Star Trek: Of Gods and Men cast members on set
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Of Guardians and Men
The first 30 minute section of the online independent film, Star Trek: Of Gods and Men became available Saturday. Those of you who have seen it now know what I've been talking about, here, here and here: the rumored plot of the Paramount Star Trek XI movie now in production seems actually to be a botched version of the plot of "Of Gods and Men."
The basic idea seemed similar when I first read it, but then I wrote that I'd confirmed a key plot point that was in the rumor and also in "Of Gods and Men," but I'd promised not to divulge it. So now I will, so SPOILER ALERT for anyone who hasn't seen the first part of "Of Gods and Men:" stop reading now.
That story point was the Guardian of Forever, which the rumor stated was in Trek XI. I spotted the Guardian arch in an on-line promo for "Of Gods and Men," and was told that it is in the film but its presence in the promo was "a mistake" and the filmmakers wanted to keep this a secret until fans had a chance to see it.
Fans may also be aware of Harlan Ellison's reaction to the rumor of the Guardian's inclusion in Trek XI, to the effect that because he created it for the Star Trek episode, "City on the Edge of Forever," he owned the rights to it and Paramount had to come to him if they wanted to use it. When I asked about the Guardian being in OGAM, I was told that Harlan knew about it and "was cool with it."
Of course, it was barely possible that the Trek XI rumor was reasonably accurate, and the resemblance between it and OGAM was a fantastic coincidence. But at least in one regard that seems less likely, since Harlan Ellison has since said (in an interview during Star Trek day of the writers strike) that he's been assured that the Guardian is not in Trek XI.
The first 30 minute section of the online independent film, Star Trek: Of Gods and Men became available Saturday. Those of you who have seen it now know what I've been talking about, here, here and here: the rumored plot of the Paramount Star Trek XI movie now in production seems actually to be a botched version of the plot of "Of Gods and Men."
The basic idea seemed similar when I first read it, but then I wrote that I'd confirmed a key plot point that was in the rumor and also in "Of Gods and Men," but I'd promised not to divulge it. So now I will, so SPOILER ALERT for anyone who hasn't seen the first part of "Of Gods and Men:" stop reading now.
That story point was the Guardian of Forever, which the rumor stated was in Trek XI. I spotted the Guardian arch in an on-line promo for "Of Gods and Men," and was told that it is in the film but its presence in the promo was "a mistake" and the filmmakers wanted to keep this a secret until fans had a chance to see it.
Fans may also be aware of Harlan Ellison's reaction to the rumor of the Guardian's inclusion in Trek XI, to the effect that because he created it for the Star Trek episode, "City on the Edge of Forever," he owned the rights to it and Paramount had to come to him if they wanted to use it. When I asked about the Guardian being in OGAM, I was told that Harlan knew about it and "was cool with it."
Of course, it was barely possible that the Trek XI rumor was reasonably accurate, and the resemblance between it and OGAM was a fantastic coincidence. But at least in one regard that seems less likely, since Harlan Ellison has since said (in an interview during Star Trek day of the writers strike) that he's been assured that the Guardian is not in Trek XI.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
How to Get Shatner Into Star Trek XI
by William S. Kowinski
Once again, Star Trek XI writer Roberto Orci is saying that a part for William Shatner in the new Paramount Trek movie is still possible, if they can only figure out how to get around the death of Captain Kirk in Star Trek Generations. (Though the interview quoted on the Sci-Fi Wire was in November, Orci apparently confirmed to Trek Movie Report this week that it's still true.)
"From my point of view, it's a very long shoot, and things change. It's just whether we can figure it out," Orci said. He's been saying this for a long time, and I haven't found it entirely credible, but let's take him at his word. I know this is going to be presumptuous because it's their movie and I don't know what the movie's story is anyway, but at this point, maybe it's worth thinking this through.
With some of the movie already shot, and a lot of it locked in by the writers strike, it's obvious that making Captain Kirk a major character is no longer possible. The best that could be done now, probably, is a brief appearance, probably at the end of the story.
So given that Kirk was killed on Veridian 3 after leaving the Nexus to help Captain Picard defeat Soren, what are the options? His presence would have to be simple to explain quickly: it's too late for a story involving, for instance, Q bringing him from a parallel universe to help Spock solve some galactic conundrum.
So last night I sat down to think about it and came up with several ideas, based on two possibilities. One is the Nexus. In Generations, Guinan is on the Enterprise when she explains to Picard she had been in the Nexus, but had been ripped out of it by the Enterprise B, in the event that saw Kirk lost (presumed killed, but actually swept into the Nexus energy ribbon.) But later, when Picard is in the Nexus, Guinan is there. She says she is an "echo" of the Guinan he knows on the Enterprise. There are several possible interpretations of what this "echo" person is.
The most direct exploitation of the "echo" Kirk might go like this:
1. 24th century Spock is returning from his adventure when he spots a ribbon in the sky, swooping towards him. It's the Nexus, which Kirk's "echo" has learned to "pilot," and because of the knowledge of the universe he has within the Nexus, he knows of Spock's mission. So he takes the Nexus to Spock to pepper him with questions about how the mission went, what happened, what was it like. He's gotten tired of living the Nexus possibilities of his life, including seeing his grandchildren born, which is what he was doing when he realized Spock was nearby. This gives us the excitable, impetuous, resourceful and conflicted Kirk--with an unbreakable bond with Spock-- that only Shatner can play.
The other obvious possibility is a holographic Kirk. (I believe this was considered for how to bring Kirk and Picard together in the movie that became Generations.) The most basic way this could work might be:
2. Having revisited the past and seen the very young Kirk again, back in the 24th century Spock desires closure that he never got, since he wasn't there for Kirk's death, and perhaps didn't even hear about it until weeks later. So he programs a holographic Kirk, makes him an age that is the human equivalent of his own age, and converses with him. Spock of course would realize the illogic of talking with a hologram as it it were alive, of conversing with a simulation when it cannot be the real Kirk. And yet, he feels compelled to do it. The holographic Kirk teases him about it, holds his feet to the fire over it, and ultimately they do achieve closure--on this mission and its purpose, on their dedication to Starfleet and the ideals of the Federation, and on their lives--their triumphs, mistakes, what they learned, and their legacy.
Those are the basic ideas. I also came up with two ways to combine the Nexus option with the hologram.
3. At the conclusion of this mission, 24th century Spock finally visits Kirk's grave on Veridan 3. While there, gazing on a monument that has since been erected, he is startled to hear Kirk's voice. Then he sees the memorial pavilion, and inside it is a holographic "interactive Kirk," programmed to answer questions about himself from visitors, especially schoolchildren. When Spock enters, Kirk recognizes him. He says that the Nexus passed just close enough at the time of his death that "an echo" of himself was preserved here. He has inhabited his own simulation, waiting for Spock to arrive. They talk about Spock's mission, and everything described above.
Then there's a variation with a familiar but perhaps still effective twist:
4. Aboard his returning ship, 24th century Spock is visited by a holographic image of Kirk. He says that he's found a way to transmit a hologram outside the Nexus, but only for a few minutes. They converse, as above. Finally Spock says, it is not logical that you can do this. Kirk smiles--the Nexus is a very strange place. It isn't limited by logic--or technology. But you're right--I didn't get a transdimensional hologram emitter for Christmas. Still, there's no power in the universe like the power of the mind, and the heart. I may not be able to get myself into your time and space, but I am already in your mind, and your heart. So it was easier to go directly there--to your dreams." Spock wakes up--and wonders, was it only a dream, or was it really Kirk?
Those are possibilities for Shatner as Captain Kirk. But there are also more ambiguous possibilities. For example:
5. Aboard a 24th century starship, Spock is returning from his mission when he is confronted by an officer he doesn't know--and yet seems shockingly familiar. The officer is very eager to know how his mission went, what was it like, and he asks about Captain Kirk--did he see him, is Kirk's legacy secure? All this time Spock is about as freaked out as a Vulcan can be, because the officer is the image of Jim Kirk, although years older than Kirk was when he "died." Finally, Spock says, "You seem to know a great deal about Captain Kirk, Commander--" "Commander Crane, sir." Spock seems finally to believe Commander Crane is a strange coincidence, but the twinkle in Shatner's eye tells us maybe, somehow...
These may be totally impractical and ineffective suggestions, though I don't think they are uninteresting. And I may be wrong that they demonstrate that it's possible to get William Shatner "as" Captain Kirk into this movie, if it really is a priority.
by William S. Kowinski
Once again, Star Trek XI writer Roberto Orci is saying that a part for William Shatner in the new Paramount Trek movie is still possible, if they can only figure out how to get around the death of Captain Kirk in Star Trek Generations. (Though the interview quoted on the Sci-Fi Wire was in November, Orci apparently confirmed to Trek Movie Report this week that it's still true.)
"From my point of view, it's a very long shoot, and things change. It's just whether we can figure it out," Orci said. He's been saying this for a long time, and I haven't found it entirely credible, but let's take him at his word. I know this is going to be presumptuous because it's their movie and I don't know what the movie's story is anyway, but at this point, maybe it's worth thinking this through.
With some of the movie already shot, and a lot of it locked in by the writers strike, it's obvious that making Captain Kirk a major character is no longer possible. The best that could be done now, probably, is a brief appearance, probably at the end of the story.
So given that Kirk was killed on Veridian 3 after leaving the Nexus to help Captain Picard defeat Soren, what are the options? His presence would have to be simple to explain quickly: it's too late for a story involving, for instance, Q bringing him from a parallel universe to help Spock solve some galactic conundrum.
So last night I sat down to think about it and came up with several ideas, based on two possibilities. One is the Nexus. In Generations, Guinan is on the Enterprise when she explains to Picard she had been in the Nexus, but had been ripped out of it by the Enterprise B, in the event that saw Kirk lost (presumed killed, but actually swept into the Nexus energy ribbon.) But later, when Picard is in the Nexus, Guinan is there. She says she is an "echo" of the Guinan he knows on the Enterprise. There are several possible interpretations of what this "echo" person is.
The most direct exploitation of the "echo" Kirk might go like this:
1. 24th century Spock is returning from his adventure when he spots a ribbon in the sky, swooping towards him. It's the Nexus, which Kirk's "echo" has learned to "pilot," and because of the knowledge of the universe he has within the Nexus, he knows of Spock's mission. So he takes the Nexus to Spock to pepper him with questions about how the mission went, what happened, what was it like. He's gotten tired of living the Nexus possibilities of his life, including seeing his grandchildren born, which is what he was doing when he realized Spock was nearby. This gives us the excitable, impetuous, resourceful and conflicted Kirk--with an unbreakable bond with Spock-- that only Shatner can play.
The other obvious possibility is a holographic Kirk. (I believe this was considered for how to bring Kirk and Picard together in the movie that became Generations.) The most basic way this could work might be:
2. Having revisited the past and seen the very young Kirk again, back in the 24th century Spock desires closure that he never got, since he wasn't there for Kirk's death, and perhaps didn't even hear about it until weeks later. So he programs a holographic Kirk, makes him an age that is the human equivalent of his own age, and converses with him. Spock of course would realize the illogic of talking with a hologram as it it were alive, of conversing with a simulation when it cannot be the real Kirk. And yet, he feels compelled to do it. The holographic Kirk teases him about it, holds his feet to the fire over it, and ultimately they do achieve closure--on this mission and its purpose, on their dedication to Starfleet and the ideals of the Federation, and on their lives--their triumphs, mistakes, what they learned, and their legacy.
Those are the basic ideas. I also came up with two ways to combine the Nexus option with the hologram.
3. At the conclusion of this mission, 24th century Spock finally visits Kirk's grave on Veridan 3. While there, gazing on a monument that has since been erected, he is startled to hear Kirk's voice. Then he sees the memorial pavilion, and inside it is a holographic "interactive Kirk," programmed to answer questions about himself from visitors, especially schoolchildren. When Spock enters, Kirk recognizes him. He says that the Nexus passed just close enough at the time of his death that "an echo" of himself was preserved here. He has inhabited his own simulation, waiting for Spock to arrive. They talk about Spock's mission, and everything described above.
Then there's a variation with a familiar but perhaps still effective twist:
4. Aboard his returning ship, 24th century Spock is visited by a holographic image of Kirk. He says that he's found a way to transmit a hologram outside the Nexus, but only for a few minutes. They converse, as above. Finally Spock says, it is not logical that you can do this. Kirk smiles--the Nexus is a very strange place. It isn't limited by logic--or technology. But you're right--I didn't get a transdimensional hologram emitter for Christmas. Still, there's no power in the universe like the power of the mind, and the heart. I may not be able to get myself into your time and space, but I am already in your mind, and your heart. So it was easier to go directly there--to your dreams." Spock wakes up--and wonders, was it only a dream, or was it really Kirk?
Those are possibilities for Shatner as Captain Kirk. But there are also more ambiguous possibilities. For example:
5. Aboard a 24th century starship, Spock is returning from his mission when he is confronted by an officer he doesn't know--and yet seems shockingly familiar. The officer is very eager to know how his mission went, what was it like, and he asks about Captain Kirk--did he see him, is Kirk's legacy secure? All this time Spock is about as freaked out as a Vulcan can be, because the officer is the image of Jim Kirk, although years older than Kirk was when he "died." Finally, Spock says, "You seem to know a great deal about Captain Kirk, Commander--" "Commander Crane, sir." Spock seems finally to believe Commander Crane is a strange coincidence, but the twinkle in Shatner's eye tells us maybe, somehow...
These may be totally impractical and ineffective suggestions, though I don't think they are uninteresting. And I may be wrong that they demonstrate that it's possible to get William Shatner "as" Captain Kirk into this movie, if it really is a priority.
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