Deadline has a fascinating story today about the development of Star Trek 2, the upcoming sequel for the very welcomed2009 reboot of the Star Trek franchise. While Deadline reports that the good money is on J.J. Abrams returning to direct after he finishes promoting his upcoming Super 8, there is no complete script yet. Let me repeat that: a special effects heavy, sci-fi blockbuster does not have a script and it is only thirteen months until its scheduled June 29, 2012 release date! Uh oh… who screwed that one up?
It’s more worrying than you think. Writer Roberto Orci — who co-wrote the magnificent original with Alex Kurtzman and Damon Lindelof — told TrekMovie.com that the three of them have a 70 page outline, but will not complete a script until Abrams commits to directing the film. So, um, when exactly will that be? Because even having a completed rough draft at this point would be a good idea.
A film like Star Trek 2 cannot really get moving if it doesn’t have a script. I mean, sure, they have some of the special effects done from the previous film (The Enterprise and, uh, Spock’s ears I guess), but that’s nothing compared to the technical work that will likely have to be done in pre and post production. Deadline suggests that the most likely outcome is that Star Trek 2 will probably be pushed back until November/December 2012 or even 2013.
Honestly? I’d prefer a push-back than a rush-job. I understand why studios set release dates a year-and-a-half in advance (heck, animated films are usually scheduled even later — both Mr. Peabody & Sherman and How To Train Your Dragon 2 are already set for 2014 releases!), but I think all of us, and even hardcore Star Trek fans, would prefer to see a later release than a rushed film. There has been a lot of controversy about Sony pushing Men In Black III into production when only a third of the script was completed. Though that film hasn’t been completed yet, I wonder how the end result will be greeted by both critics and fans of the franchise. And yes, while I know some great films have gone into production with uncompleted scripts — most famously Casablanca and Gone With the Wind, which both underwent numerous re-writes during production — but, well, Hollywood was a different era back then.
So which would you prefer, readers? A rushed Star Trek 2 in June 2012 or a polished Star Trek 2 in 2013? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Recent Comments