Sticky 3: Into Darkness Opening USA/Canada Weekend

No things are really cooking, the previews, the galas, the early country dubuts are all behind…today is the first day of the first domestic weekend for Star Trek Into Darkness.

TrekMovie.com has already posted a review and now it is your chance. TrekMovie has created a new fan reviews page for Into Darkness.

POLLS

Here are our current polls for those who have seen Into Darkness, including a new one about Benedict Cumberbatch’s John Harrison (OK this is a spoiler page…on Cumberbatch’s KHAN!)

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

DISCUSS STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS (WITH ANY SPOILERS)

Below chat about the movie, including discussing any spoilers.

WARNING: This open thread is for people who have seen the movie. If you haven’t seen the movie you really shouldn’t be reading this as you are sure to get spoiled.

Previous Into Darkness Spoiler Discussion Threads

May 15 – Domestic Fan Sneak Open Day

May 8 – Early Countries Open Day

JJ Abrams

Saving the best of the junket videos for last, here is my exclusive interview with Star Trek Into Darkness producer/director JJ Abrams.

Transcript

TrekMovie: Would you say it is a fair comment to say you brought a little bit of Star Wars to Star Trek?

JJ Abrams: Yeah. I think you can look at it that way and say the action, some of the more dynamic visceral stuff, was influenced by movies that I have loved including Star Wars. But I wouldn’t say it was literally a conscious decision, with the exception of maybe having some white walls and black shiny floors in some scenes. But for me the Star Wars and Star Trek universes are still pretty disparate.

TrekMovie: Can you see yourself brining something from Star Trek into Star Wars? What is something you learned from Star Trek that you think Star Wars can benefit from?

JJ Abrams: The experience of doing Star Trek was such an education. I am still realizing what I have learned from it and will continue to. I certainly feel like the scope and scale of something like Star Trek which is so epic, so huge, that you realize in terms of scale that establishing shots can’t be a building or a town or a continent, it has to be a planet. It’s almost like being in Las Vegas and you say "I’m just going to walk over to that hotel" and half an hour later you are still walking towards it "I’m not getting any closer, it is still far away!" There is a weird thing that happens with the scale of a movie like this. But I will tell you working with the actors, the crew, the visual effects people–I learned countless lessons and hope to take all of those into the next project.  

TrekMovie: [fan submitted question from 14-year old Malle from France] Are you happy that young people like me have become Star Trek fans thanks to you and the actors?

JJ Abrams: I will fist say that is an incredibly sweet question. I am of course thrilled that because of what we have all done and it is certainly a testament to the actors who bring these characters to life yet again. The idea that there are people young or old who were never really Star Trek fans who checked this out and connect to it and feel its that thing you might have felt when you were a kid and you saw Star Trek and you were like "oh my god! That is cool. That inspires me." I always know there will always be those people who will be somehow offended by the fact that we started to work on something that they love so dearly and anything we do is somehow sacrilege. But I will say to people like [Malle], I am more grateful to them than I think they are to us.

TrekMovie: So it is confirmed that you are definitely producing [the next Star Trek movie]?

JJ Abrams: I would be producing it if one were to exist.

TrekMovie: Let’s assume it. [Paramount vice-chairman] Rob Moore said they definitely want to do another one. If that happens, do you feel that 2016 is the right time because of the 50th anniversary? Or does that conflict with a 2015 Star Wars movie? Are you that far into thinking about it?

JJ Abrams: Despite reports of what Rob Moore said, there have been no formal discussions about a third film. What I would say is that it feels like 2016 would be a great year given the celebration of the anniversary. But again I am open to whatever is the best possible version of the movie. Meaning if there is a great script and the story is there and it’s possible to release that movie in 2015, then great. If we don’t figure it out until a release for 2017–we don’t want a bad movie to come out just because there is a release date. That is true with everything. I would hope the right movie would come out in the right time.

TrekMovie: Well then with simple logistics, if you do a Star Wars movie in 2015 and they want 2106, is it logistically possible? You said to Playboy it is possible you might direct the next Star Trek?  Doing the math, how can you possibly do that?

JJ Abrams: If they want in that period of time and if Star Wars goes forward as planned, it would obviously be a conflict. It depends when this movie would happen. And again as no formal discussions have started it is impossible to know.  But in all likelihood if there is a movie sooner, there will be a different director on the film. It would be something we would all get together and agree on. We love this and care about it too much and want to make sure it is handled correctly. But I would say that having directed pilots and movies and then having seen subsequent directors work on those shows or do their own versions of those films – time and again I have seen it done better. And so I’m looking forward–if there is another director–it will be interesting to see. I am certain I will learn lessons watching their work.

More exclusive TrekMovie.com interviews

This is the final TrekMovie.com exclusive juket interview. Watch the others…

• Karl Urban and Simon Pegg

• Zachary Quinto and Chris Pine

• Alice Eve

• Zoe Saldana

Stay tuned for more exclusive Star Trek Into Darkness interviews from the Hollywood premiere Karl Urban, Bob Orci/Alex Kurtzman, Neville Page, Roger Guyett, Michael Giacchino, and even JJ Abrams again (briefly). Plus we have text interviews talking spoilers with Damon Lindelof and Orci again (but those have spoilers so have to wait to week after release). 

Chambliss shares behind the scenes look at Into Darkness

Scott Chambliss has updated his official website with a portfolio of 66 images from Star Trek Into Darkness. Some are previously released publicity images, but most are new images of either design sketches or behind the scenes shots of locations. Here are some of the highlights.

Sketches/models of the USS Vengeance (exterior and interior)

Exterior design render/sketches of San Francisco and Kronos

Mudd’s civilian ship and San Francisco Barge

Designs for Nibiru planet

Enterprise sets (including new Warp Core)

Much more at scottchambliss.com.

Saldana not ready for Spock and Uhura to settle down

It was late in the day when I sat down with Zach and Chris and you can see it at the beginning where they were cooling themselves with bags of ice. But regardless of the junket fatigue we pressed on. Watch it below.

Highlights

Zoe Saldana on how she got Uhura a fight scene for Into Darkness…

At first it felt like it was a personal mission for me – a personal desire. And then as the years kept going I kept thinking that it would feel like a natural evolution for Uhura. Yes, she is part of Starfleet and graduated from the acadmey as a xeno-linguist, but to work in a military kind of profession you would have to be trained with some kind of military form of defense. At some point you are going to be used because all the boys are busy. I don’t know if I did this on purpose–trying to find reasons to justify my cause, but I did. And I know deep down that JJ And Damon and Alex and Bob felt that it would be great for her to do and I was happy. 

As for the next movie, Saldana wasn’t sure what she wanted (except for one thing)

I don’t know where I would want to see Uhura. Definitely not married!…She has things she has to accomplish first.  

But what about dealing with Spock’s Pon Farr? While Saldana didn’t know the name for the Vulcan 7-year mating drive, she was familiar with the concept.

A baby? On the Enterprise? Oh my god no! Not yet. Maybe by Star Trek 4 or 5 we can have a couple of Vulcans.

Saldana also talked about if she would like to see her Uhura become more like the classic TOS Uhura [Question from Craig of Columbus, OH]…

No. I hope not. Right now women are taking–having more participation and task-making. So I would assume that in our future, given our society today, their version of the Star Trek in the future–and I think it is a wonderful contribution to the franchise–is for women to have a more significant participation than just looking beautiful.

Saldana also said that speaking Klingon in Into Darkness was harder than speaking Navi in Avatar, explaining…

The pronunciation required a lot more effort [for Klingon]. It was a very deep tone that I discovered as I was learning it.

As for the next Avatar movie, Saldana said she expected to start shooting the sequel "early next year." She aslo confirmed that she would be in the new Marvel film Guardians of the Galaxy (playing the alien Gamora) [see previous TrekMovie article], but said she was just starting the process for that film including fitings but she was "just as excited but also just as curious" as everyone else over it.

Saldana Debuts New a+ Digital Magazine – win iPad Mini Signed By Zoe

Zoe Saldana has a cover story feature for a+, the new entertainment magazine experience covering music, film, fashion & style exclusively available on iPad and iPhone. The new digital magazine (from former GIANT Magazine editor-in-chief Smokey Fontaine) is full of videos, portfolios & celebrity interviews crafted specifically for the digital platform, not "optimized" to fit.

Zoe Saldana is the cover feature for new a+ iPad/iPhone Magazine

To celebrate the launch of the inaugural issue of a+, the magazine has partnered with TrekMovie to give away a free iPad Mini with a custom case signed by Zoe Saldana.

You can win this Zoe Saldana-signed iPad Mini

TrekMovie.com and a+ Magazine will be giving away the iPad Mini via @TrekMovie Twitter on Friday. Some time around noon Pacific Time on Friday TrekMovie will post a Saldana-related trivia question. The winner will be chosen randomly from one of the correct responses (North American residents only).  

You can get a+ magazine on iTunes. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

More Junket videos

Stay tuned for more exclusive junket videos over the next few days.

Previously released:

• Karl Urban and Simon Pegg

• Zachary Quinto and Chris Pine

• Alice Eve

INTO DARKNESS CELEBS TALK SHOW ROUNDUP #3

Here is the latest set of clips of Star Trek Into Darkness celebs doing the talk show circuit.

Abrams gets pitched by Shatner for Kirk in Star Wars
(Jimmy Kimmel Live – ABC)

Chris Pine reveals he cries at movies
(Ellen)

Zachary Quinto Talks About Being Snubbed By Beyonce
(Chelsea Lately)

Saldana talks ‘bickering’ Spock/Uhura + going topless for Allure
(Today Show)

DVR Alerts Tonight & Friday

More Thursday and Friday appearances.

• Thursday: Quinto on Conan – TBS

• Friday: Saldana on Today Show again – NBC (10am hour)

• Friday: Alice Eve on Jimmy Kimmel Live – ABC

• Friday: Saldana on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon – NBC

Into Darkness Opens As Best Reviewed Wide Release Of 2013

UPDATED: Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes currently rates Star Trek into Darkness as 87% fresh, based on 181 reviews. The rating has fluctuated a bit in the last few days, but 87% is the same rating the film had on May 8th when we reported the last summary (based on only 37 reviews, mostly from UK and Australia). At 88%, Into Darkness is the top ranked wide release of 2013 so far, beating out films like Iron Man 3 (78%), The Great Gatsby (49%), and Pain and Gain (47%) - currently ranked 1, 2 and 3 respectively in the US. Into Darkness is also ranking ahead of the early reviews for Fast and Furious 6 (open next weekend), which is currently tracking at 81%.

However, Into Darkness is ranking behind the 2009 Star Trek movie which had a 95% fresh rating. The story is the same with the Metacritic aggregator site, ranking Star Trek Into Darkness at 73, compared to Iron Man 3 at 62; The Great Gatsby at 55; and Pain and Gain at 43. Metacritic scored the 2009 Star Trek at 83.

So to summarize the scoring, Into Darkness is ranking very well (especially vs. its 2013 competition), but not as well as the 2009 Star Trek film.

Praise from big US reviewers

Here is what some of the top reviewers from America are saying about Star Trek Into Darkness…

”It’s a knockout. Trekkers won’t be alone in cheering.”

- Peter Travers RollingStone

"it bombarded me into happiness.”

- Scott Edelstein, CBS

”’Star Trek Into Darkness,’ directed by J. J. Abrams, is a great thundering cudgel of a movie, set to stun.”

- Anthony Lane, NewYorker

"Into Darkness is a sleek, thrilling epic that’s also a triumphantly witty popcorn morality play. It’s everything you could want in a Star Trek movie.”

- Owen Gleiberman, EW

”The summer blockbuster season has only just begun, but any of the upcoming releases will be hard-pressed to surpass the detail, excitement to sheer adventure of ‘Star Trek Into Darkness.’”

- Justin Craig  Fox

"Spectacular special effects, superbly crafted action sequences, plenty of humor and terrific performances render it a cut above most summer blockbusters.”

- 3.5 stars. Claudia Puig, USAToday

"Star Trek Into Darkness’ does everything “Iron Man 3″ tries to do, in the realm of global terrorism imagery reprocessed for popcorn kicks, but with a little more style, a dash more brio and invention.”

- 3.5 stars. Michael Phillips,  ChicagoTribune

"When ‘Darkness’ goes for the heart, it lands beautifully.”

- 4/5 stars. Greg Evans Bloomberg

”So intensely personal does it become, you may find yourself moved in unexpected ways. In this way, ‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ really does boldly go where no man has gone before.”

- 3.5 stars. Betsy Sharkey LATimes

Some reviewers were left with mixed feelings

Of course, it isn’t all praise for Into Darkness. Some of the top US critics were less impressed with JJ Abrams’ second Trek feature and had mixed feelings about the film. Here are some examples…

”’Into Darkness’ does a fine job of carrying a venerable franchise into a flashy, splashy new millennium. It’s slightly empty at its core, but that’s a complaint that only a few old-guard fans are likely to make. The needs of the many must prevail.”

- 3 stars. Rafer Guzman Newsday Newsday

”The nervy reboot of the “Star Trek” franchise by action impresario J.J. Abrams can be summed up, quite simply, as a triumph of casting.”

- 3/5 stars. Ann Hornaday Washington Post WashingtonPost

“With its emphasis on its hero’s adolescent anger, the movie turns this venerable science-fiction series — one that prided itself on addressing complex issues in a nuanced and mature fashion — into its own kids’ version: Star Trek Tiny Toons. At times, the viewer is almost prodded to mutter, ‘Grow up!’”

- Richard Corliss, Time

…and some top critics just aren’t into Into Darkness

Here are some excerpts from top reviewers who panned Into Darkness…

”It’s also an excessively derivative what-if rehash of themes and interactions that came before, most of the characters lesser copies and even caricatures of the originals. The scenario’s been hijacked and rejiggered from better “Trek” plots of decades ago, the best verbal exchanges lifted nearly verbatim from past adventures.”

- 2/5 stars. David Germain, HuffingtonPost

“’Star Trek Into Darkness’” does not quite stand by itself as a satisfying movie, but then again it doesn’t need to. It is the leg of a journey that has, remarkably, lasted for nearly half a century. I hope we never tire of Kirk, Spock and the others. I also hope that they stick around long enough to find a new civilization, since the one we have now does not fully appreciate their gifts.”

- A.O. Scott, NYT

$100M+ Domestic Weekend?

Previously TrekMovie has reported how Hollywood insiders were predicting Into Darkness to bring in $75M-$80M for its opening domestic weekend. Now that Paramount extended its release one day, Box Office Mojo reports that Paramount is upping their forecast to $100M for the opening (including Wednesday fan sneaks and Thursday screenings). Paramount has already reported $3.3M from Wednesday night’s IMAX fan sneaks and midnight showings.

And the box office prognosticators are even more optimistic. Mojo’s own forecast is predicting $117M for the four day opening. BoxOffice.com is predicting $112M for the same period.

Into Darkness 80% of Fandango Sales – Tops in ‘Fanticipation’

Earlier in the week we reported that Into Darkness was accounting for 71% of ticket sales at Fandango, now the ticketing service tells TrekMovie that the new Trek feature represents 80% of Thursday’s sales, with showtimes for this weekend selling out across the country.

Into Darkness also garnered a 96 out of 100 score on the company’s "Fanticipation" movie buzz indicator that measures fan sentiment around the weekend box office line-up. Into Darkness outshone Iron Man 3 and The Great Gatsby, which are still top-of-mind with moviegoers, scoring 85 and 83, respectively. Fanticipation scores are calculated based a proprietary analysis of Fandango’s advance ticket sales, website and mobile traffic, and social media engagement.

Eve Reveals Deleted Scene Explaining Accent In Her TrekMovie.com Interview

It was late in the day when I sat down with Zach and Chris and you can see it at the beginning where they were cooling themselves with bags of ice. But regardless of the junket fatigue we pressed on. Watch it below.

Highlights

Alice Eve explained that before taking on her role she was a fan but now she is even more of a fan…

If there was a such a thing as a moderate Trekkie, I liked it, but now I am a full-blown Trekkie. 

[Eve later flashed a Vulcan salute and called those who don't know how to do it properly "idiots"]

The actress also talked about what she knew about the role before she agreed to the film

I didn’t know it was Carol Marcus…I got a sense of the journey of the character that [JJ] wanted was a girl who was struggling with her relationship with her father…[when found out later] I was happy it was [Carol Marcus] because she was played by a more mature actress and she was in a different place in her journey and it gave me room to do a different place in her journey. 

Eve also revealed [answer a question submitted by fan Gary from Liverpool] that there was "ample discussion" of her using her regular British accent (as opposed to the original American accent), and there was even a scene that explained it.

There was a scene that was cut out of the movie where I explain to Kirk that I was raised in England by mother and my father – who is played by Peter Weller who was American – and that is why I had a different accent. But the movie moves at a pace and that scene was too slow

Digging deeper, she also explained why they chose the British accent (as she has done American accents before)…

The association sometimes is that English people are more intelligent than Americans. Of course it isn’t true, but I think we decided to play into that stereotype…because she is such a super-brain.

Regarding returning for the next Star Trek, Eve revealed there haven’t been any specific talks yet.

There have been no official talks about [her returning for next Star Trek film]. I guess Paramount and Bad Robot have to see how this film is recieved and from there we will go forward – so like it! See it! Love it!

We also talked about how the romantic elements of Marcus and Kirk were only hinted at for this film, and how she was happy about that…

I really enjoyed the character I got to play. She was really determined woman in her right dealing with her own struggles. The relationship with Kirk was one she took great support from, but wasn’t definitive for her. And I like it when women aren’t defined by the males they are relating to.

More Junket videos

Stay tuned for more exclusive junket videos over the next few days.

Previously released:

• Karl Urban and Simon Pegg

• Zachary Quinto and Chris Pine

Into Darkness and the ISS

In this live Google+ Hangout, NASA astronauts connect with “STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS” writer and producer Damon Lindelof, and stars Chris Pine, John Cho and Alice Eve to discuss the emerging intersection between the fiction of Star Trek and the reality of NASA’s current programs. Watch live event below. (you can scroll back the video to watch from the beginning).

Pine and Quinto talk Shatner and Nimoy and more with TrekMovie.com

It was late in the day when I sat down with Zach and Chris and you can see it at the beginning where they were cooling themselves with bags of ice. But regardless of the junket fatigue we pressed on. Watch it below.

Highlights

Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto talk about ‘moments of Shatner and Nimoy’ in their performances as Kirk and Spock

Quinto: JJ was very clear in wanting us to bring our own perspectives to bear in creating the first film. But I think both of us have such an affinity for the OGs that it would be silly for us not to embrace them in our performances in little tiny bits. And not to spoil anything but there is a nice reconnection of Spock energy in this film which is for me one of my favorite moments.

Pine: Yeah, it is always fun to pepper the performance with nods to what Bill and Leonard did. It is finding those moments that can prove to be really exciting and lends itself to people enjoying it and smiling. There is a lot of humor and a lot of light to all this "Darkness." I also do think for fans they will probably read into more than I conciously put into it, but there are definite nods.

Quinto on how his relationship has grown since 2009 movie

Our relationship took a different turn after the first movie. I was so grateful to have him be involved, but then we just became friends. So our relationships has become something much bigger than our connection to Star Trek and the character of Spock. He has ascended to someone of great importance in my life.

Chris Pine on working with Benedict Cumberbatch (contrasting with his performance):

Benedict is tremendously talented for what he brought to his role – it is completely different than what I bring to bear for Kirk. It is just the definition of who these characters are. There is a scalpel-like precision to Benedict’s John Harrison. A robotic calculation to the violence that he psychologically and physically wields. Kirk is more of a cowboy. His energy is bigger and larger. What I did was watch a wonderful actor work his craft…it was great fun.

Chris on the most important thing he has learned playing Kirk [question submitted by Josephine from Fort Collins, CO]

I like his spirit of the moment. He is a man who lives in the moment. I think there is something to be said for his impulsiveness. It doesn’t work for him all the time and it is part of his running arc in this film certainly – but to hold on to that gut instinct – there is something beautiful and wonderful that speaks to all of us. 

More Junket videos

Stay tuned for more exclusive junket videos over the next few days.

Previously released:

• Karl Urban and Simon Pegg

Secret Starfleet Memorandum on Harrison

The 2009 Star Trek movie had a very elaborate viral campaign and alternative reality  game. For Into Darkness Paramount has made things much simpler, such as hiding the URL to AreYouThe1701.com in the first trailer. That site has mostly been used for fan submitted artwork, contests and a way for Parmount to send out videos. However, after digging around on the site I found something rather interesting.

By typing in /Harrison after the main URL you go to a page that doesn’t have a character video (like those that can be found at /Sulu, /Carol, etc.) but there was a download PDF link to the following "Starfleet Memorandum" all about John Harrison (Benedict Cumberbatch) in Star Trek Into Darkness.

You can see the memorandum below (click images to enlarge), but beware of spoilers.

UPDATE: Paramount hints at Harrison page

On Thursday (the day after this article went live) Paramont sent out an email to people who had registered for the AreYouThe1701 website with the subject "Who Is John Harrison" and an image (below). The email just links to the front page but it appears Paramount is now giving people a clue that there is a hidden /Harrison page.