According to Roberto Orci he and his co-writers are in the middle of writing the script for the next Star Trek film, they are looking to focus on new unexplored territory, and less on any specific canon callbacks. More details below.
In a new interview with IGN, Orci chatted about using characters and races from the wider Trek canon.
On having known characters, aliens, races, in the next movie:
I think our instinct right now is to go into more uncharted territory. But again, we’re still in the middle of writing it. If the best idea is when, suddenly, it seems like the best thing ever to do, is to have the Andorians running around, doing something cool, that’s what it’ll be.
On his current mentor type relationship with J.J. Abrams:
J.J. is more than a colleague for me, he is someone who I’ve learned a lot from, just watching the trajectory of his decisions, his career. He’s been so generous with his time with me in terms of being willing to answer any questions that I have about anything. Alex [Kurtzman] and I, he’s always been like an older brother for us. He’s been like our business mentor/older brother. He’s one of the people I’ve been relying on going forward. I do feel comfortable enough, when I have a question about anything in this business, I feel like I can call him, and he’ll give me some pretty good advice.
From the article
=========================
Complete With Khan?:
As to a potential villain in the film, Khan is technically still out there, so there is a possibility that he could make a return appearance.
“I think what our discussions are about finding a thing we can discover for ourselves,” Orci said, again emphasizing a desire to venture into their own territory. “Then if it turns out that something from canon somehow fits that bill, or it somehow turns out that we’ve reinvented the wheel without even knowing it, like, ‘Oh! We went through all this trouble to create a situation, and it turns out it’s the exact situation that happened in whatever episode.’ But first we don’t attach any names to the structure. We don’t want anyone to feel like they have to have seen the previous movies. It has to be a movie that stands on its own, that stands alone. So we’re hesitant to rely on any love of the series or love of previous stuff.”
When asked if he felt complete with the Khan storyline, Orci slowly repeated, “Do I feel complete?” followed by a very lengthy pause after which he finally laughingly replied, “I can’t answer that.”
======================
Why would anyone want to see Khan again ?
Using Khan again would only prove that the writers are totally bereft of imagination.
#2 The evidence of this bereftness is bountiful.
Germany is Weltmeister!!!
Whoohooo!
Sorry for being off topic. ;-)
The Khan gag actually grew on me from this perspective: I like the idea that no matter how the timeline unfolds, certain people are destined to bump into each other no matter how big the universe is.
Execution aside I enjoy that high level concept.
That said, I would love to see “uncharted territory”
Make it a good, original story.
Hands out of the TOS cookie jar.
I also think that it’s time for them to not use TOS as a crutch and keep going to characters and storylines from there.
If you are, indeed, a “writer”, one would assume that you have some talent for “writing”. And by “writing”, I don’t mean the physical act of putting pencil to paper. Any 4th grader can do that. I mean coming up with creative stories that people want to watch unfold.
Technically, it’s enough of a “crutch” that they don’t have to invent their own main characters. All they have to do is write good stories for those characters to be in.
Sheesh, look at Bob Orci in the photo at the top of this thread.
You’d think Bob and Wil Wheaton had been separated at birth!
Next ST, stick your hand in the Avatar jar…Rob…for ideas and every other movie that has ever been-simple logic…make your life easier.
Just add Enterprise and 0uterspace and you can’t lose, my opinion.
C.
What I would give to have Ronald Moore write the movie.
Unfortunately, meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
They should put Borg and/or Cardassians in the new movie. I know neither of those are from TOS, but they are the coolest aliens that haven’t been used already.
Get the Enterprise far from Earth. Make this a movie about the going boldly and stop making a Michael Bay action flick. Loss the moronic vengeful villain plot device. Give us a story about Kirk truly being in command of the Enterprise far from home and far from Starfleet Command. Showcase what the crew and the Big E can do under difficult circumstances. I would have no problem with introducing a new race of aliens, but make it compelling, interesting, and present a challenge to the Captain and crew that takes us on the mission.
Start the 5 year mission with a good script that avoids the nonsense of cheap plot devices and stop using the alternate universe as an excuse.
Make this one better than Star Trek into Disappointment. Make this next one a real adventure without the flash, the over-hyped action, and, once again, have Kirk command!
The altered timeline gives us a new Enterprise (different design), red matter, inter-planetary beaming, Spock’s ship and computer data, etc. Plenty of plot devices to end up in completely different part of the galaxy and encounter new races of aliens.
Also destroying vulcan surely scrambled the timeline sending off-world vulcans into new futures. Tons of ways to make it completely new and never touch canon or even refer to it.
And none of the bringing back Shatner nonsense – Each new version of trek paid homage to the prior in one film or episode, and having prime Spock in 2009 was enough homage.
Now if you want to bring back TAKEI, then forget what I just said, because that would be trekmazing.
TAKEI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ST 13 taglines:
KHAN IS BACK!
Or
KHAN: “I’ll be baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack”
Maybe it’ll be ST3: Indestructokhan vs. Q.
Who will win?
Q can do anything, but Khan can’t be killed.
Maybe “God” from STV breaks the stalemate.
One thing I am hoping for with the deep space exploration and discovering something for themselves is…..how do I put this accurately…..I am hoping its a revolutionary find, something that may change our perspective on something. What I mean by that is V’Ger. TMP may be been dull and lacklustre to some people but think of the essence of that movie. Would we have ever thought that one of our probes could amass a type of consciousness that would require a melding with its creator to achieve its final objective leading to a new consciousness, a new level of existence? The Voyager probe evolving with advanced alien tech and the melding of it with Decker was a type of story that the other Star Trek movies did not achieve in my opinion. On a basic level it was a melding of organic and inorganic beyond the Borg, it was atypical. Peel back the surface and it was something much more. THOSE are the best movies, THOSE are the best episodes. Not just plodding along and discovering a new species to observe, a new planet survey, a new nebula to scan, a new foe fight but something truly thought provoking and transcending. V’Ger for 1979 was like nothing else. Can we please have something like that. Are we desensitized? Are we beyond our infancy for such storytelling? Star Trek The Motion Picture was something more than good vs bad, righteous vs evil. Say what you want about TMP but that story was truly Star Trek. It may have been a remake of “The Changeling” but it was much more. Just like the vastness and transcending nature of 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1968. When I first saw that movie only a few years ago, I though it was crazy (good). I can only imagine what people though about it in 1968, the way they felt when watching it. Same with TMP in 79. That is what I want in a Star Trek movie. In my opinion its not the new Star Trek movies that suffer from that lack of grandness, it all started with Generation in 94. I was hopeful when JD said that its thought provoking in the sense that we’re not sure what side we might come down on, is it right, is it wrong sort of thing. Then again that could be said about Khan and Into Darkness. Was the father correct in what he did to save his child’s life. I hope JD is talking about something that is in a higher echelon than that. I know the writers and directors can only go so far, I know its hard to come up with an idea and story that is like nothing else, alas influence is far too encompassing these days. They have to write for what is popular and making money. The first two films suffered from Michael Bay syndrome, shoving stuff in for the sake of shoving stuff in. There were almost too many nods which did not feel organic. You have the obvious things (ship, uniforms, tech, characters with their personalities and interactions). Everything else has to be carefully applied without feeling like Michael Bay force-feeding a goose for a fat money bag liver movie. Where the is the originality. Let’s just say I’m excited and scared for the new Ninja Turtles movie. 10 years ago I never had that problem, movies were still original, now its reboot reboot reboot. Movies started to change when the massive (yet still timeless, just watched it the other day and it did not seem dated) Gladiator was released in 2000. The problem with my generation (30-50 year olds) are the people remaking all these franchises we watched and loved as kids. We want to see it again, we want it reborn, we want to share it with our children, but in my opinion its causing original storytelling to suffer. Its like when big record labels kept pumping out the same old music, garbage we were supposed to listen to and the indie record label scene had to come along and break the iron curtain. There is also a huge surge in indie video game developers which will only be good for the video game industry because A: indie developers have recently put out some of the strongest, richest, most defining games. And B: it forces the large developers to take another look at the status quo and the way things are done. Indie developers are forcing large companies to challenge themselves rather than remain stagnant. The film industry is currently in the stage that will demands better quality due to reboot after reboot and the rise of indie film which tend to have much richer, rewarding and satisfying storytelling. Hollywood, get your money’s worth now because the… Read more »
Combine Ben-hur and Jurassic Park with ET and Jaws plus a dash of Transformers and you got yourself a movie.
For the next one a little of The Ten Commandments , a bit of The Motion Picture-ST, some of Return of the King and a lot of The Gage-episode..
My expectations went below subspace after reading these recent interviews.
Are they really incapable of coming up with something original that they are thinking about using Khan again, or take elements from TNG ?
Maybe they should take a week off & read books by Alastair Reynolds, Stephen Baxter, Peter F. Hamilton, Iain Banks, Vernor Vinge, David Brin & others to get a sense of how to write an epic science fiction story.
@16. Commodore Adams
Well said.
I think they should have Capt Picard travel to the JJ verse to retrieve spock prime and restore the timeline.
All I ask is a Tall Ship and a Star to lead he By!.
@16 Commodore Adams.
I generally agree with your points here. I also like TMP (despite its slow pace in places).
I recently watched ‘The Apple’ – I loved seeing Kirk, Spock, and Bones wrestle with the moral choice to violate the prime directive and help the people of Vaal. That discussion seemed to have happened just *before* STID started. There were only brief discussions of whether or not following Marcus’ orders in STID were right or not (Scotty mentioned it I think, and Spock did too if I remember right). Perhaps Kirk has learned something from his interference on Naboo and decides this time to let someone/a race die because the PD says not to interfere?
I’m hoping that these seemingly fundamentally ‘Star Trek’ elements will filter in to the next film. I’m also hoping that it doesn’t signal the end of this series of films. Nobody wants to see ‘Star Trek Into Oblivion’
#1
I would love to see Khan only when they start remaking TNG.
Picard VS Khan, who wouldn’t want to see that?
#16 Commodore Adams
Very well said.
18. Ahmed
Didn’t Bob say exactly that? He said he wants ” to go into more uncharted territory.”
So nothing about Khan or TNG.
24 “Didn’t Bob say exactly that? He said he wants ” to go into more uncharted territory.”
He did. But that does nothing to feed the haters. Ahmed will scour the web to try and find sound bites that will contradict anything new that might be percieved as possitive and, in turn, feed his discontent. It’s just how he rolls.
Well they’ve introduced the Klingons. Probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to have a story focused on them.
I was excited about the headline, until I read the quotes and discovered it’s more of a maybe not.
To celebrate the 50th Anniversary, I wouldn’t be able to resist going canon influences to the max.
sorry, my englishe is a little carzy.
please do not bring back mr khan, let us please have new and originals story, that will give us star trek fans a new kind of excite!
BOMAD: I am BOMAD. I am complete. My function is clear: STERILIZE PERFECTIONS! STERILIZE PERFECTIONS. STERILIZE! STERILIZE!…
TreKirks: BOMAD! You are in communication with the unit JJ! STOP! STOP!
Good lord.
Wasnt the point of the “new universe” to unconstrain themselves from Canon? And yet they are so obsessed with it, Orci has to specify his intent to try and move away from it.
Also, if he thinks the first two films were designed for people who didnt have to have knowledge of Star Trek, he’s crazy. Both films were so convoluted it was ridiculous. Why is it, other movie franchises and TV shows embrace the idea of continuity and episodic story telling and yet its such a dirty thought with Star Trek. it really does seem like these people think the Trek fans will watch anything and they have to trick the mainstream into seeing a movie that just happens to be Star Trek.
Legate Damar , that is probably what they will do which is such a waste. Instead of taking this opportunity to do something unique, they waste it by using villians we already know. Look at the comic this guy oversees – his crew meets Q. I wouldn’t be surprised if a TNG villian appears here. But good thing we have 3 true Trek fans writing this and not all the non Trek fans who complain about how crappy the last 2 films were ;)
@24. Stephan & 25. Jonboc
Do me a favor & read the actual interview over at IGN:
http://ca.ign.com/articles/2014/07/13/star-trek-3-roberto-orci-on-the-possibility-of-andorians-or-q-and-taking-over-for-jj-abrams
If you two bothered to read the interview or the quote at #1, you will see for yourself that Bob did talk about Khan & “elements” from TNG.
This unconditional support will do nothing good for the movie. Instead of acting as yes men, read the bloody interview first & then comment on it.
The other parts in the interview
==========================
Might We See Specific Next Generation Elements in Star Trek 3?:
Star Trek clearly has a rich canon to draw from, and the first two Abrams’ Star Trek films certainly mined from it. When asked if they would expand even further in the upcoming film, possibly drawing upon additional elements specifically introduced in the other shows, Orci said, “I think our instinct right now is to go into more uncharted territory. But again, we’re still in the middle of writing it.”
Adding, “If the best idea is when, suddenly, it seems like the best thing ever to do, is to have the Andorians running around, doing something cool, that’s what it’ll be.”
When we – somewhat – jokingly suggested that they might include Q, Orci said, “Sure, or Q.” When asked if he’d go that far, Orci replied evasively, “I love Q! C’mon, who doesn’t love Q?”
Complete With Khan?:
As to a potential villain in the film, Khan is technically still out there, so there is a possibility that he could make a return appearance.
“I think what our discussions are about finding a thing we can discover for ourselves,” Orci said, again emphasizing a desire to venture into their own territory. “Then if it turns out that something from canon somehow fits that bill, or it somehow turns out that we’ve reinvented the wheel without even knowing it, like, ‘Oh! We went through all this trouble to create a situation, and it turns out it’s the exact situation that happened in whatever episode.’ But first we don’t attach any names to the structure. We don’t want anyone to feel like they have to have seen the previous movies. It has to be a movie that stands on its own, that stands alone. So we’re hesitant to rely on any love of the series or love of previous stuff.”
When asked if he felt complete with the Khan storyline, Orci slowly repeated, “Do I feel complete?” followed by a very lengthy pause after which he finally laughingly replied, “I can’t answer that.”
http://ca.ign.com/articles/2014/07/13/star-trek-3-roberto-orci-on-the-possibility-of-andorians-or-q-and-taking-over-for-jj-abrams
They’re still in the middle of writing it? I dunno about you guys but whenever I write a story or script then I start with a plan, a structure to adhere to that makes the writing easier. Do these jokers not do that?
Right enough, Into Dumbness stunk of something that was being made up as it went along so that wouldn’t surprise me. Adding things into your story as you’re going along rarely leads to a satisfying conclusion, it’s a core rule in storytelling.
Why is Star Trek in the hands of these incompetents? At least he’s off Amazing Spider-Man 3, only one franchise I love to ruin now Bob. This interview has done nothing but discourage me even further.
Another thing:
“You know, we started at childhood and we met their parents, and we see that Kirk was born on Earth.”
No we don’t, we see that Kirk was born on the USS Kelvin but hey, how can we expect Orci to remember…that film he wrote?
Also, he seems to have all but confirmed that Khan is coming back. Incredible, just incredible.
I dont think we will see Khan. it was a failed concept.
I think Orci’s remark was not being evasive about using Khan, it was being evasive about how he likely agrees that STID sucked.
@37 TUP
Yeah, I agree. After listening to Orci actually talk about the usage of Khan in STID, I have a strong feeling that he was very much against it. It was to the point that he tried to shoe-horn Khan in to the script, but just couldn’t make it work., even though it was shot that way.
The inclusion of Khan was the biggest mistake of STID, even worse than all the science faux pas.
I don’t think we need to worry about Khan in the 3rd one. He will stay frozen in the cryo-tubes for quite some time.
That said, I’m beginning to worry about some of his comments about using a previous episode as the basis for the next movie. While I think it’d be cool to see Andorians and Tellarites running around, I do want to see some new stuff. The doomsday machine? Ehh, been there and done that perfectly already. Space amoeba? Please no. The Borg? Keep them in 1990s Trek only. A borgified Andorian controlling a giant space amoeba that killed Captain Decker? With Cyrano Jones and Harry Mudd selling the pieces? Yes. I mean, NO!
Abrams Kult again…ugh..
No matter what Mr Copyator intends to do, that will be a botched job because he has not any talent…
Without Abrams Orci is nothing.
Movigoers are not interested in a trek film directed by Roberto who and with a couple of John Doe writers…
They need remember this is an Abrams production , because Abrams’ name sells ticket…not Orci’s name or Gijoe trek…
But Abrams is only producer in name…
That’ s cold truth
One thing i am certain about…
Star Trek 3 will be more Fan Friendly, i just hope they do not lose Perspective as they did on Star Trek : Insurrection and Nemesis.
As much as i love TNG these Movies were Awful!
The 3rd movie should end with camera panning across space to show V’Ger, and use Goldsmith’s V’Ger’s theme.
If that supposed “Khan” shows up in the next film, I’m simply waiting for it to come out for rental, no trip to the movies for more of that mess.
Fool me once, shame on you….
#39
Insurrection LOL the whipping boy of how not to make a movie, good star trek theme and ok story but it was just a average TNG made for tv straight to dvd episode.
I have enjoyed both 2009 and STID just personal opinion and anyone is allowed to agree or disagree. Looking forward to your sci fi space exploration adventure bob, lots of mysteries, anomalies, monoliths and homicidal ships etc
No Earth. Something new!!
34. Ahmed – July 14, 2014
Ok, I have read the whole interview now. And I still don’t get your point. He says he might use “elements” of TNG. Where is the problem? Can’t he use some elements and still have a completely new story? I mean I hope he uses some elements because it has to feel like Star Trek. Otherwise it could be an original SciFi movie without “Star Trek” in its title.
I don’t understand what he says as recycling old material.
They have the formula for including a TV episode story – the pre-credit scene.
But again, unless they are jumping ahead several years, the timing doesnt work out. So instead of a 34 year old Kirk on a 5 year mission, its going to be a 27 year old Kirk on a 5 year mission?
#18 “My expectations went below subspace after reading these recent interviews.
Are they really incapable of coming up with something original that they are thinking about using Khan again, or take elements from TNG ?”
I did read the interview. Like I said…the writers going into “uncharted territory” does nothing to serve your dissatisfaction with the writers. So you skip it and imply that Orci’s initial response is completely negated by the prodding of the interviewer, who prompts him to agree that, sure, other elements could be used if it felt right. And after MORE coaxing from the interviewer, he agrees that even Q could be used…if it felt right. Those are very safe answers for a writer who, obviously, isn’t going to paint himself into a corner with restrictions and predictions.
I tend to lean more towards his first statement, of exploring uncharted territory, as being indicative of what to really expect…you, on the other hand, dismiss it and focus solely on the unlikely possibilities that feed your negative biases.
As always, Mr. Orci frames his answers very, very……very carefully. Not even sure why an interviewer would even bother to ask questions specific to a project…
Interviewer: Mr. Orci, you’ve mentioned having a willingness to embrace canon. Will see see Khan again in the upcoming movie.
RC: Why, yes, I do like hot dogs. Seasoned with curry.
It is Paramount, they only want a transformers formula movie to make easy money with easy public…
Orcy is its man for this mission…
Khan again? Beh, sure, you now , he is very intolerant. « You do not like STID? You do not like my Khan, bunch of m..ns? Ok. TWICE…
He thinks ST is his toy and his means of vendetta versus people who said STID was supercrap…
He despises Trek Unions …hardcore fans…He only wants cheer leaders…
What the hell are you talking about, Oscar? A vendetta?? Are you insane?
You must have loved Rick Berman….