CinemaCon Provides Sequel Update

JJ Abrams was on hand at CinemaCon (use to be called ShoWest) to help promote Super 8 to theatre chains. While there he provided a brief update to Coming Soon on the progress of the sequel saying, "We’re working on the story. That’s probably more important than the release date at this point, but at the moment, we’re not going to change anything."

The longer it takes to get pre-production going, the more I wonder if the date will be bumped or it is an indication that the film's budget is going to take a sizeable hit. If the film is mostly set based with limited visual effects than not as much time will be needed to produce the entire film. However, that kind of filming was a hallmark of the previous non-Abrams Star Trek films that often resulted in decisions that adversely affected the quality of the movie. Of course Abrams is very experienced creating quality movies with a limited budget so it may be a non-issue.

Leonard Nimoy Looks Back on Career

In an interview with StarTrek.com, Leonard Nimoy reflected on his long career, Star Trek, the JJ Abrams movie and more. He defended the choice of the alternative universe for the new Star Trek 2.0 era as a "wise idea" for "they gave themselves a new canvass to work with." Nimoy had intended to retired but it seems the fans beckon as he felt an "obligation to be out there for them." Tidbits included why he smiled in the Star Trek pilot (told too by the director), while he turned down the 1970s Star Trek Phase II series, the various movies and much more. The interview is worth the read. Hit the links below for all three pages. (via TrekMovie)

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Star Trek Sequel Set Visit Raffle Prize

JJ Abrams has offered the ultimate prize for Star Trek fans to help victims of the Japan earthquake and tsunami. Abrams has offered as part of the UNICEF raffle the prize of a visit to the set of Star Trek 2. The raffle starts essentially now with tickets costing $10 each. There are also other prizes available like artwork, DVD box sets and more. Click here to go to GiantRobot to learn more and purchase the raffle tickets. (via TrekMovie)

Simon Pegg Wants Harry Mudd

There really has been no news on the Star Trek sequel front for quite a while. I am actually surprised considering that something as special effects heavy as a Star Trek film needs as much lead time as possible for pre-production and post production and yet it seems a first draft is not even ready. In the meantime that doesn't mean the speculation stops and once again Harry Mudd has come up in relation to the sequel. While promoting his latest movie Paul, Simon Pegg (Scotty) said he would like the character in the film with his Paul co-star Nick Frost playing the character.

From Screenjunkies:

Q: Obviously Scotty was the last one to join the crew in Star Trek. Obviously you don’t know what the next script will be yet but are you excited to be there from the beginning?
Simon Pegg: Absolutely. I can’t wait. It’s a great crew. We all got on very well and I can’t wait to get back into that thing of getting to know each other. I think they’ll pick up the story from where we left off and we’ve all only just met so there’s a lot of mileage I would imagine dramatically in us all sort of getting to know each other.

From StatePress

Q: Is there any possibility that Nick will appear in the next “Star Trek” movie with you, Simon?
Simon Pegg: Probably not. We like working together but we don’t come as a pair. We’ve done as much stuff apart as we have together. We’ll always work together if we can though.
Nick Frost: I’m happy that Simon goes off and does his little things on the side. I like “Star Trek.” I like watching him in “Star Trek.” I wouldn’t like watching me in “Star Trek.” But if somebody offered me a million dollars to do it, maybe I’d do it.
Simon Pegg: I think he’d make a terrific Harry Mudd from the original “Star Trek” series.

Keep in mind this is all pure speculation as the actors have not yet read the script considering a first draft has not yet been turned in. Personally I found the Harry Mudd episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series to be boring so hoping that the character either doesn't show up at all or has a very minor role in the story.

Shatner Wakes Up Discovery Crew

William Shatner briefly reprised his role of Enterprise Captain James T. Kirk to record a new introduction over the "Theme from Star Trek" for the crew of the space shuttle Discovery for mission STS-133. The crew was woken at 3:23AM EST Monday March 7th to Shatner saying:

These have been the voyages of the space shuttle Discovery. Her 30 year mission: To seek out new science. To build new outposts. To bring nations together on the final frontier. To boldly go, and do, what no spacecraft has done before.

The 30 year old shuttle program will end later this year with I believe one more mission. Congrats to NASA, safe travels for the crew and a nod to Shatner for his part is giving homage to the space program. The audio above is thanks to TrekMovie.

Update On Star Trek Sequel Script

While at the Vanity Fair part after the Oscars, JJ Abrams provided an update on the Star Trek sequel to MTV News. (via TrekMovie)

"I can't wait to check it out," he told MTV News about the sequel to the 2009 smash. Abrams revealed he will be getting his hands on the script "very shortly" and discussed what he hopes for and expects from "Star Trek 2. "The first one was about the characters meeting and the sequel's going to have to be more about what they do now that they're a family."