Could Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman Re-Animate Star Trek? May 13, 2011
by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: Editorial,Orci/Kurtzman,Star Trek (2009 film),Trek on TV , trackback
While many franchises have TV animated series, Star Trek hasn’t gone down that road since the 1970s. Now with Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman seeing success with their animated Transformers series, TrekMovie asked Orci if they might do the same with Trek. His reply on Twitter has launched a lot of speculation. Details below.
Could Orci & Kurtzman animate Trek like they have Transformers?
Star Trek writer/producers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman followed up their work writing two Transformers feature films by producing the new animated series Transformers Prime on Hub (see below for a clip from this weekend’s episode). The computer-generated series has been well received and this week it garnered six daytime Emmy nominations. And now the success of this series has led to some talk about doing a similar show for Star Trek.
This week’s promo for "Transformers Prime" (produced by Star Trek’s Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman)
Earlier this morning I sent Roberto Orci a tweet (via @trekmovie) congratulating him and Alex on the six nominations for Transformers Prime. I then followed that up with a suggestion about Star Trek, and Orci replied with an interesting little bit of info:
This exchange has been picked up by a few sites today as news that there is (or possibly is) an animated Star Trek series in development. While it would be great if that were true, at this point it is only something that has been talked about by Orci and Kurtzman. As of now, as far as TrekMovie sources can tell, there is no work being done or planning for a new animated Star Trek series.
However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t a good idea. An animated series is much less expensive than a new live-action series, but can still allow for interesting stories to be developed, including stories that bridge films. An animated show is also a great way to maintain interest in a franchise and especially to help attract new younger fans. Many popular franchises have current animated series in addition to Transformers. The superhero franchises (Batman, Superman, Spider-man) have had animated series for decades, but there are also recent entries from Star Wars and even a Tron animated series in development.
And of course as Orci and Kurtzman have successfully done it with Transformers, they are the natural choice to do it again with Star Trek, assuming Paramount and CBS and Hub (or another network) all want to do it. Hopefully it will happen, but for now it is just a notion.
Until then, we still have the 1970s Star Trek: The Animated Series, which is available on DVD and for free streaming on CBS.com. To give you a taste, check out this cool Star Trek TAS/Star Trek 2009 trailer mashup (by NEO f/x).
Poll: Animated Star Trek?
What do you think, is a new animated Trek series a good idea?
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Comments
I’d watch that. In the era of Clone Wars style animation, it would be all shades of awesome!
That Transformers cartoon is really good. I’d be in favor of such a thing for Star Trek.
I’d watch that too, it could be good with Orci & Kurtzman and tie to the new films! weekly Star Trek on tv !! Animated, live-action, I’ll take both please :D
Yes, please animate Star Trek again! I’d watch it every week!
But please, don’t use that crappy, jerky animation they always use on Cartoon Network. If that’s the case, no thanks.
as long as you do that Doctor Who cross-over
I just recently started watching TAS on Hulu and I must say, it is actually quite good. The stories are just as good as the live action TOS.
Great way to endear these characters, that they have faithfully re-ignited, to kids, who really are the future of the franchise. And if the characters from the movie are off limits…which would be stupid, as they are the characters instantly recognized by kids who loved the movie and it would have instant appeal…the other obvious choice is the early adventures of another Kirk aboard the Kelvin…another crew instantly recognizable by fans of the movie, young and old alike. Even the early adventures of Pike would work, thanks to his exposure in the film. Hope it moves from discussion to production!
I’d love it but they’d have to have the actors. It would be pointless w/o their voices. TAS was good because it *was* them. LOL
@Jonboc good ideas for other series but I can’t see this working outside the context of the movie characters. Hopefully they’ll go that route or not bother. I’d also like to see the same quality to the animation in that when you watch TAS, the character mannerisms and facial movements are all there.
I’d watch a new animated Star Trek series just because it would be the only new Trek on TV. I’d rather they put their efforts into getting another live action show up and running. For goodness sake, make a Starfleet Academy series already!
I would see it in a hartbeat. My Tivo would be all over recording it.
Heh, I recognized Jeffrey Combs’ voice right away in that trailer. :)
“This is clearly a pink-skin signature, and it’s moving fast!”
You need one more option:
“No, give me a live action series” A man can dream, right?
Yes – want it! … for sure … I like this idea!…. :-) :-)
I don’t know why we haven’t seen a fan re-make of the animated series. I would of figured by now either with CG or even flash someone taking the original audio tracks from the show and just re-doing the visuals to give the characters a little more life and movement
I’d be up for it, but they’d have to find a good style to go with.. it has to be something that can appeal to fans both young and old, as well as draw in new people to the franchise. :)
I loved Star Trek: The Animated Series. While it had very 70′s-style animation, the stories were pure Trek. With animation, you don’t have to worry about getting original actors to be able to bring in their characters, and you can do really cool stuff with aliens that would be too expensive with live action. I also have loved the Clone Wars and the animation has really improved in the past year.
Please no. Star Trek deserves better than an animated series, and better than Orci/Kurtzman.
I’d wish they animate Star Trek: Countdown as a direct-2-DVD.
It’s been WAY too long since there has been an animated Star Trek.
Bring it on.
Yes!
Oh Jan, stop being so melodramatic (pretty please) :-))
It wouldn’t derail all those other non-existent Trek-to-TV plans, so, hey, why not? I’ll take Trek where I can get it, and this sounds like it could be great!
Computer animated Trek on my TV? Sounds amazing, as long as it’s in the right hands, which it appears it would be!
Oh how I wish Adult Swim would give the original Star Trek animated series the “Sealab 2021″ treatment!!! LOOOONG overdue.
I mean… you KNOW Shatner would jump right on board for TrekLab 2021… give himself the Hank Murphy treatment…. this totally HAS to happen.
Bring it!!!
I would love to see this. Please, do it people, and do it right, not as a kid show.
I am 35 years old, and I’ll watch every episode!!!
Oh, and set it in the right universe and timeline, please. Too much to ask for there, i suppose.
oh for the love of god no
I’m with Jorge. Not for me. Just don’t do it.
Warner Bros. does a great job with the animated features of SUPERMAN and BATMAN, which do not devalue in any way the NOLAN films or SMALLVILLE or the live-action SUPERMAN films. There just part of the entertainment offerings of those iconic characters. Why not the same for STAR TREK?
I vote yes.
They should have done new animated shows decades ago. This is such a simple ideal, I really do not understand why Paramount just doesn’t go through with it.
If it keeps the basic mindset of the previous Trek series (morality plays set in space), then, YES, by all means do it!
As for the visuals, the style used in the Tron series looks promising:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Sakyg8srKU
Of course a Trek series would look very different, but it is interesting to see a combination of traditional 2D animation combined with 3D CGI.
Do it do it do it! ;)
No. An animated series seems like a half measure for what we all really want, a new, bona fide TV series. Give me the real thing, please.
Correction: “it is interesting to see a combination of traditional 2D animation with 3D CGI.”
Darn typos.
Half measure or not, I’ll pretty much take whatever they’ll dish out at this point. Getting Paramount and CBS to actually do something with Trek nowadays is like pulling Klingon teeth.
Sorry, not interested. Wait five more years (two more movies, assuming the next movie is actually done by then) and then do a proper Trek TV relaunch.
GREAT frakkin idea! It’s about time something like this happens. Star Trek is stagnant compared to other franchises, but it has so much more potential.
I would like to see it done with some stylish animation like Lucas used for the first Clone Wars cartoon rather than CGI. Something unique looking.
Yes yes yes.
NO CARTOONS. Please, do it live- Kelvin adventures at least.
I would like to see it done in the style as the recently animated episode of Fringe. High end animation . Not geared towards kids like the one from the early 70′s.
No way it would get the budget clone wars has methinks..
I think this is a great idea and I would love it if they considered it canon for the new universe.
It’s absolutely necessary. Most fans are in favor of a new animated series. Maybe a Kelvin series. A bridge between the “Enterprise” era and the TOS era. Done with animation similar to that of “The Clone Wars”.
But somehow I don’t think Les Moonves would be interested.
DAMN CBS!!
Go for it, Orci & Kurtzman, go!
45. I can’t see live happening for a LONG time, if ever again, but what do I know?
Okay, if I can do Shatner, Takei, Koenig, and Doohan, Oh and Kelley ;)
My Nimoy is awful.
http://vimeo.com/4438987
Let’s not forget the old 70s series won an emmy in its day too.
If they did,They take should lessons from the same anime designers as Appleseed Ex Machina.I love to see a Anime Star Trek.
my bad,I meant They Should take lessons.I need lessons on how to proofread
Any Trek on TV,even a Trek toon,is welcome.TAS is an underrated part of the canon;another one with CGI and the nuTrek cast would be ideal.
Love the TAS redo.
OK you’ve twisted my arm…..I’d watch it!
I would actually dig new Star Trek anything these days (TOS or TNG era, Prime or JJ universe), make it so…
52. Spockboy: I *LOVED* what you did! You guys got enough of the actors’ vocal inflections down that there were moments I just ‘went with it’ and heard the original voices.
Very entertaining and very well done. Strange hearing a Russian accent coming out of Arex, though. LOL!
modern cartoons dont hold a candle to the old ones, ie thundercats and transformers prime are bold examples.
i would literally go mad if they mad star trek a cartoon of the same calibre
Yes, a combo of 2D and 3D with story line they can’t do cheaply with live action would be wonderful. My son and I would watch it for sure!
lol love the TAS/’09 mashup.
A new animated show? Sure, bring it on.
I have always been of the opinion that an CGI/animated series would allow for tales in all eras of Trek. Also, novel and comic stories could be realized through animation, such as Vanguard, Titan, DS9 Re-Launch, etc.
I’ve been clamoring for an animated CGI series for a long time. First, it would keep up interest in Star Trek. Second, you could bring back William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. Deage them. Third, you could tell more complex stories like “The City on the Edge of Forever”, etc.
Here’ are some ideas, Bob. One hour show. That way you won’t have time constraints messing with the storytelling. Make the show for adults as well as kids. Hey the first Star Trek is okay for family hour. That leads us to this. Prime time. How about on the Cartoon Network or SyFy? Oh, if SyFy wants it, get them to change their name back to SciFi. :-)
And start by taking D.C. Fontana’s story for the videogame Secret of Vulcan Fury. Check out the cutscenes from the trailer for the game below. The game also recorded original series actors. Anyway the trailers give you an idea what a CGI Star Trek might look like; only if done with 2011 technology, it will be better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQHyg6nFpAY
Second trailer with new Shatner monologue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o4YtpKnT00&playnext=1&list=PL81E08D73648537E4
* Sealab style. THAT would be interesting, just because we’re so familiar with Trek that there’s lots of insanity that could be played with. But I don’t think Paramount will allow it. The main reason Sealab 2021 happened was because of the relative obscurity of the original.
* Clone Wars style. If it didn’t LOOK like the crappy Clone Wars designs, then I might be interested. But only so much.
* I definitely second the idea of an anime series. Marvel did this with Wolverine and Iron Man, and while I haven’t been totally wowed by those projects (Iron Man I found kind of boring), it’s a step in the right direction. I would love to see a Trek-happy anime studio do their own bonzo balls-to-the-wall 13 or 26 episode Trek series with all the anime stops and cliches in the mix.
Can’t they just start by REANIMATING the horribly drawn Filmation series? The scripts were good, the original actors all contributed, it’s just the crappy animation that makes them unwatchable. That plus the terrible fake voices from Nichols, Doohan and Majel when they were pressed into doing other characters to save money. New graphics and a few replacement voices and it’ll be like BRAND NEW TOS.
Who wouldn’t want to see a beautifully CGI animated version of “Yesteryear”?
#66 – Perhaps for the 40th Anniversary of TAS in 2013?
This would be a great way of going about it;
http://youtu.be/dQqDAqXVfZc
63.
We are celebrating Star Trek’s future here, not wallowing in it’s past.
I am celebrating IDIC
#69
Better stay away from the last couple of movies then.
By that logic, ALL the movies should be avoided. Particularly the ones featuring actors from previous tv series.
I’m not a huge fan of cartoons. But Star Trek? And with Orci and Kurtzman at the helm? Sure. Count me the heck in.
#72
Not really. I cited the last couple of movies (Nemesis and Trek ’09) because they were pretty much a collection of Trek’s greatest hits—”Now That’s What I Call Star Trek! Volumes 1 & 2.”
Nothing really original there. Just variations on Wrath of Khan with a few other elements from previous Treks throw in for good measure. As for wallowing in the past, isn’t that the defintion of a reboot?
Correction: THROWN in for good measure
Animated film of Star Trek: Countdown would also be pretty sweet.
Depends. Would it be set in the Prime Universe?
How about Star Trek Enterprise – The Animated Series
http://www.youtube.com/user/ENTERPRISENX01#p/c/4E44C6C97D029C9B/0/3xyepBtA6PY
Remastering the Filmation cartoons, with new CG and keeping the original cast’s voice could also be an interesting experiment.
I like Transformers: Prime. It looks cool and it rocks with Peter Cullen.
I am on the fence about animated Trek. The reason being the question it raises. Is it canon or not? I like many Trek fans like everything to tie in correctly so their universe is not perturbed. That is the problem with TAS. Do those hoakey animated aliens really exist in the live action universe? I don’t know. JJ Abrams did a great job of referencing the non-humanoids throughout his movie, making the ones in TAS more palatable.
I for one hope they take at least one TAS episode and upgrade it by the various methods already mentioned by others.
But if they did, the suits would probably want to make it something crazy like 3-D in HD with BD sans VD.
I may like it if they were going into a more Clone Wars CG like direction. The stories should be more serious and can transport a lot of visual scifi ideas. More that it would be possible in life action.
If I were George Lucas I would even change his pre Episode 4 life action series into CG animated too and finally get on with it.
I think an animated series would be immense and completely what the franchise needs.
DO IT!
Get Hasbro to do the toys, lego to join in and we could be looking at Star Trek lasting as long as Star Wars has!
It’s got to be done.
77. (continued) Or ENTERPRISE realised as a CG animated series?
http://youtu.be/7RIK1w1FiNY
:)
Oh God yes! As long as they use hand drawn animation, never did like that CG crap. Maybe if they could get the folks who made Gargoyles to do a series that would be amazing.
I just gave myself a fangasm.
I would love the new cast to voice Kirk, Spock etc if they did do a animated Trek tv series :):)
#66 I was waiting for someone to say that. For years I’ve thought it would be awesome if the Filmation series were redone just using the same audio tracks featuring the original cast.
Also agree with #30 — it must be set in the original timeline.
I don’t want to see it stylized; today it’s possible that it can look almost as true to life as an original series episode.
Star Trek’s Clone Wars would be THE ROMULAN WAR!
It’s a feasible way of utilizing the new actors (Pine, Quinto, et al) without asking them to commit to a schedule that would keep them away from films. Clearly, those same actors won’t be reprising their roles in any future television series, so if the current powers that be wished to keep the energy for this current iteration of “Trek” going, this might be the only way to do so without demanding future budget-busting films that would run two to three years apart.
Quite frankly, an imitation cast won’t cut it here – if you can’t bring at least the vast majority of the actors into the fold, the whole concept’s dead in the water from any adult standpoint, so finding a project that would engage that cast is the first and most important step.
However, the quality of the writing – and where to air the show – is the real catch.
If it’s a “kiddie” version of the 2009 film universe, all the momentum that film created is instantly wasted. To pull something like this off in a manner that generates real forward movement, it may be best to enlist honest-to-goodness sci-fi writers and see the program could become something of a clearinghouse of high-concept ideas that still entertain. That’s “Star Trek”, and it still works on many levels – if a wide swath of viewers are seeing it, of course.
If it’s me, I’d create something to pitch to Epix, Viacom’s new pay-movie channel. They’d be invested in original programming that doubly pads their bottom line if it works, and the format would allow for more sophisticated entertainment if possible.
Outside-the-box thinking will absolutely be required to pull something like this off correctly. And if it’s not going to be done correctly, it shouldn’t be done at all. “Star Trek” has suffered from a glut of oversaturation and less-than-ideal content from time to time, and it chased viewers away. Now that it’s finally in a position to make a quantum leap forward… sometimes less is more, unless the more is pitch-perfect.
It’d be fun. I wouldn’t mind if they recast the actors/voices for animation, or if they did it in it’s own little pocket universe discontinuous with the rest of Trek (I say that from a RL perspective, not the ‘Trek multiverse’)
As long as it’s aimed higher than Stargate Infinity!! It’s gotta be a cartoon for the WHOLE family, not just children.
I’d forgotten how terrible the animation was on TAS.
As for Hal Sutherland’s “direction” he used the same angles, same camera moves, etc on his other shows: Tarzan, Gilligan’s Island, etc.
Let’s not worry about a rebirth of that horrendous animated series, and focus on getting the next real movie out, OK?
Yeh, it’s really a shame some decent ideas on TAS were overshadowed by the truly awful animation. It was the worst kind of Saturday-morning-kiddie-cartoon animation, with some terrible music to boot. But I don’t remember there being much animation on any other cartoon, at that time, that was any better — apart from theatrical. Then again, I only watched TAS to get my Trek fix. I was more interested in listening to music and going to concerts than watching cartoons…
In this day of the superior animated shows like The Clone Wars and Transformers Prime, an animated Star Trek, and some really intelligent stories, could go a long way.
Make it so!
TAS was great, there were amazing stories! Bob and Roberto, consider doing an animated series with the prime characters, you could re-use the voice footage of our departed fellow cast mates get Bill and the rest, we want to see them again!
It would be better to make a live action show, not some animated crap… “It would be less expensive.” Well, less expensive = less quality. Roll up your sleeves and get to work! Roddenberry was right, I would never consider TAS a canon… Get some REAL actors, for the love od God!
“Roddenberry was right, I would never consider TAS a canon… Get some REAL actors, for the love od God!”
Yet that series literally had his own name on the title card, and it not only had actors for the series, but the ACTUAL STAR TREK actors reprising their roles!
Your post comes off more as a stab towards animation in general. And just because it may have a cheap budget doesn’t mean it can’t produce interesting results that a big budget can deliver. Star Trek 2 had a budget no where near the first Star Trek movie, and they reused sets, props and even the same visual effects from TMP in order to save money. Do you think anyone is going to say that with all those money saving deals they did that they didn’t produce a quality product?
I am a true believer in the original animated series and I wouldn’t hesitate a second to say that it is indeed canon.
An animated series would be great! Not because it is inexpensive compared to live action but because of the stories that could be told. Picard and Kirk when he was in his prime teaming up? The crews of the original series and the next gen working together would be great. Maybe adapting some of the great books out there an animated “Prime Directive” from judith and garfield reeves stevens…there would be no limit to what they could do, actors ages salary and ok yes expensises wouldnt truly matter.
I just wanna see trek back on tv in animated or live action form. And while id love for it to be kirk and crew it wouldnt hurt my feelings to see a whole new ship and crew or even an antholigy setting.
Just for the love of kirk, do not make it a kiddie show.
Wasn’t it the STARSHIP FARRAGUT bunch that was making a TAS style episode? Was just looking on their website and couldnt find it… Couldnt have been EXETER, John seems to be in some kind of time-loop.
In the words of Captain Jelico: Get it done.
Wouldn’t an animated series be on Nickelodeon seeing as it is owned by Viacom which also owns Paramount Pictures?
Go here for the Farragut animated eps:
http://farragut-animated.com/
Those eps are really cool, but are somewhat of a nostalgia trip, stylewise, since they deliberately did them in the style of the ’70s Filmation Trek.
On the general question, an animated Trek would be pretty great, I think, with the proviso that it be in the Prime Universe. Alternates/reboots need not apply. As to what stories to tell, Trek is such a vast universe that there’s plenty of room to play, either riffing on what’s come before or developing something entirely new.
#94 – Actually, I think orienting the show so that kids can enjoy it as much as adults would be a smart thing for the franchise overall.
that would be great!! I’m all for it!!
Yes, is my vote. We could see what the crew is doing in between movies. They could use sound-alikes like Lucas does.
The great thing about TAS was that the episodes were written by the same well-regarded sci-fi writers that penned many of the best TOS episodes. Then, you had DC Fontana flesh out Spock’s back-story to the point where our boys Bob and Alex had a terrific reference point for their own version.
I am all for this. My kids, 8 and 10, are into Star Wars, probably because of the ‘Clone Wars’ series beaming constantly into their brains. A popular cartoon would also get Trek more international exposure, for sure. Trek seriously lacks international exposure, even in many European countries.
Like the original TAS, it should strive to be the most intelligent cartoon on TV.
The mashup is fantastic! If they do an animated series based off the 2009 Star Trek movie, well, that might just make me go out and get a TV so I can watch it.
I like how the bits in the mashup taken from “Yesteryear” are eerily fitting to the trailer. :-D (Of course, no coincident, like # 101 already noted.)
I say new characters, far future, (okay, not that far, maybe 2500′s?) and give us a taste of something new. Then we wouldn’t be rehashing the same-old, same-old. And leave the Reboot cast alone for the movies.
Really good VA’s would help make a really good series. After all, animation’s only have the battle. (But I swear to Q if they go through with this and hire Dan Green I will go punt kittens. I’m sick of hearing his voice. He’s not that amazing, in my opinion.)
yes! First off I think that they’re doing a great job attracting new fans to the franchise, because they got a 14 year old girl to become a Trekkie.
As many other people have mentioned I’d love to see an ‘adult’ show, rather than the ‘kiddie’ version. And I’d love it if it was based in the 09 universe! I think 2012 is still an awfully long wait (if in fact we get a sequel by then) and an animated series would be great in the meantime!
Although they wouldn’t HAVE to use the voices from the Star Trek 09, I would love to hear Zachary Quinto as Spock and Chris Pine as Kirk in an animated series, and I know my 8 year old brother would probably love it too :)
That Transformers Prime looks cool, but I’ve never seen it. I’m wondering if living in Canada has anything to do with that..? If so, I hope that doesn’t happen if they go through with this! AND hopefully it wouldn’t air during school hours, because that would really suck -.- :P
But I’m all for a new animated Trek ! :)
102.
……
You don’t own a tv?
I can see it now. New Animated Trek Series. Every week we have a Thread where we all Disect the Ep. That would be fun!!!!
# 97: Yes, I think it would air on Nickelodeon as that’s where CBS air the cartoons.
I’d love to see a Trek animated show in either universe with smart writing, kinetic animation and gorgeous backgrounds, like Avengers: EMH or TF: Prime.
@59 Spockboy: I *LOVED* what you did! You guys got enough of the actors’ vocal inflections down that there were moments I just ‘went with it’ and heard the original voices.
Very entertaining and very well done. Strange hearing a Russian accent coming out of Arex, though. LOL!
Thanks man.
Actually it WAS Checkov, after a “serious” transporter accident.
;)
Why doesn’t CBS just pull its finger out and do the frigging thing?
With all the absolute crap that passes as “acceptable” episodic TV these days, and the junk which is proffered to kids (SpongeBob excepted. I am a fan…all that Japanese crap is shit), “Star Trek” could really make an impact.
Just get it done. Do 12 episodes, see if it sticks.
@110
lol by the time you see it, it has been “Americanized”
I was hoping they were up grading the 70′s series with new animation.
112 I think both projects should be done. Do a TAS Re Animated and then a new Trek animated show.
Yes absolutely do it! Also reanimate the original animated series and expand it to one hour. Next do the same thing with the video games from the 90s(25th anniversary edition, Judgement Rites and the unreleased Secret of Vulcan Fury).Those would be the 4th and 5th year of the original 5 year mission. Then continue the story by advancing it to Captain Kirk and crews second five year mission. It would be great to get Shatner, Nimoy and the rest back to continue the Star Trek series. Obviously DeForrest Kelly and James Doohan would have to replaced there must be good animated voice actors who could pull it off.
I wish CBS could put a new Trek show in the prime universe out. That could run along side the Abrams movies.
TAS had some great stories and some wonderful concepts, i would be open to a new animated series.
I’d love to see one based on the new movie, how awesome would that be? Especially if they used updated hi def animation techniques ala Clone Wars, Transformers Prime (quality wise, but not with the odd body shapes) and others,
115.
I’m sure they would prefer to make money. That’s just the nature of American society these days.
I’m starved for Trek! While I will give any iteration a try, I would prefer if TOS remained live action and on the big screen and a live action TNG-era ensemble cast show remain on TV. Still, I wouldn’t mind it at all if the Titan’s voyages were depicted in an animated series.
An animated series does allow a vast amount of freedom for the writers in that they can come up with some very exotic aliens and planets, not to mention flashbacks and flashforwards are a snap as well. All of the Batman, Superman, and Justice League animated series plus Gargoyals are great examples of animated shows that appealed to kids, teens, and adults because the stories were mature and not silly. Animation could open up Trek to a whole new, younger audience, which means lots of toy sales, which means lots of profit.
Why not re-master the orginal Animated series to give it renewed life????
the one problem i have with a new Animated Trek is merchandising. most american big brand name TV shows (and virtually all japanesse anime) have some form of merchandising they hawked. All of Bandai’s MS Gundam series has the support of a huge model kit (and later, die-cast/plastic toys) fan following. in the 80′s, you had GI Joe figures, the original 1st gen transformer toys, He-man and of course, the grand-day of modern toy-movie tie-ins, Star Wars.
i dont know if the same merchandising support exists for Star Trek. I wonder, besides the mere mentioning of a possible new anime trek, do they have access to finacial data related to the various Trek toys made for the TMP era movies as well as TNG? factors like that (quality, cusomer consumption, etc) will determine if they do it. they cant just rely on people buying DVD’s in this current market of DLing from Netflix or X-Box Live…
This could be done on a relatively inexpensive budget. “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” only costs around six million for a full season, yet they have quite good animation.
Steal Lauren Faust and a few key animators and you’re good to go.
It’s a great idea, although I’d prefer to see Star Trek remain scarce and treasured instead of becoming an overexposed brand like Star Wars.
I would be extremly happy to see Star Trek return TV! But I must admit I am so deperate to see Star Trek on TV again that I voted for “I want it”. Clearly this would be interesting and would open the door for some strange new worlds and aliens but I would clearly prefer it as a real life TV show. Animated TV series have always the appeal of a childs series. With this percepetion by the audience ST Animated wasn’t watch and cancelled.
But to summarize it up (no matter what):
BRING STAR TREK BACK TO TV!!!
Live Long and Prosper!
Frank,
Germany
I think it would be great if they followed the pattern that DC Animated Universe is doing, i.e. direct-to-dvd animated features. Maybe release 2 or 3 a year.
I’ve posted this before, but maybe it could look something like this?
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z22/lukasketner/StarTrekAnimated.jpg
Having long been a supporter of redoing the TAS, I wholeheartedly support this idea. There’s room for exploring lot of aspects of the new universe, following the further adventures of Spock Prime, having Kirk Prime emerge from the Nexus alive and, more than anything, getting the ship way out of Federation space to explore new territories. There’s also the chance to tap some really top sci-fi and fantasy authors to contribute stories.
For people who care about all that canon rubbish, it could comfortably sit in that area of not being directly referenced in the films, but not particularly contradicted either. Personally, given I feel the story is what matters, I have no issue with TAS being a legitimate continuation of the original Star Trek! It was only ‘decanonised’ for legal reasons in the 1980s, not artistic!
It is a neccesity- children are not drawn to Star Trek like they are to Star Wars as Trek is made for adults so a kids version would help alot
Aim it at families rather than kids specifically and it’d work. Look at how great series like Ulysses 31 were in the 1980s.
Of course I be in favor of another animated “Star Trek” regardless of cast and staff. If made, I hope it is a prime-time show because seriously, American animation needs to include more non-comedic animated programs on night time television. After all, there is more to American animation than just comedy types like “South Park” and “Family Guy”, though I still enjoy some of the night-time animated comedies. Plus, I’m sure an animated “Star Trek” can increase adult interest in U.S. animation within the North American continent, that is if its staff is willing to have the show maintain the same level of violence, drama, and sophistication as the live-action “Star Trek” series and films.
This could be a really fun idea. I would hope that the series center around Kirk/Spock and not be some random crew that we have never heard of.
^That much is certain.
There is so much opportunity in storytelling & in merchandising for an animated Trek, that it seems crazy that there isn’t one on the air now.
I think the most comparable model is Star Wars which has spun off three animated series so far, with the Clone Wars being the current & most successful.
Looking at the marketing that Lucasfilm has been able to accomplish through the Clone Wars, it’s very clear that if done right, a Star Trek animated series could be a tremendous merchandising opportunity.
When it comes to original stories, animation frees up production limitations that you encounter with live action, which could allow the writers to indulge in more ambitious storytelling.
It also means that producers could take advantage of the wealth of voice talent amongst Trek alumni; you could tell a TNG story using original cast members without worrying about their on camera age.
If it goes forward, i’d like t see an anthology series that hops around the Trek universe in 3-4 episode archs; so you do a 4 part Romulan War series with the cast of Enterprise, then a 3 part series on the Titan, etc.
Please throw us a bone, we’re starving out here!!!
Get the winner of “International Talk Like William Shatner Day” to voice Kirk!
Animation, eh? Must suggest this for Star Gate Universe…
Please please please let this happen. If there’s any franchise that DESERVES to get a new animated series, it’s Star Trek.
With enough quality writing and acting, this could be almost as cool as any live-action series they could possibly make.
I hope they get Shatner and Nimoy and the rest of the surviving actors to do the voices!!!!!!!
I hope they get Shatner, Nimoy and the rest of the surviving cast to do the voices!!!!!!
Back when Gargoyles was on the air, I always thought an animated STTNG would have rocked!. I do think that a new animated star trek would be awesome to hold everyone over between movies. But and this is a big but only if they found a way to do it with Shatner, Nimoy, Nichols, Koenig,and Takei. I am pretty sure they would not be able to convince any of the current cast to do it except for maybe Pegg, and Urban . But Iam sure the surviveing original cast would all sign on board.
Ooh, that would be pretty cool. I’d watch it.
Make “The Rikers in Space” as animated show,
go more in the direction of Simpsons / Family Guy / American Dad (meaning comic + self parody), and it would be a sure hit!
A pure CGI Trek series that takes itself super serious?
naaah… can’t see that work in terms of ratings… and could not take it serious as canon.
“Clone Wars” is ok but i just can’t take the format 100% serious.
would i watch it?
sure i watch anything with the names Trek, Wars or Gate on it… no matter how bad
would i watch a TNG era comic? hell yeah
would i watch a ST XI style comic? …uuuh? do i have to?
I would expect a totally different voice cast except for the odd guest role. That’s no bad thing. Not all live action actors are automatically good voiceover artists.
The return of William Shatner to the role of Captain James T Kirk may happen yet.
Animated lens flares! Can’t wait!
=A=
While I yearn for Trek on TV, an animated show has too many pitfalls for me to vote for it.
It is cheaper to produce, which can often lead to lower-quality, higher number of shows. It is by default geared to kids (you’d have to try hard and convince lots of execs and audiences that a cartoon is for adults, unless it’s South Park level), which would force stories to be less deep. From these 2 factors alone, canon status suffers. So, you could have 100 stories of non-canon, causing fragmetation of the franchise. Trekkies were already tested with JJ’s remake (of which I am a fan). With non-canon animation being produced I could easily see re-boots and re-launches and otherwise non-compliant movies which would erode canon further. I am not a canon stickler per se, but without a solid core, Star Trek can lose its identity as Gene’s vision completely. In that case, it won’t be Trek anymore, just a “franchise” to milk for cash (look at sci-fi content of Terminator 3 and 4 vs 1 and 2).
That said, one-off canon animation (e.g., introducing or bridging movies, like the Countdown comics or Animatrix cartoon) may work for me. But no regular animated series please.
Make em, but make em worthwhile. Think in terms of 90 minute movies, with a big DVD sales audience. Give us some epic scale stories. Don’t kill any main characters, but take chances. And write it for the ADULTS. Kids will watch for the color and music now, then come back are enjoy them all over again later.
Reanimate the old TAS series. Keep the original voices where legally possible, and perhaps add more. You know, something similar to what was done in the Remastered TOS series.
I think it’s a great idea! With the state of animation so advanced today, amazing things could be done. I’d watch regularly.
I’ve always felt that this was a hugely missed opportunity from the 1990s.
In the early 90′s and pretty much continuing for much of the decade, there were a wonderful plethora of quality animated franchises riding high…Batman, then Superman, The Tick, Batman Beyond, Justice League, Gargolyes, and others. And even Marvel had some stuff going, although it wasn’t nearly as good as the aforementioned shows. Too bad the unfortunate popularity and cheaper nature of Pokemon ruined it all, but it was a ton of fun while it lasted.
They should have done some animated Trek back then when all of the original actors could still have been utilized.
Alas, it did not happen.
Still, I’d be happy if they did such a project now, too…obviously, they wouldn’t be able to use the original actors at this point, but if they got some good and fresh writers (NOT Berman, Braga, etc. :) ) in there, and a decent animated company (such as those that Warner Bros. uses currently for their DC animated movie projects), this could be really good.
I’m so starved for weekly Star Trek I’ll take anything. Sock Puppets! ANYTHING. Just gimmie!
As long as they have a good source for GOOD stories, I would love to see this done.
I’d love to see it 90′s Batman: The Animated Series style. I’d watch the heck out of a prequel to the alternate universe.
Those three Academy years are ripe for great story-telling.
God, that Animated mash-up really strikes a good kind of nerve for me. More of that, please.
I would watch a new live action show or animated, or films in the prime universe if someone other than Orci and Co write it.
I have no problem with the JJ Trek as a separate franchise entity, but it is no replacement for real star trek.
Just like i cannot abide Bayformers or the new animated Orci tie into Bayformers, even with Peter Cullen. I like G1 Transformers, i like Classic Trek and TNG, and i like the original Bond and Star Wars.
Only redoes i was okay with Nolan’s Batman, and Superman Returns with some misgivings there but i think i like Brandon Routh better than this guy who looks more suited to play James Bond, being in man of steel.
What about a new Star Trek animated series on the web?
They could save alot money by hiring non union voice actors will cost them maybe about $300 at most
I think that CGI looks fake
I would rather see Traditional animation
maybe redo the old cartoon into 3D with 3D animation with the old voices from the Star Trek The Animated Series . like a remastered star trek, who would not want to see it well done, it would look better than a 2D cartoon , with the orignal voices, for 3D animation you could look at Nine movie, or shrek or anything done with autodesk maya, with realistic 3D animation version of spock and crew, it would look cool, and they could redo the random animationed aliens and ships too in 3D, a few series would be nice, but the old voice actors like bones and other crew members would be very hard to find people that sound right for the parts I would think.
you get more realistic humans with the right type of style of 3D, no zelda shading for star trek characters, unless you are looking for the spiderman 3D animation 2D style in 3D?
also with current 3D like The Nine movie you get relistic look texture with a lot of detail which is good for us people with widescreen big size tv sets these days, 16 9 or 16 10 looks better than 4 by 3 size video on a 16 9 tv.
texture 3D in avitar or transformers texture of metal , star ships which need in 3D, they need to put good modeling and good texture creation work into making a 3D star trek , which in fact, they may just not be up to the task of doing so, maybe they can’t find anymore 3D animation artist who can do old style star trek humans in realistic skin and models, which would look real what you think on that , Trekies??
robot voices of the orignal dead actors would also be need or someone who sounds a lot likes bones, and that enginering crew etc.. , but the rest of them they could either get the old team back for a 3D show, the ones still alive, or people like from star trek new voyages to do their voices maybe.of course robots voices of the first crew of the enterprise would be the cheap was to go since then they don’t have to pay the voice actors anything since robots don’t ask for money…… right?/