Berman Confirms Star Trek Prequel Film Project

Steve Krutzler writes "TrekWeb can break the news STAR TREK producer Rick Berman has confirmed that work on a new STAR TREK feature film project has begun. Speaking in the new Dreamwatch magazine, Berman describes it cryptically as a "prequel" and says he's working with two other producers on the project."

Prequel? Oh boy...

[jrj102]

While the typos and spelling errors in the article were entertaining ("STAR TRKE" and "the future of their first series remains in limo") I'm not sure what to make of this. When they talk "prequel" are they talking about Pre-Enterprise? It seems like any earlier and there wouldn't be much opportunity to explore other species, etc. Can a Star Trek movie without existing characters/actors be successful? I mean Nemesis [slashdot.org], which was based on the much-loved TNG crew, made about $53 at the box office. (OK, that might be a slightly low estimate.)

I think a Starfleet Academy movie (mentioned in the article) could be compelling, but I'm losing interest in the whole franchise. I'd like to see another season of Enterprise despite the fact that it's a fairly weak show (in my opinion) but I think that Gene Roddenberry's vision is running out of gas without his input. I have mixed feelings: on one hand, Trek has gotten pretty lame, and it is probably time for them to stop producing it for a while, but on the other hand I'd miss even bad Trek... Is bad Trek better than no Trek at all? Am I even making any sense? :)

Drooling fanboys will be happy to read this line from the article, though:

"...insiders suggest Berman and/or Braga might take a reduced role in a fourth season of ENTERPRISE, though this is entirely speculation."

--- JRJ

NCC-1701C

[DamienNightbane]

I'd hope that it's a prequel to TNG. Rachel Garret needs her own series and movies.

Even/Odd

[Neil Blender]

Will this be Star Trek 0? And thus not subject to the even/odd curse? I guess the film will probably be not too bad, not too good.

Oh great, a PREQUEL!

[Anonymous Coward]

Because we all know how well he's done with the current prequel series Enterprise. I'm sure this will be a homerun. Look, I understand various people (Stewart, Spiner, etc) want a lot of money/don't really want to be involved... that's fine. But there are enough people that do, and enough ways to craft a story. Captain Riker in charge, Dr. Bashir in the data role (perhaps as an Intelligence Officer or something). Maybe a plot about those parasite things that TNG never followed up on. Perhaps Riker finds out his clone Tom is still alive, and they need to go rescue him? There are lots of options that don't require prequels.

Pre?

[AmicoToni]

I still find the idea of prequels in Star Trek rather silly. In Star Wars there was a storyline, so in that case it might have made some sense, but Star Trek?
The only result is that they can show *less* technological tricks, *less* alien species, and, importantly, *less* developed Star Trek ideals and moral conflicts.
No Prime Directive? No teleporting?
I would find much more appealing a series or a movie some two-hundred years *after* TNG, instead...

Kzinti first contact

[AtariAmarok]

Count me in, as long as it is about first contact with the Kzinti. (For those of you who do not know what they are, just read it and do not say it. They are NOT Xindi!)

Prolly Not TNG

[millahtime]

This probubally won't be anything to do with TNG. They had pretty much said they were done with that cast and the movies. Plus the last one didn't do that great at the box office.

Before Kirk there were 2 wars they might cover. One with the Klingons and one with the Romulins. This could provide for some action

Another scenario they had talked about was doing a movie of the Excelusier and Chekov (yes I know I butchered the name)

Enterprise C

[Omega1045]

It would be nice to see some more of the backstory on the Enterprise C. They could even involve the actors from TNG episode - don't remember the title but it was a parallel universe one with Tasha back alive...

Re:To TNG or not to TNG?

[FauxPasIII]

> Generations pretty much voided any chance of a TNG prequel with the original crew.

-nod- Besides, much of the crew was meeting for the first time in Encounter at Farpoint, so it would be tough to do anything with all the familiar characters together that was set earlier than that.

The Prequel I'd like to see...

[Mage66]

The first voyage of the Starship Enterprise, NCC-1701. Not the NX-01 of Enterprise (we already saw that). But the Enterprise that people know and love from the original series. The TNG and DS9 Episodes that referred back to the original series are two of the highest rated Treks ever on Television. Imagine a movie with the first voyage of the Enterprise. Captain Robert April and crew. That would be a movie people might like to see. And, it could be done with current characters (from TNG or DS9 and Voyager) in a wrap-around. It could even be done as in "Trials and Tribbleations) where current characters go back in time to make sure the voyage goes off as recorded because "Future Guy" or some other character is trying to tamper with it. It's a bit late for it, but even a movie version of "Kobyashi Maru" would have been great. Even as a TV Special Mini-Series. There are a LOT of good stories in the books. The Phoenix Series of Books would have made a good movie. Even if simplified a little. And the Shatner/Reese-Stevens books, would also be great bases for a series of movies. One thing Paramount ought to do, is hire 10 fans as script consultants. If they start turning thumbs down to the script, they ought to think twice. Fans have been right about every movies released. The simple suggestions fans made about Generations would have made it a MUCH better movie. Make new Trek's Character driven Dramas. That's what people like these days.

Re:To TNG or not to TNG?

[cshark]

If I were a betting man, I would predict that this is probably an Enterprise movie. Especially if Enterprise dissapears next season like I keep hearing about on the web. Remember when the first plot leaks were coming out, everyone refered to it as "the prequel." Maybe that's paramount speak for the whole series. It could be interesting. Especially if they mess with the whole star trek time line sending the whole continuity into peril again. The time warps just keep getting better and bettter. I would love to see a movie devoted to the great star trek time warp.

Re:sorry to say this, but...

[No. 24601]

Lately it's seemed to me that we as a culture are running low on creativity.

You are terribly wrong. It's one thing to say that Star Trek is out of ideas... I agree completely. It's another thing to say that there's no creativity out there. To defend pop culture, I'd say there's lots of great material out there even in media. I think we've practically escaped the decline in the late 90's when pure crap was getting mainstream attention.

I'll avoid naming specifics, but say that hollywood directors are taking more chances, are more daring and creative than ever before. I think we're going to see a lot more good stuff at the theatre.

Lots of great music out there right now, you just have to know where to look - even if it's on the radio. In my hometown, most of the radio stations that played crap like the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears have gone out of business and been replaced by stations with a wider range of taste.

Writers are also exploring topics and issues. I find scientists, engineers and physicists, while grounded in their discipline, are venturing into the world of fiction and taking creativity to a new level. This should be no surprise as the audience is generally more informed and knowledgeable than ever before.

It all comes down to knowing what you want and knowing where to find it.

Re:Quit starving the horse..

[B5_geek]

Yes, yes, and yes.

I have watched all of ToS, TNG, DS9, and Voyager. EVEN though, I hated 60% of DS9 (the first 60%) and 99% of Voyager.

The point is, the quality of the episode obviously went down-hill. All Series had fantastic episodes and crappy ones too.

TNG (if you go back & watch it) had a very bad 1st season. It got much better very quickly after that. BUT it was still good at that time.

I have watched the first season and half of the second season of Enterprise; IMHO I felt that it stayed sucky and second rate. Enterprise never felt like it filled it's own shoes.

In the years that I started watching ST, I have grown up a lot. TNG was a must-watch during my teen-age years. I have been open to watching other Sci-Fi shows, and completely impressed with how-good they have been. Going back, it now feels like I have been stuck with a Two Dollar hooker all these years. ST: Just Stop

Re:To TNG or not to TNG?

[Short Circuit]

I'm expecting it to be based on Enterprise. However, a movie following Kirk through the Acadamy would be neat to see. Especially for the "no win" scenario test.

Re:In other news

[Guardian452]

I really have to point out that the Star Trek universe does just about the worst job of showing how society would react to new technologies. I mean, the transporter alone would create whole new forms of crime, social interaction, cultural shifts, etc. Niven [wikipedia.org] tackled the idea of transporters combined with human nature. Why doesn't Trek?

Same idea goes for replicators, holodecks, whatever. Star Trek just usually cops out and gives us "regular life surrounded by cool toys." The advances they have almost never change their lives the way they would change our own.

Re:Prolly Not TNG

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't understand why Enterprise isn't covering the Romulan War *RIGHT NOW*. Instead it is mystery alien terrorists that nobody cares about with a dumb time travel hook. Stupid.

I agree with your points -- the standard TNG plotlines have been beaten to death, the writers suck, the actors suck, and the producers can't decide if they are making soapopera for middle-aged nerds or an action series.

Re:How about Star Trek: Borg War

[phallux]

I'd like to see something akin to Marvel Comics' original Secret Wars series but with a more Dr. Strangelove-esque ending.

Have Q bring together the crews of all the Enterprises, DS9, Voyager, and the entire Federation; plus the Klingon Empire, Romulan Empire, the Borg, and Species 8472 -- then let them all obliterate each other (including Q) in one epic, cataclysmic final act for the Trek franchise.

I'd go see it.

Re:To TNG or not to TNG?

[stephenisu]

Could have somthing to do with Patrick Stewart swearing not to do another one....

Re:To TNG or not to TNG?

[Jerf]

I would love to see a movie devoted to the great star trek time warp.

You mean, other then Star Trek 4, Star Trek: Generations, and Star Trek: First Contact? And pretty much the entire run of Voyager?

"Time Warping" is the worst problem with Star Trek. You can't build drama because nothing is ever at stake that won't be wiped away by next week's time travel episode or movie. That problem alone is enough to sink the series; the entire concept has devolved into some of the worst "collaborative writing" I've ever seen. (Ever done a "collaborative novel" online? The resulting continuity trainwreck bears an uncomfortable resemblence to Star Trek now...)

It's most likely Cap'n Archer's Enterprise movie

[Flentil]

It just seems most obvious to me since the current series is a prequal. They could make a really good movie of the beginning of the war with the klingons if they don't get around to doing it on the TV show before it's canceled.

Re:In other news

[Flyboy Connor]

Totally agree.

Since I have all the TNG DVDs, I picked up Nemesis when it was in the cheapo bin. It still hurt, but at least it has Wil's cameo.

I watched the interviews on the DVD (I couldn't bear to watch the movie again). They told the script writer wasn't really into Star Trek, and had only seen a few episodes, but, oh yeah, he could write a killer script based on his movie experience.

So we've seen what that has come to. Laser shows, space battles, cheap rip-offs of good movies (it has scenes from Star Wars, Mad Max, Excalibur and even Ben Hur), and definitely uninteresting characterisation.

And the killer joke was Gates McFadden saying she liked the script because it really did justice to the character of Beverly Crusher. Sorry Gates, Bev ended up on the cutting room floor.

So who expects anything good from Berman?

Hello? Anyone?

Enterprise (as a series) and the recent movies.

[LithiumX]

All the best ST movies have (with one exception) been their darkest - and even Voyage Home had a pretty bleak undertone (goodbye Earth). On the other hand, their "cute" movies have also been their worst - and Nemesis proves they shouldn't try for a core bad guy until they can give us a good one (I was not impressed with Nemesis, but at least it helped drive away the bad taste of Insurrection's diarrhetic implosion).

As for Enterprise, regardless of it's ratings I think it's the best effort they've made since TNG's final season. It has the best characters (all have distinct flaws that aren't cute, which makes their finer aspects shine a little more). It has a dark and slightly twisted sense of humor I like. They do not always make the moral choice in the end, instead of always figuring out what's right by the end of the show. Their doctor is the first alien ST crewmember who seems to fit in as a castmember instead of the token alien.

And... it brings back some of the Blood, Booze, and Babes element that made the original last so long. When they fight, they fight like they mean it. Bodies fly out of gaping holes in the ship, there are redshirts all over the place, and sometimes they have to be cold and brutal just to survive, not to make a highhanded point.

I want to see a Star Trek movie that makes your brain twist... something approaching hard sci-fi, but not enough to drive people away. I want Arthur C Clarke to make me a Star Trek. Or, if they can ever get him to talk to them again, Harlan Ellison (who wrote their best episode, period). Something dark and bleak, where instead of being preachy, they tear their entire world apart and let them climb out of the wreckage.

I don't want a happy Star Trek movie. I don't want to hear Picard soliliquizing on philosophical matters like it was a pleasant tea party, or Riker worrying about his love life, or La Forge being bored with his job. I want to see all hell break loose, and characters who ACT like they're not having fun. And if the TNG guys get one more go, kill some of them off in acts of violence, not dramatic self-sacrifice. I want Shakespearean Tragedy, not As The Federation Turns.

Or maybe... just maybe... I'll be impressed if I see a title like "Star Trek: Holy War" or "Star Trek: Apocalypse"... not "Star Trek: Earl Grey, Hot".

Re:Prequel? Oh boy...

[Suidae]

I've said this before and I'll say it again.

Trek needs a series that tells stories in the Trek universe. It takes as many or as few episodes as it needs to tell the story the way the story should be told. When the story is done, they come up with another one. Switch casts for each story, maybe keep around a few actors who can play different parts, or occasionaly the same character in different stories.

Tell stories set entirely on Romulus, or in the Klingon empire, or even throw in a few about the early Cardassian move to a military state that leads to the conquest of bajor (not necessary to actually show the conquest, we know it happened from DS9, we'll figure it out).

We can see some more about Q and the other Q-like entities, we can tell stores in the far future or far past without invoking time travel. The possibilities are endless if the writers are good.

Take fan suggestions for stories, or suggestions on which series to expand on, possibly spinning off new dedicated series. Use guest writers for stories, take ideas from the books, hell, use fan donations as long as they sign over the rights.

Re:To TNG or not to TNG?

[Short Circuit]

Well, the looks on the faces of the testors would be neat.

On a high level, there'd be suspense in breaking into a facility without getting caught. (That'd be serious trouble.)

On a low level, it would showcase Kirk's ingenuity. Or, rather, his lack of belief in a no-win scenario. So much so that he'd risk the consequences of breaking and entering.

I agree but...

[students]

It would be a painful five years. On the other hand, they could update the special effects and the physics to match real technology that will exist then. I'd like to see a Star Trek that operates under more real physical laws. I'd also like to see one set in San Fancisco, at Star Fleet command.

Re:To TNG or not to TNG?

[erpbridge]

Dammit, Man! Why'd you have to go and give away next season's plotline?

Actually, I think you may be closer than you think. According to timelines I heard when enterprise was coming out, they said the first Romulan war should take place about seasons 4-6 of Enterprise. Well, we're at the end of season 3.

It's possible that, if Enterprise actually does get canned (nothing final on that yet, although very heavy speculation), they may make the Romulan war the prequel movie. That, and it'll almost fit in with Nemesis and its heavy Romulan themes.

Speaking of other species...

[blackholepcs]

I have always been disappointed with the appearance of new species in one or two episods, then nothing. You don't see Andorians anymore, or Binaries, or a whole slew of other sweet ass species. I'd personally like a movie or new series where these species are regulars, like crew members, space station employees, etc. It has just always bugged me. It's like the only members of the whole species that exist are the ones in the episode that they appear in, and then they die offscreen preventing them from being in any other episodes. Watupwitdat?

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Re:To TNG or not to TNG?

[bluethundr]

(whatever happened to IDIC?)

IDIC (Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations) was a product of Gene's disenfranchisement with the show on season 3. According to Shatner's book on TOS [barnesandnoble.com]. The budget for the show had steadily trickled down to a near halt over the span of 3 seasons. By the 3rd season, Roddenberry was so fed up with the studio's budget cuts that he said "HERE" with arms extended to Justman and essentially gave him the show to run. Roddenberry even moved his offices off the Desilu lot and to (I believe it was) Universal to devote all his time to a non sci-fi movie that was to star (again, I think, I read it about 10 years ago) Burt Reynolds. That movie never made it out of pre-production and was never made.

At some point during that 3rd season, realizing the rise in popularity of Sci-Fi cons he decided on a brazen marketing ploy: the IDIC. It was a schlocky imitation gold pin. When Roddenberry suddenly appeared on the set with this item (after having been AWOL all season) the actors realized what he was doing an initially refused to wear it. Roddenberry never liked Nimoy much to begin with, and threatened to fire him when Nimoy threatened to walk off the set before he wore it. Roddenberry thought he might have an easier time with Shatner (they were on slightly more friendlier terms...according to Shatner ;) but he just said "NO WAY". Back to Nimoy, he stuck to his guns and Nimoy RELUCTANTLY acceeded to his request. Now, it's an example of accepted Trek lore. I still like the hippy-dippy concept of the IDIC, but my eyes were opened a bit by reading this part.

It's quite simply WHY Star Trek isn't what it was

[genrader]

When you get rid of people like Spock and Data, the series completely flops. Nobody in any of the new series are anything like Data, and even though Data was great, he was nothing compared to Spock. Bring back Spock, or someone very similar to him or Data, and you've got a series :D

Oh yes, and the typical knowitall Captain who sometimes is okay, but usually requires the council of the Spock-type figure.

SO DAMN TRUE!

[Cyno01]

The best thing they could do is exactly what you suggested, do a series on earth, at starfleet headquarters. Better yet, do that, with Section 31. They really havn't explored earth much, there were a few episodes of DS9 where they visited, with the changling scare and everything, and there were a few eps of voyager, the one where harry got switched with his friend, and the ones with Murdoch, i mean Barclay, and Troi, but those were terrible (along with the post kes seasons of voyager...). A series taking place on earth after the cadassian/dominion war and after voyagers return would be cool. I think they could even get away with some cameos from the voyager crew. There are enough known planets that they've never been to that they could have original story lines without resorting to borg/holodeck/time-travel. Vulcan, Andor(andorian homeworld?) Bol(bolians...), uh, other planets with blue people... Mars!!! They need to fire berman.

Write a book!

[students]

I've been thinking about it for a while. I was thinking, a good way to influence the series is to write a book, like the excelent (in my openion, though they do include some rediculously far fetched things, like the Great Bird of the Galaxy) Starship Excaliber books by Peter David. I've thought up a lot of details, characters, etc. but I need a good plot. Alas, I don't think that Simon and Schulster would be thrilled about publishing it, but you could always just change the proprietary names, title it "TINT is Not Trek", and publish it online under the GNU FDL. I'll probobally never do such a thing, but if you like, we can discuss it. If I did do it, I would need someone to proofread, help with the plot, and do some of the writing. Or I could us OO.org. Do you know any physics? I know physics as represented in Hawking's books only, so I would need to do some research for sure. I might be taking a newtonian physics class next school year, but I doubt that will be much help.

Point to ponder: Could the elusive source of the cosmological constant be what permits warp to occur?

Note to those who suggest waiting a few years: This idea would probobally take a long time to develop.

Of course, we could just write a book about writing a Star Trek novel. What is the name of that Mars colony, anyway?

Re:Enterprise

[chegosaurus]

Why is everyone so keen to bash Enterprise? Seems even a lot of Trek fans just /want/ it to fail.

Okay, so a few episodes have sucked pretty bad, but all in all it's a pretty entertaining show. Decent actors, nice sets and effects, some good stories.

I'm a pretty keen Trek fan, and I don't really care about the inconsistencies with other series: I just what to be entertained for an hour, and Enterprise usually manages to do that.

Now, Voyager, on the other hand. THAT sucked total ass...

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Troi?

[AtariAmarok]

Troi's character didn't grow? She certinaly wasn't the same "Captain I sense a strong life presense here... my god it's in pain! Horrible pain! Oh the pain!" piece of eyecandy in Season 7 that she was in Season 1.

Yes. By that time, she had moved up to having headaches due to ghosts in the bulkhead. She was even a cake in one show.

But other [Voyager] stuff (like the Maquis subplot) was forgotten about in favor of technobabble

I think you missed the two- or three-hundred TNG episodes about Data and Geordi teaming up to track down mysterious //jargon// emmisions/particles/etc penetrating the ships hull or emitting from the ambassador's temporary quarters. After this, they solved the problem by redirecting the //jargon// output from the //jargon// manifold (which typically involved crouching down for a half hour in front of an open wall panel and pulling at glowing blue plastic tubes).