New Star Trek XI Poster and Release Date

DarkHorizons.com has scored the new poster for Star Trek XI. The font and style is very similar to the Original Series and most importantly it reveals the movies release date - 12/25/08.

Zachary Quinto, Nimoy as Spock Now Official

According to AICN, during a session with JJ Abrams at the San Diego Comic-con, Abrams confirmed that Zachary Quinto (Heroes) has been cast as young Spock and Leonard Nimoy will return as adult Spock. To me this basically confirms that Spock will probably bookend the movie, which will be a series of flashbacks. Abrams loves the flashback so it does fit his style.

Probably the setup will be a "tell me when you met Kirk and McCoy?" type deal. Since Spock out lived Kirk by centuries in Star Trek canon (Vulcans life span is hundreds of years rather then decades), it really does make sense that Shatner wouldn't be in the movie. Its a shame, but it shows that Abrams does intend to honor, rather then ignore, the Star Trek mythology already established over the last 40 years.

Shatner Clarifies Star Trek 11 Exclusion

Williams Shatner has posted a new video that clarifies his response to be excluded from Star Trek XI. Apparently multiple tabloids felt he was angry about not being in the upcoming movie even though that didn't come across to me in the video where he revealed Leonard Nimoy's involvement. Of course most tabloids survive on rumors and manufactured conflicts so no suprise there would be an exaggeration.

Shatner: "I don't know where this upset thing go. The tabloids make it up. In fact I called writer and producer JJ Abrams up, I met with him prior to all this, and I didn't say anything cause they asked to not talk about Star Trek. Who was in and who was out. I had known I was not in it for a while. I'm sad I am not in it. Disappointed. ...as for me being lobbying for the part, how do you lobby for the part when you got this script written. I have heard of actors lobbying for parts, I got to find out how you lobby for a part. As for being upset about it, I am disappointed."
(source)

Zachary Quinto Is Young Spock

Multiple websites (here, here, and here) are reporting that Zachary Quinto's is going to play the young Spock in Star Trek XI. Pretty much everything is in order except for signing on the dotted line.

From E! News's Kristin:

I checked with a source who confirms that the Zachary Quinto-as-Spock contract is with the business affairs team at Paramount. Business affairs is generally considered the last stop on the deal-negotiation train. The deal only awaits sign-off from outside counsel.

TVGuide's Michael Ausello:

Zachary Quinto was neither confirming nor denying reports that he's in line to play a young Spock in Damon Lindelof and J.J. Abrams' Star Trek pic. "I'm under strict orders not to say anything," he said. Luckily, my BFF Greg Grunberg was under no such gag order. "How exciting is that?" he enthused. "Now I've got to beg, plead and scrape to get in that movie!"

Kind of odd to not deny a role. Could have said "I am interested but don't whats happening" or any other neutral things but staying mum on it pretty much says "I am Spock." to me. The official confirmation will probably come in the next day or two during the San Diego Comic-con.

Matt Damon Denies Kirk Casting Rumor

Matt Damon denied rumors that he was cast in JJ Abrams Star Trek XI prequel movie as James T. Kirk in an interview with IGN Movies. He said he spoke with JJ about the rumors but that Abrams had indicated they where looking for someone in their 20s for the role. Hopefully the upcoming San Diego Comic Con will clear up many of the rumors including a new one circulating that Zachary Quinto (Sylar on "Heroes") is up to play the young Spock.
(source)

Shatner Out, Nimoy In for Star Trek?

According to a radio interview (with video), Leornard Nimoy, aka Spock, will be in Star Trek XI. Oddly William Shatner is saying he will not be. Strange considering the movie is a rumored prequel. However, considering J.J. Abrams fondness for flashbacks, it possible the film starts in the "present", ie Star Trek Next Generation time frame, where Kirk is dead, and then bounces back to the main prequel storyline.
(source)

Welcome!

Welcome to the blog that will attempt to track the news regarding the upcoming Star Trek XI. The movie is rumored to be a prequel to the original Star Trek series that explains the "origin" of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. At least that's the rumor because the writers of the script, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, are being tight lipped as is everyone else involved with the film. Shooting is supposed to start this fall with a Christmas 2008 release date.