January 2011

Brannon Braga Explains Why No Gay Characters On Star Trek: Not Forward Thinking

Today many TV series have gay characters, including William Shatner’s sitcom $#!* My Dad Says and Ron Moore’s Battlestar Galactica spin-offs. But there has never been a gay character on Star Trek, and in a new interview veteran Star Trek writer/producer Brannon Braga explains why that is and why he thinks things would be different today.  


Star Trek Stars At Sundance: Yelchin Taks ‘Ridiculous Happy’ Chekov + Quinto Sells Margin Call + Photos w/ Saldana

Some of Star Trek 2009’s stars have been generating buzz at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City Utah over the last few days. Anton Yelchin is talking about the ridiculously happy Chekov and getting good reviews for his role in Like Crazy. Zachary Quinto has closed a deal for his movie Margin Call, and Zoe Saldana is there to support her sister. Details and photos below.  



Anton Yelchin: It Would Be ‘Bizarre’ For Abrams To Not Direct Star Trek Sequel + Bob Orci Soliciting Steven Spielberg To Help Convince Abrams

As previously reported, producer JJ Abrams is awaiting the script for the 2012 Star Trek sequel, before deciding if he will also direct the film. However that isn’t stopping others involved from weighing in. Star Trek’s new Checkov Anton Yelchin says it would be "bizarre" without JJ Abrams in the director’s chair. And co-writer Roberto Orci says he is trying to solicit Steven Spielberg to help convince Abrams.







Sci-Fi Movies Thursday: Spider-Man, The Dark Knight Rises, Prometheus, The Hobbit, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, X-Men: First Class, Captain America + more

Our Sci-Fi Movies Wrapup is back with a ton of big news this week. We have the big first looks at the new Spider-man and next X-Men cast, big casting/villains news for the next Batman (and big casting for The Hobbit), a big change in that Alien prequel, big details for the next Transformers and much more, including the latest casting bites, images and videos.









Preview Tuesday’s ‘Pioneers of Television’ On PBS – Focusing on Gene Roddenberry & SciFi

On Tuesday the PBS series Pioneers of Television airs turns its attention to science fiction, with an episode honoring a number of luminaries in the field, including Gene Roddenberry. The episode will feature new interviews with Star Trek stars William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and Nichelle Nichols. Watch preview clips below.


Sci-Fi TV Sunday: Terra Nova, Falling Skies, Torchwood, Fringe, Wonder Woman, Smallville, Supernatural + more

TrekMovie’s Sci-Fi updates are back after our Christmas hiatus with a log of updates on all your favorite genre TV shows. We have first looks at Terra Nova and Falling Skies, details on the future of Fringe, more hints for Smallville, good news for the future of Supernatural, and bad news for Stargate Universe. All that plus the latest television ratings, casting bites and new images and video previews.


Star Trek: The Exhibition Opens Jan. 23 In Louisville, KY – Robert Picardo Appearing At Preview Party

Star Trek: The Exhibition, the travel exhibit of Star Trek props, costumes, replicas and memorabilia, opens up next Sunday at the Louisville Science Center in Louisville, KY. Plus, Star Trek: Voyager’s Bob Picardo will be on hand for a special preview party next Saturday night. Details below.





Video of the Week: Recreating Star Trek Spacejump Shot On Shoestring Budget

The most spectacular sequence for the 2009 Star Trek movie was probably the space jump sequence, which was so expensive it needed special budget approval. However, some segments were done using old school techniques and our video of the week has a "backyard fx" crew recreate a Star Trek shot on a shoe-string budget. 


New Star Trek Celeb Trailers: Simon Pegg’s ‘Paul’ (w/ Trek gag) + Karl Urban’s ‘Priest’

We have to wait until 2012 to see the new Star Trek stars back on the bridge of the Enterprise, but you will be able to catch most of them on the big screen this year. A couple of new trailers have been released for Star Trek celeb films: the US trailer for Simon Pegg’s comedy Paul (featuring a Star Trek gag), and a new trailer for Karl Urban’s vampire film Priest. Check them both out below






TrekMovie Science Antarctica Update: Live Audio Interview From Mount Erebus

Greetings once again and a happy new year from Mount Erebus, Antarctica! Your humble science editor is reporting once again from the southernmost active volcano in the world. Over the weekend, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ira Flatow, host of NPR’s Science Friday radio program, to celebrate the end of 2010 at the end of the Earth. Hear the short interview (below) to learn about my research here in the Great White South.