Tuesday, October 13

• No Leonard Nimoy for a 3-D Star Trek 2?

  While Leonard Nimoy has said that his days of working on Star Trek have run their course, director J.J. Abrams addressed this concern in a press junkent for the Star Trek DVD/Blu-Ray, saying that this is not necessarily the case.

  I can't imagine a Star Trek movie not needing him. I'm sure that what he's saying is a combination of modesty and honesty. He may actually feel that way. But, the truth is, we could never have made this movie without him, and working with him again would be a joy. It is clearly too early, given that we are just now talking story, to conclude whether or not Spock Prime is in the film or not. Do I want to work with him again? Of course, 100%. I’d love to.

  Abrams also explained that Star Trek was almost made in 3-D, which was stopped when he became too nervous about the technology. He claims the sequel may be different.

  Paramount talked to me about doing the first one in 3-D and, having it only be my second film, I was petrified just at the addition of it. I thought it would be another dimension of pain-in-the-ass. I was just like, "I want to make a decent 2-D movie." I was so worried that, instead of being a decent 2-D movie, it would have been a bad 3-D one. I'm open to looking at it 'cause now I feel a little bit more comfortable. And, if I, in fact, direct the Star Trek sequel, 3-D could be really fun, so I'm open to it. What I've seen of Avatar makes me want to do it because it's so crazy-cool looking.

  
  

  Posted 10/13/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Leonard Nimoy | J.J. Abrams | Star Trek | Star Trek 2

• Star Trek 2 Not About Torture After All

  

  At a press junket for the upcoming DVD/Blu-Ray release of Star Trek, director J.J. Abrams and screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman gave a few details on Star Trek 2. Orci and Abrams have said that the sequel will deal with "modern-day issues" such as torture or the economy, but Orci is quick to clarify their allegorical intentions.

  The torture thing was just a for instance. Someone asked, "Modern day issues?," and we said, "Yeah, sure, modern day issues." But, we're not doing a story about Gitmo. I read on some site that it was going to be about Guantanamo Bay. But, now that we've established the characters, we can have a more philosophical allegory, where what's happening in the future represents our world, like the best versions of it in the 60s did with women's rights and racial equality.

  Abrams agreed that Star Trek 2 won't be about making an overt political statement.

  It's not like we're looking to make the second movie some kind of heavy political allegory. I think that it's important that there is metaphor to what we know and that there is relevance, and I think allegory is the thing that made shows like The Twilight Zone and Star Trek resonate and still be vital today.

  But, because the first movie was so much about introducing these people, and it was very much a premise movie about how to bring these people together, it made it difficult to also have the film go as deep as it could, about certain conflict, certain relationships and the heart of who some of these characters are. I think it was successful in what it needed to do, to introduce these people, but I feel like, now that we've done that, it is the job of the next film to go a little bit deeper. It shouldn't be any less fun or take itself too seriously, but consider who these people are now and grow with them, and just examine them a little more closer, now that we've gotten through the pleasantries and introductions.

  
  

  Posted 10/13/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Leonard Nimoy | Roberto Orci | J.J. Abrams | Alex Kurtzman | Star Trek 2 | Star Trek

Sunday, October 11

• Mission: Impossible IV May Feature Original TV Actors

  There hasn't been much news about the fourth installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise, but the production is inching along. It was announced in June that Mission: Impossible IV was moving forward, with both J.J. Abrams and Tom Cruise attached. However, it was not made clear whether both men were only producing or if they would also be returning to direct and star, respectively. In August, it was announced that Josh Applebaum and Andre Nemec were hired to write the screenplay, based on Abrams' idea.

  Now, Abrams has revealed that Mission: Impossible IV may feature characters and actors from the original TV series.

  How cool would that be? I just got a call that Peter Graves is in great shape, which would be a very bizarre bend in the space-time continuum, for obvious reasons. I almost feel like you could make him serious again and bring him back. Whether it's [Leonard] Nimoy, who I have an incredible affinity for, or Graves or anyone, we'll see. I actually tried to get Martin Landau in Mission 3, in a very small little moment just for fun, and was told that he had no interest in doing it.

  Of those mentioned, Nimoy is the most likely of the group to agree to appear in M:I IV because of his relationship with Abrams: He recently reprised the role of Spock in the Abrams-directed Star Trek relaunch, and he played the pivotal role of William Bell in Abrams' TV series, Fringe.

  Abrams admitted to having a lot of irons in the fire, but said he is "hard at work on Star Trek 2 and Mission: Impossible IV." In addition to Fringe and a new, unnamed TV show pilot, Abrams is producing Morning Glory, starring Harrison Ford and Rachel McAdams, due out in 2010.

  
  
  

  Mission: Impossible III - Trailer

  Posted 10/11/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Leonard Nimoy | J.J. Abrams | Martin Landau | Peter Graves | Mission: Impossible 4

Friday, October 9

• Leonard Nimoy Won't Direct a Star Trek Sequel

  Leonard Nimoy enjoyed his return as Spock this summer in J.J. Abrams's Star Trek reboot, but despite having directed Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Nimoy told Star Trek Magazine that he won't be directing a sequel.

  [Star Trek] is technically on a scale that I would be not be able to handle. The technology has increased and evolved so far beyond the kinds of things that we were doing when I was making those films. It's beyond me. It takes a certain skill and an understanding of the technology that I do not have to achieve the integration of the sets with the extraordinary special effects that are in this film.

  Despite saying he would not appear in a Star Trek last month, Nimoy said he would be willing to return if Abrams asks him to.

  If the phone rings again, and its J.J. calling to talk about another project, I'm more than willing to enter a discussion about it, and explore it with him. I have the feeling that my involvement has run its course — but then again, I've had that feeling many times before. I've felt that I was finished with all this, so this was a very pleasant surprised to be called back after all these years and be able to make a contribution here. If it happens again, I would glady work for him again.

  
  

  Posted 10/09/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Leonard Nimoy | J.J. Abrams | Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home | Star Trek | Star Trek 2 | Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

Saturday, September 5

• No Leonard Nimoy in Star Trek Sequel

  At a Dragon Con 2009 panel discussion, Leonard Nimoy revealed that he will not appear in the follow-up to J.J. Abrams' Star Trek. Appearing with William Shatner, Nimoy also took the opportunity to razz Shatner about his apparent disinterest in the movie.

  There are no plans for me to return for the second movie. I think the Spock character is very well established as portrayed by Zachary Quinto. And I think if you saw the movie Bill, you'd say the same of Chris Pine.

  Shatner's response? A curt "bulls**t."

  
  

  Posted 09/05/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Leonard Nimoy | William Shatner | Star Trek | Star Trek 2

Monday, May 11

• When Spock Met Obama

  As the new Star Trek goes into warp speed at the box office, it also appears to be reaching into the highest office in the land. Politico reports on rumors that President Obama has requested a special screening of the movie at the White House. There has been a lot of speculation for a while that Obama was a closet Trekkie, and even some commentary on how much he resembles Mr. Spock. More remarkable though is this latest comment from from the original Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) himself:

  I've met [Obama] twice. The first time was a couple years ago, very early on, when he had just announced his candidacy ... he came through the house, saw me, and immediately put his hand up in the Vulcan gesture.

  What better sign that Star Trek really has crossed over into the final frontier?

  
  

  Posted 05/11/2009 by Bill

  Related: Leonard Nimoy | Star Trek

Monday, April 27

• Nimoy Needed Direction to Play Spock in Star Trek

  

  You would think that Leonard Nimory would know the intricacies of playing Spock like the back of his hand, considering he's been portraying the character for nearly forty years. But Nimoy wasn't afraid to go to director J.J. Abrams for advice. Nimoy told Entertainment Weekly:

  It was clear [Abrams] was nervous, and I'm glad he got over it. Look, I had been away from the character for a long time. His input was important to me.

  It's still a mystery just exactly how the elder Spock will fit into the Starfleet Academy-set reboot, but with Eric Bana portraying a time-travelling Romulan with a grudge against Chris Pine's James T. Kirk, it's possible Nimoy's Spock may actually meet young Spock, portrayed by Zachary Quinto.

  
  
  

  Star Trek - Teaser

  J.J. Abrams Directs - Releasing May 8, 2009

  Posted 04/27/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Chris Pine | Leonard Nimoy | J.J. Abrams | Zachary Quinto | Star Trek

Tuesday, April 7

• Leonard Nimoy Introduces Surprise Screening of Star Trek

  It was just supposed to be a 10-minute clip following a replay of The Wrath of Khan. Some apparent technical difficulties ensue, and then Leonard Nimoy takes the stage and calls for a vote on who wants to see a full version of J.J. Abrams' new Star Trek. All a total surprise to most of the audience at the Alamo Draft House in Austin, Texas. The outcome of the vote was, of course, never in doubt and these lucky fans got to go where none have gone before. Even before the movie's official world premiere in Sydney.

  So what did they think?

  AICN, which helped organize the event, is overflowing with fan reviews. Regular AICN contributer Quint relates his own first-hand experience and gives the film a strong thumbs up: "I think Abrams pulled it off. Star Trek isn't just a successful reboot, but a genuinely fun and exciting science fiction action adventure."

  
  
  Next Showing: Other U.S. fans will have to wait until May 8 to see Star Trek

  Posted 04/07/2009 by Bill

  Related: Leonard Nimoy | J.J. Abrams | Star Trek

Friday, March 27

• From One Spock to Another on Abrams' Trek

  Leonard Nimoy, who just turned 78, will reprise his role as Mr. Spock in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek and go face to face with Zachary Quinto, who will play a considerably younger incarnation of the iconic Vulcan. In a recent interview with SciFi Now Magazine, he explained his what it was like encountering his replacement on-screen:

  You're seeing him even before the place I was playing the character on the original series, and you're seeing me giving a performance that's totally after all of that ... That was so weird, standing there and talking to him. We have a scene together that's a mind twister. We're both the same person, each coming from a different time frame.

  It has been forever since Nimoy last appeared as Spock on the big screen, and almost that long since he last played the character in The Next Generation, and he says he's ready to pass the torch to Quinto, for whom he has nothing but praise. He won't completely rule out reprising the role in another trans-generational encounter though. "Never say never," he concludes.

  
  

  Posted 03/27/2009 by Bill

  Related: Leonard Nimoy | Zachary Quinto | Star Trek

Monday, January 5

• Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto Talk Star Trek

  

  Grrrrrrhisssss!

  Where can actors feel free to talk about their upcoming sci-fi movie? The Wall Street Journal, of course, the publication of choice for Star Trek fans around the world.

  In an interview, Chris Pine, who plays Captain Kirk, puts fans' minds at ease about J.J. Abrams' take on the iconic franchise: "It's definitely not going to please everyone." Wow, that's sure to get everyone... excited?

  Pine wasn't finished in lowering expectations, admitting that he's "not well-versed in the Trek canon."

  Co-star Zachary Quinto, however, who plays Spock, made sure he was, talking and spending time with original Spock actor Leonard Nimoy: "We spent some time watching episodes but it was an all encompassing experience. We'd go to his house. We'd meet sometimes at Paramount. I'm seeing him before the holidays. He's an advanced mind and heart and I want to hang out with him as much as possible." Now that's better.

  Read the full interview.

  
  
  Next Showing: Star Trek opens May 8, 2009

  Posted 01/05/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Chris Pine | Leonard Nimoy | Zachary Quinto | Star Trek

Tuesday, November 25

• Spock Stars in Tweaked Trek Trailer

  A new -- well, somewhat new -- trailer for J.J. Abrams' big-budget Star Trek reboot popped up today over at AICN. It's mostly similar to the one that debuted in front of Quantum of Solace, save for a short snippet at the end featuring a certain pointy-eared chap with a bowl cut. No, it's not Zachary Quinto, whose performance in recently-unveiled footage drew mixed reviews from critics, but the original Vulcan himself, Leonard Nimoy.

  
  
  Next Showing: Star Trek opens May 8, 2009

  Posted 11/25/2008 by reelz

  Related: Leonard Nimoy | Zachary Quinto | Star Trek