Chekov Will Not Be Recast in Star Trek 4

In an interview posted on the Toronto Sun site, Star Trek executive producer JJ Abrams verified that the character of Chekov would not be recast for Star Trek 4 after the death of Anton Yelchin. Abrams said, "I would say there’s no replacing him. There’s no recasting. I can’t possibly imagine that, and I think Anton deserves better. I have thought about [how write the character off], we’re working on it, and it’s too early to talk about it." My guess is a quick line indicating that Chekov received a promotion and was transferred to another ship in Starfleet.

JJ Abrams Admits Khan Mistake for Star Trek Into Darkness

In an interview with MTV (vid below), J.J. Abrams expressed a little bit of regret about how they handled the Khan twist in Star Trek Into Darkness. Abrams once explained his "mystery box" approach to television and movie projects with a goal of trying to contain spoilers to surprise the audience. In the case of Khan, it seems he thinks that may have backfired a bit.

The truth is I think it probably would have been smarter just to say upfront ‘This is who it is.’ It was only trying to preserve the fun of it, and it might have given more time to acclimate and accept that’s what the thing was. The truth is because it was so important to the studio that we not angle this thing for existing fans. If we said it was Khan, it would feel like you’ve really got to know what 'Star Trek' is about to see this movie. That would have been limiting. I can understand their argument to try to keep that quiet, but I do wonder if it would have seemed a little bit less like an attempt at deception if we had just come out with it.

A few thoughts on this:

1) Nice job throwing the Paramount marketing department under the bus. Abrams has always held his cards close the vest, no matter how crappy some of those cards are (back to the mystery box approach). The decision to lie about Khan was clearly an Abrams and company decision and Paramount just went with it because their job was easy - don't mention Khan. But this is a production were something as simple as the name of characters where kept secret and not officially confirmed for a ridiculously long time.

Abrams Confirms CBS Remains Uninterested in New Star Trek Series

Once again JJ Abrams was asked about the chances of a new Star Trek TV series and once again he basically replied with a no. Screenrant reports he said, "I have been hearing for as long as I can remember that CBS, who has the rights to the series, has just been saying they’re not interested. That’s the word I’ve been told."

Abrams is referring to CBS Television Studios which owns the rights to Star Trek and would be the ones that would produce any Star Trek series. CBS did reply to his comment saying "We love the Star Trek franchise, its fan base and the many possibilities for its future when the time is right." In short, they are saying not right now and no idea when.

JJ Abrams Admits to Len Flare Addiction

One of the main complaints (but mostly said with amusement) was JJ Abrams' love of lens flares being cut lose in both Star Trek movies. The flares would often appear at random spots, for random reasons that would create distractions from the moment on screen. The problem wasn't that the lens flare existed, the problem was the flare provided nothing of value to the scene it appeared in. Finally, after five years, JJ Abrams took the first step and recognized he might have a problem.

I know I get a lot of grief for that. But I'll tell you, there are times when I'm working on a shot, I think, 'Oh this would be really cool… with a lens flare.' But I know it's too much, and I apologize. I'm so aware of it now. I was showing my wife an early cut of Star Trek Into Darkness and there was this one scene where she was literally like, "I just can't see what's going on. I don't understand what that is." I was like, "Yeah, I went too nuts on this."

This is how stupid it was — I actually had to use ILM [Industrial Light & Magic] to remove lens flare in a couple of shots, which is, I know, moronic. But I think admitting you're an addict is the first step towards recovery.

This is probably good news for Star Wars as it means he will likely curtail their use.

Abrams Confirms Not Directing Star Trek 3

In interviews promoting last week's release of Star Trek Into Darkness on home video, director JJ Abrams confirmed that his Star Wars commitments will prevent him from directing Star Trek 3. This really isn't news per se as it was expected almost the moment it was announced Abrams was directing Star Wars Episode VII, but this is the first time he acknowledged it in any interview I have read. In the interview with Collider he also confirms that Alex Kurzman and Bob Orci are already breaking the story but no other details.

Abrams, Stars Promote Star Trek Into Darkness

For the last week or so JJ Abrams and some of the stars of Star Trek Into Darkness have been promoting its home video release. Most of the time they covered the same "you should see this movie" ground they covered when promoting the movie theater release but a few nuggets of interest were said. Eve talks about the underwear thing, Abrams answers questions on Khan & the video game, Peter Weller defends his character, and Kurtzman and Orci focus on story choices. Below are the links to the stories and segments I found interesting. My comments will be in italics.

Spinoff Online - JJ Abrams

I think the thing was that Khan really is the most iconic villain of the series, and it felt like an opportunity to see another side of Khan and to something that, like the first film did, use elements that people were familiar with but in a new. It’s a valid argument that it’s about time for them to go off and discover and see things that have nothing to do with what we’ve seen before, and I think we’ll always have some overlap. But I’m excited about the next chapter.

JJ Abrams on The Daily Show

Last night Star Trek Into Darkness director JJ Abrams was the guest on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart that was pretty entertaining. Abrams himself said the same stuff he has been saying for months (or really 5 years) about Star Trek but the joking nature of the interview made it interesting. In the extended edition of the interview (filmed after the "show" segment was done) is more relaxed as they talk about the film making process as Stewart is spending the summer about to direct his first film. Both videos are below.

Four New TV Spots for Star Trek Into Darkness

The TV spots continue for Star Trek Into Darkness with four more for your viewing pleasure. In addition is a mini-featurette as JJ Abrams describes his vision and two new images from the movie have been released by Paramount. If interested, you can find a gallery of pictures from the Mexico City premiere of the movie here and here. The US one is set for next Tuesday.

Star Trek Magazine Interview Highlights, Klingon War for Third Film?

The latest issue of Star Trek Magazine is out and as to be expected, its all about Star Trek Into Darkness. Below are highlights from interviews with JJ Abrams and Damon Lindelof as they discuss the film. In a seperate interview with Hey U Guys, Damon also suggested that may the next film might have more Klingons as "this film we've given the audience a little taste, but there's also a promise that there's a larger conflict on the horizon, and that would be fun to see." He also was game for a slight crossover with The Next Generation by suggesting he wouldn't mind exploring "iconic adversaries from The Next Generation ...maybe baby Picard could be born." Keep in mind this is him just spit balling ideas as way to early for anything related to the third film to be in place. At this point Paramount doesn't even know if there will be a third film until they get the box office results with this weekend (Europe) and next weekend's (NA) premieres.

Abrams Talks Trek Characters

The characters of Star Trek Into Darkness are the central discussion as JJ Abrams talks about the movie in a five minute interview from Collider. Video and highlights below.

Highlights:
- Abrams: "Into Darkness is about this now family being tested in a way they never had before. In the first film he gets the captain’s chair and in this film he earns it. It is really about this group being thrust into crazy intense adventure that takes them not only elsewhere but also takes place very much on Earth."
- While JJ Abrams didn't grow up on Trek so didn't feel like "sacrilege ...to play in this sandbox." Grateful for chance to play in it.
- He gets why die hard fans do not like the changes but figures fans should be able to still enjoy a continuations of Roddenberry's creation and let their imagination go.
- Even though a sequel, doesn't assume everyone had seen the first so tries to reintroduce all the characters and provide them with a "critical role in the movie."
- He attempts at keeping secrets is to kind of return to how movies were seen in pre-Internet age when the audience really didn't know much of anything about the movie beside the basics revealed through a trailer or two.

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.

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:

Abrams Officially Confirmed as Director of Star Wars Episode VII

Disney and LucasFilm have issued a press release (below) officially confirming that JJ Abrams is the new director of Star Wars Episode VII which is aiming for a summer 2015 release. Michael Arndt (Toy Story 3, Hunger Games 2) is writing the script with Lawrence Kasdan (script writer for The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Return of the Jedi) and Simon Kinsberg (writer of Sherlock Holmes and Mr. and Mrs. Smith) as consultants.

As far as Abrams future with the Star Trek franchise after Star Trek Into Darkness is released in May, Paramount Vice Chairman Rob Moore said, "J.J. will continue to develop projects for us including a new ‘Mission: Impossible,’ and he is committed to produce another 'Star Trek'." They basically confirmed what I said which is he will retain executive producer credit but unlikely to direct Star Trek 3 if only because I don't see Paramount waiting until at least 2016 for his schedule to potentially open to do it (assuming he doesn't move straight in Star Wars Episode VIII).

JJ Abrams Directing Star Wars?!?

After frequently denying rumors, it seems that JJ Abrams was not able to ignore the call from Disney to direct Star Wars: Episode VII. Multiple Hollywood websites are reporting that unnamed sources have confirmed that J.J. is either in negotiations or has signed the contract to direct the first film of the next set of Star Wars trilogies (with likely first dibs on doing all three if he chooses).

The script for the film is currently being written by Michael Arndt for a summer 2015 release date. If true that means that either Star Trek 3 will get pushed back until after Star Wars or more likely the directing reigns would be turned over to someone else with Abrams retaining executive producer credit. Assuming Abrams is able to get the kind of deal that Michael Bay got for Transformers (back end points, percentage of the movie and toy profits, etc.), he could make over $100 million from the first film alone, something that anyone would have a problem turning down regardless of their level of interest which is high with Abrams who said "Star Wars is one of my favorite movies of all time." Considering he wasn't even a fan of Star Trek when doing those two films, wonder what the result will be when it’s something he loves. Disney nor Abrams have yet to confirm or deny these rumors.

JJ Abrams Talks Trek and More

While participating in the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour to promote Revolution, JJ Abrams spoke with Collider about his other projects including Star Trek Into Darkness. In regards to the film he spoke about fan response to the preview, Benedict Cumberbatch, and keeping secrets. The full interview is here, Trek related segments below.

What can you say about the experience of showing the Star Trek sequel to the dying fan (Daniel Craft)?
ABRAMS: I’d rather not comment on that, if that’s okay. But, it was an honor to be asked. I’d rather not talk about it because it feels insensitive, but for that to have been a request was unbelievably touching.

How did you feel about the response to the preview of the Star Trek sequel that was shown in theaters? Did it hit the way you expected or wanted it to?
ABRAMS: I got some anecdotal response about it. It wasn’t like there was a target that I was aiming at and I wanted to hit a certain mark. I don’t know how I could quantify what the reaction was. It’s hard. There’s no focus group or ratings or box office for what the response was to either the trailer or the preview. But, I will say that I’m very happy about how that sequence works in the movie. I can only hope that people enjoyed what they saw.

JJ Abrams Offered Chance At Star Wars, Turned It Down

Turns out that Empire's new issue has more then just some new photos and story plot points. It also revealed that Disney, new owner of Star Wars, spoke with the director to see if he was interested in directing Star Wars Episode VII. This was not to say he was going to do it, more then likely Disney is trying to firm up their short list of candidates. Abrams cited his loyalty to Star Trek as one of reasons he turned down the chance.

"I'm committed to three [Star Trek films]. That's the contract I signed. And as far as I know, everyone else is in the same situation. But there's obviously room for both Star Trek and Star Wars," he added. "We both have plenty of things to offer sci-fi. But I'm not saying any more that that! There are more than enough Star Wars stories around at the moment!"

"There were the very early conversations and I quickly said that because of my loyalty to Star Trek, and also just being a fan, I wouldn't even want to be involved in the next version of those things. I declined any involvement very early on. I'd rather be in the audience not knowing what was coming, rather than being involved in the minutiae of making them."

"I'm a huge fan of Star Wars, Empire and Jedi, and the idea of the world continuing is exciting and will be amazing. Kathy Kennedy is a friend and there are no smarter producers. It's in great hands."

Cumberbatch, Abrams Talk Trek Bad Guy and Story

As part of a promotional swing to raise awareness of Star Trek Into Darkness, JJ Abrams and Benedict Cumberbatch went to Japan and participated in a few interviews. While the talk continued to have no spoilers, Cumberbatch talked about what movie characters helped inform the creation of John Harrison (film's big bad) while Abrams teased a few story details about Harrison being a member of Starfleet whose agenda includes attacks on London and the US. He also confirmed the lens flares will return.

Benedict Cumberbatch (video below):

JJ described the role in movie terms as a mixture of Hannibal Lector, Jack in the Shining and The Joker in Batman. There are sorts of levels to pitch in amongst quite a high bar as well to succeed in comparison to. It was a framework to understand this character before I saw the whole script.

More from Cast on Star Trek Into Darkness

Below are two videos combining interviews with the cast of Star Trek Into Darkness as they talk about the film from Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood. Nothing story wise is really revealed only saying its bigger, better, and gets more into the characters.

More from Trek Cast on Sequel's Big Bad

On the eve of the new Star Trek Into Darkness trailer, JJ Abrams and some of the cast of the film continue to talk about the big bad of the film as played by Benedict Cumberbatch. While he is being called John Harrison, few seem to believe that is the one and only name the character will have in the film.

At this point some thing the whole game is a bit silly since it impedes Abrams desire to make the film as open to non-Trek fans as possible. It is pretty much assumed he is playing a variation of Khan. A theory that I am inclined to stick with too if only when think like Hollywood (aka $$$), going with the villain even non-Trekkies know is worth more then one only the die hards might be familiar with. Pretty much Khan is only one that fits the bill. Below are the highlights and six videos from JJ Abrams, Benedict Cumberbatch (who doesn't actually deny Khan), Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto (who slips up with a Khan name drop in reference to Nero from 1st film) as they talk about the film.

Highlights:

Abrams and Company Promote Star Trek in Toyko

While it seems a bit early, JJ Abrams, Chris Pine, and Benedict Cumberbatch were in Tokyo this week to promote Star Trek Into Darkness to the Tokyo Press. While the event was spoiler free, the translations provided by TrekMovie from Japanese sites Cinematoday, CinemaCafe, and EIGA did have them commenting on the films bad guy, the title and more.

Cumberbatch: (on his character) "He is very ruthless…He is not a clearly good or evil character. He is a villain but the actions he takes has intent and reason. ...He is a complicated character not to be judged by white-or-black, or good-or-evil. But this is the appeal of J.J.’s works and I felt challenge as an actor."