High-Res Star Trek Into Darkness Stills

From Empire Online

This month's issue of Empire is a J.J. Abrams spectacular, and so, as you might have guessed, it features plenty of Star Trek Into Darkness goodness, including out fold-out three-sheet front cover, exclusive on-set access and many, many stills - stills you can now check out online to whet your Trekkie appetite. A few things to note: Spock looks a little like Dr. Manhattan/any number of Prometheus cast members in that space suit, Bones seems to be giving Harrison his number and that Mc-3921 thingummy is very intriguing indeed. Do you have any of your own guesstimations to make? Let us know in the comment box below.Also, check out our Star Trek Into Darkness trailer breakdown here for lots more extra detail...Featuring Chris Pine's Captain Kirk to Zachary Quinto's Spock, as well as newbies Alice Eve (Carol Marcus)

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Star Trek Into Darkness - Official Teaser (HD)

Is it sad that the only new movies I give a crap about are this one, 'Godzilla 3D' and the next 'Planet of the Apes?'

Actually, is it also sad that my taste in movies hasn't changed even one bit since I was ten years old? It's like living in 1977 all over again ... oh well.

Here is the info:

In Summer 2013, pioneering director J.J. Abrams will deliver an explosive action thriller that takes Star Trek Into Darkness. When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.

Official Site: http://www.StarTrekMovie.com

William Shatner Drops Out Of STAR TREK 2

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: WENN

Back in April of 2009 the bosses a Paramount had gotten wind of William Shatner's disappointment at not being cast in J.J. Abrams "Star Trek" reboot alongside fellow "Trek" alumni Leonard Nimoy. Not wanting to disrespect the actor who made Captain James T. Kirk and icon, the studio was more than happy to give the actor his due, and announced that they had made plans to include him in the films sequel.

Now, Shatner himself has decided that he has no business appearing in any new "Star Trek" films because he is simply too old to play Kirk any more.

In the actor's opinion the appearance of an elderly Spock made sense in the new "Star Trek" universe, but explaining how Kirk got there would create too many problems for the development of the planned sequel.

Recently Shatner told Collider.com, "I've become a buddy of JJ, but I don't know if they can solve the problem of how you put the body I'm in now with the Kirk that we remember from 40 years ago."

It must have been hard for the veteran actor, who has played the iconic Kirk for three decades either on television on in feature films, to accept that it was time to walk away and let Chris Pine carry the torch.

"Star Trek 2" is scheduled for release in the summer of 2012 ....... and may feature the Enterprise crew going toe-to-toe with the Gorn.

See Also: Star Trek - Original Series Balok Mask / Star Trek Original Series - Gorn Mask / The 100 Greatest Monsters From Movies And Television #61 - #70 / Celluloid Philosophers - Robert And William Shatner (Imaginary) / Classic Star Trek Revisited: The Man Trap / Star Trek Original Series - Kirk vs. Gorn Figures From Arena / Celluloid Philosophers - Kirk, Spock And McCoy / Star Trek Original Series - Captain Kirk (Style) Wired Keyboard / The Klingon Opera "u" Set To Premiere Here On Earth / Wesley Snipes, Jenny Augutter And Michael O'Gorman Almost Cast For STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION! / King Kong, Godzilla, And The Starship Enterprise All Made From Recycled Printer Cartridges /Star Trek Nemesis - USS Enterprise Class E Starship / Star Trek Retro Figure Series 8 - Christopher Pike And Salt Vampire Set / STAR TREK XII To Be More Like THE DARK KNIGHT / Cloverfield And Star Trek 2 Updates......Does Abrams Read MIN? / Star Trek 2 To Join An Already Busy 2012 Summer Of Sci Fi / For Your Oscar Consideration - Star Trek / The Top Ten Hottest Women Of 2009 / Does The 'Star Trek' Sequel Have To Have A 'Message'? / New Hot & Sexy Photos Of Chase Masterson / See Chase Masterson Sing At Universal Citywalk For Free / Interview - Chase Masterson / Star Trek Gets Another Imax Release - Special Screening At The Egyptian Theater / Star Trek Hot Wheels Klingon Bird Of Prey Scale Vehicle / Star Trek Comes To DVD And Blu-Ray November 17th / Star Trek (2009)(Paramount) / Star Trek News - The Two Kirks Bury The Hatchet And Roddenberry Money Is For The Dogs / Behold Star Trek's Big Bad Monster / The Poster For The Berlin Premiere Of Star Trek / New Star Trek Film Blows Away Surprised Fans In Austin / William Shatner Set For Cameo In Star Trek 2 / The Sequel To JJ Abrams Star Trek Reboot Is Already In Spacedock / Star Trek Classic Captain Kirk Chair Replica / Star Trek Movie Enterprise Bridge Playset

STAR TREK XII To Be More Like THE DARK KNIGHT

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: TrekToday

Though it is highly unlikely that there will be a crazed clown running around causing mayhem in "Star Trek XII", producer Bryan Burke is hoping to mold the sequel to J.J. Abrams 2009 "Trek" reboot after Christopher Nolan's amazing film, "The Dark Knight."

In a recent interview with Trekmovie.com, Burke explained how his vision for the next "Star Trek" film will be a little bit darker and bigger in scope than the film that proceeded it, stating, “I can tell you as we go into it, that our aspirations are for the movie to be even bigger and better than the first one. I don’t mean that just in scope, I mean content and characters and emotionally. We had a lot of conversations about 'Batman Begins' and how that movie kind of re-invented that franchise, and we looked at what 'The Dark Knight' did and how that really ramped it up and they went to a different place with that film, and how those two films keep re-inventing themselves and are not the same thing every time. So we have strong ideas of what we want to do and we are hoping that this one is an even bigger film than the last one.”

According to the producer, that means expanding the depth of the characters as well, “I feel like, particular with the last film, we brought a lot of people into the Star Trek universe who either hadn’t been there before or hadn’t been there in a while, and now that you know who these characters are, we are hoping to take grander and bigger steps with the characters, emotionally. The stakes will be bigger and people will be more invested.”

In recent interviews director J.J. Abrams echoed many of Burke's sentiments about expanding on what has already been established in regards to this new series of "Trek" films stating, "The ambition for a sequel to 'Star Trek' is to make a movie that's worthy of the audience and not just another movie, you know, just a second movie that feels tacked on...There needs to be relevance, yes, and that doesn't mean it should be pretentious. If there are simple truths, truths connected to what we live, that elevates any story, that's true with any story."

In other words, a "Star Trek" film, that yet takes place in the future, but still will be grounded enough to appeal to an audience in 2012 (the films proposed release date).

Do the fans really want to see a sci fi movie centered around modern social issues? According to producer Robert Orchi, the answer is a resounding, yes. "We got a lot of fan response from the first one and a considerable amount of critical response and one of the things we heard was, ‘Make sure the next one deals with modern-day issues.' We're trying to keep it as up-to-date and as reflective of what's going on today as possible. So that's one thing, to make it reflect the things that we are all dealing with today."

Interesting? I generally go to see sci fi and fantasy films to escape the modern world and all of it's problems.

Though it should be noted that many of the greatest sci films of all-time had relevant social and political overtones to their stories. Both "Planet of the Apes" and "The Day The Earth Stood Still", are two fine examples of that.

So, who will the Enterprise crew be facing off against in "Star Trek XII"? Klingons? Romulans? Ferengi? Well, no one has said for sure, but it seems that Abrams is leaning towards one of the original series most nastiest races, the Gorn.

Abrams quips, "I have to admit, the ['Star Trek' sequel] is really all about the Gorn. We just thought it would be fun... to go Gorn."

Take that with a large grain of salt though, Abrams was joking around with a writer from MTV when he made those comments.

A darker and grittier "Trek"? That could be the coolest thing ever!

See Also: Cloverfield And Star Trek 2 Updates......Does Abrams Read MIN? / Star Trek 2 To Join An Already Busy 2012 Summer Of Sci Fi / For Your Oscar Consideration - Star Trek / The Top Ten Hottest Women Of 2009 / Does The 'Star Trek' Sequel Have To Have A 'Message'? / New Hot & Sexy Photos Of Chase Masterson / See Chase Masterson Sing At Universal Citywalk For Free / Interview - Chase Masterson / Star Trek Gets Another Imax Release - Special Screening At The Egyptian Theater / Star Trek Hot Wheels Klingon Bird Of Prey Scale Vehicle / Star Trek Comes To DVD And Blu-Ray November 17th / Star Trek (2009)(Paramount) / Star Trek News - The Two Kirks Bury The Hatchet And Roddenberry Money Is For The Dogs / Behold Star Trek's Big Bad Monster / The Poster For The Berlin Premiere Of Star Trek / New Star Trek Film Blows Away Surprised Fans In Austin / William Shatner Set For Cameo In Star Trek 2 / The Sequel To JJ Abrams Star Trek Reboot Is Already In Spacedock / Star Trek Classic Captain Kirk Chair Replica / Star Trek Movie Enterprise Bridge Playset / EE Exclusive Star Trek Original Series Medical Tricorder / Is Star Trek Set To Return To Television? / Star Trek Movie Enterprise Vehicle / The First Lady Of Trek Passes - Majel Barrett-Roddenberry 1932-2008 / Star Trek's Big Bad Monster / Star Trek Retro Series 1 Kirk & Klingon Action Figure Set / The First Photos From Abrams Star Trek / Pegg Makes His Portrayal Of Scotty A Tribute To Doohan

Cloverfield And Star Trek 2 Updates......Does Abrams Read MIN?

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Sources: MTV / Avery Guerra

Just a few moments ago my partner in crime, Avery Guerra, shot me an email with a link to an article on the MTV website in which film maker J.J. Abrams hinted at both "Cloverfield 2" and "Star Trek 2". After reading the directors comments, I just about fell out of my chair.

Back on Monday I posted an article about how "Star Trek 2" had been slated for a summer 2012 release by Paramount. In the piece I mentioned that the upcoming film should ignore themes based in the modern social climate and 'go green', that is, feature more green Orion slave girls and the Gorn.

Imagine my surprise when Abrams himself echoed the same idea to MTV reporter Josh Horowitz on the red carpet at the National Board of Review.

Granted, the director didn't share my desire for more slave girls (pity), but he did mention Kirk's nemesis from "Arena."

This is Abrams direct quote, "I have to admit, the ['Star Trek' sequel] is really all about the Gorn."

"We just thought it would be fun... to go Gorn," he added again with a grin.


Horowitz and Abrams proceeded to go back and forth making light of using the warrior lizard-men.

Abrams even went as far as to quip, "I can't believe you didn't go for 'Children of the Gorn'", referring to possible titles for the sequel being spouted out by Horowitz.

Now, here is the big question, did Abrams read my post, or is this a BIG coincidence?

I'll probably never no for sure, but if "Star Trek 2" does have the "Gorn" in it, and it's a kick-ass movie like the first one.....then I should get my kudos.

Of course, if it sucks.......then it was all Abrams idea.

Oh, before I forget, Horowitz also quizzed Abrams about "Cloverfield 2" and he had this to say, "We're working on something right now with that and again, you know, it's early stages."

That sounds like a definite....well possible, confirmation that the film is going to be made.

Here is more about the Gorn, for you non-Trek types:

(From Wikipedia) - The Gorn made first contact with the Federation at Cestus III in 2267 when a misunderstanding nearly led to war (original series episode "Arena"). Although the Gorn made territorial claims, the Federation had a settlement there in 2371, indicating tensions later softened.

The Gorn have become one of the most popular aliens to appear on Star Trek, due to the striking creature-design by design-artist Wah Chang, and the Gorn's memorable personality. A hissing, slow-moving, but lethal beast, the Gorn captain is also shown to be quite cunning and devious; chuckling wickedly to himself as he sets a trap for Kirk, and later promising that if the captain gives himself up, the Gorn will make his death "merciful and quick." "Arena" is also considered one of the series' classic episodes and was the template for a similar, critically acclaimed episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation entitled "Darmok".

For years, "Arena" marked the only live action appearance of the Gorn, although the race was "name dropped" from time to time. In 2005, an episode of Star Trek Enterprise featured a Gorn (albeit in the Mirror Universe) in the episode "In a Mirror, Darkly Part II". In that episode, the Gorn (whose name was Slar) was an overseer of a group of slaves belonging to the mirror universe's Tholians in an attempt to steal technology from the USS Defiant (NCC-1764) which had been lured into the mirror universe from ours. Slar hid in the ship's corridors and killed several crewmembers until it was killed by Jonathan Archer. For this appearance, Slar was designed using computer animation (and much to the chagrin of some fans, appeared radically different from the original Gorn). Since "In a Mirror, Darkly" takes place entirely within the Mirror Universe, the contact seen between the Earth Empire and the creature does not contradict the first contact seen in "Arena".

See Also: Star Trek 2 To Join An Already Busy 2012 Summer Of Sci Fi / For Your Oscar Consideration - Star Trek / The Top Ten Hottest Women Of 2009 / Does The 'Star Trek' Sequel Have To Have A 'Message'? / New Hot & Sexy Photos Of Chase Masterson / See Chase Masterson Sing At Universal Citywalk For Free / Interview - Chase Masterson / Star Trek Gets Another Imax Release - Special Screening At The Egyptian Theater / Star Trek Hot Wheels Klingon Bird Of Prey Scale Vehicle / Star Trek Comes To DVD And Blu-Ray November 17th / Star Trek (2009)(Paramount) / Star Trek News - The Two Kirks Bury The Hatchet And Roddenberry Money Is For The Dogs / Behold Star Trek's Big Bad Monster / The Poster For The Berlin Premiere Of Star Trek / New Star Trek Film Blows Away Surprised Fans In Austin / William Shatner Set For Cameo In Star Trek 2 / The Sequel To JJ Abrams Star Trek Reboot Is Already In Spacedock / Star Trek Classic Captain Kirk Chair Replica / Star Trek Movie Enterprise Bridge Playset / EE Exclusive Star Trek Original Series Medical Tricorder / Is Star Trek Set To Return To Television? / Star Trek Movie Enterprise Vehicle / The First Lady Of Trek Passes - Majel Barrett-Roddenberry 1932-2008 / Star Trek's Big Bad Monster / Star Trek Retro Series 1 Kirk & Klingon Action Figure Set / The First Photos From Abrams Star Trek / Pegg Makes His Portrayal Of Scotty A Tribute To Doohan

William Shatner Set For Cameo In Star Trek 2

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: WENN

Boy, they are really cooking along on the sequel to J.J. Abrams new "Star Trek" movie. It was just announced yesterday that Paramount was so certain that the film was going to be a big hit, that they had already started plans for the next movie. Here we are 24 hours later and we have our first casting rumor.

It should come to no surprise to anyone that follows all things "Trek" that William Shatner was a bit "bent out of shape" that he wasn't cast in Abrams reboot. Shatner certainly didn't mind jawing about it, anytime he was asked about the film. Well, it looks like the the folks over at Paramount, got the message, and are now eager to get the actor into the next movie.

A (un-named) source told Britain's Daily Express newspaper, "It's well known Bill was disappointed not to get a cameo (in the 2009 film). But now Paramount Pictures has been given the go-ahead for a sequel and there are hopes he'll make a brief appearance."

Okay, now that it looks like Shatner is going to get his wish to be in another "Star Trek" movie, what kind of part is he going to play? There is, of course, a new actor playing the part of James T Kirk, so where would he fit in? Would he play the new Kirk's father? A Starfleet commander? A villain perhaps? Maybe a Gorn?

We all can understand that it must be hard for Bill to see someone else playing the role he made famous.

I just hope they don't just prop him up in a corner of some scene as an extra or something.

See Also: The Sequel To JJ Abrams Star Trek Reboot Is Already In Spacedock / Star Trek Classic Captain Kirk Chair Replica / Star Trek Movie Enterprise Bridge Playset / EE Exclusive Star Trek Original Series Medical Tricorder / Is Star Trek Set To Return To Television? / Star Trek Movie Enterprise Vehicle / The First Lady Of Trek Passes - Majel Barrett-Roddenberry 1932-2008 / Star Trek's Big Bad Monster / Star Trek Retro Series 1 Kirk & Klingon Action Figure Set / The First Photos From Abrams Star Trek / Pegg Makes His Portrayal Of Scotty A Tribute To Doohan / Okay Trekkies Do You Think That You Can Outsmart 20Q? / Simon Pegg Reaches Out To Star Trek Fans / Actress Profile: Rachel Nichols / Shatner Beams Into The Los Angeles Comic Book & Sc Fi Convention / Sci Fi Acquires Ghost Whisperer, Star Trek TNG, Charmed And Mork & Mindy / Star Trek (1966-1969) / Interview - Chase Masterson

The Sequel To JJ Abrams Star Trek Reboot Is Already In Spacedock

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Yahoo News

J.J. Abrams "Star Trek" reboot hasn't even hit theaters yet, and already Paramount has begun working on it's sequel. Reportedly the studio is so certain that the film will be a huge hit, that they are getting an early jump on the next installment of what they hope will be a continuing movie series.

Reportedly Paramount is keeping the same production team in place for the new film that was responsible this summers release. J.J Abrams is already on board for the project, which will be co-written by Damon Lindelof, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, all of whom had a hand in creating the first film.

"Obviously we discussed ideas, but we are waiting to see how audiences respond next month," Kurtzman told Variety. "With a franchise rebirth, the first movie has to be about origin. But with a second, you have the opportunity to explore incredibly exciting things. We'll be ambitious about what we'll do."

Paramount is hoping to have a script ready to go by Christmas of this year so that production can start at the beginning of 2010. "Star Trek 2" has already been penciled in as a summer of 2011 release.

This latest "Trek" news comes hot on the heals of the announcement that Bryan Fuller has been writing a script for a brand-new television series based on Abram's new films.

I find it really interesting that Paramount is counting so much on the new "Star Trek" becoming a "huge" hit at the box office this summer. To date none of the prior "Trek" movies have made 'big money'. The highest grossing movie in the series, to date, was the entry from 1986, "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home", which made just over $100,000,000. The last film in the series, "Star Trek: Nemesis" only managed to bring in just over $43,000,000. The rest of the "Star Trek" movies did decently at the box office, but nothing near the figures Paramount is expecting this time around.

It should be noted that the prior films had established casts from both the original "Star Trek" and "Star Trek: The Next Generation", plus a fan base for both programs to bank on. This time around the series is starting off "fresh."

Will fans of J.J. Abrams "Lost" all jump on board for "Star Trek"? ......Time will tell.

See Also: Star Trek Classic Captain Kirk Chair Replica / Star Trek Movie Enterprise Bridge Playset / EE Exclusive Star Trek Original Series Medical Tricorder / Is Star Trek Set To Return To Television? / Star Trek Movie Enterprise Vehicle / The First Lady Of Trek Passes - Majel Barrett-Roddenberry 1932-2008 / Star Trek's Big Bad Monster / Star Trek Retro Series 1 Kirk & Klingon Action Figure Set / The First Photos From Abrams Star Trek / Pegg Makes His Portrayal Of Scotty A Tribute To Doohan / Okay Trekkies Do You Think That You Can Outsmart 20Q? / Simon Pegg Reaches Out To Star Trek Fans / Actress Profile: Rachel Nichols / Shatner Beams Into The Los Angeles Comic Book & Sc Fi Convention / Sci Fi Acquires Ghost Whisperer, Star Trek TNG, Charmed And Mork & Mindy / Star Trek (1966-1969) / Interview - Chase Masterson