Vulcan Wins Online Vote to Name a Moon

The currently not a planet Pluto turns out to have five moons thanks to the discovery of the additional ones by Dr. Mark Showalter and his team. From this discovery (one in 2011, other in 2012) he decided to hold an online contest to give the internet an opportunity to name the moons. As is the traditional for naming large bodies like moons, the names have to have a strong basis in Greek or Roman mythology. This gave rise to the name Vulcan being suggested as he is the blacksmith god of fire and volcanoes in Roman mythology. Of course to Star Trek fans, Vulcan really refers to the home planet of Spock, last seen getting blown up in Star Trek (2009). The push to name one of the moons Vulcan received a boost when William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy used their twitter accounts to occasionally remind their fans to vote for the name. The result is the name won by a 50,000 margin with Cerberus (three headed dog that guards the gates to the underworld) coming in second. Now the online victory isn't actually the final leg in its journey. The actual naming of the moon has to be approved by the International Astronomical Union and they were pretty clear that astronomers, not Star Trek fans, would make the naming decision. Since Astronomers and Trekkie seems to have a high overlap, well...

Kickstarter: The Green Girl

In its final week, the Star Trek related Kickstarter project called "The Green Girl" still needs some Trekkie support as its still short of its funding goal. The project is a documentary on actress, director, and aviator Susan Oliver. To most of us she is famous for being the first hot green Orion slave girl that became such a known Star Trek reference it was even reprised in the 2007 movie. This despite the appearance in green only being about a minute as part of a fantasy sequence in the pilot episode of Star Trek called The Cage. When that pilot was rejected by NBC a new one was created, with most of the cast replaced (except Leonard Nimoy as Spock) and so that episode was cut up and reused in what is still considered one of Star Trek finest episodes - The Menagerie Part 1 and 2. Oliver's role was the friend, seductress and co-conspirator to keep Captain Pike on the planet. As her long resume attests to, this is just one of many roles she has played in her career that was sadly cut short in 1990 by cancer at the age of 58.

The goal of the Kickstarter project by George Pappy is to re-introduce this actress to the world who accomplishments wasn't just guest roles. She was a record setting female aviator, original member of AFI Directing Workshop for Women and one of the first few female television director's in the early 80s at a time when that kind of role for a woman was nearly unheard of. If it can achieve its $80,000 goal, the hope is a documentary on the actress will be completed by year's end. If you are interested in learning more or backing this endeavor, click here.

Captain Kirk at the Oscars Opening

Last night the 2013 Oscars were held with an interesting addition in the form of William Shatner in full Captain Kirk costume to try and help Seth McFarlane get good reviews as host. If ever watch Seth's Family Guy, American Dad, and Cleveland Show you pick up pretty quick that he is a geek at heart and a long time Trek fan so a Star Trek reference wouldn't have been a surprise. Getting Shatner back into costume for the show for an extended segment was unexpected (actually surprised Patrick Stewart didn't so something since works with Seth as a voice actor on all his stuff). The segment probably shouldn't have worked but when you have The Shat working the camera, the chances of success go up. Video of the segment below or hit up ABC.com to view it.

Star Trek: The Next Generation Re-Release Packaging

While the Blu-ray editions of Star Trek: The Next Generation will take the next two years to complete their roll-out, if you find them too pricy or just can't wait, Paramount is going to re-release the DVD season sets. According to StarTrek.com Season 1 (about $35)and 2 (about $47) will be released on Amazon (not listed yet) starting March 12 with all seven sets getting released at retail starting April 16. There is no content difference between these sets and the silvered packaged sets released years ago but now its in a slimmer package, new covers and lower price point.

Abrams Talks Klingons and Carol Marcus

MTV continues to slowly post their December interviews with JJ Abrams and the actors from Star Trek Into Darkness as they discuss aspects of the film. Once again the Abrams cone of silence remains so while he talks about Klingons and Carol Marcus, he doesn't really stay much about the story. Video after the break.

Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness #2 Preview

The comic prequel to Star Trek Into Darkness continues with Countdown To Darkness #2. The action pics up were the last left off with Kirk meeting Robert April, the first captain of the Enterprise. Well the previous model anyway. The preview of the issue can be found here.

Star Trek: Countdown to Darkness #2 (of 4)
Mike Johnson (w) • David Messina, photo (a & c)
Don't miss the next chapter in this exclusive comics prequel to next summer's blockbuster STAR TREK movie! New characters and new conflicts threaten Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise in this all-new story overseen by STAR TREK movie writer/producer Roberto Orci!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Star Trek Into Motion Poster

Below is a new "poster" from Paramount that uses the existing poster and adds a camera pull back and a little motion to it. Over all its decent but still baffles me on whats the point of them. Warning that it auto plays.

IDW May 2013 Star Trek Comics

IDW Publishing has released their publishing plans for May 2013. Considering that this is the month Star Trek Into Darkness comes out, it seems that IDW has punted by releasing on one new comic and one trade. I guess they are recognizing that it movies do not really boost the sale of comic books (but anecdotal evidence that they do help trade sales). Still if you enjoyed the movie you might want to check out Star Trek 21 which takes place after the events in the movie so it is the point the series switches to being a prequel to a continuing story of the Enterprise crew. For the full details of IDW's other books including GI Joe, TMNT, Transformers, Locke & Key and more click here.

Star Trek #21
Mike Johnson & Ryan Parrot (w) • Erfan Fajar (a) • Tim Bradstreet (c)
The hit ongoing STAR TREK series picks up right where this year's blockbuster sequel STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS leaves off! Don't miss the all-new adventures of the crew as they go boldly into the unknown, in a story overseen by STAR TREK writer/producer Roberto Orci!
FC • 32 pages • $3.99

Star Trek The Video Game - Making the Game Part 1

Namco Bandai has provided their first long look (outside of trailers one and two) for Star Trek The Video Game. This first video focuses on the goal of creating "The Ultimate Co-op Experience" as the game developers talk about the game with lots of footage as Kirk, Spock and the Enterprise shoot up enemies. The release date is April 23 and available to pre-order on Amazon now for the PS3 and 360. Video after the jump.

Star Trek The Video Game - Salvation Trailer

Namco Games has posted their next trailer for Star Trek The Video Game that ties directly into Star Trek Into Darkness as a kind of prequel to the movie. The game allows you to control Kirk, Spock and the Enterprise in a shoot-em-up style game against the Gorn. You can pre-order the game on Amazon for PS3 and 360. Release date is April 23.

30 Years of Star Trek Bloopers and Outtakes

Enjoy it while it stays up but below is a 41 minute long blooper reel from of Star Trek The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager and Enterprise. Also includes bloopers from Star Trek (2009), Star Trek IV The Voyage Home. The video was compiled by a fan from the various DVD, Blu-ray and who knows where else that has been released over the years. Personally I love outtake and blooper reels. I like laughing with the stars (them cracking up tends to cause me to crack up) and it often makes me like the star more because its a sign that they try not to take themselves to seriously and have a sense of humor. While not scientific, it also seems that the stars willing to risk looking like fools on outtake reels are also the same ones that seem to have good reputations not just as professionals but with their fan interactions. Long story short, if I was a producer and trying to figure out if an actor might be a "problem child" on set, verifying the existence or willingness to release a blooper rule would be a way to cull the unknown divas. Video after the jump. (via io9)

Star Trek: TNG Best of Both Worlds Screening

Fathom Events has officially announced the screening Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Best of Both Worlds screening. The April 25, 7PM event will screen the two part episode as a single movie along with special behind the scenes clips. The screening is to promote the April 30th release of Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Best of Both Worlds Blu-Ray and Star Trek: The Next Generation Season Three Blu-ray. Details on those sets are here. To buy tickets head over to Fathom Events.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Soundtrack Collection

Available now from La-La Land Records is the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Limited Edition 4-CD Set that collects most of the music from the 7 year series. Personally I found the DS9 music to be the most majestic of all the Trek series but then again I am partial as it is also my favorite. The set is limited to 3000 units with a retail price of $49.98. To order click here.

La-La Land Records proudly announces its forthcoming release of STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE COLLECTION, a limited edition 4-CD soundtrack set that showcases musical highlights from episode scores as heard in all seven original seasons of the beloved sci-fi television series STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE (1993-1999). This special collection of music features more than five hours of incredible score, selected from some of the most acclaimed episodes of this enormously successful NEXT GENERATION spin-off.

STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE SOUNDTRACK COLLECTION is licensed by CBS Consumer Products.

Produced by Ford A. Thaxton, James Nelson, Mark Banning and Lukas Kendall, and mastered by James Nelson, this deluxe, limited-edition release of 3000 units chronicles its music on four CDs – The first disc features the music of composer Dennis McCarthy; the second disc features the music of composer Jay Chattaway; the third disc showcases music from “the new recruits,” composers John Debney, David Bell, Richard Bellis, Gregory Smith and Paul Baillargeon; and the fourth disc, entitled “The Lost Album,” contains an album assembly of material that was prepped by music producers and the composers for a soundtrack compilation that was never released. The set is complemented by a 36-page booklet that includes exclusive, in-depth liner notes from film music writer and Trek historian Jeff Bond.

TRACK LISTING:

Alice Eve Denies Khan Rumors, Pegg Wants Abrams for Trek 3

Sunday was the British Academy Film Awards which honors films from around the world. Attending it were to native UK Star Trek Into Darkness cast members Alice Eve (Carol Marcus) and Simon Pegg (Scotty) who answered a few Trek questions. Alice Eve is flat out denies the Benedict Cumberbatch as Khan rumors saying "He is not playing Khan." Simon Pegg discloses he thinks that JJ Abrams "will do Star Trek [3]" after he completes Star Wars while voicing his support of preventing spoilers from leaking. Keep in mind this is a hope on Pegg's part and not inside information. Discussions on Star Trek 3 are probably not even going to start until after Into Darkness comes out. Videos below.

I suspect Paramount will take a wait and see stance until the schedule of Star Wars Episode VII becomes clear. They might wait on Abrams but if the Star Wars gets bumped to 2016 (which I think is all but inevitable), I just don't seem them waiting until 2017 for the next film to come out so will move ahead with a different director. It execs are really on the ball, once the numbers come in on 2 to judge its level of success, they need to get aggressive on at least prepping a script as Paramount should claim summer 2015 when Star Wars gets pushed back as coming out in 2016 against Wars is a non-starter and 2017 just means they might as well wait for Abrams. In short, any Abrams directing Star Trek 3 talk is idle speculation until two things happen - 1) Star Trek Into Darkness is judged a box office success and 2) the official release date of Star Wars Episode 7 is announced.

Hasbro Reveals Star Trek Kre-O Line

This weekend is the 2013 New York Toy Fair where toy makers and sellers meet and greet to discuss the next year's worth of toy plans. It also provides a chance for the toy companies to provide a first look at their upcoming releases. One of those was Hasbro who showed off their Star Trek Kre-O line that will becoming out in May for the release of Star Trek Into Darkness. Kre-O is Hasbro's answer to Lego with the Kreon being the equivalent to the Lego mini-fig. Summary on the sets below with full details and images here and bunch of images from the Toy Fair floor can be found here. If check the Kreon list, notice that the sets are a combination from both JJ Abrams movies while the Kreon assortment packs indicates that Hasbro plans on diving into all of Star Trek, not just the last two movies.

Wave 1 Sets
USS Enterprise - $70, 432 pieces, 18" long, Kirk, Spock, McCoy, 2 villain Kreons)
Klingon Bird-of-Prey - $30, 236 pieces, Kirk, Uhura, 2 Klingon Kreons
Spock's Volcano Mission - $20, 141 pieces, Spock and Sulu Kreons
Transporter Trouble - $15, 65 pieces, Scotty and Klingon Kreons
Space Dive - $8, 36 pieces, Kirk and villain Kreons
Kreon Micro-Build ships - $8 each, around 40 pieces, Enterprise, Klingon D7, Kelvin, Spock's Jellyfish
Kreon Assortment Pack Wave 1 - $3, Gorn, Nero, Keenser, Grasia, Klingon, Lt. Sprong
Kreon Assortment Pack Wave 2 - $3, fall release, Kirk, Spock, Borg Drone, General Change, others

Star Trek TNG Season 3, Best of Both Worlds Full Details

Paramount and CBS have issued the press release that provides all the details on the April 30th release of Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 3 Blu-ray and The Best of Both Worlds Blu-ray sets.  Before we had hints on some of the special features in the two sets but now have the full slate of features that are a mix of DVD box set content and new material developed for these HD sets.  In addition the The Best of Both Worlds extra features are not part of Season 3 set (no word if part of Season 4 set) so it seems if a completest about your Star Trek extra features you will have to buy both. If planning to pre-order from Amazon use these links so the site gets credit - Star Trek: TNG Season 3 and Best of Both Worlds.  Trailers for both are here.

Press release:

EW Star Trek Into Darkness Cover Story and Images

Entertainment Weekly has released images from their feature article that will hit newsstands on Friday (and available via Apple's Newsstand App now) to go with their covers. As usual with a JJ Abrams production nothing specific is revealed but below are the images and highlights from their cover story. One thing of note that has captured the attention of the blogosphere is EW's title to promote the issue as "Voyage Into The New Star Trek Kirk & Khan" that has since been changed to "Kirk and Spock". Some are seeing it as an accidental reveal of a key story point that Benedict Cumberbatch's real character name is Khan Noonian Singh. While I am on the bandwagon that this a true story point in the film, it has not been officially confirmed by anyone associated with Star Trek Into Darkness and I don't believe EW knows either. It was just an easy title to promote the issue and nothing more.

Highlights:

Star Trek: TNG and Enterprise Blu-ray Trailers

Earlier this week Paramount announced some of the details for Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 3 Blu-ray set (out 4/30, details). In addition to that, there are plans for Enterprise Season 1 (out 3/26, details), The Best of Both Worlds "movie" disc (out 4/30) and individual release of all the Star Trek movies on Blu-ray (out 4/30). Below are trailers for Enterprise season 3, Best of Both Worlds, and TNG S3 sets. Amazon has Star Trek: Enterprise Season 1, Star Trek: TNG Season 3 and Best of Both Worlds up for pre-order.

Entertainment Weekly Star Trek Into Darkness Cover

Hitting newsstands Friday will be Entertainment Weekly's cover story on Star Trek Into Darkness with two "Collector's Covers". The article will have interviews with Abrams and the cast as they discuss the movie while likely revealing nothing specific.

Star Trek The Next Generation Season 3 Blu-Ray Coming April 30th

CBS Entertainment and Paramount have revealed that April 30th is the official release date for Star Trek The Next Generation Season 3 Blu-ray set. The release itself isn't a surprise but it turns out that fans who can't get the entire set will not miss out on the best TNG episodes with Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Best of Both Worlds Blu-ray release.

Star Trek: TNG Season 3 is a six-disc set that is completely restored from the original 35mm film stock that was rebuilt, digitally cleaned and transferred with upgraded special effects. The extras include "Inside the Writers' Room" that has Family Guy's (and Oscar host) Seth McFarlane moderating a panel of Trek writers, "Resistance is Futile" documentary of making season three with a tribute to Michael Piller, blooper reel and commentaries. Currently Amazon has it for pre-order for $90.99.

Cumberbatch Hints Into Darkness Terrorism Story

MTV has posted more from their interview with Benedict Cumberbatch from December when he and other cast members were making the press rounds to promote the release of the Star Trek Into Darkness trailer. In his comments he seems to hint that the movie story-line does strong parallel the terrorism problems of today.

"[Look at] real social history and present history, everything that's going on: uprisings, people who are trying to spread democracy or fight their cause, not necessarily through political means ... he is a terrorist, and sadly, that's part of the fabric of our modern world," he explained to MTV when we spoke at a "Star Trek" event in late 2012. "You don't need to look far to research that one."

Cumberbatch continued, saying he looked towards "certain terrorist groups in the past" to see how they operated. But he wasn't only concerned with real-life terrorism. The actor emphasized the importance of turning towards his character's roots within the "Star Trek" universe itself, saying, "It was important to me to ground him in a reality that's based more on his story than, say, a parallel in the real world."

"What should certainly be chilling are the parallels to the modern world," he added cryptically.

Star Trek Into Darkness Early Preview Announcement

Paramount has released the news that fans will get a chance to buy sneak peak previews to Star Trek Into Darkness for Wednesday, May 15th at 8:00PM, two days ahead of the official release. The press release (below) is unclear but I assume this is a sneak peak preview and not a new official release date so 12:01 midnight showings on May 17th are probably still in effect. The details are vague on participating theaters but the STar Trek App is available in the iTunese and Google Play stores.

Press release:

Star Trek Into Darkness Super Bowl Spot

Check it out, the the Star Trek Into Darkness Super Bowl trailer that cost around $3.75 million to air. While much is recycled from previously released trailer, there are some very awesome new scenes involving Enterprise. Head to YouTube or Apple Trailers for the HD version. If interested in screenshots, TrekMovie has them here.