Abrams: Star Trek True To Roddenberry’s Vision

Director JJ Abrams is now starting the long process of post-production for his Star Trek feature film and he talked to the LA Daily News about project. Abrams noted that “there hadn’t been this kind of action in a `Star Trek’ movie before” but he also went out of his way to talk about how (even though the film is totally ‘new’) it honors Trek’s past…

JJ Abrams on being ‘new’ and honoring Roddenberry’s vision:

(The film) is being true to the vision of our abilities and of what (creator Gene) Roddenberry started. So it’s this very interesting hybrid of honoring its origins and also being something completely brand new.

JJ Abrams on ‘huge’ movie that honors the fans

As a director, my sole mission was to make a movie that was entertaining and emotional and funny and scary and all of the things that I know I want to see when I go to see a movie. It’s a huge adventure. But because we’ve done a lot of work leading up to it, it was already honoring `Trek’ for those very vocal fans.

More at the Daily News

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Gawd, I hope he gets it right!!!!

This should be interesting.

i would hate to see him screw it up and that would be the final death blow to what is already on life support

Well, while I’m still uncertain, I will say that at least if someone is going to do a reboot, at least it’s a person who gets the whole fan mentality. Let’s face it, somewhere down the line, someone would have remade Trek. it’s what Hollywood does these days. Remake and remake.

He isn’t going to screw it up, I have total faith in the team…

KOBAYASHI MARU!!!!!!!

Ive sad it before and I will say it again, He is the right man for the Job, besides we can be happy that this film is not going to be either directed or produced or written by Michale Bay.

What sucks is that we have to wait past the original premiere date to see for ourselves.

Regardless, I have an optimistic feeling about it.

I’ve heard some good things about this film, and some very bad things about this film. Abrams and Co. making vague “we’re staying true to Roddenberry’s ‘vision'” comments doesn’t do anything for me.

This film might be good, but I’m not holding my breath.

#8 yeah its a pain, but its only 4 additional months. I think once the film starts rolling in the theater we will forget all about it, and look foward to the dvd release which should be within 2 or 3 months after the film finishes its run. The film is going to be a blockbuster at the theaters and the dvd might set few records as well.

Star Trek movies have had a good share of action, it will be really interesting to see how amped up the action will be and how grand a scale this movie will be on.

I attended the wrap party last night, and let me just say that you guy’s are in for a real treat!

If this makes the time till may 9th go any faster think of it this way Its only 525,000 plus minute till may 9th, If you break the time done into small enough unites of time , it does tend to go quicker. anyone want to try to break it down into seconds and maybe mili seconds, that might be even more helpful.

It might be a success simply for being a big, loud action movie with lots of effects and girls in mini skirts.

There are so many huge brainless films out there that do really well and fill an evening that there’s room for this one too.

I don’t really see it bombing unless it either baffles the audience with the resetting of the time-phase inducers causing sub-nutrino eminations from another continuum which of COURSE leads to a reversing of the ion flow and so saves the day.

What has to save the day is Kirk ripping his shirt off and cleverly outfoxing Nero. Probably by cleverly using his fists on Nero’s nose.

But if it can be big and brainless, and clever without descending to technobabble it can be successful and good. I’m expecting the former and praying for the latter (and the miniskirts).

mrl, we have movie production people in our midst. How come i wasnt invited to the party, I could have been the official mind reader. I do have a weird job title…

Anyways, true to rodenberry? You mean there always were time travelling vulcans to earths past? Or how about a Korean sulu? Alright sorry new sulu that was a low blow. I dont remember chekov being a part of the oringinal crew.

Now Im not saying its bad, but call it what it is a reboot trying to appease some very fanatical fans. Paramount saw success of batmans reboot and said we have that star trek thing lets get some time travelling romies and a new crew and it can be 90210 meets trek meets hannah montana in space.

Okay Anthony – when I saw your head line I was a bit worried. “GR’s Vision” is what we got in TMP and the first year of TNG and it’s not the same as ” what (creator Gene) Roddenberry started.” If it captures the action & adventure we saw in TOS that’s great.

I’m still going with The Human Adventure instead of The Abrams Adventure.

@3

When I was taking my most-recent mandatory CPR recertification, the trainer told us (we’re not medical or rescue professionals) one thing to calm our nerves about actually putting into practice what we were learning…

“Remember. When you make the decision to initiate CPR, it is because they are technically dead. You can’t make the person more dead than they are, and, there’s not likely to be someone right there who has a better skill set. So, any assistance you give them won’t make things worse, and you have a good chance for making things better.”

That’s this old Trek-fan’s opinion, anyway. Anything JJ does can’t make things any worse, in reality, IMHO … And, he has a good chance — with a large budget, a script that Mr. Nimoy was sufficiently impressed with to once-again don the ears, and sufficient ‘slack’ from the suits to give plenty of time for production and post-production — to make things better than they currently stand.

“So it’s this very interesting hybrid of honoring its origins and also being something completely brand new”

The ‘completely brand new’ part is what scares me!!!

Good greef…
Who ever wrote this story should have proof read it first before they posted the story.

But, it is good to hear that J.J. is respecting Genes ideals.

#16 “when I saw your head line I was a bit worried. “GR’s Vision” is what we got in TMP and the first year of TNG and it’s not the same as ” what (creator Gene) Roddenberry started.””

Amen to that. If it’s not true to Gene’s vision circa 1966, we’re all in trouble. Gene’s later stuff, while some of it was wildly successful and appealed to whole new faction of “fans”, it also steered away from what made TOS great. Lets hope this movie gets back to the basics.

Show us the bloody ship, please! I can wait an extra 5 months, I just want to know what the rest of the Enterprise looks like!

JJ has Nimoy’s confidence. Good enough for me.

I love Lost and enjoyed MI3 so JJ’s sensibilities sit good with me.

The adventure continues….

I think it’s important to discount statements from the makers until the film is out, and vetted by fans and regular punters.

If it’s a pile of hot crap or a magnum opus, the PR today, a year out, will be the same.

I DON’T KNOW WHY PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE “ACTION” PART…

We’ve all heard by now that TREK XI is supposed to be one of the more (or most) “action-packed” of the TREK films, but why does that make so many people nervous? The greatest TREK film of all time is THE WRATH OF KHAN, and that’s probably got the most intense and emotionally-charged action out of all the TREK films so far.

Let’s not forget that a majority of the TOS episodes had PLENTY of brawling and fisticuffs and FlyIng Shatner Kicks!

And lastly, to anyone who watches “Lost” can attest to, Abrams knows how to oversee and/or produce SMART action set pieces. Abrams is far from being a mindless, jeuvenile Michael Bay-type.

I have complete faith that TREK XI has at least the potential to blow peoples minds and expectations. No worries here.

CPR can’t cause a more dead corpse but how gross is it to be beating on the chest of a dead corpse while making out with it????

I just got the chills when I read the quotes. This is EPIC!

#14- “I don’t really see it bombing unless it either baffles the audience with the resetting of the time-phase inducers causing sub-nutrino eminations from another continuum which of COURSE leads to a reversing of the ion flow and so saves the day.

What has to save the day is Kirk ripping his shirt off and cleverly outfoxing Nero. Probably by cleverly using his fists on Nero’s nose.”

AMEN, BROTHER!!! You pinpointed everything that was wrong with later TREK and everything that was glorious about Classic TREK. I’m tired of the 24th century diplomacy and technobabble. It’s time to get back to the patented 23rd Century James T. Kirk Ass-Kicking!

Re: Roddenberry’s vision, it was the vision of Gene Coon that made TOS the iconic classic that it is.

#28

So you want Nero to be trick by a super-entity Baptist God stand-in to judge humanity that Kirk defeats by shouting at, while holding a space-chick in a space-bikini.

as long as it’s Star Trek…….just gotta hope the characters are convincing…i’d hate to have anyone’s image distorted by this movie…i like Kirk and co. just the way they were…really hoping JJ’s done it right and that the new actors successfully capture their respective characters

#29 No doubt, but it was Genes Idea Originally, he ‘s the great Bird of the Galaxy as it were, Not Gene Coon, Not DC Fontana or anyone else that helped with the building project. Without Genes Roddenberry’s orginal Idea there would be no Terk at all. Lets also consider the fact that he managed to keep a money loosing, low rated science fiction series on the air for 3 years back in the late 60’s. That in of itself is a pretty impressive feat.

#18

I’ve taken a cpr class from the same instructor, I think. But in this case, I don’t think the analogy holds. If Abrams has painful to watch sex with trek’s dead corpse, he is making it worse than dead (believe the word desecration would be apropos). So sometimes (as Fred Gwynne once said,) “Dead is better.”

And yeah, to the later poster, COON was the man who made it happen, and happen in a fun, memorable way. Chemistry of the original actors plus Coon’s magic tough = tos good.

I don’t understand so many people being so damned negatitve about the new trek film . More People aught be excited, and yes grateful that Paramount in it’s wisdom chose the right man for job to save the calcified Train wreck that is the Star Trek series has morphed into. You ll not that other then the fan made series and Books there are no new terk series in th pipe line and I don’t see any in the near or Far future, So please Boo Birds chiil out sit back and enjoy.

Nimoy had confidence in Trek5 too so that doesn’t bolster anything…

#35 no argument on that point. But Abrams track suggests the film will be a really good film. Why not see the film and then decide.

I don’t think realistically there would have been anyone else with his whole team that would have done a better job – no doubt we had the best people available, and we just have to accept it’s a new direction for Trek and almost certainly the only direction it could have gone if Trek were to survive at all. Some of us may not agree with all the changes when the film is finally revealed, but if it’s the great success it seems to be destined for, then Trek, at least, continues. Best of luck to all the team at Bad Robot.

I know when I view this movie opening night I will be jubilant, perhaps even giddy with excitement. The fact the The Big N blessed the film verbally, as well as with his presence, is enough for me. The only thing which niggles at the back of my mind is the rumor about some girl reprogramming the simulator for Kirk, when anyone who understands the complex characterization there knows Kirk would never put anyone in the position of getting in trouble for him. However, I cross my fingers hoping that was a rumor only, and am certain Abrams, Mr. Bob, etc. will present us all with awe-inspiring gift this time next year.

TrekOfficial#35- I do not know where you got that particular information; however, you would do well to read Nimoy’s autobiography I Am Spock to find out his true feelings and thoughts concerning ST: Final Frontier. I will point out one factoid to refute your claim: Nimoy never had confidence in the plotline of that movie, from beginning to end.

If the “self annointed” champion of the “original Star Trek” James Cawley (Star Trek New Voyages), who went on month-after-month spouting the veritable “beware the dark side” concerning this upcoming movie — and at one point even saying…

“…I have No interest in this film now, none at all. This will not be my Star Trek, at least not the one I have enjoyed for all of my 40 years. More power to them, I personally hope this goes the way of the REIMAGINED Planet of The Apes, and Wild, wild, west! because they were such successful movies! One thing is for sure come XMAS 2008 I will have saved $8.00!!!!!!”

(quoted from the Star Trek New Voyages forums http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/forum/index.php?topic=1695.msg24604#msg24604)

Even after a bold stand like this — after one trip to the set of the new movie and he changed his tune. Even without seeing anything more than that, it was a “night-and-day” perspective shift. Was he “seduced by the dark side?”

Wouldn’t that also mean that Nimoy had been likewise “seduced” — and he has read the script in its entirety?

All the nay-sayers really make me laugh with their endless wellsprings of negativity. Sight unseen, they’re ready to prejudge and condemn this movie.

The bright side is that perhaps there will be a few seats available to those who really want to be there to enjoy the movie — but something tells me those same nay-sayers will be crack down in a theater seat opening day even if just for spite.

#15)

Korean Sulu…

You’re so right. To stay true to Roddenberry’s vision JJ should have cast a Canadian as the American starship captain, a Canadian as the Scottish chief engineer, and an American as the Russian navigator.

If this turns out – for whatever reason – to be the last “Star Trek” production it’s clear that it will be a more memorable final chapter than “These Are The Voyages…”

#30 – “So you want Nero to be trick by a super-entity Baptist God stand-in to judge humanity that Kirk defeats by shouting at, while holding a space-chick in a space-bikini.”

I like it. Sounds good to me! Nothing wrong with injecting some of the more “pulpier” aspects of the original TOS into the new movie! TREX XI needs to be more full-blooded like the ’60s episodes, and less anticeptic like the later 24th century-based series. The more blood, sweat & tears they can put up on the screen, the better.

#32: “No doubt, but it was Genes Idea Originally, he ’s the great Bird of the Galaxy as it were, Not Gene Coon, Not DC Fontana or anyone else that helped with the building project. Without Genes Roddenberry’s orginal Idea there would be no Terk at all. Lets also consider the fact that he managed to keep a money loosing, low rated science fiction series on the air for 3 years back in the late 60’s. That in of itself is a pretty impressive feat”

Garovorkin, my old friend—-have you ever heard the Klingon proverb, ‘being a producer & creativity do not walk hand in hand’?

It was the fanbase letter writing campaigns that kept TOS on NBC—-a fan based founded by the genius vision of Gene Coon. Roddenberry basicly walked away from the show before the third season & left it to flounder. Please don’t give him the credit that others rightly deserve.

are we going to have over a year of people freaking out if the movie will be great or the death of ST, relax it couldnt be in better hands,so just relax. Just look at JJ’s history and your mind should be at rest.

Is there anyone else better the franchise could of involved themselves with other than JJ and company?????

And this message is only meant for the people who constantly post the same worrisome, negative posts when the movie is posted on this and other sites.

#34: “I don’t understand so many people being so damned negatitve about the new trek film”

Garovorkin, the fact so many people have issue logically proves this is not the right direction many of us wish ST to go.

You exibit constant blind praise without seeing the finished product which makes you equally ‘guilty’ as the people you scorn for forming ‘premature’ negative opinions.

#15. Even the name “Sulu” is nowhere near a Japanese name. As you may recall, Roddenberry’s intent was to create a character who was to embody the full richness of Asian cultures. The Japanese first name ‘Hikaru’ came some time later (after TOS ended its 3 yr run). Casting a Korean is not a crime. We had Canadians playing both an Iowa-born American and an Edinburgh-born Scotsman, and it worked out OK. And yes, we didn’t see Chekov on the bridge until season 2, true enough. But maybe he was assigned to another section of the ship? Who knows. I do look forward to this movie, though. It looks like they are more concerned with the important aspects of what really makes Star Trek “STAR TREK.” And of the casting issues, at least a Russian-born actor is playing Chekov this time!

#45: “Is there anyone else better the franchise could of involved themselves with other than JJ and company?????”

Harve Bennett & Nick Meyer

#44 Moogie Whatever the reality of the situation, every body forgets those little flaws and details of the mans life.

#49: “Whatever the reality of the situation, every body forgets those little flaws and details of the mans life”

I prefer dealing with the reality of facts instead of feeding myths. After 42 years lets finally give credit were it’s deservingly due.