TrekMovie Hollywood Premiere Video Interviews w/ Trek Celebs (Past & Present) May 3, 2009
by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: Interview, Star Trek (2009 film), TNG, TOS , trackback
On Friday we had all the pics of the Star Trek stars at the Hollywood premiere of the new Star Trek movie, and now better late than never we have the TrekMovie black carpet interviews and snippets from 12 Trek celebrities past and present videos, including Simon Pegg, Damon Lindelof, Bob Orci, George Take, Jonathan Frakes and Marina Sirtis .
For the Hollywood premiere the black carpet was much like an airplane. There was a first class section behind the photo wall with little studios set up for the stars to talk to the big networks (E!, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, The Insider, etc) and then the coach section for the rest of us (myself included). But us folks in coach got some time with a few Trek stars past and present. I have split the video into two parts, with the ‘classic’ Trek people in one and cast and crew from the new Star Trek movie in the second.
New "Star Trek" Stars chat with TrekMovie
For the most part the Supreme Court and main stars of the Star Trek movie stayed in the sectioned off makeshift TV studio, but a couple of that group swung by ‘coach’ to say. Plus I got to chat to a few other members of the cast who stopped and answered some questions.
Video highlights:
- Simon Pegg (Scotty) about working with Chris Doohan and his thoughts on using industrial locations for Engineering on the Enterprise
- Greg Ellis (Olsen) on wearing a red shirt, comparisons with working on Trek and Pirates of the Caribbean and doing wire work
- Ben Cross (Sarek) was very jocular and we talked about his prep work for Trek and what he would like in a sequel
- Faran Tahir (Robau) talked about the toughness of Robau, the Robau internet phenomenon, and how he as a Trek fan views the film. (we also talked off camera about mutual friends back at college)
- With Clifton Collins (Ayel) I have a long interview with him coming up (including discovering we went to the same High School a few years apart), so I just asked him to show off some of his Romulan skills
- Damon Lindelof, who I recently recorded an commentary track with for the upcoming TNG movies Blu-ray release, stopped for a couple of questions: one on the difference between time travel in Star Trek and Lost and one on the Star Trek sequel
- As time was running out, Bob Orci stopped to give a message to the TrekMovie community
TNG/TOS Stars drop by
There were also a few stars from Trek past on hand to see the new Star Trek film.
Highlights of the TrekMovie black carpet video:
- Walter Koenig (TOS – Chekov) about seeing a new Chekov and meeting with Anton Yelchin
- Marina Sirtis (TNG – Troi) and Jonathan Frakes (TNG – Riker) on not being in the movie and Sirtis says the TNG cast is "done" but they speculate on who should play the young versions of their characters (picking Zac Efron for Riker and Vanessa Hudgens for Troi).
- Rod Roddenberry on his thoughts on the new movie and his mother’s final work as the computer voice
- George Takei on the difference between premieres and John Cho’s Sulu
- William Shatner was not there, but Kevin Pollack dropped by to sub for him
More photos
On Friday we showed off the great photos from our friend Al Ortega, who was in the main photographer area. But here are my not so great photos, from the press interview.
Thanks to Paul Camuso of ShatnerVision for video assistance (although all the bad camerawork was my own doing). Also thanks to my red carpet buddy Staci Layne Wilson of SciFi Wire, for sharing celebs and questions and answers.
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Comments»
Everybody likes it?? Good!!
can’t wait for the movie 3 days and counting
LOL First pic is of somebody’s dress falling off… That’s totally bra. LOL
George and his husband read all Trekmovie.com! Cool!
I love Frakes “No, were not done!” But no young TNG crew please, though it would be awesome to see what JJ could do with the crew of the 1701-E…and Titan.
I am happy to see all those Trek luminaries, past and present, turned out for this event. Can’t wait for this week.
My party starts with Cinco de Mayo and doesn’t stop till after I see this movie. Oh yeah.
Bring it on.
Great interviews A.P.!
On Friday, May 8, 2009, a group of us (fans and newbies) is going to see the it at the Edwards Marq*e IMAX, 7620 Katy Freeway, HOUSTON, TX (the 9:55 p.m. show on IMAX). You’re welcome to joins us.
I’ll have “Trekmovie: Houston Chapter” sign or something to help you find our group. You can contact me through my website.
Id love to know what frakes thought of the movie anyone know if he has said anything about the movie yet
And shout out to Trekmovie.com Orci too!
And thank you BobOrci for listening/putting up with us!
The Trekmovie props were awesome. I know George Takei is gay but does he have any kids? (i realize i can answer that with a google, but it’s relevant to my point) Dude comes across like he would be an amazing father. The way he talked about Cho was pretty awesome you could see an awesome twinkle in his eye.
Also, I’m not 100% certain but I think I would be willing to do hard drugs with Anton Yelchin. ( I don’t do hard drugs but he does have a “johnny depp in blow” look to him)
Takei reads every word of Trekmovie.com?? DAMN!! Now I’m trying to remember anything I ever wrote about him!!
“I’ll never do time travel again”
Great Job, Anthony.
Bob:
We believe you! Thanks for listening.
Anthony. We say it a million times, but thanks for getting it all together.
I think it’s pretty unprecedented for fans and writers to have such close quarters. Bob is a Trekker, and he’s immersed in the fandom by visiting your site, lurking and commenting.
We’re not a focus group, it seems, but a sounding board for Mr. Orci. I think it’s unprecedented. A great thing.
Now let’s go make some cash and start talking sequel!
Consultants?
Oh, boy, a paycheque!!!
Nah, screw the paycheque…….I’ll settle for a cameo in the sequel!!
A really small, petty, little cameo………PUH-LEASE!!! Two seconds on screen, tops!
I photograph well………..(whimper)……
I’m still bummed that Zoe Saldana didn’t make the Australian premier.
JJ’s gonna be on Colbert Report Monday night… should be cool!! =)
Pine is gonna be on Letterman on Tue!
Read the full interview with Takei, and once again he as to bash Shatner.
I honestly get tired of reading interviews with him. Its been 40+ years…get over it already.
LOL! Like Jonathan Frakes idea of “re-imagining” TNG with a younger cast. But it already showed that crew getting together on “Encounter at Farpoint” the TNG pilot.
Already got my ticket to see this new movie Thursday at 7pm MST.
@18 I think you would be an excellent Tribble in the next Movie ;)
I am hoping this does well and that we get a Squeal and hey I am up for a TNG re-imaging or a Titan Movie! But first I like to see a Squeal to this movie, and see where it goes! A new TV show would be cool too! George is a great guy and I like that he reads this site hope he post on the boards sometimes and Mr. Orci please Consult with us again on the Squeal we like the work you do for us!
22, we don’t know what else is going on between the two of them. As a result, it would be best not to pick sides.
I’m impressed to hear people say they come to TrekMovie.com and read the articles and what Trekkies have to say. That’s awesome!
Great job, Anthony and the excellent staff of TrekMovie.com and keep up the great work.
I’m excited about this movie and May 8th can’t get here soon enough! (Yes, I know that technically it comes out May 7th but I won’t be able to see it until the 8th).
16, I completely agree. Such communication between producers/writers and fans is incredibly rare. It’s nice to see.
The New Gen of TNG could be done in the Universe that this Movie creates and doesn’t have to follow ‘Encountar at far ponit’ Even though it will be cool to see who they cast as the crew and Q and I hope Q would be in the new TNG re-imaging!
Mr. Takei reads TrekMovie.com?
Awesome!
George, three things -
- Always impressed with your dignity and class
- Great job on the New Voyages fan created episode
- I understand a scene was filmed showing you getting promoted to captain, but it didn’t make it into a previous movie. I wish that somehow it could make its way to a CD. That would be very cool to see.
Your really embody the values of Star Trek.
Best wishes.
this is from trekbbs and made me lolz:
Captain Robau once shot down a Romulan Bird of Prey with his finger by yelling “PEWPEW”.
i love it.
Marina Sirtis is such a milf!
oh, if you’re reading this, george:
i loved you in the Futurama episode Where No Fan Has Gone Before… its my favorite episode.
Cant believe that Jeremy Clarkson (british trekkies only) got to go to the premier and not me! anger!
Looks like a … very very noisy time was had by all on the red carpet. I’m impressed not only by the fun of seeing these people, but also by their hearing, which must be very acute to field questions over that din :)
Like many others, glad to know Altman & Takei are reading. George, your blend of dignity and wit is a lifelong inspiration (but so far I’ve only managed wit) … and Brad, take good care of that guy for us; we love him too.
And what #30 said.
NOOOOOOo no young take on the TNG crew.
Ronald D. Moore was there, too.
http://www.wcbs880.com/pages/4310367.php?imageGalleryXRefId=1059129#imgXR
lol @ Kevin Pollack
ok who ever did the filming of these interviews needs to seriously learn how to handle a camera! I love seeing the older cast making excellent comments on the actors in this film! I personaly think that this ovie is going to be a huge hit and will bring many fans back to the trek table sort of speaking!
Great stuff. And nice to get that nod from Mr. Orci. Especially for Anthony!
#34
I vote for Michael Rosenbaum as the new Picard when TNG gets recasted. I mean come on it’s a no brainer, he’s perfect for the job. :-P
Linky:
http://guilhermejaques.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/michael_rosenbaum.jpg
Anyway, great interviews here. :)
#37
I’m going to have to agree there. WTF is going on with the camera?!
Did I hear Marina Sirtis say ‘Everyone thinks I’m an Aussie’ LOL I was in New York last week and everyone thought we were Australian
Not that that’s a bad comparison.
Mr. Takei: I love you, man!
Thank you for being such a positive role model for sexual diversity. Here’s hoping they have a strong gay or bisexual character in the next movie!
I laughed my arse off with the Zac Efron comment
I think they should’ve just brought along a second person so the one dude wouldn’t have to divide his concentration between interviewing stars and holding the camera steady. :) Wonderful to hear the glowing comments from all those people, though!
Looking forward to Thursday night……That’s when I get to finally see this thing!
Look- I’m neither neurotic nor squeamish, but that Burger King guy as a Klingon with that smile is going to give me nightmares. Creepy.
Anthony, I am not about to complain about the camera work. I’m a professional and am volunteering to be your videographer at the next available opportunity, maybe the premieres of the sequel. ;-)
But seriously, I would in a Binar heartbeat!
No shatner? gee thats a surprise.
Whats that u said about TNG Blueray’s?
Great interviews, nice to see Sirtis (Troi was my Favourite character growing up).
Anthony thank you so much for putting this together, I know you hear this all the time on here, but it has been such a great experience following everything on TREKMOVIE. Never has a film had such a great dedicated site, the years have gone by a little faster thanks to you, and your contributers.
And now, i’m hoping that the movie is as exciting as I think it will be.
Thanks Anthony, you are a legend!
Simon and Bob rule!!!
@48. Yea, were supposed to see the TNG blu ray movies by the end of the year most likely.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEXkFNE-O3k
The Kingons are coming!
The day Zac Efron is in Star Trek is the day I kill myself. That’s all there is to it.
#22: Hear, hear. It gets tiresome. I still remember being at a convention in maybe 1973, at five years old. I asked Takei a question, and he was a complete ass. Shatner, on the other hand, was warm and friendly. Still, I don’t hold it against Takei today — it was 36 years ago!
Two thumbs up for Anthony.
Who cares about the camera work, or the background noise in the videos.
He’s not a filmmaker, he’s simply interviewing the filmmakes ;-)
I have to say, it’s great to see that message from BobOrci.
And Bob, if you’re readng this, fantastic job to both you and Alex !!!
You guys really nailed it , and made a fun, heartfelt, heartbreaking and epic story !!!
RE: Camera
The original plan was to have a second person handling the camera but that didn’t work out so i did interviews and camera at the same time. I also liveblogged with photos via my iphone and also took pictures with my still camera and recorded the audio with my mini recorder as an audio backup. So I appoligize for the bad camera work…just close your eyes if you cant handle it
A big thanks to Anthony and the rest of the Trekmovie staff for doing an awesome job covering this movie, from the very beginning, and another big thanks to Mr. Orci and the rest of the cast and crew of this movie, for also trying to deal with the fans’ concerns and ideas.
Before too long, I’ll be back here to tell you if your efforts were worth their while…:)
-Nathan
22. Penhall99 – May 4, 2009
With all due respect, it has not been 40 years. 40 years ago was 1969, true that was the end of TOS, but they worked together on 6 movies afterwords and im sure (based on reports) that Takei and others, besides Maybe Nimoy and Kelley had lines cut so the Shat could Shat it up more.
To Chris Doohan: Okay, since Simon Pegg teased us in his interview, you’ve gotta share the “Trouble With Tribbles” story with us fans!!
Love the shot of the crowd scene with the Hooters sign in the distance!
BTW, anthony, I hope that this site will continue ‘Live long and Prosper’ even in the lean times between this movie and the ( hopefully ) next. It’s usually one of the few places i regularly go to on the web ( especially after startrek.com’s staff got hosed ).
trekmovie (under the name trekhq) has plans for the ‘lean times’ we will continue to be the site with everything new in trek and more
Huge shout out to Bob Orci! Thank you a million times over!
#54 Those must have been the Mirror Universe Takei and Shat. I’ve had the opposite experiences that you had. I’ve met George three times, once I was with his niece, and he was always a great guy. I do agree, however, that the feud is getting tiresome.
BTW, surely the Shat was invited to this LA premiere. Does anybody know? Anthony? If so, I’m not surprised he didn’t show.
Love his Kirk and Denny Crane though.
39. TrekDude – May 4, 2009
I think rosenbaum is too young. Picard did not take command of The Enterprise until well after he commanded the Stargazer (for 20 years?). I believe Stewart was in his 40’s when TNG began. Also Rosenbaum is not naturally bald, that was specifically for Smallville. He reminds me more of Shinzon honestly.
59
Actually, the story should be in the May 9th issue of Star Trek magazine. If not, I will share it with you here on trekmovie.com
Trent Reznor, of NIN (background of photo 4) would make an awesome villain – possibly klingon. Surprised he was there actually, didn’t know he’d be interested in the movie.
I came home yesterday night from FedCon, which was an awesome experience not just because of the actors who were there, but also because every time my wife and I go there it feels like the trek fandom is much like a family. TrekMovie does feel a bit like that as well, and with clips like the ones above it does feel like going to a mini convention. So thanks for that!
*blinks* Okay, if the new Engine Room is good enough for the new Scotty, it’s good enough for me.
Wow.
Sirtis and Frakes cavorting around together seemed like they were in character and married.
There is a regular program on Reelzchannel called “At The Movies”. This week the two critics reviewed 4 films—-Star Trek, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Obsessed, and Battle For Terra.
Of the 4 reviewed films, only Star Trek avoided the “skip it” tag. Both critics said “see it”. Those two guys are rather harsh sometimes, so that was impressive to see.
Only a few more days…
Bob Orci. You’re the (gentle)man. You’re welcome! And come back some more when you can.
Best of wishes for this weekend ahead to surpass $100 mil and knock socks off.
Of course, then the sequel “Star Trek One” will have to be the “The Search for Sock”.
Any fans in the kY, OH, WV tristate area. Pullman Square’s Marquis Cinemas is doing the 7pm and 9:50 showings Thursday. Come join me, I’ll be dressed as Bones and will be attending both showings!
Big thanks to Bob Orci for giving TrekMovie a shoutout and more then that, actually soliciting and considering our feedback :)
#43 and #53 – I laughed very hard too. I wouldn’t quite kill myself, I’d just disassociate the film with him in from the entire franchise. That day it would become Star Wreck for good.
Sirtis, Frakes, and Takei all seem like a lot of fun and really nice people :-)
#43,53,75. Just imagine. It’s 2051, and producer William Raymond Cyrus, III (”Billy Trey”) decides to produce the lovestory of the century: “Young Imzadi” featuring some ESPNDisney post-teen barely-legal-appearing brunette star of her own show in the role of young Deanna Troi on Betazed as she first meets a young lonely Lieutenant William Thomas Riker, de facto orphaned Starfleet Earth boy from Alaska; as she tosses her hair….
Yeah, hopefully we’ll be too busy looking for our teeth at the point someone stoops to “mine that rich Star Trek:TNG” backstory.
Then again, I think Hustler.com is already working on it as “Star Trekzorz LXIX: Commander and Master Betazed”
#65
Hehe, I was mostly goofing around there when I mentioned him. But think about it… they’re rebooting TOS now TNG’s turn would be in a few years or so, so Rosenbaum could easily age a little and then be in the perfect age when TNG gets rebooted…
Oh, and I guess it wouldn’t stop someone taking him as an actor for Picard just because he isn’t naturally bald. Look how many bald Romulans we have in the new movie, and all the actors seemed to be proud of their hair before. ;-)
rachel nichols is soo freakin hot !!! unbelieveable
To: 58. Duncan MacLeod
I said 40+ years, meaning more than forty.
Anyway, I know Takei had some problems with Shatner, but it gets old. Do we have to hear about it in every interview? Shatner has offered to bury the hatchet on multiple occasions, and I wish Takei would take him up on it. But oh well. Its not my decision, and if he would rather fight with Shatner until the day they die, then thats his choice.
great interviews, guys!! thank you!
#80 Part of the problem is that interviewers keep asking about it but I think George could also just start to give more polite, short answers or none at all. Then they would stop asking.
#70. AJ.
they’ll always be Imzadi :)
Frakes is the coolest.
The preview looks awesome. For a trekkie like me, I’m excited to see this type of remakes of Star trek saga.
Re-imagined TNG would be redundant and unnecessary. If you miss those characters there are literally hundreds of hours of them to watch.
The original series characters are the classic archetypes that can be played forever. Compared to the spin-offs that went for 7 years each we’ve only had a brief time to see the TOS characters do their things in the primes of their lives, and never in a fully-realized setting that can only be rendered with big budgets and 21st Century techniques.
Fascinating. With all respect, a reimagined Next Gen flick should not happen. The 12th “Star Trek” motion picture should either pick up where the 11th one (the big screen prequel to the three-year original series) left off, or otherwise pick up where “Nemesis” left off, or better yet take place between “Nemesis” and “Countdown” (the four-part comic prequel to the 11th Trek flick). If the 12th Trek flick takes place between “Nemesis” and “Countdown”, then the following things:
1) It should be co-produced by Paramount Pictures, Spyglass Entertainment, Bad Robot Productions and the newly-formed CBS Films.
2) It should be made for either cinemas worldwide or otherwise the home entertainment (DVD and Blu-ray) markets worldwide.
Young Picard should be played by James ( “Spike from Buffy The Vampire Slayer” ) Marsters….
Maybe Shatner really is butt hurt. I never thought he REALLY cared.
But if Shatner’s not present to whore himself out in the limelight of any place where there are both limes and light — then there’s a serious problem.
I want to see a Star Trek Titan Series as a Spin off of Nemesis.
And two more TNG Movie featuring the whole cast expect maybe Riker and Trio because there series Star Trek Titan there should be two more Star Trek tng movie possible 3 and the next one should be data returns and finaly become first officer and picard at the end gets married to doctor crusher and in the next Star Trek TNG should focus on a battle which is the starting point for the prequal 2009 film which give the fans a much more believeable storyline for the 2009 film and for fans like me to see Picard in command of the 1701-Enterprise-E gets my heart pumping the his ship should have a huge upgrade in the next two films because of what happed in Nemesis Showing that the enterprise need more power so the put the new chair on the bridge and upgrade the bridge as a whole new look to the ship and increase the ships speed and size b4 should in my mind stay himself it’s not fair that data take s B4 life to save his own i surggest that the remans beemed him out of the stip before it blow up and that he’s lost his memorys and the remans make him there leader to take down federation and the Romulans but b4 gains the ability to learn and doesn’t become data but keeps data memory stored in his neurtal net but when they find out that data is with the remens B4 goes against Captain Picard orders and goes to save his brother from the remens and restores data’s memory so that data return to the enteprise to take the first officer post and B4 wishes to go the titan to become third officer
possible three tng film just waiting to be made
thanks for the info
http://bollywoodsprings.blogspot.com