Star Trek 11 - the end of the line?

Speaking of films that are mixing old ideas in a new ‘revisioned’ theme, I saw something today about the next Star Trek movie. This adds to my growing unease about this film. I am becoming more and more filled with dread about how this film will ultimately turn out.

It seems that there is already a plan to make a sequel. Yes, already the storyline for the next film is being hashed out. Without the movie having hit theaters yet. I presume the interest and debate over the movie trailers is propelling the rush to production.



This bodes poorly for the new generation seeking to fill the uniforms of the original cast. Without a single review or public viewing, they are already working the Hollywood system to create the next films in the “rebirth” of the franchise.

“They're hoping to have a draft in by Christmastime in order to get the cameras (and CGI) rolling in time for a summer 2011 release.”

Rushing a film, and a plot, to cash-in on a hoped for success virtually always ends up with a horrible film that bombs in the box office. Especially when the film in question is taking old favorites and turning them on their heads.

I can only recall a couple of films that were so bold as to plan and announce their efforts to create sequels at the same time, or before, the movie in question hit theaters. That would include Superman 3, and the James Bond films. You could also argue that Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk (with Ed Norton in a far superior film to the Ang Lee fiasco) did the same.

The Hulk series has been officially dumped by Marvel (though Norton did a fantastic job of resurrecting the series). Superman made it to one more movie (which bombed horribly) before the series was cancelled and laid dormant for nearly 2 decades. James Bond has survived due to changes in the lead, mostly due to Pierce Brosnan resurging interest after the near demise made by the Welsh-American Bond (Timothy Dalton). And Iron Man hinted at other movies, without guaranteeing their creation.

So in looking at what happens when Hollywood assumes a success, and moves forward with engines at flank, is that the film and/or series usually dies. Not a great sign at all for this ‘rebirth’ of Star Trek. Then again, neither was this



But with the film coming out soon, we the public will decide it all soon enough.