Abrams: Sequel "Worth the Wait"

As J.J. Abrams continues to promote Super 8, he gets asked about Star Trek. Each time it seems just a little bit more information leaks on how/if Star Trek 12 can hit its release date. Each time, it seems that Abrams is setting up everyone to not really be surprised when a delay is announced. This notion was repeated in two new articles.

Hitflix:

We are still working on story. Some super cool stuff — but I won’t be able to make a decision on directing until we have our script and I know what I’m being asked to direct. As for release date, that is not a concern of mine. Perhaps we could still make the date the studio wants. But we are focusing on making a great movie: the guys I’m collaborating with are the best and we all want the same thing.

CNN:

I’m not so sure, but I know that we’re trying. We’re working on the script and story and doing everything we can to make it well. I would just so much rather make a movie that’s worth people’s time than make a movie that’s on time…I’m not inclined to push it. I’m inclined to make a movie that’s good and if it works out in that timetable then we’ll all be thrilled. If it doesn’t, when the movie comes out it’ll be worth the wait.

Adding to the doubt is apparently Paramount Pictures is working on Plan B, called G.I. Joe: Cobra Strike which Deadline reports "has become an important one for Paramount, which will have to scratch the Star Trek sequel from its summer 2012 schedule and will likely put this film in its place." GI Joe 2 is already scheduled for an August 10th, 2012 date so hitting coming out six weeks early is doable especially since the movie is jettisoning all but three members of the original cast, have far less special effects and a much smaller budget.

The assumption is that if Star Trek moves, it will be to Christmas 2012. As TrekMovie points out, that period is very crowded and very competitive with Bond 23, last Twilight Saga, The Hobbit, Superman and several others already penciled in for that two month period. Swapping with GI Joe is another plan but will six weeks make that much of a difference? It would depend on the level of pre-production and post-production effects the script will call for. Worst case scenario is a Summer 2013 release which I don't think anyone wants. There is still about a month's worth of wiggle room to go so still early to know for sure.