JJ Abrams to Direct Star Trek: Excelsior Starring George Takei as Capt. Sulu + Cameron Mackintosh Announces Star Trek: The Musical [April Fools]] April 1, 2012
by Kayla Iacovino , Filed under: Humor , trackback
It is a big news day today for Star Trek with two major production announcements. First, it was announced this morning that George Takei will star as Captain Sulu in the next Abrams-directed Star Trek film, Star Trek: Excelsior, with Roberto Orci penning the screenplay. Not too long after that news broke, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, noted theatre producer, announced that he would be adapting Trek for the stage in his production of Star Trek: The Musical.
April Fool’s!
Yep, it’s April 1st and that means that Trek-related pranks are bouncing around the internet. We’ll keep this post updated throughout the day, so email tips [at] trekmovie [dot] com if you see a prank that we haven’t listed!
Abrams’ Star Trek: Excelsior to Star George Takei, Gilbert Gottfried, and Lisa Lampanelli
George Takei “announced” today on his Facebook page that he was excited about the new project. Here’s Takei’s “press release” below:
Friends, I’m thrilled to share this news with you today. As announced at Emerald City Comicon, where I’m appearing this weekend, Paramount Pictures has green-lit a new Star Trek Movie entitled “Excelsior” in which I will play the captain. This announcement is part of Paramount Studio’s 100th-year anniversary campaign. The studio has acknowledged the fan enthusiasm for this concept ever since I appeared in command of the vessel in “The Undiscovered Country.” J.J. Abrams will direct, with Robert Orci again writing the screenplay.
My co-star in Allegiance, Paulo Montalban, has been cast opposite me to play the mercurial “Agha,” the grandson of Khan (played by Ricardo Montalban in the Second Star Trek Movie). Also featured are Gilbert Gottfried (playing a wily Ferengi First Officer) and Lisa Lampanelli (as a Bajoran security officer).
More to come on this breaking story soon. Thanks again for the years of support, and I’ll see you on the Bridge of “Excelsior.”
Simon Pegg Announces Star Trek: The Musical on Twitter
Simon Pegg played a very obvious April Fool’s joke on his Twitter feed today, when he said that Cameron Mackintosh had announced the production of Star Trek: The Musical.
Simon Pegg tweets about new Star Trek stage musical
Not a Joke: Think Geek Offers New Trek Toys, For Real!
ThinkGeek.com, a web store that carries a lot of Trek merchandise, is known for their April Fool’s pranks. Some of their more famous pranks in past years include Canned Unicorn Meat and the Pet Petter (a machine that pets your pets for you). This year was no exception, but the website also released two Star Trek items today that are 100% real: The Star Trek Inflatable Captain’s Chair for kids and a contest to win an authentic Tricorder and $1000 ThinkGeek shopping spree. Both of these items are very real, and their authenticity has been confirmed by reps over at ThinkGeek HQ:
Yep [the Star Trek items are] 100% legit. And, we’re not trying to hide it so feel free to make it clear that they’re for real. The rest, not so much
Don’t believe us? Go and add the Captain’s Chair to your shopping cart at ThinkGeek.com, and you’ll be greeted with a message that says “We’re not foolin. This one is real!”
REAL new Trek product at Think Geek (not a prank!)
Also, enter to win a Tricorder and $1000 shopping spree at ThinkGeek.com
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Comments
Ha!
nice the chair that it is there going to be a grown up on
I knew before looking, none of that was true. Funny though.
Amazing news. Finally an excelsior movie. Been rumours regarding the script for a fare few years. Guessing this is going to be produces after star trek 2 next year.
I used a phaser for my circumcision procedure.
5. Wow.
Just for a millisecond you had me!
Nice one!
My God, that’s a big ship.
“Not so big as the captains willy I think”! (mr Scott )
You suck! Had me going. Was totally oblivious to the fact that it’s April first. I for one would love a Star Trek: Excelsior, but a tv show would be the way to go. How about an Abrams Excelsior web series?
If you’re going to try and fool people, at least make the lie plausible.
Would a real leather TOS Captain’s chair instead of an inflatable one be too Geeky? LOL.
I so wish this were true. I got up this morning and got on FB for the first time in a month and say GT’s post and was like “holy crap it’s really gonna happen” Then I realized it was April 1st.. “dammit all to hell” lol
Cool! every new movie we will have one TOS actor come back and help the new crew out!
I say a better April Fools Day joke would have been announcing the bad guys in the sequel would be the Tribbles.
12. Craiger – April 1, 2012
“Would a real leather TOS Captain’s chair instead of an inflatable one be too Geeky?”
Not if it’s covered in fine Corinthian leather and has lights, speakers and toggle switches on the armrest.
I don’t think the joke about the Captain Sulu series was funny! Fans, like myself, have wanted to see the Captain Sulu/Excelsior series for years. Instead, all we got was the crappy DS9 and Voyager.
While I will cut some slack on some levels concerning Enterprise, it still would have been great to have seen a Star trek series about Sulu and the crew of the Starship Excelsior.
Not funny, whoever came up with that April Fools prank!
Instantly I thought April Fools prank.
Loving that captain’s chair.
I think if anything I’d LOVE to see a new TV series based on the crew of the USS Kelvin and the adventures of Captain Robau and First Officer George Kirk.
@17 I assume that was an Aprils Fools response? I mean, you can’t actually believe that could ever happen in a million years at this point in the franchises history.
moveon.org
Lol.
Best April Fool’s Day ever! Best two April Fool jokes ever! Best actual chair ever! Happy April Fool’s Day, everyone!
And if Anthony and Kayla had wheels, they’d be wagons
Damn You, George Takei! ;-)
Wanted to post this tomorrow considering today is April fools but I could hardly sleep last night.
Believe it, or not. This ones up to you.
A friend who has since passed wrote a story nearly 25 years ago, and due to my friends condition (grade 4 Astral tumor in the brain) this story ended up in the hands of Harve Bennet. The story, that was actually pitched to Gene Rodenberry was actually given serious consideration. Then rather than canned, it was actually shelved.
Now, I get word from my friends wife that this story may be the premise to a secret Star Trek project that is currently in the early stages of pre production. Out of the blue she was payed for the 25 yo story, and asked to sign a non disclosure waiver.
Fortunately, I am well aware of the story, and will share it’s basic premise.
Star Trek: Multiverse (Or so it was called) Was a story of a mobile Starbase that was scrapped, then subsequently used as the framework for a massive starship/weapons platform to combat an intergalactic threat. Subsequently this “starship (due to it’s state of the art, and controversial technologies) becomes a threat to the balance of power in the region, and the Federations decides to use the vessel as a “colony ship” that will leave the galaxy to explore Andromeda.”
In a sub plot, Starfleet has been communicating with a mysterious world in the Andromeda galaxy and a mutual, vested interest is forged between our two intergalactic worlds.
What makes the premise unique is that this ship will have to travel over 300 years to get there. And although it is believed that the area of space that lies between galaxies is “nearly” void of stars- this new starship will discover that this is far from the facts. Not only is the Multiverse teeming with life- but some of our simple laws of physics that we rely on do not exist, and are replaced with new laws making this truly a new area of danger, and discovery in the final frontier.
You heard it here first.
Live long, and prosper…
Obviously fake, since we know there weren’t any Ferengi Starfleet officers until ~80 years after we last saw Captain Sulu. ;)
@24: Starts out interesting, but what’s the role of Enterprise? Happy April Fools, and thanks for playing:)
The ship was actually called the “Stellar Storm”
Nice to see you back, Kayla! Where have you been, girl? The headling ‘got me’ for a second. Or two. : ) I was thinking, WTF?!
Hah hah! Nice!
If my wife didn’t follow George Takei on facebook? I’d have ALMOST fallen for it….
As Soran (in Generations) would say, “Nice try….”
;-P
I wonder how many would actually go see a Star Trek musical? :)
Ha ha…..
@31. Hey, there’s always Spider-Man, the Musical.
Script almost done!
Bastards got me!
It was April Fools Day yesterday in this part of the world so I had completely forgotten all about the bloody thing.
The ol’ grey matter soon kicked in after a few seconds though….honest!
:)
@33. Good job, Bob. Keachick will be expecting a cast photo in short order.
Oviously fake, since we all know George Takei has been whining about not being able to do a Sulu series for the past fifteen or so years!
I’m sorry, but Sulu was never an interesting enough character to carry a show, and George Takei isn’t a very good actor, either.
#11.
Agreed!
#17.
Well a Sulu series would have been on par in terms of quality with “Voyager”. It would have been merely okay. “Deep Space Nine” was a great show, I don’t know why you called it “crappy”.
@33
LOL!
:)
Oviously=OBVIOUSLY
Damn typos!
Breking news. I have learned through sources that Harry Ballz has gone out on a date with Erica Durance and the two have become a couple.
I just heard. Bob Orci is the Main Villian in Star Trek 12.
“33. Boborci – April 1, 2012 Script almost done!”
Let me guess, you, Lindelof and Kurtzman are at an LA hotel finishing the Takei-Trek script this weekend, and the movie will out within a year, right? LOL
#39.
Not sure that Harry is into beastiality. I hope not, anyway. :-D
I heard that there is a new Star Trek TV series called Star Trek: Titans starring Riker, Troi, Dax, 7 of 9, Worf, Tuvok, O’Brien, and EMH doctor. Created by Shawn Lemke.
Didn’t buy it for one nanosecond!
Didn’t see the “J.J. Abrams” part of the headline at first so I figured George was taking center stage in another fan film… :p
LOL #40 Couldn’t necessarily see him as a bad guy, but Bob should make a cameo in the movie- :-D
@46: I heard his cameo is going to be on the couch at a house party. Or as a Targ.
The movie will be shot in 4D! The rest of the cast will be played by Andy Serkis!
4D? Nah, they are just going to go for broke and shoot it in the full 10 spacetime dimensions (according to superstring theory).
Thatnks for getting my Star Trek: Excelsior hopes up, damnit! I HATE April fools day!!!!!
como estas hoy Roberto…like this is ever going to happen …just like they were going to do a titan series. watching star trek:11 on fx channel right now.
and the world is going to end on december 12st of this year ..ok well i’m not amused….
@47
wouldn’t need much make-up to be a targ! ;)
of course, I keeeeeeeeeeeeeed, as they say
Peace out brother Orci and the entire Trekdom
#11. Harry Ballz… yep… LOL…
….. they were just fools… not april fool’s……;-) :-)
When I see the beginning of that movie I do think a show with Sulu and his own ship would’ve been cool. He was a good Captain. Maybe the best acting also I ever saw Takei do. No foolin’.
39+42.
Me and Durance a couple?
Well, here comes my dinner again!
RALPHHH!!!
Oh My!
#33 – Thattaboy… pics please. I want proof…:)
I have also heard that Shatner will make an appearance… in dream sequence.
Until I read April Fools’ I was genuinely excited for the Excelsior series. Damn you, Trekmovie, for getting my hopes up. :P
yesterday i have found a story in the internet that says, william shatner will be cgi – changed in the new movie as the young kirk in the background, kissing a young woman. ;)
Gilbert Gottfried as a Ferengi is a horrible, fantastic idea.
You got me. At least it didn’t cost me any money. Electronic Gaming Monthly used to do an Aprils Fool joke. One year, they ran a story where the game Dead or Alive: Xtreme Beach Volleyball was supposed to have a topless code. Wen out and bought the game. April’s Fools.
BTW, Happy Birthday Bob Orci!
#62
Dam talk about blue eyes and blue joystick
Happy Birthday Bob!
I hope it was a good one.
Lisa Lampanelli could be the new 7 of 9
yea, and if my grandmother had wheels she’d be a wagon.
Is it just my eyes or is Paramount really going to make two Star Trek movies?
Bob, Happy Birthday!
#30 Your wife must be on first name terms with Takei by now then? Does he ever get his follower over for lunch?
Eh, kinda so-so. A good April Fool’s gag story should be a little outrageous, but with a sliver of plausibility, just so it could get people going. When I saw the headline, it took about a second to realize this wasn’t real.
Now if only that chair could support my weight of about 160 pounds…
72 – 160 lbs.?
HA! My Shatneresque butt alone weighs that much.
I am surprised someone hasnt attempted to do an excelsior fan series yet.
Excelsior – also known as the show that should’ve been made instead of Star Trek Dowager. Sorry, I meant Voyager.
I was in search of a good entertaining blog, finally i came to your blog and it’s quit interesting blog. I love to come here again.
36
He is still the best Sulu as he is the original.
Takei is good and a very friendly man in real life. At the Vegas con he took his time to greet his fans.
Welcome, musicartist. If you’re brave, check out the Chat, at the top right of every page.
Mostly, we’re polite. But, make sure you’ve had your shots.
son of a bitch i was so exicted till i saw the second paragraph!!!
NOT FUNNY yet VERY FUNNY lol
is thre musical real. Oooh I love a good musical
My wife saw the Star Trek: Excelsior on Facebook and asked me, “Does this look like a joke?” I said, “yes.” Too many clues stating it was a joke.
April fool’s really is the worst.
75. Dowager. Nice.
But what if I don’t want it to be a joke?
b@$t@rd$
I’d bet it would be a hell of lot better than Nemesis or Insurrection.
I think the fact it was filed under “Humor” was a bit of a giveaway. To me anyway.
Sorry, nice try! But not fooled for a picosecond…
We’re gonna need a bigger chair…
If we can find a way to put a red alert klaxon sound for the arms of the chair…. but they do need a bigger size for an adult.
April Fools only lasts until Noon of the day.
April’s Fool is the day we’re reminded that the Internet is run by a bunch of 20-somethings.
I’d bet my bottom dollar that if Takei had gotten his own show, he’d demand that Sulu speak the line “Oh, my” several times per episodes.
@33 Bob O. Best laugh I’ve had all day…thanks
all my best
33. boborci
You mean you’ve finished incorporating all of Quinto’s input into the script?
I would have loved to see an Excelsior series at one time. One of the highlights of Voyager (and there weren’t many, beyond Seven of Nine) was Sulu’s appearance. The ship looked great, Takei was in fine form, and I thought the episode was extra ironic, showing what should have been during an episode of what shouldn’t have been.
But that’s just me.
JJ’ll be pissed this leaked out about “Excelsior”. You know how he is about secrecy. More security barriers!
OK! OK! Now that it’s officially April 3, 2012 at 1256 HOURS … Was it really an April Fool’s prank? Come on, You Can Tell Us! See you at 13:30 HOURS SHARP! Scotty, 1 to Beam Up! We got some Borg Ass to Kick!
I agree that it wasn’t funny — but I did appreciate it nonetheless. Seriously, a Capt. Sulu series would be sikk!! They should ABSOLUTELY make it happen, for the fans even if for no one else, even unofficially. You’ve gotta admit, he was killer in ST:VI!
It’s a praaaaaaaank. Practical joke. Humor.
Hmmmmm, 100 posts about………NUTHIN’!!
oh Georgey
Hopefully they see the reaction to the prank and actually consider it. The adventures of Captain Sulu have long been popular in fan fiction. And George Takei is like the official 5th best thing in the world or something (between cake and oral sex)
Lisa lampanelli?!??? Seriously? The rude woman on the apprentice?!!?? I hope she gets killed off right away.
I keep asking myself, Why didn’t Abrams hire Mike Okuda to check his continuity? Or anybody for that matter, that was actually familiar with the canon. It was a big budget movie and they couldn’t hire a consultant to tighten up the plot for the trekies.
I think behind the scenes Abrams and the other higher up folks at Paramount had a good laugh at the trekies, by not bothering to deal with the continuity errors. I just don’t undertsand how all this happened, especially in an age when directors release “special directors cut” editions with all the nerdy stuff (like Watchmen for example). Trekies didn’t even get that bone thrown to them.
However with all this, I was thinking that we should just consider the Abrams Star Trek the “Mirror Universe” told as revisionist history. Once the Abrams version is no longer “Hot Stuff” hopefully a writer knowledgeable about “canon” can come along and upend the whole story and say, “well, that was the Mirror Universe and nobody told you so at the time”. BTY, I was influenced to this idea on another board.
My point is, we should just accept this universe to be the mirror universe of the Terran Empire. It makes all the continuity issues more tolerable:
1) This would explain why the USS Relativity doesn’t show up to fix the timeline. Because it’s the mirror universe and the future Federation doesn’t care about what happens in the Mirror Universe timeline.
2) This would explain why there is no George Samuel Kirk. The Mirror Kirk may not have had a brother in the Mirror Universe, so he is essentially George, but is named Jim due to the destruction of the USS Kelvin and early death of his father Lt Kirk. It also explains why he is such a trouble maker without conscience, unlike the original Captain Kirk. Mirror Kirks background was never discussed, so to a certain degree anything goes.
4) This would also explain why Uhura and Spock have a relationship. This Mirror Spock doesn’t care about his bond with T’pring and with the destruction of Vulcan she dies anyway. Not the best explanation in the world, but its better than just outright ignoring the Amok Time episode.
3) Why does Pike not get court martialed for doing such a poor job defending the planet Vulcan and directing the Federation fleet? Because he is an officer of the Terran Empire, not the Federation. To some degree the Terran Empire doesn’t care otherwise, whether Vulcan survives or not. Since the Romulan Empire is independent in the Mirror Universe, the issue of defeating a new powerful Romulan Ship is a more pressing matter than saving Vulcan.
4) It would also explain why the USS Kelvin looks so weird. The design of the Kelvin that we see in the Abrams film could have been influenced by the appearance of the more advanced Constitution class USS Defiant, which appeared in Tholian space during the time of Captain Archer from the Terran Empire, not the Federation. This could explain the earlier diversion of the timeline that precedes Nero and Narada and makes everything so radically different (i.e. technology differences, earlier ecounters with the Cardassians and the existance of nokia)
I think it will be cake for writers to retcon this version of Star Trek in the future. If the Tholians could open a gateway into an alternate future universe, then the Red stuff that Spock was using could do the same effect into the past. In fact this timeline could be an attempt by the Terran Slave resistance to keep the Terran Empire from losing power to the Alliance with the assistance by maniputating the time line in the Mirror Universe behind the scenes.