The Week in 'TREK': December 26
...in which we summarize recent stories about the super-secretive Star Trek movie.
TRIBBLE!
The new Star Trek movie will feature a cameo by a tribble, one of the small, furry creatures first seen in the classic Original Series episode "The Trouble with Tribbles".
David Gerrold, the writer of "Trouble With Tribbles" (and the animated series episode "More Troubles, More Tribbles"), told TrekMovie.com: "I am thrilled. I think it is a funny idea. As long as it fits within the story and the Star Trek universe I am all for it."
FASCINATING
On December 23, TrekMovie posted the second guest blog from Leonard Nimoy ("Old" Spock), who's now spent several shooting days on the various sets:
"The size of the production impresses me. It’s a big picture. The director J.J. Abrams is able to work on a very large scale while also paying close attention to the intimate work of the actors. My hopes for this film continue to be very positive."
Executive producer Damon Lindelof ("Lost") reported that Nimoy and Zachary Quinto ("Young" Spock) "get along great."
"I think the fact that Leonard Nimoy has chosen to reprise his role as Spock for the first time in 15 years is an incredible endorsement," said Karl Urban ("Young" Dr. McCoy), "and he wouldn’t be involved if he didn’t believe in J.J. and the authenticity of the project."
SAME OL' BONES...BUT YOUNGER
Urban told TVGuide.com, "The movie is very, very faithful to the spirit of the original series and the characters that were created in the '60s." Bones "is the lovable, irascible humanist that he has always been [and] a good friend of Jim Kirk."
TROY ROGERS at Thedeadbolt.com asked Urban: "In the last month or so, there have been a lot of reports that indicate the production might be heading to Iceland. So you haven't been there?"
Urban replied: "No."
PLOT HINTS FROM THE PRODUCER
Ain’t It Cool News’s DREW "MORIARTY" MCWEENY suggested that the movie would feature time travel (most likely using the Guardian of Forever from writer Harlan Ellison's original series episode, "City on the Edge of Forever").
But Executive producer Lindelof suggests that McWeeny’s theory could be way off. "If I were to tell you what I thought, it would shine too much light on whether or not he was hot or cold."
Lindelof couldn’t resist dropping a hint about one Trek staple, however. "...no one writes a mind-meld like [Alex] Kurtzman and [Roberto] Orci."
KIRK & SPOCK TOGETHER AGAIN
Zachary Quinto said he screen-tested with his co-star Chris Pine prior to the latter's casting as Kirk to determine the extent of the duo’s important on-camera chemistry. "I knew Chris before," said Quinto. "Chris is a phenomenal actor. I think he brings an echo of [William] Shatner’s energy, but completely himself. He’s really honoring the role."
But what about Shatner?
"There are still ongoing talks," reported Lindelof. "It's a challenge for us, though, because they killed Kirk off [in the seventh feature film, 1994’s Star Trek Generations]...But hey, it's Trek, anything's possible, right?"
BLESSING THE NEXT GENERATION
Nichelle Nichols (the original Uhura), George Takei (the original Sulu), and Walter Koenig (the original Chekov) are enthusiastic about their successors--Zoe Saldana, John Cho and Anton Yelchin.
"I think it’s great," said Koenig. "Just as long as it’s a good film, keep it going."
Eugene Roddenberry, son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, said he feels confident about the new creative team. "They by all means have my blessing."
CALL IN THE RED SHIRTS: TIGHT SECURITY
Contact Music reported that security concerns have resulted in a smoking ban, and apparently Winona Ryder (Amanda Grayson) was among the stars reportedly upset by the policy. However, all willingly signed a confidentiality agreement.
"Winona said she understood," reported a source, "but she's crawling the walls."
The Trek team has managed to keep the script from being leaked by limiting the number of people who have a copy. Many actors are only given pages for their scenes and are not allowed to take them home. A similar system is in place for technical personnel.
TREK HOLDS COUNCIL IN LONG BEACH
The Trek crew recently filmed several days at the City Hall building in Long Beach, Ca. During the week, the municipal government center was surrounded by massive trucks parked along Ocean Boulevard, barriers and a small tent city for actors and crew, but maintained regular business hours, forcing the actors to cover themselves with blankets when passing into and out of City Hall.
Several staffers were allowed to observe filming in the City Council Chambers, but had to sign non-disclosure forms, forbidding them to release any details.
[Original articles by ANTHONY PASCALE at TrekMovie.com; PAUL EAKINS at Long Beach (Ca) Press-Telegram; MATT WEBB MITOVICH at TV Guide; SCOTT HUVER at Hollywood.com; TROY ROGERS at Thedeadbolt.com; and Contactmusic.com]