Paramount’s 3Q is in and it is reported that they saw a $69 million profit built on the performance of GI JOE, ROTF and ST combined.

Now compare that with the current performance of PARANORMAL ACTIVITY using the old school method of calculating profits by subtracting 3 times its budget which comes out to a total of $45,000 from its box office. That one picture has generated $85 million (and still growing) in profits besting the “HUGE” box office profits of all 3 Paramount blockbusters combined.

It seems reasonable to expect that there is going to be pressure on all of the big P’s productions next year to do more with less.

Oddly, enough I think the ST sequel may benefit from being delayed as this impetus may dissipate by the time it gets to bat.

While certainly not an impossible scenario, again, I have to think that it’s a stretch. Once again, the only further mention of the “Genesis” technology and research in canon (at least following the conclusion of that story arc) is one which suggests that, in the late 24th Century, the whole thing was regarded as irresponsible.

“It might have been a failure to achieve all that its dead inventor had dreamed but not necessarily a failure to achieve the next step: a planet from nothing habitable to some forms of life…”

That would contradict certain stories (in TNG, for example) in canon which indicate that, even by the 24th Century, habitable worlds are sought out by the Federation—-not that inhospitable planets are made to be able to support life. There is no canonical evidence that any progress was made in that direction following the failure of “Genesis”.

But beyond that, Spock Prime extrapolating the theories and science behind Carol’s ideas and putting them to use would negate the message already sent by the TWOK-TSFS-TVH story arc—-that Dr. McCoy was correct….Neither Humanity, its allies, nor its enemies, are equipped to handle such responsibility. Even if it were possible that there had been clandestine exploration of the Genesis technology all along (and that Spock Prime was privy to it), I don’t think it serves anyone to contradict that message…Might as well “clone” the dead Vulcans…I don’t think the application of that science would be deemed any less irresponsible.

“Spock Prime may have found a suitable planet on which the survivors can live, but it could turn out to be an impossible place from which the Vulcan culture can thrive – as it must.”

I’m not sure what benefit to the story could be afforded by Spock Prime’s potential failure in securing a place where Vulcan culture will thrive—-at least as much as possible considering its status at this point.

The tone of his statement (that he already had a place in mind) suggests to me that it may very well be a familiar place to Star Trek fans…I even thought for a moment that he might be speaking of some “down the road” reunification with the Romulans—-especially given to what Spock Prime has been applying himself prior to that planet’s demise. That, however, would be a tricky story to tackle in the (albeit altered) 23rd Century.

“I suppose time and sequels will tell.”

That seems to be where we can agree.

You know even though Marcus claimed it was a failure and unstable, the planetary body created in the process, itself, evolved to a state of relative geologic stability. By that, I mean it didn’t blow up or disintegrate – It became molten. And we know from a planet visited in ToS (Excalbia), our own discoveries of extremophiles on the planet Earth, and the fact that the lifeforms themselves on the Genesis planet were hyperevolving, that that molten state wasn’t in and of itself necessarily an impediment to life.

It might have been a failure to achieve all that its dead inventor had dreamed but not necessarily a failure to achieve the next step: a planet from nothing habitable to some forms of life – possibly even intelligent ones from Excalbia.

My take on the matter is that the Genesis planet kept its forbidden status but was studied extensively in the intervening years by the Federation, and much was learned. Because of its status as a political hot potato, it serves them to let everyone think of it as an utter failure when, in fact, much progress had been made in the intervening years. Spock Prime, with his connection to it, has kept up.

Spock Prime may have found a suitable planet on which the survivors can live, but it could turn out to be an impossible place from which the Vulcan culture can thrive – as it must.

I suppose time and sequels will tell.

Except that he is quite undeserving of bearing that guilt. Not that it has been fully satisfied (which is why I think he is dedicating himself to the resettlement of his father’s people), but I think the extent of his “god playing” will be his interference in making sure that Jim Kirk took command of the Enterprise, and had the necessary resources to defeat the villain Nero—who is the *real* responsible party in the catostrophic destruction of Vulcan and the murder of billions of people.

“It seems as if the Genesis Device could play a big role in restoring Vulcan and completing Spock Prime’s story there?”

That would be a stretch on many levels. First of all, Spock Prime already indicated through the dialogue in ST09 that he had located a suitable planet. Second, we all know that the Gensis Device ultimately failed, being proven unstable due to the use of protomatter. From 2286 onward, no further mention of that technology ever being tamed or made practical is made in canon. In fact, the only mention of the Genesis Device after TVH is over a century later in an episode of VOY—in which Captain Janeway references Marcus’ technology in a negative manner as irresponsible science and something which was dangerously powerful. Furthermore, Spock Prime would have to not only solve the problems associated with it, but create it from scratch without the benefit of Carol and David Marcus’ research and trials (which, even if David is conceived at all, would be decades after the point in which the story in ST09 leaves off).

I think the relevant point in the resolution of the Genesis storyline (TWOK-TVH) is that Dr. McCoy was right all along about it…Although it ultimately restored life to Spock before its complete failure, it was the existence and deployment of the device which caused his death in the first place.

“I guess for me, Spock Prime’s story isn’t complete just yet. ”

I’ve seen others make that contention, but I think having already established a place/purpose for himself in this altered timeline, I don’t see any real loose ends there. I think it’s time for the new cast to stand on their own feet.

Neither do I. But these writers’ universe makes it emphatically clear that its Spock suffers for whatever karmic debt that has been amassed by Spock Prime in his actions and deeds – one of which actually caused their universe to be.

That has to be a tremendous burden on Spock Prime, to feel as responsible as a god for the existence of everything, the way it all turned out and yet disdain it as he does all positions of command. I wonder how he struggles with the temptation to use his advanced knowledge to play a god in an attempt to set everything right? It seems as if the Genesis Device could play a big role in restoring Vulcan and completing Spock Prime’s story there?

I guess for me, Spock Prime’s story isn’t complete just yet. It will be interesting to see what the future brings from either CBS or Paramount..

I would have been happy to see Fontana consulted on the script, but she wasn’t a part of that process. For obvious reasons, few people were. The one relevant personality who was involved in the film was Leonard Nimoy. It makes perfect sense that Orci would be happy upon receiving his blessing. Why shouldn’t he?

” I get the current “he has to pay for his resurrection” thematic demands but why pass that baton onto a new young Spock who hasn’t even (and may never) reaped the benefit of a Genesis resurrection?”

I never felt it had anything to do with that. I don’t expect Quinto’s Spock to experience the exact same things as Spock Prime. That would be rather dull. I think Quinto’s Spock should be developed differently, but still in many ways resemble the character we’ve known for 45 years. Young Spock has his own path—-one which is already very different due to the loss of his mother and his father’s homeworld. I also feel that the relationship between Spock and Sarek would most likely be different this time around as well. The bond between them would certainly be different, especially given the events surrounding Spock’s rescue of his father from a dying planet and the subsequent very emotional interaction they have following Spock’s self-removal from command.

I expect “this Spock” to have his own trials, very much set apart from some of the struggles of Spock Prime. The destruction of Vulcan (and the loss of Amanda) in this timeline was a good way to establish that.

You think?,

http://articles.latimes.com/1996-09-08/entertainment/ca-41581_1_star-trek?pg=3

“Leonard Nimoy’s lawsuit with Paramount began over a Heineken beer ad that appeared on billboards in England. Henry Fonda pointed out the ubiquitous ads to him while they were visiting London. On the billboard, there were three images of Spock: The first showed his famous pointy ears drooping; the second had Spock sipping a beer, his ears at half-mast; and the third featured Spock with an empty mug and fully erect ears.

Upon returning to Los Angeles, Nimoy discovered that Paramount had actually nixed the ad campaign but that the advertiser had gone ahead anyway. Nonetheless, Nimoy’s attorney discovered that his contract with the series forbade the studio to use his image after the show had been canceled, an agreement that had been ignored many times over with sundry products.” – David Kronke, LOS ANGELES TIMES from September 08, 1996 edition

#126.,

I still contend that when it comes to things Vulcan, it is better to approach it from a most logical angle like consulting Fontana prior over an emotional need to bolster one’s confidence after the fact as in his attempt to use Nimoy’s imprimatur.

Myself? I’m getting rather bored of the “death and destruction” cloud that’s been attached to the Spock Prime character since Phase II. I get the current “he has to pay for his resurrection” thematic demands but why pass that baton onto a new young Spock who hasn’t even (and may never) reaped the benefit of a Genesis resurrection?

And if you claim you aren’t making your movie for the old guard but a new audience then blowing up Vulcan is a meaningless gesture as some sort of a signal as it holds no significance for the new audience.

I agree with Bob in that this event, more than anything, makes a loud and clear statement that things in the altered timeline are more than just subtly different. They are monumentally different. Good. I think that the “altered” version of Star Trek needs that.

As for Nimoy’s approval, if it bolsters Orci’s confidence that he did the right thing with the story—-great! I can hardly blame Bob for putting more stock in that than he does in the opinions of a few whining fans on the internet.

I agree with you so much that I couldn’t possibly agree more.

It is the primary basis of my problem with Mr. Orci’s claim that because he ran the death of the planet Vulcan by Mr. Nimoy that that was all that’s necessary to determine whether it would leave the continuing epic narrative that is Trek severely impaired.

Excuse me? For one proposed series and two movies Nimoy lobbied to kill his character off. Then when he got what he wanted, he changed his mind.

I love Nimoy the actor/director – I just don’t think his strong suit is screenwriting, especially with regards to killing things off.