While doing press interviews for an upcoming film, Simon Pegg gave some details about how he landed the screenwriting gig for the next Star Trek movie, and what he hopes to bring to it. More after the jump.
Collider’s Christina Radish spoke to Simon Pegg while the actor/screenwriter was doing press junket interviews for his upcoming film Kill Me Three Times. He spoke on a variety of topics, including his involvement as co-screenwriter of the next Star Trek film. While he doesn’t divulge any plot details or casting decisions, it is the most information we have gotten about the film since the production shakeup last fall.
After describing the process of writing the third film as “terrifying”, Pegg discusses the roundabout way he got the job:
Me and Bryan Burk, who’s one of the producers at Bad Robot, have worked together on a bunch of stuff. We were sitting around, talking about the direction the next film was gonna go in. They were thinking, “Maybe we should go back to the drawing board, a little bit, with the screenplay.” Bryan and I would just sit around and talk, and we’d get excited. And then, Bryan was like, “Do you want to write it then?” It was a difficult decision. I hemmed and hawed about it, a little bit, because it felt like a big responsibility. I owe J.J. [Abrams] and Bryan an awful amount. I love those guys. I want to do right by them, so I felt like I should man up and do it.
He goes on to say that the script needs to be finished by June, and that he and co-screenwriter Doug Jung are under pressure to have it ready:
…the timeframe we’re working in is extremely tight. It means we’re having to come up with the goods. We can’t be lazy about it. We can’t procrastinate. We have to come up with the stuff because the production is hammering on the door saying, “When can we build this? What are we gonna we build? Who is in it?” I don’t know! Let’s right it and we’ll find out. It’s an interesting process.
About taking care with the source material and finding the right tone:
I have to abide by certain rules and do right by the original series, and not be too post-modern with it and not be too aware of itself. I have to try to take on the spirit of the show, rather than fill it with stuff that people will just go, “Oh, yeah, that’s from episode something or other.” It’s more than that.
He talks more about Trek, his experience making Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, his visit to the set of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and more, which can be found here.
*UPDATE*
It’s more about spirit. It’s very easy these days, in the kind of post-modern era, to get bogged down in self referentiality or thinking, “Oh let’s put Harry Mudd in.” In a way I felt like if anything — and I really, really am very proud of Into Darkness — but I feel like the thing that for me was kind of jolting was that it kind of wanted to embrace itself a little too much, rather than take off and do what Star Trek did, which is to go off into the depths of the galaxy. It was about referencing not only a previous film but also kind of hanging onto the coast of Earth a little bit. So for me it’s now about the spirit of adventure and exploration and also, in modern terms, just how would that be for people, to be away for that amount of time and that kind of stuff. We’re trying to evolve the story at the same time as not letting it go.
Hopeful!
Man, I’d kill for a real announcement from Paramount or CBS about Star Trek, but I guess this’ll have to do for now. Thanks for the update Brian, it’s at least good to see Pegg talking about some background and the timeline here….
If the script is supposed to be done by June, how realistic is it still that this film will hit theatres little more than a year later…………? I’m usually seldom pessimistic, but I have this fear that there will be ANOTHER 4 year gap between films… And worse, no film for the 50th anniversary…. Of course I’d rather have a great film in 2017 than a mediocre one in 2016, but Paramount should have just started this production a hell of lot earlier….
At least Pegg knows how to do a proper Vulcan salute. Thumb OUT!
What I find most encouraging, is that Pegg refers to getting the spirit of the “show” right, not the movie franchise.
This bodes well for him remembering to honor the spirit of TOS.
That’s all we can ask at this point.
“Let’s right it and we’ll find out.” — Pegg
OH-OH, “right” instead of “write”? That is a bad omen. And even if he really did mean “right” is in “We have have to correct something.” – well, there’s just no any which way that I can conceive of THAT being a good sign, either.
#6. Disinvited – March 24, 2015
“is” should be “as” as in another bad sign. ;-)
3. The Snob – March 24, 2015
Dear Snob!
I couldn’t agree with you more…
…and everybody must be ready for the mediocre film.
Love that even producers at BR knew the films needed to go in a different direction. I really want to know what Bob’s story was that made everyone want to go back to the drawing bord.
Aren’t they supposed to start filming in April?…
Sounds like Pegg has a bit more intelligence behind the process; they “can’t be lazy” and “fill it with stuff” that people will know. I think those involved with these new films have been slowly coming to the realization/admission that there has been too much fan service in these new films, especially STD. Curious to see if that will change for this next film, if we get it. Just seems like there should be more publicity than this for a film that is supposed to be out in a little over a year commemorating the 50th anniversary…
I would like to pick Mr. Pegg’s brain on this subject. One geek to another.
I agree that it is a big responsibility. The cast is full of potential. The SFX is nuts. It’s just the story that needs work. But Pegg’s previous work makes me optimistic. It just has to be balanced correctly. Much like the warp engines of the Starship Enterprise.
I am of course available for consultation ::Ahem::
#6 Do you think Pegg wrote the quote or said the quote. #grammarnazinotthinking.
“I have to try to take on the spirit of the show, rather than fill it with stuff that people will just go, “Oh, yeah, that’s from episode something or other.” It’s more than that.”
That ONE statement just renewed my faith in the project by several orders of magnitude. Pegg GETS it. Run with it, brother………!!!!!
” I have to try to take on the spirit of the show, rather than fill it with stuff that people will just go, “Oh, yeah, that’s from episode something or other.” It’s more than that.”
This speaks a lot I think! Really hoping for something official from Paramount soon.
Pegg is a major Star Trek fan, he’s knowledge on Star Trek is probably on a par if not more extensive than Orci’s. His take on Star Trek should be really interesting because as well as being a huge Star Trek fan, he’s a fan of pop culture. He himself is somewhat of a pop icon in the UK having begun his ascent into the geek hall of fame making Spaced.
I’m very hopeful that this will be a very cool movie.
It’s a shame. Star Wars VIII has already been confirmed for summer 2017 to commemorate its 40th anniversary… 2016 is the 50th anniversary of Star Trek and it’s not clear if it will be ready.
I’m hoping that Pegg can deliver a good story like Nimoy did it with ST IV, instead of repeating the plot of the last 3 movies (bad boy seeking revenge).
Bring something different, something mysterious where no Star Trek movie has gone before. At least something mysterious like V’Ger in TMP or something funny like ST IV.
Several points are made here :
– script by june 2015, movie expected by july 2016 : not a lot of time to shoot, post prod and edit… For an anniversary movie, they would have far less time than for the 2 previous reboot movies ? Hard to accept/believe …
– ” I have to try to take on the spirit of the show, rather than fill it with stuff that people will just go, “Oh, yeah, that’s from episode something or other.” It’s more than that.” Seems to me that Bob Orci’s first two stories are gone and forgotten. They got back to square one.The odds of having William Shatner in it (and obviously Nimoy, even in CG) have suddenly decreased. In fact, nobody talks about it anymore.
– the fact that Paramount is urging them to finish the script by june seems to confirm that they still want the movie for july 2016 (the season of summer popcorn movies… I still just can’t be happy with such a release date…) and that behind the duo of script writers the whole production team is ready and waiting. Certainly also problems with main actors agendas such as Pine or Quinto that can’t delay indefinitely their participation without prejudice to their other projects.
I have mixed feelings about all this : the good point is having Pegg at the helm of the story, (very) bad point is the urge and timeframe which doesn’t fit in my opinion to have a very well prepared movie, honoring 50 years of the franchise.
Of course, they could do a magnificient movie with a very strong and moving story in a limited time. When we see how disappointed we were after waiting so long and discovering Into Darkness, maybe shorter development is better.
Maybe…
Simon’s the man for the job, knows his stuff, I can see this coming together nicely :-)
Maybe Lee Pace could play Spock Prime in Trek 3.
Only One year to shoot the film and post production? Boh, Boh…
Avengers, SW VII, Man of Steel, Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain America: winter soldier….they had near a year for making their post production and marketing…
Paramount is killing ST…Disney, Please, buy Star Trek…
I got curious and checked Paramount’s production schedule. Last film was Hot Tub Time Machine in February.Next movie is Terminator in early July. Well it seems Paramount can not get movies made anymore.
Also I wondered if they hired Jung and Pegg to write a new script in early January, how long does a major script take to write? Answer from online by a well known script writer, 12 weeks, than a few weeks for re-writes.
Do not hold your breath for July 8th :((((
“I have to abide by certain rules and do right by the original series, and not be too post-modern with it and not be too aware of itself.”
That’s good news, gotta keep it true to TOS and resist temptation to stray into TNG style trek, the two mix like oil and water.
Bad news is, the studio will push to get this out for the 50th anniversary, by hook or crook, for better or worse. If they need more time to deliver a more polished product, they aren’t going to get it. This movie is coming in 2016, ready or not.
I still really don’t see the issue with the delivery date. Assuming you are getting a smaller scale film, or even, given the director, one with lots of stunts and action but less in the way of wall-to-wall vfx (which at this point would be welcome, I don’t think you need to cut outside every other shot), the turnaround is doable, and POSSIBLY without a huge post budget for O-T.
Assuming the major beats of the story are locked in, they could be doing previs on the film right now, well before the script comes in, which helps insure you don’t build more than you will actually see in terms of art dept stuff.
# 12. bardicjim – March 25, 2015
” #6 Do you think Pegg wrote the quote or said the quote. #grammarnazinotthinking.” — bardicjim
1. A bad omen, if one believes in such a thing, is what it is. There’s no qualifying it.
2. A grammar nazi by definition can’t help oneself but correct any grammatical mistakes such as those in these and other comment chains. I have not nor am I currently doing that, so logically my noting this potential unclear intent in this one occurrence can’t be the result of my being a grammar nazi, and your attempt to make something untrue by pointing out the messenger has a wart on his nose isn’t germane (Pun intended.) nor a valid method of disproving anything, i.e. you are not being logical. Or, to follow your invalid line of reasoning: I may have that wart but you, yourself, are so blessed.
3. As I pointed out: “Let’s right it…” is not “grammatically” incorrect and, at best, presents itself as an opportunity for confusion – itself another bad omen – as it has an alternate meaning when spoken aloud. It could also be a pun in furtherance of Bad Robot’s patented mystery box lid, which, by the way, I would still take as an indication of: a bad omen.
I think a far better response to my concern would have been to point out that being superstitious about STAR TREK 13 is silly. But I would likely have taken the opportunity to point out that Bad Robot and Paramount’s continued attempts to mislabel it STAR TREK 3 are, for me, another: bad omen.
# 20. star trackie – March 25, 2015
” Bad news is, the studio will push to get this out for the 50th anniversary, by hook or crook, for better or worse. If they need more time to deliver a more polished product, they aren’t going to get it.” — star trackie
True, but on the plus side this won’t be the first time that a ST movie production gave birth by cesarean. On the minus, while this is by no means a given, the lesson history seems to indicate is that when it goes that way, it performs better at the box office when it has infusion of more and NOT less money.
I’m not worried. These people know their jobs (,Jim).
# 17. James McFadden – March 25, 2015
” Maybe Lee Pace could play Spock Prime in Trek 3.” — James McFadden
I feel safe in asserting that STAR TREK and its movies especially so, have always reveled in the notion that “There are always possibilities.”
And the casting of STAR TREK 11 definitely attests to that.
But I am curious why you seem to think that if they did the money saving measure of aging Quinto up with makeup and whatnot to fill the role, that that would somehow not be as good?
As Spock once pointed out, all living things perform according to their gifts.
I have faith, I like what Pegg had to say, I have a good feeling about the movie and the release date will be on Trek and on Time.
50th Anniversary Trek rushed to the screen without William Shatner in it just screams “pending disaster”. I guess we’ll see.
Cant wait for the next Star Wars trailer to drop, the one that will feature all the originals and have the internet go nuts over how awesome it is to see the originals while Trek is filimg a 50th anniversary movie without William Shatner while the tone deaf goofballs at Paramount put out uninspired graphics and press releases touting 50 years of a franchise they dont seem to understand.
# 23. Jack – March 25, 2015
” I’m not worried. These people know their jobs (,Jim).” — Jack
I’m not sure that’s a valid approach in this situation. I supported Orci getting the directing gig, but to have absolutely no concerns, as opposed to the many concerns the character Spock did in APIECE OF THE ACTION, about a first time driver who’s never been behind the wheel of a flivver before, would not be logical.
Pegg talks the talk, but for me to have no concerns, someone should demonstrate the parallels in past scripts he’s written and the best scripts of ST’s past.
I am open to his potential based on the works of his I’ve seen. But can he manage a CITY ON THE EDGE OF FOREVER caliber story is my concern. Worry, if you will.
As a 10 year old kid watching TOS I always loved it when Scotty got to take command of the ship. I said to myself “Here’s the guy who knows more about the ship than anyone else, and now he’s in command!”
Possibly Pegg’s script will send Kirk and Spock on a secret mission during the opening scene, and then we have Captain Scott for the rest of the film : )
He should adapt The Time Trap from TAS. No, I mean it!!!
Just stay away from the retread crap.
Boldly Go Simon, BOLDLY GO!!
I wish them the best. I have my pessimistic hat on.
(oh, and don’t tell the fans to F#@$$^ off, that’s never good)
# 24. Zip – March 25, 2015
” I have faith, I like what Pegg had to say, I have a good feeling about the movie and the release date will be on Trek and on Time.” — Zip
So that we may properly gauge the accuracy of your feelings: What did they tell you about the previously rejected script and it’s director?
Highly unlikely they will be able to meet the summer 16 deadline – if they start filming in june, they will probably shoot for 2 months, then they have only around 9 months for postpro. Which is really tough for a picture of that magnitude – unless they make sacrifices.
I find Pegg’s attitude reassuring. He’s pointing toward one f the larger flaws in the reboot series: justifying itself by standing on the shoulder of what came before. Some was okay. But the reboot are doing it too much.
For Star Trek 2009, it was the time travel story and the existence of Spock Prime. A lot in that story could’ve been adapted to stand up on its own. There was an error to pass on the torch… and it really wasn’t needed to make a good picture.
For Into Darkness, most of the story was actually great. Except for the Khan bits. That is, I think it was great that they inspired that movie from the eugenics wars. But I think John Harrisson should have stayed John Harrisson. Cumberbatch should’ve been given his own unique role rather than being a new interpretation of Khan. Scenes from Wrath of Khan could’ve stayed in Wrath of Khan.
Then Khan might have had a rival rather than a “cheap copy” and a lot of superflous elements could’ve been removed/adapted to fill in differently to make the movie an original interpretation of an afterblow of the eugenics wars with more focus on Admiral Marcus’ militant stance.
These are instances of “almost, but not quite”. I’m hopeful that Pegg might hit that bar where Star Trek ST2016 would be a good picture that would stand up by itself.
# 31. northstar – March 25, 2015
” Which is really tough for a picture of that magnitude – unless they make sacrifices.” — northstar
Well if the reporting is accurate on this, and it seems to be borne out in that they’ve relocated the filming to Canada, Paramount’s asked them to “sacrifice” the big budget.
northstar – remember, they’re not starting from scratch here. Most of the practical set designs and sets are still around from the first two movies, and digital models exist of the Enterprise and other ships. In addition, basic costumes, looks and makeup are all already in place. This will shorten the production and post production period considerably. Only the new stuff needs to be designed and built/created.
I’m still floored people want Shatner. If you are want to have Shatner in because it’s the 50th why not Koenig, Takei, and Nichols as well? Then it can become a campy made for TV style movie with a cheesy storyline that simply panders to trekies and alienates non-fans. I loved what they did, and I love the characters the brought to life. Eventually we’re going to have to stop jamming them into the franchise simply because we can.
Heck, it was bad enough they dragged Nimoy into ST:ID for that one scene when it wasn’t needed.
Any chance we can keep Pegg OUT of the movie??
@Daniel – I agree. Scotty in command was always a highlight to me because he was so different than Kirk and Spock. That was a glaring omission to me from the two films.
I hate to say Im struggling to remember but wasnt there a scene where Sulu was left in command and everyone was nervous because he was a lowly ensign?
Get Scotty in the chair! Its not like they dont have an alternate engineer established (Keenser) but I’d lobby for the casting of a supporting actor to be assistant chief engineer (and it should be a woman). Fleshes things out since, while it seems our main crew is at their posts 24/7, that is simply not possible.
# 38. bmar – March 25, 2015
” northstar – remember, they’re not starting from scratch here. Most of the practical set designs and sets are still around from the first two movies, and digital models exist of the Enterprise and other ships” — bmar
This is incorrect. Paramount broke down the sets to make room for other productions but decided it wasn’t cost effective to ship them to Vancouver. As far as the sets are concerned they ARE starting from scratch.
“the timeframe we’re working in is extremely tight. It means we’re having to come up with the goods. We can’t be lazy about it. We can’t procrastinate. We have to come up with the stuff because the production is hammering on the door saying, “When can we build this? What are we gonna we build? Who is in it?”
The constant pressure from the producers could go both ways. Either Pegg & Jung will manage to come up with something very creative & fresh; or they will crack under that pressure.
“I have to abide by certain rules and do right by the original series, and not be too post-modern with it and not be too aware of itself. I have to try to take on the spirit of the show, rather than fill it with stuff that people will just go, “Oh, yeah, that’s from episode something or other.” It’s more than that.”
That’s music to my ears, hope they will manage to do that.
It is a bit strange that no one mentioned the other writer, Doug Jung, in this interview.
They should release the movie in September to give themselves more time for post-production & possible reshoots.
I am preparing for a mediocre movie. Despite Simon’s efforts, it’s definitely going to be that way. Paramount cannot allow themselves to postpone the movie – they have to make money from the film and then release it on DVD before Christmas, so that LOTS of fans will buy them as Xmas gifts.
It’s the anniversary, so they can’t lose the chance to milk on all that Gift editions, Special editions, Collector’s editions, Never-seen-before extras, etc etc – and Trekkies WILL buy it.
Money or quality – and you all know what Paramount will choose.
In this case, I happen to think that the ‘production troubles’ are a good sign. There was obviously a major political struggle within the production and distribution companies.
No executive wants to pull the plug on a tentpole franchise that is barreling towards a firm and easily marketable release date (Anniversary), but it was done. If it was a matter of a script simply being over budget, you don’t can the director and start over.
This was an executive call on the direction of the franchise, a call that, I hope, is in service of the quality and longevity of the revived product.
I wonder how horrible Star Trek will have to get before Paramount pulls their head out of their ass. Enough with this stupid reboot.
Breaking news:
Idris Elba Eyed for Villain Role in ‘Star Trek 3′
Idris Elba is in early talks to play the villain in “Star Trek 3,” sources tell Variety.
Details of Elba’s role are keeping kept under wraps. Early rumors suggest that Klingons would be the main villains in this movie, as they have not had a full presence in previous installments, but sources would not confirm if that was the case. Paramount and Skydance had no comment.
http://variety.com/2015/film/news/star-trek-3-idris-elba-villain-cast-1201459368/
Elba is an excellent actor & it would be really great if they manage to put him in the movie.
It would be interesting if Elba is cast as a Klingon in heavy make up. But he is a great bad guy. I hated him on The Office. And he’s physically imposing.
A story centering on the Klingons would at least have the opportunity for continuity with the first films. As much as STID was hot garbage, they shouldn’t pretend it didnt happen.