Rachel Weisz Would LOVE to Be in Star Trek!

The Mummy and The Mummy Returns actress Rachel Weisz gave an interview to Collider in which she discusses her recent film Agora and in which she talks about her love for the newest StarTrek Film and how she would like to be part of the sequel:

Leonard Nimoy Confirms his Retirement from Acting

In a recent interview given to the Toronto Sun, Leonard Nimoy once again confirmed that he is indeed retiring from acting, and that we shouldn't expect to see him in the Star Trek sequel (due out in 2012)or anywhere else for that matter.

Zachary Quinto May Ask Leonard Nimoy to Come Back as Spock

I recently talked on my blog about Leonard Nimoy's plans for retiring his Spock character as well as his acting career after Fringe.

Well, if new Spock actor Zachary Quinto has is way, Leonard Nimoy wont be able to hang up his Vulcan ears just yet.

Hugo Awards: Star Trek and Doctor Who Get Nominations

The Hugo Awards are awards for excellence in the field of science fiction and fantasy. They were first awarded in 1953, and have been awarded every year since 1955. [AussieCon4]

These awards are set to be presented in Melbourne, Australia, at Aussicon 4 - the 68th World Science Fiction Convention - on September 5, 2010.

Star Trek Script Start Date

After practically getting no news from JJ Abrams himself, co-writer Damon Lindeloff at least gave us something to hang on to.

According to Lindeloff he, Abrams, and co-writers Roberto Orci and Alex Krutzman should start writing the script to the Star Trek Sequel in April, when they have finished writing the Lost scripts.

This is at least some good news.

Source

JJ Abrams Update on the Star Trek Sequel

So we have a release date of june 29th 2012 for the next Star Trek movie. But what don't we have?

Asked by Collider.Com about whether he had decided to direct the Star Trek Sequel JJ Abrams answered:

No. We don’t have a script yet or anything, but we have a release date (June 29, 2012). There’s a release date, but we’re still working on the script. The idea is that they have faith in this team.

Thus as of now according to Abrams we have no director and no due date for a script

And for all intents and purposes no storyline yet?

I know the sequel is 2 years away but it would be nice to know something about it. Or maybe I'm being too impatient.

Go here to read the interview in which Abrams also talks about Fringe and Lost

Star Trek XII Tentatively Set for June 29th 2012

Over at Trek Movie, the story broke that the eagerly anticipated sequel to Star Trek XI will finally hit our screens in the summer of 2012, on June 29th.

Though originally they had hoped for a summer 2011 release, this is the date that was chosen, increasing chances that the very busy JJ Abrams would direct the second movie.

Go read the entire story here

Greg Grunberg as a Red Shirt on the Next Star Trek?

In an interview given to Newsarama.com JJ Abrams talked about his best friend, Heroes's Greg Grunberg, who had a cameo in the first Star Trek movie as Jim Kirk's uncle's voice (it's simpler than it sounds) during the car chase sequence.

I actually tried to get him to be in the movie originally and he was unavailable, but having Greg as a red shirt would be my favorite thing in the world, actually. [laughs]

The idea of having Greg Grunberg as a Red shirt is hilarious to me. Life expectancy for these Star Trek characters is notoriously short as they tend to DIE. It's part of one of those great Star Trek mythos.

Source

JJ Abrams On The Star Trek Sequel and More

A few days ago, Paramount held a press event in order to promote their fall home video releases. Star Trek is set to come out on both DVD and BluRay on November 17. There was a Q&A session with Director JJ Abrams and he opened up about William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and the Star Trek Sequel.

Amongst the highlights are the fact that Abrams was first approached to do Star Trek in 3-D and that he's very much opened to do the next one in that format.

It is funny. 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–I thought it would be another dimension of pain-in-the-ass. I thought I would be like, "oh my god, I just 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. So I’m open to looking at it because now I feel a little bit more comfortable and, if I, in fact, direct the sequel to our Star Trek film, 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.

About Shatner, Abrams said that he ''would love to figure out something.'' And that they are talking and have a lunch date planned and that he considers himself a friend of his.

JJ Abrams also responded to Leonard Nimoy's comments that he would not be in the next movie which I reported here. Abrams said:

I can say that I can’t imagine a Star Trek movie not needing him. I’m sure 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, but do I want to work with him again? Of course, 100%. I’d love to.

The Star Trek director also gets to share his thoughts on Nick Meyer, the director of Wrath of Kahn, who apparently watched all 79 episodes of TOS before directing one of the best Star Trek Movies of all time.

Go here for the complete report

2009 Star Trek Convention Sunday: William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy Panel

The William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy panels were an event many people were really looking forward to. Unfortunately, yours truly missed the major part of the Bill Shatner panel, as I was recovering from my earlier meeting with the lovely Zachary Quinto. Again I digress.

When I walked in on Shatner’s panel, the theatre was packed. Bill was already telling tall tales about filming with a horse on the set of the Star Trek: Generations movie. He was recalling the time when the horse fell on him and that he had gone up saying he required no hospital, fallen down again and then required to be sent to the hospital. Plus, while there, as he was getting ready to give a ''sample'' by peeing into a bottle, a nurse poked her head in, telling him she was his biggest fan. Hilarious. Bill was telling the story with tremendous energy and the crowd was visibly pleased and amused.

The actor also talked about the death of Captain Kirk in that movie. He also discussed his ad-libbed last line: ''Oh my!'' Shatner said he envisioned that what was coming his way was wonderful and awesome and it was death.

I arrived in time, however, to witness the arrival of Leonard Nimoy on stage when he joined his friend William Shatner. The uproar and applauds rising from the audience was deafening. It was really touching to see them both embracing.

The banter between the Original Kirk and Spock was amazing. These two old friends were really going at it, making everyone in the audience laugh.

Nimoy mentioned he did not understand why Kirk had to die in Generations, to which Shatner replied that it was the producer (namely Rick Berman) who wanted Kirk dead. At one point, Leonard Nimoy asked Bill Shatner what he thought of the new movie and this one flat out admitted he had not seen it. Nimoy retorted he had seen Generations though he had not liked it, to which Shatner replied that this was why he hadn't seen the new movie as well: he did not want to say the same thing to him. Uh, Oh. Nimoy diffused the situation by talking about SNL and making the audience laugh and Bill gasp when he said people who didn't like the new movie were ''dickheads.'' Another priceless moment. Shatner had to make Nimoy repeat himself, did you just say dickheads?

Another funny part of this joint panel was when William Shatner kept on calling Leonard Nimoy ''whore'' several times - while he was running around the stage in imitation - because, Shatner said, Nimoy ran to JJ Abrams when this one called for Fringe. Then he added a ''prostitute'' for good measure. Though it may seem rude, it was in fact very, very funny. And Nimoy was heartily laughing at his friend’s mocked affront. This whole shenanigan was making the audience laugh hysterically. Both men, especially Shatner, were in great form, though I have to admit that Nimoy came across as a little frail.

Nimoy later made Shatner promise that the two would sit together and watch the movie. Shatner agreed on one condition: That Leonard Nimoy brings popcorn and that he holds his hand (very funny). Nimoy also added that Shatner will be proud about the way Kirk was portrayed in the new movie, and that Chris Pine honored him.

When it was Bill Shatner’s turn to leave, Nimoy told him that ''you are my dearest friend'' and Shatner replied ''I love you Leonard.'' It was a very sweet moment.

Nimoy then began his solo panel which quickly went to Q&A.

He said that he and Zachary Quinto had spent more than 15 hours discussing the character of Spock, and that he did an excellent job by creating a slightly different character because he's at a different time in his life. He also mentioned that he was jealous regarding the new Spock/Uhura romance.

After a fan asked him if he had a bucket list, Nimoy answered no, because he was already happy and fulfilled in his life. When asked who was his idol, the actor also mentioned that he once met Cary Grant, and that he had been star struck: He simply just couldn't talk in front of him.

At the end of the panel, Zachary Quinto and Jacob Kogan both walked on stage for a 3 Spocks reunion to the complete surprise and delight of the audience. After talking a bit and waving to the crowd, and giving the ''live long and prosper'' salute, the 3 actors then left the stage together.

What a wonderful moment for the last panel I was attending. I will remember that.