History
StarTrek48: Watch Leonard Nimoy Talk About How Roddenberry’s Lieutenant Led To Spock Casting
As part of our celebration of Star Trek’s birthday we have TrekMovie video from the weekend’s Salt Lake City Comic Con where Leonard Nimoy beamed in via Skype and talked about how he got cast in Star Trek following his appearance on Gene Roddenberry’s previous show The Lieutenant. We also have clip of that episode. Watch it all below.
Happy 48th Birthday Star Trek – Join TrekMovie Celebration With ‘Man Trap’ Livetweet 8:30 PM
On September 8, 1966 the first episode of of an ambitious sci-fi show created by Gene Roddenberry aired on NBC – in color! 48 years later, Star Trek is still going strong after hundreds of episodes over five series and twelve feature films (with another on the way). Watch the first commercials and interviews for Star Trek below, plus get info on TrekMovie’s ‘livetweet’ celebration and giveaway set for tonight.
Watch: VFX Legend Douglas Trumbull Explains How He Saved Star Trek: The Motion Picture
Visual effects pioneer Douglas Trumbull was a late edition to the crew for Star Trek: The Motion Picture, after he initially turned down a deal to do the effects for the movie. In a new video he talks about how he came on board to ‘save’ the movie. Watch it below.
Star Trek Celebrities Mourn Robin Williams + The Star Trek/Williams Connections
Yesterday the world was shocked by the death of actor/comedian (and Star Trek fan) Robin Williams. Many Star Trek luminaries, including some who worked with Williams, went to social media to express their condolences. We have compiled those below, plus take a look at some Star Trek/Williams connections – including the TNG role written for him (but played by someone else).
Watch: Doug Drexler’s Tribute Video To Star Trek Designer Matt Jefferies
Veteran Star Trek artist/designer Doug Drexler has produced another great Star Trek video. This time it is a tribute to the late Matt Jefferies, art director and production designer on the original Star Trek series (who also happened to be the designer of the iconic USS Enterprise). Watch the tribute video below.
Altman & Gross Writing ‘Unauthorized Oral History’ Of Star Trek For 50th Anniv. + More Non-Fic Trek Announced
A couple of weeks ago TrekMovie previewed upcoming non-fiction Star Trek books, and now the list is getting longer with newly announced titles covering the history of the franchise, Trek fashion and even Trek ‘travel books.’ More details below.
Star Trek Documentary With Lost Roddenberry Interview Footage Seeking Kickstarter Funding
A lengthy rare interview with Gene Roddenberry that was believed to have been lost has now been found, and is hoped to become the basis for a new documentary on the birth of the Star Trek series he created. Catch a glimpse of the footage below, plus find out how you can help.
First Look: ‘Return to Tomorrow’ Book On Making Of Star Trek: TMP Coming This Fall
Just in time for the film’s 35th Anniversary, a new book detailing the production of Star Trek: The Motion Picture is coming this fall, and TrekMovie has a first look at the details. Find out more and how you can pre-order below.
George Takei: Now Is Time For LGBT Character In Star Trek + Tried To Convince Roddenberry
George Takei has revealed that he tried to convince Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry to add a gay character to the TOS movies. More details below.
Voyages About Nothing: How Seinfeld Influenced Star Trek’s Legacy
Seinfeld is celebrating its 25th anniversary this month, and so TrekMovie takes a look at some of the connections between the groundbreaking sitcom and Star Trek.
Preview Of Non-Fiction Star Trek Books For 2014/2015 – From Fun To Artwork To Scholarly Texts
Following up from our look forward to all the Star Trek fiction coming in the next year, today we take a look at the non-fiction, both scholarly and fun. See what is coming below.
These Are The Voyages Season 2 released
The eagerly awaited second volume of author Marc Cushman’s exhaustive examination of the production of The Original Series, These Are The Voyages, was released this past Wednesday, and we have a closer look. The first volume, which covered the history of the series from its earliest stages to the end of season one, was lauded by critics, fans, and cast members for it’s incredible attention to detail. Leonard Nimoy himself called the book’s level of research “astounding…an incredible job”. The second volume, which covers the entirety of season two and features a forward by Walter Koenig, promises to be even more expansive than the first. According to the promotional materials the second book will cover a variety of interesting topics: Learn why Leonard Nimoy almost didn’t return for Season Two. Explore why Lucille Ball, whose Desilu Studios had gambled big on financing Star Trek, would lose her studio in trying to keep Star Trek on the air. Discover the real reason Gene Coon suddenly quit as series producer in the middle of Season Two. Learn which stories by renowned science fiction masters never made it to the screen and why. Find out which episodes almost didn’t make it in front of the camera. Read the memos from Roddenberry and his staff, and NBC, concerning all 26 episodes from Season Two. Witness the continuing deception by the network over the show’s ratings, and how the fans took on a corporate giant to save their favorite series.
EXCLUSIVE Clips from Larry Nemecek’s TREKLAND On Speaker: “All Good Things…” Words & Deeds
TrekMovie was excited to receive exclusive clips from the new CD by Larry “Dr. Trek” Nemecek, TREKLAND: On Speaker Volume 2. In the new CD, available for $21.99 on the Trekland Blog, you’ll hear direct from some of Trek’s greatest including Ronald D. Moore, Michael Piller, and more. What’s special about this CD series is that you’re getting a unique perspective — you’re hearing from the people who made Trek while they were making it. The audio is from conversations way back when — in the 90’s. Hit the jump to hear some clips from the new CD.
Book Review + Unboxing Video For Star Trek: Federation: First 150 Years
It’s the big-ticket Star Trek item of the season (well, for book-lovers, anyway). Join us for a look at “Federation: The First 150 Years.” Find out how this history from the future weighs in – and watch the unboxing video to see how all the components work – below.
Celebrate Star Trek TMP’s (& STVI) Anniversary & Watch Rare Behind Scenes Films
Today, December 7th, is the 33rd anniversary of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, the first feature in what will soon be a twelve film franchise. To celebrate TrekMovie is featuring a rare behind the scenes feature that shows how the film was made. We also have video of William Shatner reflecting on TMP and if you want to relive the movie but don’t have the time, you can watch the 10 minute version.We also remember Star Trek VI, which had an anniversary yesterday, with another BTS video.
Interview: Author David A. Goodman Talks Star Trek Federation History Book (and Futurama)
Today Publish 47 North released their elaborate coffee table book "Star Trek: Federation: The First 150 Years". Our regular reviewer will be giving his opinion on this history book soon but today we start with an interview with the author, David A. Goodman, who explains how he went about creating history, including making some controversial decisions. Goodman also talks about writing Futurama’s historic Star Trek homage.
USS Enterprise Aircraft Carrier Inactivated + Navy Announces New Enterprise To Launch Next Decade
The US Navy’s aircraft carrier bearing the same name as Star Trek’s iconic starship has been officially inactivated. After over fifty years in service the nuclear carrier USS Enterprise was ‘inactivated’ at an event in Norfolk, VA. More details and video from the event. The US Navy has also announced that the next aircraft carrier will be named Enterprise.
Review: Star Trek: The Next Generation 365 Photo Book
Following up from their 2010 Star Trek The Original Series 365 photo book (positively reviewed at TrekMovie), Abrams Books recently released a follow-up, this time revealing rare images from Star Trek: The Next Generation. TrekMovie continues our look at new exciting Star Trek non-fiction books with our review of Paula Block and Terry Erdmann’s new mini-coffee table book below.
Scripts Revealed For Scrapped ‘Star Trek Final Frontier’ Animated Series
Six years ago TrekMovie broke the news that CBS was considering a new animated Star Trek series developed by some insider vets. This show "Star Trek: Final Frontier" never made it past the development stage, but in the past the creators have shared images and details on the web. And now they are revealing the scripts they wrote as well. Details below along with an exclusive image.
A Milestone Month: September Marked Four Notable Star Trek Anniversaries
This past September marked four important anniversaries in Star Trek history: two most fans are well aware of, one that many may have forgotten, and a fourth the anniversary of an event many fans still regret happened. All are worth noting here.
Oreo is Captain Kirk to Milk’s Spock on Star Trek Day + More Trek Anniversary Great Links
On this day in 1966, Star Trek debuted on television. Google may have celebrated a day early, but today Oreo Cookie celebrates the 46th “Star Trek Day” by tweeting their #dailytwist photo in honor of Trek with the caption, “We are the Captain Kirk to Milk’s Spock.”
On Star Trek’s 46th Anniversary, Google Celebrates With Interactive Doodle
46 years ago, Star Trek beamed onto the TV sets of America for the first time. Today, Google celebrates that anniversary with an interactive “Google Doodle”, a game embedded into the search engine’s logo at Google.com. Click on characters and objects on the bridge and watch a famous Trek story unfold. Hit the jump for photos.
Neil Armstrong, First Man to Walk on Moon, Dead at 82
It is with a heavy heart that we post here on TrekMovie the passing of a worldwide hero, Neil Armstrong. He passed away after complications from heart surgery, his family told the press. Here’s to Neil Armstrong: first man on the moon, American astronaut, engineer, university professor, US Navy pilot, test pilot, self-proclaimed nerd, inspiration, and symbol of the golden era of space exploration. Rest in Peace and god speed.
TrekInk: Review of Star Trek #12, November solicits, and comics news roundup
Scotty’s unauthorized transwarp beaming research comes back to haunt him with a furry vengeance in Star Trek #12. Meanwhile, IDW Publishing solicits more Star Trek comics for November 2012 and TrekMovie rounds up recent comics news. Some spoilers after the break.
Roddenberry Launches Podcast Series To Explore Themes Of Every Star Trek Episode
Coinciding with the Las Vegas con , Rod Roddenberry (son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry) has launched a new podcast. Each episode of the new "Mission Log" series will examine a different episode of Star Trek, with the first looking at the pilot ("The Cage"). More info below.
Video of the Day: Tom Hardy’s Star Trek: Nemesis Screen Test
For the second weekend in a row The Dark Knight Rises is the top movie at the box office. In just ten days the film has taken in over half a billion dollars worldwide. This film cements Tom Hardy, who plays the villain Bane, as an even bigger star. But, it was just 10 years ago that Hardy got his big break in Star Trek: Nemesis. A video of his screen test with Patrick Stewart has been going viral again this week. Check it out below.
Watch: LeVar Burton’s Star Trek TNG Event Q&A + Responds To ‘Jheri Curl Geordi’ Viral Image
Earlier this week in our review of the Star Trek: The Next Generation theater events we also reported that TNG actor LeVar Burton surprised fans at the Times Square theater screening in New York. Video of Burton’s Q&A with the fans. Burton also tried to clarify that an image from the set that has gone viral is not him.
Review: William Shatner’s ‘Get A Life!’ Documentary
William Shatner’s new documentary "Get A Life!" premiers tonight on the Epix channel. For the second year in a row Bill explores Star Trek, but this time he turns his focus to the fans. Find out how it all turns out in the TrekMovie review below.
Watch: Previews From William Shatner’s ‘Get A Life!’ Star Trek Doc
In two weeks the EPIX Channel debuts the new Star Trek documentary, "William Shatner’s Get A Life!" The new doc features Bill finding out why we are all in love with Star Trek. A preview and a trailer for the doc have been released and you can check those out below.