My friend Vic over at ScreenRant has gotten a possible scoop on JJ Abrams’ Star Trek. I’ve tried to confirm the information, but (as expected) JJ has done a good job of keeping the script under-wraps (much like that monster movie he’s producing…).
Warning: Possible spoilers ahead.
The new Star Trek film will focus much more on Spock than on the crew of the Enterprise. Also, the adventure takes place on a USS Enterprise commanded by Captain Christopher Pike(!), with Pike and crew being helped out by Kirk but not until much later in the film. It’s unknown what ship Kirk would be serving on, but he is not yet a captain at that time. Finally, none of the film takes place at all at Starfleet Academy.
One of my sources seems to believe that the Starfleet Academy is featured in the movie, while another has heard that Pike is featured and that Spock is indeed the main focus (but that is something that we already figured).
Pike, played first by Jeffrey Hunter, was a Captain in the original Star Trek pilot, which was rejected. The character appeared in a later episode titled “The Menagerie” (played then by Sean Kenney). Pike is the first Captain of the Enterprise recognized in Star Trek canon (to go into the non-canon background would be boring). The character was severely injured while rescuing several cadets from a baffle plate rupture onboard a J-class training vessel, and appeared in “The Menagerie” confined to a wheelchair. The delta ray radiation made him mute and badly scarred, so the wheelchair is operated by brainwaves. Pike communicated through a light on the chair: one flash meaning “yes” and two flashes indicating “no”.
Many people believed that Pike would make an appearance in the film, and some internet rumors even claimed that Tom Cruise would do a cameo as the man inside the electronic wheelchair (however, Cruise gave confirmation earlier this week that the rumor is false). But if the scoop above is true, we would be getting a fully functional Christopher Pike as the Captain of the Enterprise. Would we finally get to see his “accident” on the big screen?
What do you guys think?
October 25th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Let’s assume two rumors we’ve heard about the movie are true: Captain Pike is on the Enterprise and the plot involves Romulans going back in time to stop Kirk, followed by an older Spock. If that’s the case, the big twist is that the Rolumans are going to stop Pike’s accident so Kirk doesn’t take command of the Enterprise. Spock will have to allow/cause it to happen.
October 25th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
As exciting as this film sounds, Paramount is absoloutely insane if they’re relying on this film to be a financial success of any kind. Trekkies are not as plentiful or outspoken as Star Wars or comic book geeks, and I don’t expect the general public to really eat this up. Of course the average american will go see spider-man or Sith not because they’re obsessed with the mythology or in love with the characters, but because they know they’re going to see some crazy action and special effects. Trek doesn’t deliver that, so the masses will most likely opt to pocket the $10.50.
October 25th, 2007 at 11:21 pm
Seriously, what is up with Hollywood thinking mainstream audiences will go for this “canon” loyalty??? It’s the exact same problem that occurred with “Superman Returns.” I am a moderate Trek fan and I don’t have any clue who Pike is or know anything about a captain in a wheelchair. Jesus Christ. How esoteric do these reboots have to be? Mainstream audiences want to see Kirk and Spock at the front. Otherwise, it’s confusing and not Trek. I understand Trekkies had two docs made about them, but still.
However, with Dan’s point, I disagree. This has serious $300 million potential b/c JJ has a HUGE budget for this. So did Singer. If JJ delivers the galactic thrill ride we all need to see, this will be a success. Then again, focusing on Pike is a ridiculously silly decision. Batman Begins successfully rebooted at 80%. Superman was 30%. Ask the man on the street what he wants to see: Kirk, Spock and gigantic wars in space against aliens. You can reference canon, but don’t obsess over it like this.
October 26th, 2007 at 10:43 am
Robert T. April is the first Captain of the Enterprise recognized in Star Trek canon.
November 1st, 2007 at 10:27 am
I THINK IT IS A DISGUSTING IDEA TO OMIT WILLIAM SHATNER FROM THE NEXT STAR TREK MOVIE. YOU ARE NUTS. HE IS STAR TREK
November 1st, 2007 at 10:28 am
YOU ARE BEING IRRESPONSIBLE NOT TO GIVE WILLIAM SHATNER THE CAPTAIN’S PART IN THE NEXT MOVIE
December 15th, 2007 at 9:03 am
Personally, even being Canadian myself, I have seen enough of
William Shatner on my TV screen. And Enterprise is something I could have done without. That being said, I woud definitely see a movie about the adventures of Captain Pike and Mr Spock. But please dont do a time-travel thing. Make it a rough and tumble adventure movie about exploring a new galaxy and fighting. Expand the glimpse in The Cage of Captain Pike fighting on Rigel.
March 27th, 2008 at 8:30 am
I agree I’d like to see more of Pike he was a gritty realist, while Kirk was a idealistic meddler (albeit we liked him anyways!)