For this Sunday’s LA Times there is an excellent article on the state of science fiction, with a focus on three franchises which have gone through (or are going through) ‘revivals’: Star Trek, Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica. The piece has quotes from Ron Moore, Roberto Orci, JJ Abrams, William Shatner and more and is a must read. Some excerpts below.
This weekend TNT airs the latest installment of their The Librarian TV movie series (directed by TNG’s Jonathan Frakes). In a new interview with iF Magazine promoting the show, the Trek veteran talks about the franchise, past, present and future, including commenting on his visit to the set of the new Star Trek movie.
Leonard Nimoy wants to set the record straight. TrekWeb reports that actor who reprises his role as Spock in the new Star Trek movie sent in a message to that site ‘regarding some of the negative feelings expressed by some fans about the new movie’ at TrekWeb.
William Shatner’s new talk show, Shatner’s Raw Nerve, premieres December 2nd on The Biography Channel with interviews of Valerie Bertinelli and Tim Allen at 10 PM Eastern Time. Bio has supplied TrekMovie with a special sneak peek of the Bertinelli episode, and next week’s Jimmy Kimmel interview.
Two Shatner articles in one day? Why not?…it is Shatcember after all. William Shatner has some new interviews where he promotes his new talk show Raw Nerve (which premieres Tuesday night) and also talks about the end of Boston Legal, the new Star Trek movie (and the new Kirk, Chris Pine), the Takei feud and more. [UPDATE 2: See below for new comments on JJ Abrams]
Due to this month being just chock full of William Shatner all over the TV dial, Trekmovie.com has decided to rename it ‘Shatcember.’ In the first of our Shatcember updates, we discuss the December 2nd premiere of Shatner’s new talk show Raw Nerve Bio, reveal the Biography Channel’s Shatner mini-marathon, and celebrate great Shatner interviews of the past.
Star Trek continues its return to popular culture consciousness this year with everything from magazine covers to movie trailers in anticipation of the new feature film. Yet another example is seen at the 72nd Annual Sun Bowl Parade in El Paso, Texas this Thanksgiving Day.
For over a year now, Diamond Select Toys has been bringing back the 70s in the form of their retro-cloth figure recreations of the famous Star Trek MEGO toys. And this month brings us the most 70s-ish one of them all, a two pack with Foxy Uhura and her dancing pal, the Mugatu. TrekMovie has a full review and more news in the world of toys for this week.
In 2003 Manny Coto joined the staff for Star Trek Enterprise where where he worked closely with co-creator Brannon Braga for the final two seasons. Now the pair are working together again on 24, which airs a 2-hour prequel movie on FOX tonight (Sunday). In August TrekMovie spoke to the Coto and Braga about 24 and Enterprise. Watch the video interview below.
With all the talk about the new Star Trek (and Anthony’s ringing review of the new Kirk), did you think we forgot about the Original? Not for a second. We have been and always shall be keeping a Watch on Bill Shatner and today we have vids of him talking about the new Enterprise and UFOs, a rundown on ‘Shatcember’ and much much more Billness going on.
Star Trek The Next Generation’s Jonathan Frakes will be appearing at the Boston SuperMegaFest this weekend and in a new interview to promote the event he talked about various things Trek from his auditions, to his beard, to his future as Riker. We also have pics of Frakes and some TNG co-stars from the wrap party from Frakes’ third Librarian TV movie.
In August Master Replicas released their new Star Trek V assault phaser (see review) and in a few weeks they debut their version of the Starfleet Mark IX Science Tricorder from Star Trek’s TNG era. If you want to know if it gets the right readings, check out our early review below.
Season Three of Remastered Star Trek The Original Series finally gets released on DVD Tuesday November 18th. Trek’s third season was a mixed bag at best, but still contained some classic episodes, plus the Remastered process added some new moments to the cash-strapped final season. The DVD set also has some new interesting brand new special features.
The new trailer for the Star Trek movie will be online shortly, but CBS wants to remind people that the Original is still out there. CBS is still airing Star Trek Remastered in syndication. Next month they will be releasing a new fun light-hearted promo to stations, but they sent it over to TrekMovie this morning for a first look, check it out below.
Star Trek IV may be the biggest hit of the Star Trek film franchise (so far), but can you believe it never got any action figures? That changes now with DST’s pre-order announcement of Kirk and Spock STIV figures (with pics). Plus Diamond Select have released images of their upcoming new line of electronic tribbles. Details on those plus a review of the new Kirk and Spock busts from DST.
Think the back and forth between William Shatner and George Takei regarding Takei’s wedding invitation was over? After Shatner’s first biting video and Takei’s response, Shatner has a new video today up on The Shatner Project where he tries to get in the last word, and he also seeming invites Takei onto his new Talk show. Plus we have Canadians petitioning Shatner news.
In just a month William Shatner’s new talk show Shatner’s Raw Nerve finally premieres on the Bio Channel. The Bio Channel has now launched, which includes some clips from his interview with Leonard Nimoy. [UPDATE: Bio has sent over some exclusive images of Shatner and Nimoy]. Plus The Shatner Project has a new video of Bill talking about some of his classic Shat Fu fight moves.
For their election coverage, the cable network CNN introduced new ‘hologram’ technology, where they would ‘beam’ onto their set from remote locations where they would be rendered in 3D. CNN referred to the beaming as ‘like Star Trek’ but some in the media can’t decide if this was ‘Trek’ or ‘Wars’ technology.
John Byrne returns to IDW’s Star Trek for the last time until early 2009 with the second (and final) part of "The Hollow Crown", and the question on everyone’s mind is whether he’ll be able to hold our attention until the conclusion of this storyline. How does this all play out? See our review below plus a preview of upcoming Byrne Trek books.
In the last week a couple of unique items have come out that are firsts for Star Trek merchandising. Firstly we have The Original Series finally realized as Pez candy dispensers. And in addition the first Kurt Adler Christmas statue is out, featuring Spock and some tribbles. Reviews, pictures and details below.
Looks like we got ourselves a full Orignal Series star war going on here. Yesterday we posted the new video from William Shatner taking some shots at George Takei, and today Entertainment Tonight caught up with Takei and gave him a chance to shoot back. See the video below.
Two out of three books of David Mack’s big "Destiny" crossover trilogy are in stores now and today Pocket Books has released an excerpt from the third book "Star Trek Destiny: Lost Souls." See below for the entire first chapter of this book due out next month.
Before the William Shatner and JJ Abrams drama there was the William Shatner and George Takei drama. This feud has played out in books, talk shows and in the media — most recently in reports about how Shatner was not invited to Takei’s wedding. In his newest "Shatner Project" video blog, Bill doesn’t hold back on how he feels. See that below plus get all the latest on The Shat.
This week the Library Computer takes in the second installment of David Mack’s Destiny trilogy, "Mere Mortals". Can this second part of this ambitious project live up to the high standard that "Gods of Night" set? (see TrekMovie review) See below to find out.
Today is what feels like round 78 in the ongoing Saga of JJ Abrams and William Shatner and the new Star Trek movie. In a new MTV interview Abrams talks about William Shatner’s response to his own comments in an interview about a potential scene…is this the last word? Plus Abrams talks about the run time of the film and TrekMovie has some additional info on the post-production.
October 11-12th, Hallmark stores are celebrating their annual "Ornament Debut" weekend with in-store parties. Star Trek fans have reason to join the festivities because one of the best Star Trek ornaments ever is now available, the TOS Communicator. Trekmovie.com continues coverage of the Hallmark line with a detailed look at the new ornament, and news of next year’s line.
How buff can Kirk be in the mirror universe? Is it true that Picard shaved his head at an early age? Does Jack Crusher die in every parallel universe, or only these two? Just how virile is Sulu? All these questions and more… not exactly answered ahead in our review if the latest two issues of ‘Star Trek Mirror Images’!
Is Patrick Stewart (TNG’s Captain Picard) about the trade in the Enterprise for the Tardis? According to a report in the Brit tabloid The Daily Star, the actor has been offered a recurring role on Doctor Who, the hit British Sci Fi series. This report is not confirmed, but Stewart is currently appearing with Doctor Who star David Tennant in Hamlet.
We have some October surprises from DST. This week Diamond Select Toys and Art Asylum announced a new item (an Ultimate Scale Spock) as well as details on the previously announced ‘Electronic Tribble’ and Enterprise 1701D ship toy. Trekmovie.com provides a look at some of the retro collectibles to look forward to early in 2009 as fans await the new feature film.
Brent Spiner has a new video interview promoting his new album Dreamland (see TrekMovie review), but he also talked a bit about Trek. Next Generations Data said that he was too old to return to the role, but ‘never say never.’ The actor also talked about his future projects including his new documentary.