2009

Eh. Marketing guys like that always talk as though there’s something actually objective about their field. If Hollywood or Hollywood marketers really knew what would be a hit and what would bomb, nothing would ever bomb. So who knows how Wolverine will do v. Star Trek? After the movies come out and everyone’s seen how the results, then the marketing guys will go back and reverse engineer an explanation.

21. Closettrekker - April 17, 2009

I don’t think that “Batman Begins” numbers are realistic in box-office predictions for something subject to so many preconceived notions in the minds of mainstream moviegoers, but a respectable showing and some indication that less traditional audiences might be willing to embrace it further should be enough to guarantee a sequel, if not two.

Trek has had crossover value before, but since that time (post 1986)—what has come out has been (let’s face it) a product tailored neatly for a “geeks only” club. It’s been more than 20 years since a Star Trek movie did $109 million. That’s not an easy box to climb out of.

There’s a whole generation of moviegoers who associate Trek with “Technobabble Inc.”, and have no idea that it can be fun for more than just geeks.

The first installment can introduce these people to more accessible heroes like Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Scotty, etc. Paramount has to be looking at what they can do with 3 films—not just the one.

I’m not so much concerned with how it fares compared to other movies released this Summer—but with where it leaves the future of the franchise.

22. Bob Bobberson - April 17, 2009

AdAge is retarded. Paramount had to do the initial catering to the “base,” campaign. If they alienated their established fans, there’s no way the movie would have enough appeal to general audiences to make up for the loss. Not to mention, Trek fans are a bit more sensitive and likely to jump ship if they feel what they love has been compromised, as opposed to Wolverine fans who have dealt with several versions of the character in comics and movies over the years. This required a much more laser like initial focus.

I’m confident that now that they’re moving into the newer phase, trying to attract new fans, they will be successful. The movie’s generating a lot of buzz, and with what I’ve been hearing about the CGI it gives it a little extra edge.

Not to mention with Trek you will now be getting the hardcore fans who have (it seems) liked what they’ve seen so far, in addition to a massive new audience.

Also go find a teenage girl and ask who they’d rather watch for a few hours; a grizzled, unkempt 40 year old or Chris Pine.
I would say the smart money is on trek.

23. Mr. Zoom - April 17, 2009

I like both Trek and X-Men, and I may well see Wolverine in theaters, but half the reason I liked X-Men was Patrick Stewart as Prof. X. (I may be a bit biased though as I’m a wheelchair user ;-) )

24. Can't Wait for May 2009 - April 17, 2009

I have no doubt that Star Trek will be the number one movie the weekend after Wolverine. I really have a feeling that Star Trek will be the Iron Man of this summer.

25. deleted - April 17, 2009

deleted

26. MvRojo - April 17, 2009

Of course Wolverine is going to make more money that Star Trek. It’s pretty much a foregone conclusion. Star Trek might make $50-60 million opening weekend; Wolverine will probably make $90-$100 million.

27. John from Cincinnati - April 17, 2009

What’s up with the Microsoft bias? No events for Xbox Live?

28. John from Cincinnati - April 17, 2009

Since Xbox has sold like, 10 times the consoles as Sony, I would think doing it on xbox live would reach more people if that’s their true intent.

29. critch - April 17, 2009

By all accounts from the many, many, MANY people that have already downloaded Wolverine, it’s bad at best.

From all reviews of Trek, it’s one of the best movies of the summer.

Yeah, we’ll see what happens.

30. DS9 Rocks - April 17, 2009

AdAge article seems to be way off. Of course, we are all biased, but if you watch TV and are generally connected, you can tell how movie is going to do. Wolverine just doesn’t have the right buzz. From talking to people, watching TV and reading reviews, it’s just not the same as X-Men I and II, and I think it’s losing out to Star Trek buzz. So, perhaps a big opening weekend (although not near $100m), but it will lose out to Star Trek when that opens and then disappear as Angels/Demons and Terminator also come into the picture.

Star Trek I think is peaking correctly. At first the previews were few and far between, but now they are beginning to be everywhere. Teens (who are sought after) have short attention spans, so basically, the ads should be running during opening week non-stop for them, and it seems like that’s what Paramount is doing.

So, sell Wolverine, buy Star Trek. All the way.

31. Josh - April 17, 2009

I’d like to see both Wolverine and Star Trek at the top of the box office because I like them both.

32. S. John Ross - April 17, 2009

Those Playstation avatar dude-things have the most ridiculous hair :(

33. I Am Morg Not Eymorg - April 17, 2009

12. ShatPine:

Um…why are you comparing Jackman with Pegg? Your very nickname has Pine in it and you ignore him to load your argument. I think the ladies will find Mr. Pine and Mr. Quinto and Mr. Urban not lacking at all. And the girls will like Yelsen.

JMN

34. Aaron - April 17, 2009

I’m totally expecting that Trek will get a $100m+ opening weekend. Paramount has been pushing Trek so much to be a epic summer event film, there is absolutely no way Wolverine is even in the same class of film. The trailers for Wolverine have been stale to say the least, and has no sense of scale or grandeur at all.

I can’t wait to see the reviews roll in for Wolverine…..I BET there will be negative reviews right off the bat.

35. screaming satellite - April 17, 2009

Leak aside, on the surface Wolverine (pretty much X Men 4) looks like it could be the winner at the BO…as X1 did $300m ww, X2 = $400m and X3 = $460m – so theyve been going up and up…where as the previous Trek movie ‘Nemesis’ flopped in 02 with a pitiful $70m ww and tv show was cancelled in 05 and the biggest box office Trek film ever (The Motion Picture – when adjusted) ‘only’ did around $350m-370m ww…plus Wolverine is coming quite soon after the $1b Dark Knight so its riding that hard PG 13 dark angry lone superhero wave…plus its the first of the summer films and is out a week b4 trek

however i get the feeling that while Wolverine looks to have the upper hand, star trek will equal its success and even surpass it as it looks new and exciting and its going back to the original series after nearly 20 years which has piped the fans interest (and theres alot of us even after boring rick berman trek) as well as interest from the media (which hasnt really happened for a trek film since the first 4) and alot of non trek fan movie goers thanks to the impressive and intriguing trailers and marketing blitz…where as Wolverine looks abit ‘meh seen it all b4 dude on X1-3 and Heroes’ plus X3, while the most successful X film, left a bad taste in alot of fans and movie goers mouths only 3 years ago…plus the dark brooding grouchy superhero thing may have peaked alittle with TDK (and the Xmen-esque Watchmen has underperformed – its R rated/nearly 3hrs i know but still) and people might want something new and fresh and different this summer and there hasnt been a big budget space epic since 2005s Revenge of the Sith and movie audiences in general havent really been to see a trek film since 1996s First Contact

plus it looks like Wolverine might not be that great (see trailers/indifferent buzz) and suffer average reviews…not to mention the leak online a whole month b4 with dumbasses like Marky downloading it, so could suffer a big drop off whereas Trek is shaping up nicely (again see trailers/positive buzz) and may garner great reviews therefore prompting a bit of repeat biz…plus if they’ve already seen W online then Trek is the 1st one to see

so in summing up I think perhaps Wolverine will do ok biz (e.g. $60m opening with maybe a $350-$400m total ww…but im thinking trek will do around $70m opening with around a $450m-$500m ww gross)

and as for Angels&Demons out the week after trek – I don’t think it’ll be anywhere near as big as Da Vinci Codes $750m…the world went crazy for that book …this book didn’t have that appeal…plus just about everyone was disappointed by the bland movie – so I think A&D will have the Prince Caspian effect and do A LOT less BO (maybe $350m ww) so maybe that wont eat into treks 2nd weekend too much
that wont eat into trek too much

anyway just my 2cent

36. garen - April 17, 2009

i suppose to ADAGE, the entire week long marketing blitz on ESPN, known as FUTURE WEEK (or something like that) was aimed at Star Treks core audience? WRONG. That was a HUGE marketing campaign directed solely at non-trek fans. And what about the Kellogs cereal tie-ins and such? Apparently ADAGE has no clue what theyre talking about.

37. Clinton - April 17, 2009

I don’t usually comment on such things. However…in the end, Trek will rule!

38. S. John Ross - April 17, 2009

I hope that all the good movies (whichever movies those are) do well at the box office, and that all the bad movies (whichever movies those are) tank. I hope the fair-to-middling movies fall somewhere in between.

Whichever one of those Star Trek turns out to be, I hope it performs accordingly.

39. opcode - April 17, 2009

If you check the Predictify website, most people are putting their money on Star Trek. 56% of all Guru predictors (people with the most number of correct predictions) say that Star Trek will be the #1 summer movie this year. Even if the data doesn’t come from professional industry analysts, that serves to show how much awareness the new Star Trek has created.

http://www.predictify.com/q/summers-top-superhero-2?results&prd=1

40. colonyearth - April 17, 2009

”

I dont think the ladies will be clawing over Simon Pegg when they have Wolverine, sorry love Star Trek…..But reality is most ladies see the words Star Trek and think well lets face it geeks or nerds….

Then they have these previews with a bulked up muscular Hugh Jackman…So Wolverine now has TWO areas compared to Star Trek’s ONE.

They have the Fandom in there corner AND the women who like Hugh Jackman..

All Star Trek has is “I like this ship its exciting” Still 35-55 million for star trek opening weekend isnt bad, and if it makes 110 million overall that would be good for the franchise.”

“The ladies are also hot for Pine. Let’s face it, they have reason to be. He’s a huge chick magnet, so don’t underestimate him. The guys will be buzzing for Zoe, and there are many a non-geek fans for Pegg that have told me they want to see it for him alone.

Do not underestimate the various draws of this cast, nor the brilliant marketing Paramount has done with this. I have to say, they’ve really done a fantastic job!

As of it making $110 million? If that’s all it makes (a la the previous films) then say bye to Trek. Dude, this one cost $150 to make and that ain’t counting the marketing. This film will need to perform better than any Trek previously. More like in the $250-300 million domestic range would be an excellent showing (and that wouldn’t count overseas). This film is looking like it can make that and more.

I believe we’re looking at a possible blowout. The buzz is buildiing excellently!

And BTW, the reason why they’re doing all of this overseas marketing and premiers instead of here, is because Trek has nothing near the international following it has here, so if they expect overseas box to do well (which is crucial, especially in today’s market), then they have rebuild (and in some cases re-build) the desire for Trek in other countries.

As I said months ago regarding this film and now I’ll apply it to the box office showing for it, you all have to think much bigger now. This is not like any Trek film previously done.

CE

41. doubleofive - April 17, 2009

Literally saying “This is not your father’s Star Trek” in the commercials is marketing it to my father?

That doesn’t make any sense.

42. TonyD - April 17, 2009

All the ads in the world won’t mean anything after the initial opening weekend. Regardless of what each film does in its first three days, word of mouth will sustain it from that point onward. There have been plenty of movies have have had moderately successful openings but then had the legs for the long haul (Titanic and Batman Begins come to mind). Conversely, there have been lots of films that had strong openings and then fizzled quickly (Batman Returns and more recently Watchmen, although it deserved a better fate).

The article also fails to mention that Paramount has also run lots of ads on ESPN (Trek was also plastered all over their website last week) and has been shown during lots of popular shows (saw an ad during Lost a couple of days ago). The awareness is there, it only remains to be seen whether Paramount has convinced mainstream moviegoers to give this new Trek a chance.

43. Samrock83 - April 17, 2009

Wolverine 4 looks stupid. (Yes, I said Wolverine “4,” as the so-called “X-Men” movies were nothing more than Logan-Fest on wheels.)

So many people were disappointed by the third installment, it may keep people away from seeing Wolverine – people like me.

Trek is gonna blow those mutants out of the water.

44. Charles Trotter - April 17, 2009

Wolverine will do fairly well at the box office, but I highly doubt it will earn as much as Star Trek in the long-run. The buzz with Trek is far greater than Wolverine; the trailers look better and have received more downloads; and Wolverine has received quite a few negative reviews, whereas nearly all of Star Trek’s reviews thus far have been very positive.

The major problem with Ad Age’s prediction is that they’re basing it on the assumption that, as they put it, Paramount is marketing Trek too much to the installed base. Anyone who has actually followed the marketing and advertising campaign can tell you that is false. As we all know, Star Trek is actually being marketed primarily to a wider audience. The marketing has been trying to appeal more to the action movie crowd than to the “installed base.” No where is this more obvious than in the recent TV ads with the taglines “Forget everything you know” and “This is not your father’s Star Trek.”

I really wish sites like Ad Age would do some research before making predictions… or at the very least know what they’re talking about.

45. Third Remata'Klan - April 17, 2009

Wolverine to beat Trek? Rubbish.

First of all, isn’t the fact that Wolverine has leaked all over the Internet going to hurt it?

But putting that aside, the X-Men movies have a history of having a spectacular opening weekend, and then dropping sharply in business for Week Two. Good news for Trek.

46. Shatner_Fan_Prime - April 17, 2009

#13 “I’ll end up contributing to the box-office figures for both, although she’s still not willing to commit to Trek09.”

If you want, you’re more than welcome to join me and my group of friends on 05/08.

47. 24th Century Rockstar - April 17, 2009

Yeeeeesss – I have that comic book!!! XD

48. Samrock83 - April 17, 2009

All I know is I’ve been called a Trek nerd by my friends for years. And they wouldn’t touch it.

But yesterday a girl I go to school with turned to me – on her own – and said she saw the Trek trailer and thought it looks awesome and she wants to see it.

‘Nuff said.

Paramount: you’ve hit the mark.

49. S. John Ross - April 17, 2009

#42 says: “All the ads in the world won’t mean anything after the initial opening weekend. Regardless of what each film does in its first three days, word of mouth will sustain it from that point onward. There have been plenty of movies have have had moderately successful openings but then had the legs for the long haul [...] Conversely, there have been lots of films that had strong openings and then fizzled quickly [...].”

Absolutely. My hope is that Star Trek makes a shit-ton of cash (breaking the $300M mark or more when the dust clears) but my hope is that it really earns it, with legs (and not just Zoe Saldana’s), keeping people coming back to the theaters, and bringing their friends with them. Because that would mean a good movie, and I still hold out hopes for (even if I’m not laying any bets on) a good movie.

Opening weekend is fun to watch the numbers for, but it’s never really about the movie, only the hype. I’d be seriously impressed if Star Trek breaks past $60M opening … (I’d be absolutely shocked if it breaks $60M) and I’d be disappointed if it didn’t break at least $30M, with all the hype they’re paying for. Somewhere in the mid-30s to low 50s seems likely, depending on the economic climate.

After that, it’s all up to the actual movie to generate the necessary word of mouth.

50. darrksan - April 17, 2009

I Think Ad Age is right about Wolverine beating Star Trek.
My thoughts are the characters of X-Men like Wolverine are NOT as mainstream as Star Trek especially the characters Kirk and Spock. I think most people who have NOT read the comics really DON’T know allot about the characters or stories of the X-Men. Star Trek (especially TOS era) is well known by fans and even non-fans. allot more non-fans know about and like Star Trek (especially TOS era) then X-Men. I have thought before that The New Vision of JJ Abrams’ Star Trek could turning off more non-fans than Trek-Fans, because Trek-fans are just that “STAR TREK FANS” and we put up with changes way more than non-fans will. I have thought before that NON-FANS are more likely the one who will want a TRUE TOS-ERA MOVIE than trek-fans who just want a star trek movie because Trek-fans are just that “STAR TREK FANS”.

The marketing of the new Star Trek film really has NOT been targeted at The Fan base, but non-fans like Ad Age feel like it has been. I think it is because when Non-fans think of Star Trek they think “mainly” of The Classic TOS Version or “on a small scale” the smart early TNG Version. Like I wrote: NON-FANS are more likely the one who will want a TRUE TOS-ERA MOVIE than trek-fans who just want a star trek movie because Trek-fans are just that “STAR TREK FANS”. I know this because for most of my life (0-23), I was a non-fan and only got into Star Trek in the past seven years. Most Trek-Fans really do not understand that non-fans are basic in they wants. If it is Star Trek they wants the Star Trek like the Star Trek they know which is “mainly” The Classic TOS Version or “on a smaller scale” the smart early TNG Version, not JJ’s Version.

51. BiORG - April 17, 2009

Three pages of 6 page Paul Pope Spock story in Wired Mag. (It’s very ugly).

http://io9.com/5215874/spocks-backstory-revealed-in-the-special-jj-abrams-issue-of-wired

52. Andy Patterson - April 17, 2009

Sad that Wolverine was leaked early. Sadder still if it is bad. I think both movies will do well though.

53. Closettrekker - April 17, 2009

#46—I still haven’t given up, and I am still taking my boys (who think the trailers are cool). The oldest actually likes *some* Trek already (he’s watched the original movies with me for years, and always has one of my ENT dvd’s in his room), but this is the first time that my 7 year old has expressed real interest. His eyes light up with excitement when I turn up the volume for one of the ads.

Those two and a nephew will be joining me for sure. I’m still hoping that my wife will give it a chance, but I’m afraid she gets a mental picture of the likes of Quark/Neelix/etc. (IMO, the Trek equivalents of Jar-Jar Binks) when you say, “Star Trek”—-and I often think that if she had known I was a Star Trek fan when we started dating, I’m not sure we would ever have gotten off the ground!!!

But I thought we were getting it at 7pm on May 7th now. Did I hear incorrectly?

54. Closettrekker - April 17, 2009

#50—”Most Trek-Fans really do not understand that non-fans are basic in they (want). If it is Star Trek they (want) the Star Trek like the Star Trek they know which is “mainly” The Classic TOS Version or “on a smaller scale” the smart early TNG Version, not JJ’s Version.”

How on Earth could you possibly know that? The only “non-fans” who have even seen JJ’s Trek so far have given it glowing reviews, and prior to that, there has been no “JJ Trek” with which to compare how non-fans respond to “Classic Trek”.

Your contention makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

55. Shatner_Fan_Prime - April 17, 2009

#53… It is May 7. But I had already requested the 8th off from work, so I’m just going to stick with that. My gf doesn’t get Trek either, but she’s very tolerant of it. I’m having a Trek-themed birthday party on May 16, and I think I’m going to get her to wear a TOS miniskirt. :-)

56. Closettrekker - April 17, 2009

#55—Do I get an invitation?

So you work nights? What do you do for a living anyway?

57. Daoud - April 17, 2009

#51 It’s above the level of Gold Key, so it’s got that going for it. Anyone have the whole issue? The pieces simply revisit things we already know from Yesteryear and the novels… not that there’s anything wrong with that!

And the first scene in WNMHGB was Kirk and Spock playing 3-D chess.

58. Shatner_Fan_Prime - April 17, 2009

#56 Absolutely. And wait’ll you see what the invites will look like! I work days (as a writer for MD Anderson), but needed the whole day off … figuring I’d be too excited to work. :-)

59. PF - April 17, 2009

@51, Paul Pope’s artwork, “very ugly”? Man, some people have no taste.

60. Daoud - April 17, 2009

#59 He makes severe errors in drawing the Enteprise on page 6. Look at how careless some of the errors are, such as the thruster location.

Of course the article doesn’t do much better by using a panel from The Wrath of Khan with the Reliant firing on the Enterprise. Note it’s the TMP nacelles, not the JJ nacelles. Oh boy, the controversy at Nacelles Monthly this could lead to! ;)

Over all, though it looks completely like it was done on rush, and in a hurry. Compare and contrast it to the 4-issue Star Trek: Countdown.

61. Taggart - April 17, 2009

Well here was our take on the whole Wolverine V. Star Trek:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTc8ry0eVvs

62. BiORG - April 17, 2009

@59
His ink work is too angular and course. The anatomy of his figures is hideous. His work can have a certain “energy” otherwise, there is nothing about it that is really appealing. Look at Tomer Hanuka if you want to see something more provocative.

63. darrksan - April 17, 2009

How on Earth could you possibly know that? The only “non-fans” who have even seen JJ’s Trek so far have given it glowing reviews, and prior to that, there has been no “JJ Trek” with which to compare how non-fans respond to “Classic Trek”.

Your contention makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
———————–
To you because you are A TREK-FAN what I wrote makes absolutely no sense to you. You are blind because of this. TOS is a part of the mainstream, unlike other Trek shows.

64. Janeways Knickers - April 17, 2009

you know, the Irish premier was actually last night, Thursday, before April 28th. A radio DJ on Ireland’s today fm said on air that he was going but wasn’t allowed to talk about it for two weeks, Guess he broke the golden rule!

65. TrekMadeMeWonder - April 17, 2009

Predition?
Typo in the Headline. I know, who am I to talk.

66. sean - April 17, 2009

#63

Fans notice changes. Non or casual fans do not. That’s common sense. Your assertion that non-fans somehow care more about details than fans do is ridiculous.

67. Captain Dunsel - April 17, 2009

“You can now by advanced tickets (including early shows) for Star Trek at Fandango. You can also get tickets for IMAX at Fandango. ”

Not so much, here. I’m still getting “showtimes unavailable” for IMAX. (Georgia, USA)

68. Closettrekker - April 17, 2009

#63—”TOS is a part of the mainstream, unlike other Trek shows.”

Agreed, but that doesn’t do anything to support the notion that people in the mainstream audience would be more opposed to the alterations in ST09 than established fans.

Your speculation is not only baseless (since there is no prior “JJ Trek” with which to compare their reactions to the “original” Trek films), but doesn’t follow any sort of coherent reasoning at all. Why would people less familiar with the details care *more* about what has changed than people who spend their free time debating those very details with other fans?

Nor does your speculation align with the fact that “non-fans” who saw the film in Sydney have given it glowing reviews, right along with the “fans” who saw it in Austin.

There is just nothing to support your contention. It is yet another argument against the “changes” made in ST09, and just happens to be more ridiculous than most…at least in my not-so-humble opinion.

69. Captain Dunsel - April 17, 2009

#65 “Typo in the Headline”

Two fixes for that one:
1) Add the letter “C” to make it “Prediction”
2) Change “I” to “A” to make it “Predation”

Either one works for me – they’re both fighting over much the same audience.

70. DGill - April 17, 2009

Ad Age’s box-office prediction regarding Wolverine is…yeah…it’s hilarious.

71. Spocko - April 17, 2009

From my Vulcan eyes, Star Trek is already winning with one Vulcan neck pinch.

72. Newman - April 17, 2009

Wolverine will not beat Star Trek. Wolverine and the X-Men are super cool and all, but Fox just doesn’t produce quality stuff like Paramount anymore. Besides, the leak stole a lot of Wolverine’s thunder. I know people that downloaded it, watched it, were unimpressed, and have decided against seeing it in theatre.

73. PF - April 17, 2009

BiORG, I take it back, sorry — you do have taste.

Hanuka is great, agreed, but I would argue that so is Pope. He’s my favorite artist working in US comics right now.

I’ll give you that he uses “coarse” brushwork, but he does know his anatomy, and he’s done a lot of science fiction comic work. Check out “Heavy Liquid”, “Batman: Year 100″, or “100%”. Or, don’t; your loss…

74. Steve - April 17, 2009

The X-Men franchise is dead. After the disaster that was “The Last Stand,” I don’t see “Wolverine” doing spectacularly.

75. sean - April 17, 2009

If they’d brought back Bryan Singer, I might agree about Wolverine. But Bryan Singer probably would not have done a stand alone Wolverine flick, either.

76. Hawaiowa - April 17, 2009

One opinion that hasn’t been mentioned too much in this thread is the ‘JJ Abrams factor’ since he’s at the helm of the new movie, and that in itself will draw huge throngs of people who enjoy Lost, Cloverfield, MI III, etc. There’s the star power of the established actors, but this is augmented by the “supreme court”. Also, I trust that Paramount knows what they’re doing in the marketing dept…this movie was nicked as the “corporate board’ during pre-flight, which says a lot…

Another facet of the equation is that Trek is enormously popular overseas. I’ve got my ticket for May 7th…11th opening night premiere in a row…three of those I was ‘face in the crowd’ interviewed by the local TV chans for a 10-second newsbyte snippet that was shown later on the 10pm news (totally weird coincidence…do I have “trekkie” written on my forehead?).

Of course, who would have predicted the $70m opening for the retarded “Faust and Furryous” movie? We live in this dips**t world where Baywatch can easily beat Trek in TV viewer ratings, hope that Trek can hoodwink some of the bottomfeeders that would otherwise shine it…

77. clavinbot - April 17, 2009

I feel like Star Trek is gonna be number one for the year, that is my gut, but I guess we will see.

78. Uhura - April 17, 2009

I think Star Trek will be #1 too.
I’m not very excited for Wolverine…. there’s nothing that interesting to see except for Gambit.
Star Trek has EVERYTHING. the intensity of that film is top noch…..

79. DGill - April 17, 2009

#76

Aside from being a die-hard Trek fan, my interest in this film was primarily due to Abrams’ work on “MI: III”…what a brilliant film. If you evaluate that film in relation to the series it was based on, there’s virtually no resemblance in terms of mood or execution. What impressed me was that Abrams’ sculpted a cast of characters so compelling that the relatively simple stakes were made bigger by the fact that we didn’t want anything to happen to them. If Abrams can do that with ‘Trek’, I’ll be so happy. Nacelles, timelines, those mean nothing to me (even if they mean a lot to my older brother).

Having seen the workprint, “Wolverine” doesn’t have compelling characters, the narrative is downright skewed, and the acting is terrible. Even with ten minutes of reshoots and a truckload of special effects, “Wolverine” could be a tad better than “The Last Stand”, but it will always be just as bad as “Elektra” and “Ghost Rider”. I have a gut feeling that “Star Trek” will do infinitely better than “Wolverine” in the longrun. It has a stronger marketing campaign, good word-of-mouth, and plenty of buzz. Bring on May 8th. Hopefully I won’t be eating my words then! :D

80. Simon - April 17, 2009

I don’t get it.

Wolverine doesn’t have to do poor for Star Trek to do well.

There have been numerous times when blockbusters opened within days of each other and each grossed over $200 million.

Wolverine will probably be number one its opening weekend. Trek may or may not be #1 its weekend, but it will make good money.

81. spiked canon - April 17, 2009

i got mine. 7:00 May7th Graoevine Tx

82. spiked canon - April 17, 2009

Grapevine

83. spiked canon - April 17, 2009

i love closettrekkers grasp on sanity. always been a fan

84. Sci-Fi Bri - April 17, 2009

I purchased my tickets today. also, got 4 friends to come along. someone add 47.50 to the box office totals.

thanks to anthony and all the great folks at trekmovie. if not for the timely posts about everything trek, i would be totally in the dark. not to mention not having tickets (i’m expecting sellouts).

thanks trekmovie.

85. darrksan - April 17, 2009

66. sean – April 17, 2009
Fans notice changes. Non or casual fans do not. That’s common sense. Your assertion that non-fans somehow care more about details than fans do is ridiculous.

68. Closettrekker – April 17, 2009
There is just nothing to support your contention. It is yet another argument against the “changes” made in ST09, and just happens to be more ridiculous than most…at least in my not-so-humble opinion.
———————————————————————————————-
You guy are not getting it.
Non-Fan: a person who does not have overwhelming enthusiasm.
Non-Fans are Basic.
It is the Basic things which made them look up.
Star Trek TOS is a culture phenomenon in which even non-fans know of.
This is the problem all other Star Trek shows and movies have had to face.

The Classic Enterprise NCC-1701 is a culture idol which is a basic fact.
No other Ship in Star Trek is on that level.
Non-Fans know how it looks (both inside and out).
Trek-Fans will look deeper at the New i-prise to find what is the same, but non-fans will not.
Non-Fans notice changes of culture idols.

The commercials say “This is not your father’s Star Trek”, but in doing that The Marketing of this New Film is basically saying “It is Not culture phenomenon that you know”. This Film’s Marketing needed to tap into the culture phenomenon of Star Trek: TOS, not change it or act like it is not a part of it which JJ’s actions have.

Did Lucas have ads with “This is not your father’s Star Wars”
No, He try to tap into the culture phenomenon of Star Wars.

Do you see McG have ads with “This is not your father’s Terminator”
No, He try to tap into the culture phenomenon of Terminator.

JJ try to make the new film for Non-Fans, but in doing so He has not. This is like Rick Berman who was trying to make a new “Wrath of Khan” with Nemesis.

86. Author of The Vulcan Neck PInch for Fathers - April 17, 2009

Well, I don’t know what AdAge is computing, but I just went to our high-end theater that sells reserved balcony seating to see how early I could buy Trek tickets for the evening of May 8 – and HALF the balcony seats were ALREADY SOLD – and that’s THREE WEEKS before the premiere, folks.

When I frst asked them how far in advance I could buy balcony seats (they’re reserved, adults only, meal service to the seat, very cool), they said normally a week or so in advance. When I asked specifically about Star Trek, they said “oh, no, you can get those now. We had to start pre-selling them, because its going to be MASSIVE” (clerk’s words). People who wait for this one are gonna get locked out on opening night…

87. Closettrekker - April 17, 2009

#85—Once again:

Baseless speculation with no hint of reasoning or logic behind it.

It doesn’t mesh with common sense. “Fans” know the details and will therefore notice more differences. “Non-fans” know fewer details and are less likely to care.

Of those who have seen the film thusfar—”fans” give it glowing reviews, and “non-fans” give it glowing reviews.

No one who has seen the film is complaining about anything but mundane details that even they admit didn’t stop them from enjoying the film and proclaiming almost unanimously that they “can’t wait to see it again”…Your assertion simply holds no water. Saying it over and over again doesn’t add validity to it. It is as ridiculous now as it is the first time you said it.

You’re simply grasping at straws in your vain argument against the “changes” in 2009 Trek versus its 40 year old predecessor. Stating that you are not fond of them is one thing—-but professing to speak for the masses is quite another.

88. DJT - April 18, 2009

that *WAS* Ron Moore on CSI – yeah baby!! It’s on youtube.

I just bought my tickets for opening night.

anybody else gonna watch it in the OC?

89. Shadowcat - April 18, 2009

@ 12

Ahem, I am not the the “typical” female you cited in your post. I am a geek and a massive Simon Pegg fan. I like the X-Men franchise and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. That said however, Star Trek has a special place in my heart. Not all women fancy muscle-bound hunks. I think both films will do big business at the box office.

@ 40

I overheard some young women in my office discussing how “hot” Chris Pine is. I have non-geek friends that are fans of both Simon Pegg and John Cho.
I have Spaced and all of Simon’s movies in my DVD collection. The Trek cast already has a built-in fanbase.

90. Bob - April 18, 2009

Found the Star Trek cereal via Trekweb.

Front:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/74747002@N00/3453130130

Back:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/74747002@N00/3453130418

91. JimJ - April 18, 2009

Well, there was just a guy (can’t recall his name) on Fox Sports Radio who said he thinks Trek will be THE big summer blockbuster. He was predicting 100+ million for the first weekend!!!

92. SHCone - April 18, 2009

Um, as someone who works in marketing… In terms of marketing, women rarely figure too prominently into the data. They aren’t a non-entity, but it’s males 18-35 that tend to go out and spend money on movies, video games, general pop culture. They’re usually the target and they usually decide the outcome.

So I don’t think Hugh Jackman’s glistening adamantium pectorals are going to matter much. If Wolverine sucks, word of mouth will do it in. If Star Trek is great, it’ll have a big opening weekend and it’ll either sustain or pick up steam for a bit. Considering Wolvie leaked and it hasn’t exactly made it a sensation, and Star Trek has YET to have a negative review… I’m not too worried.

93. SHCone - April 18, 2009

#85, please stop.

Your analysis is… reaching. To say the least. “Tis is not your father’s Star Trek” isn’t going to communicate anything about a “pop cultural phenomenon” or some such malarkey. It’s aimed specifically at people who DON’T see it as a phenomenon, or even as anything interesting or cool.

It’s just saying that this is different, a little more amped up. That’s it. That’s all it’s saying. This is Star Trek with some heat on it.

94. SerenityActual - April 18, 2009

As much as people like to look at the opening weekend, I think Star Trek will end up making more than Wolverine in the long term. Not to mention dvd sales, tie ins, etc.

My wife who is not a great classic Trek fan has already said that she intends to see this more than once in the theater.

95. SciFiMetalGirl - April 19, 2009

PS3 Home is awesome! I can’t wait to get my Star Trek outfit for my av!

96. Kirk, James T. - April 19, 2009

I really hope, not because im a fan of Star Trek, but i really really hope Star Trek kicks that over grown aussie cat out of the cinema come may the 8th. I saw the most recent trailers for all three of the May releases: Wolverine, Star Trek and Terminator and neither Terminator or Wolverine looked anything as good as Star Trek does.

Trek looks vibrant, colorful, full of action and adventure and excitement where as we get in Wolverine, Hugh Jackman looking consitpated with his claws out and a kind of B-movie feel, and then you have Terminator that quite honestly should have never been made – and if they had had to make another Terminator film, it should have been the way Terminator was intended to be seen – by over 18’s with a lot of adult themes and gore. You can’t make a Terminator film a PG-13 without is sucking…

Trek out of those three looks the best, no idotic numbers on a marketing spreadsheet will make one iota of difference, however, although it’s been on more of the geeky stuff over here in the UK, i’ve noticed a lot more Star trek on the magazine racks, Total Film, Empire, SciFiNow, SFX, Esquire, FHM, GQ, so forth… i’ve not seen anything on the news stands about Wolverine, the last thing i saw was an Empire Mag front cover just before Star Trek’s Empire cover, besides that just one interview with Jonathan Ross last friday. I think Trek just looks better.

Wolverine doesn’t look like anything special, Terminator again just looks all too familiar where as Star Trek looks exciting, and lets face it, this is the first space epic since Star Wars Episode III where as you get films like X-Men year in year out.

97. Will - April 19, 2009

re: 96

A current world PG-13 rating is very much the equiv of a previous world R. The world has loosened up enough to where blood and guts no longer equate to an R rating.

I don’t believe Wolverine will control the box office over Trek’s release weekend(meaning I think Trek will be number 1 for its opening weekend), but I do think that between Wolverine and Terminator(which I honestly believe will be a huge box office hit), Trek will have a fairly drawn out fight for the top slot in weeks 3-4 onward.

98. KennyB - April 19, 2009

Got my tickets for Thursday night 7pm baby! I am ready!

99. Steve - April 21, 2009

Where on PS3 Home is Star Trek??? I can’t find it anywhere!!! Everytime I go to the Home Theater there is just a stupid video game preview.

100. Skippy2k - April 24, 2009

Yeah, i’ve been looking too and still nothing in the threads strore? Havent seen anything about the video either, its a wolverine clip now.

101. rolltide1017 - April 25, 2009

I did some research and found out that the Trek stuff is only available on the European version of Home. The American devs said they are trying to get it to NA but this was something the European devs did all on there own. Maybe Anthony could update this article.

102. Notice lenovo t20 Information Now | LENOVO-IBM REVIEWS - April 28, 2009

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