Mission Specs

Now that the director for Star Trek XI, has been finalized, and casting rumors are coming at warp speed, internet attention has turned to the script for the film. Will it manifest itself as a Starfleet Academy story, set years before the start of the original 5 year mission chronicled in the original series? Or will the script focus on some other, as yet, unexplored chapter in Trek history.

The folks at IGN claim that they have an inside track on what's really going on with the screenplay:

It has been widely reported that the next Star Trek film would be a Starfleet Academy story recounting how a young James T. Kirk and Mr. Spock first met as cadets. But, according to IGN's insiders, that is not quite the case.

IGN was informed that Trek XI -- to be directed by J.J. Abrams from a screenplay by Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci -- will be more of a "first adventure" for Kirk and Spock rather than their first meeting. It is possible that they met while at the Academy -- didn't it seem like Jim Kirk served with every young officer's father at the academy? -- but the movie will explore their first mission together.

Boldly Go--But In Which Direction?

One source claims there is a reason why the Starfleet Academy idea won't be central to the film: Harve Bennett, the producer of Star Trek II-V.

IGN was advised that, since the Academy idea was Bennett's and has been kicked around for so long without success, Paramount and the filmmakers are going in the "first adventure" direction.

Kirk And Spock Take Center Stage; But Not At Starfleet Academy?

 

No sooner had we been told this than TrekWeb.com pointed out a new interview with Bennett in the latest issue of Star Trek Magazine.

"It's a complicated issue for me…" Bennett told the magazine. "Right now, no one knows for sure what the next film is going to be. I thought it was interesting that the day after the story came out about them doing a Starfleet Academy movie, J.J. Abrams came out and said, 'That's not necessarily true.' I am assuming that the current regime at Paramount didn't realize that the studio had already bought that premise and someone went, 'Hold on a minute!'"

Bennett added, "It's possible they might do 'young Kirk and Spock' and, depending on what they do with it, it might be something I might not contest. But if they ever decide to do a Starfleet Academy film, my feeling is that they better call us because that was our baby." 

Sources advised us that the plot will focus more on Kirk and Spock than the other characters, with Dr. McCoy being more of a supporting role....

...The studio's recent press release announcing Abrams' hiring as director only gave a vague fall '07 start date for Trek. In movie production terms that could mean anytime from August to November.

Sources also advised IGN that soundstages on the Paramount lot will start being reserved starting in May.

Bennett Saved The Film Series With Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

Truth be told, I'd much rather see a "first adventure" story, than an academy tale anyway. I have always had the utmost respect for Bennett and the wonderful things he accomplished for Trek, but I have been kinda cool towards an Academy film, even when it was first discussed almost 20 years ago.

Bennett's right though, in that--if the academy angle's the way that JJ Abrams and his team plan to go--he should get a phone call--At least.