Shatner Proud of Star Trek, Not in Sequel

In an interview with the Courier Mail, William Shatner looks back on his career including Star Trek. He speaks of how he is proud of his Trek work and while he would be up for being in the Star Trek sequel, he doesn't expect it to occur. Considering the amount he gets just so a fan can get brief on one time ($1100), well I guess he can stick with not doing cameos.

``The level of Star Trek is both earnest and ironic,'' he says. ``I think of Star Trek at its best as being really good and when I was at my best I was good in it. So I am both proud of it and at the same time I am aware that some people think it was a soap opera and the sets were cheap and the effects - I can't even call them computer effects - were awful by today's standards.

``I would be so interested in doing it, especially with that wonderful director J.J. Abrams, but I don't see how it's possible and maybe we all have gone beyond that,'' he says. But I have shot a wonderful documentary where I talk to all the captains of Star Trek and try to find a common denominator and in the meantime have some fun talking to them about them and their lives.''

Leonard Nimoy Returns to Fringe Again

Despite repeated assertions that he is retiring, Leonard Nimoy just can't quit the acting biz. Today the Star Trek and Fringe actors tweeted "Coming to Fringe. William's bell rings soon. LLAP". The LLAP is shorthand for Live Long and Prosper. Since Fringe is on the fence for being renewed for a third season, I assume he is returning to the role of William Bell for the season finale, much like he did for last year's finale.

Star Trek Comes to Netflix Streaming

CBS Corporation and Netflix issues a press release announcing a two year agreement to allow for instant streaming of CBS owned television shows and movies. The shows will become available in early April for the usual $7.99 per month plan.

For Star Trek fans, there is a key part that makes this news exciting (especially considering the cost of season sets), and that is "all generations of the definitive sci-fi series, "Star Trek" will be available. This means Star Trek: The Original Series. Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise, and even the cartoon series.

Other television shows that will be available include Cheers, Frasier, Medium, Flashpoint, original Hawaii Five-O, Twin Peaks and many more. The idea of being able to create a kind of "best of" and themed play lists from all of Star Trek is very cool; I can't help but feel slightly annoyed considering the massive amount of money I spent on many of the box sets I currently own.

Possible Script, Production Dates

A little of news on the Star Trek sequel front. It seems that the first draft of the script is nearing completion as co-writer Roberto Orci tweeted "aiming to turn in first full draft of Star Trek in six weeks or so" so around end of March. Earlier this week Simon Pegg told the BBC1 that he would be filming "Star Trek in August."

The initial plan was rumored to try to have a draft in by the beginning of the year so pre-production work could begin for filming over the summer. This change of dates is going to make things tight for the post-production process that has to make the film's June 29th, 2012 release date. With a draft not coming for a little while longer that means pre-production (along with Abrams decision to direct) will not start until April or May. The average film, especially one with lots of visual effects, need around three months of pre-production work so an August start date is reasonable. Assuming the average filming time of three months that means principle photography is unlikely to end until around November. After that are lots of CGI work, editing, sound mixing and so much more. Whoever ends up directing is going to be burning the midnight oil to get the film out on time. (via TrekMovie)

Star Trek Online One Year Anniversary

Cryptic Studios celebrates its one year anniversary of Star Trek Online (sheesh time flies). In the video below they summarize all the improvements they have added to the game since it was first released.