![Star trek the motion picture logo](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4b/Star_trek_the_motion_picture_logo.png)
''
Star Trek'' is an American
media franchise based on the
science fiction
Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel uni ...
television series
A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, or cable, excluding breaking news, advertisements, or trailers that are typically placed be ...
created by
Gene Roddenberry. The first television series, simply called ''Star Trek'' and now referred to as ''
The Original Series
''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry that follows the adventures of the starship and its crew. It later acquired the retronym of ''Star Trek: The Original Series'' (''TOS'') to distingui ...
'', debuted in 1966 and aired for three seasons on
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American English-language commercial broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, its headquarters are l ...
. The
''Star Trek'' canon includes the original series, seven spin-off television series, three animated series, and thirteen films.
Paramount Pictures has produced thirteen ''Star Trek'' feature films, the most recent being released in July 2016. The first six films continue the adventures of the cast of the original series; the seventh film, ''
Generations'' was designed as a transition from that cast to the cast of the ''Next Generation'' series; the next three films, 8 to 10, focused completely on the cast of the ''Next Generation'' series. The eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth films take place in an alternate timeline, officially known as the Kelvin timeline, with a new cast playing younger versions of the original series characters and
Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Simon Nimoy (; March 26, 1931 – February 27, 2015) was an American actor, famed for playing Spock in the '' Star Trek'' franchise for almost 50 years. This includes originating Spock in the original ''Star Trek'' series in 1966, th ...
portraying an elderly Spock.
A new ''Star Trek'' film is
under development as of December, 2022.
''The Original Series'' films
''Star Trek'' creator Gene Roddenberry first suggested the idea of a ''Star Trek'' feature in 1969.
[Reeves-Stevens, 155–158.] When the original television series was cancelled, he lobbied to continue the franchise through a film. The success of the series in
syndication
Syndication may refer to:
* Broadcast syndication, where individual stations buy programs outside the network system
* Print syndication, where individual newspapers or magazines license news articles, columns, or comic strips
* Web syndication, ...
convinced the studio to begin work on a feature film in 1975.
A series of writers attempted to craft a suitably epic screenplay, but the attempts did not satisfy Paramount, so the studio scrapped the project in 1977. Paramount instead planned on returning the franchise to its roots with a new television series (''Phase II''). The massive worldwide box office success of ''
Star Wars'' in mid-1977 sent Hollywood studios to their vaults in search of similar sci-fi properties that could be adapted or re-launched to the big screen. Following the huge opening of
Columbia's ''
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
''Close Encounters of the Third Kind'' is a 1977 American science fiction film written and directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Richard Dreyfuss, Melinda Dillon, Teri Garr, Bob Balaban, Cary Guffey, and François Truffaut. It tells the story ...
'' in late December 1977, production of ''Phase II'' was cancelled in favor of making a ''Star Trek'' film.
''Star Trek: The Motion Picture'' (1979)
A massive energy cloud from deep space heads toward Earth, leaving destruction in its wake, and the ''Enterprise'' must intercept it to determine what lies within, and what its intent might be.
The movie borrows many elements from "
The Changeling" of the original series and "
One of Our Planets Is Missing" from the animated series.
Principal photography
Principal photography is the phase of producing a film or television show in which the bulk of shooting takes place, as distinct from the phases of pre-production and post-production.
Personnel
Besides the main film personnel, such as a ...
commenced on August 7, 1978 with director
Robert Wise
Robert Earl Wise (September 10, 1914 – September 14, 2005) was an American film director, producer, and editor. He won the Academy Awards for Best Director and Best Picture for his musical films ''West Side Story'' (1961) and ''The Sound of ...
helming the feature. The production encountered difficulties and slipped behind schedule,
[Shay (1980), 4.] with effects team
Robert Abel and Associates[Sackett & Roddenberry, 202–203.] proving unable to handle the film's large amount of effects work.
Douglas Trumbull
Douglas Hunt Trumbull (; April 8, 1942 – February 7, 2022) was an American film director and innovative visual effects supervisor. He pioneered methods in special effects and created scenes for '' 2001: A Space Odyssey'', ''Close Encounters ...
was hired and given a
blank check
A blank cheque in the literal sense is a cheque that has no monetary value written in, but is already signed. In the figurative sense, it is used to describe a situation in which an agreement has been made that is open-ended or vague, and therefo ...
to complete the effects work in time and location;
[Sackett & Roddenberry, 204–205.] the final cut of the film was completed just in time for the film's premiere. The film introduced an upgrade to the technology and starship designs, making for a dramatic visual departure from the original series. Many of the set elements created for ''Phase II'' were adapted and enhanced for use in the first feature films. It received mixed reviews from critics; while it grossed $139 million the price tag had climbed to about $45 million due to costly effects work and delays.
''Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan'' (1982)
Khan Noonien Singh
Khan Noonien Singh is a fictional character in the ''Star Trek'' science fiction franchise, who first appeared as the main antagonist in the ''Star Trek: The Original Series'' episode "Space Seed" (1967), and was portrayed by Ricardo Montalbán ...
(
Ricardo Montalbán
Ricardo Gonzalo Pedro Montalbán y Merino, KSG (; ; November 25, 1920 – January 14, 2009) was a Mexican and American film and television actor. Montalbán's career spanned seven decades, during which he became known for performances in a var ...
), whom Kirk thwarted in his attempt to seize control of the ''Enterprise'' fifteen years earlier ("
Space Seed
"Space Seed" is the twenty-second episode of the first season of the American science fiction television series '' Star Trek''. Written by Gene L. Coon and Carey Wilber and directed by Marc Daniels, it first aired on February 16, 1967.
In the ...
"), seeks his revenge on the Admiral and lays a cunning and sinister trap.
''The Motion Picture''s gross was considered disappointing, but it was enough for Paramount to back a sequel with a reduced budget. After Roddenberry pitched a film in which the crew of the ''Enterprise'' goes back in time to ensure the assassination of
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963), often referred to by his initials JFK and the nickname Jack, was an American politician who served as the 35th president of the United States from 1961 until his assassination ...
, he was "kicked upstairs" to a ceremonial role while Paramount brought in television producer
Harve Bennett to craft a better—and cheaper—film than the first.
[Rioux, 240.] After watching all the television episodes, Bennett decided that the character
Khan Noonien Singh
Khan Noonien Singh is a fictional character in the ''Star Trek'' science fiction franchise, who first appeared as the main antagonist in the ''Star Trek: The Original Series'' episode "Space Seed" (1967), and was portrayed by Ricardo Montalbán ...
was the perfect villain for the new film. Director
Nicholas Meyer finished a complete screenplay in just twelve days, and did everything possible within budget to give ''
The Wrath of Khan'' a nautical, swashbuckling feel, which he described as "
Horatio Hornblower in outer space."
Upon release, the reception of ''The Wrath of Khan'' was highly positive; ''
Entertainment Weekly
''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cu ...
''s Mark Bernadin called ''The Wrath of Khan'' "the film that, by most accounts, saved ''Star Trek'' as we know it".
Both the first and second films have television versions with additional footage and alternate takes that affect the storyline. (Subsequent ''Star Trek'' films tended to have shorter television versions.) Especially notable in ''The Wrath of Khan'' is the footage establishing that a young crew member who acts courageously and dies during an attack on the ''Enterprise'' is Scotty's nephew.
''Star Trek III: The Search for Spock'' (1984)
The plot picks up shortly after the conclusion of the previous film. When McCoy begins acting irrationally, Kirk learns that Spock, in his final moments, transferred his ''
katra'', his living spirit, to the doctor. To save McCoy from emotional ruin, Kirk and crew steal the ''Enterprise'' and violate the quarantine of the Genesis Planet to retrieve Spock, his body regenerated by the rapidly dying planet itself, in the hope that body and soul can be rejoined. However, bent on obtaining the secret of Genesis for themselves, a renegade Klingon (
Christopher Lloyd
Christopher Allen Lloyd (born October 22, 1938) is an American actor. He has appeared in many theater productions, films, and on television since the 1960s. He is known for portraying Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown in the ''Back to the Future'' tril ...
) and his crew interfere, with deadly consequences.
Meyer declined to return for the next film, so directing duties were given to cast member
Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Simon Nimoy (; March 26, 1931 – February 27, 2015) was an American actor, famed for playing Spock in the '' Star Trek'' franchise for almost 50 years. This includes originating Spock in the original ''Star Trek'' series in 1966, th ...
. Paramount gave Bennett the green light to write ''
Star Trek III'' the day after ''The Wrath of Khan'' opened.
[Rioux, 251.] The producer penned a resurrection story for Spock that built on threads from the previous film and the original series episode "
Amok Time
"Amok Time" is the second season premiere episode of the American science fiction television series '' Star Trek''. Written by science fiction author Theodore Sturgeon, scored by Gerald Fried, and directed by Joseph Pevney, it first aired o ...
".
''Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home'' (1986)
While returning to stand court-martial for their actions in rescuing Spock, Kirk and crew learn that Earth is under siege by a giant probe that is transmitting a destructive signal, attempting to communicate with the now-extinct species of
humpback whale
The humpback whale (''Megaptera novaeangliae'') is a species of baleen whale. It is a rorqual (a member of the family Balaenopteridae) and is the only species in the genus ''Megaptera''. Adults range in length from and weigh up to . The hu ...
s. To save the planet, the crew must time-travel back to the late 20th century to obtain a mating pair of these whales, and a marine biologist (
Catherine Hicks
Catherine Mary Hicks (born August 6, 1951) is an American actress. She played the character Annie Camden on the long-running television series '' 7th Heaven''. Other roles included Dr. Faith Coleridge on the soap opera ''Ryan's Hope'' (1976–1 ...
) to care for them.
Nimoy returned as director for this film. Nimoy and Bennett wanted a film with a lighter tone that did not have a classic antagonist. They decided on a
time travel
Time travel is the concept of movement between certain points in time, analogous to movement between different points in space by an object or a person, typically with the use of a hypothetical device known as a time machine. Time travel is a ...
story with the ''Enterprise'' crew returning to their past to retrieve something to save their present—eventually, humpback whales. After having been dissatisfied with the script written by
Daniel Petrie Jr., Paramount hired Meyer to rewrite the screenplay with Bennett's help. Meyer drew upon his own time travel story ''
Time After Time'' for elements of the screenplay. Star
William Shatner
William Shatner (born March 22, 1931) is a Canadian actor. In a career spanning seven decades, he is best known for his portrayal of James T. Kirk in the ''Star Trek'' franchise, from his 1965 debut as the captain of the starship ''Enterpris ...
was promised his turn as director for ''Star Trek V'', and Nicholas Meyer returned as director/co-writer for ''Star Trek VI''.
''Star Trek V: The Final Frontier'' (1989)
Spock's half-brother (
Laurence Luckinbill
Laurence George Luckinbill (born November 21, 1934) is an American actor, playwright and director. He has worked in television, film, and theatre, doing triple duty in the theatre by writing, directing, and starring in stage productions. He is kn ...
) believes he is summoned by
God
In monotheistic thought, God is usually viewed as the supreme being, creator, and principal object of faith. Swinburne, R.G. "God" in Honderich, Ted. (ed)''The Oxford Companion to Philosophy'', Oxford University Press, 1995. God is typically ...
, and hijacks the brand-new (and problem-ridden)
''Enterprise''-A to take it through the Great Barrier, at the center of the
Milky Way
The Milky Way is the galaxy that includes our Solar System, with the name describing the galaxy's appearance from Earth: a hazy band of light seen in the night sky formed from stars that cannot be individually distinguished by the naked eye. ...
, beyond which he believes his maker waits for him. Meanwhile, a young and arrogant Klingon captain (Todd Bryant), seeking glory in what he views as an opportunity to avenge his people of the deaths of their crewmen on Genesis, sets his sights on Kirk.
This is the only film in the franchise directed by William Shatner.
''Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country'' (1991)
When
Qo'noS
The Klingons ( ; Klingon: ''tlhIngan'' ) are a fictional species in the science fiction franchise '' Star Trek''.
Developed by screenwriter Gene L. Coon in 1967 for the original ''Star Trek'' (''TOS'') series, Klingons were swarthy humanoids ...
' moon Praxis (the Klingon Empire's chief energy source) is devastated by an explosion, caused by over-mining, the catastrophe also contaminating Qo'noS' atmosphere, the Klingons make peace overtures to the Federation. While on the way to Earth for a peace summit, the Klingon Chancellor (
David Warner David or Dave Warner may refer to:
Sports
* Dave Warner (strongman) (born 1969), Northern Ireland strongman competitor
* David Bruce Warner (born 1970), South African alpine skier
* David Warner (cricketer) (born 1986), Australian cricketer
Oth ...
) is assassinated by ''Enterprise'' crewmen, and Kirk and McCoy are held accountable by the Chancellor's Chief of Staff (
Christopher Plummer
Arthur Christopher Orme Plummer (December 13, 1929 – February 5, 2021) was a Canadian actor. His career spanned seven decades, gaining him recognition for his performances in film, stage, and television. He received multiple accolades, inc ...
) and sentenced to life on a prison planet. Spock attempts to prove Kirk's innocence, but in doing so, uncovers a massive conspiracy against the peace process with participants from both sides.
This film is a sendoff to the original series cast. One ''Next Generation'' cast member,
Michael Dorn
Michael Dorn (born December 9, 1952) is an American actor best known for his role as the Klingon Worf in the '' Star Trek'' franchise. He has appeared more times as a regular cast member than any other ''Star Trek'' actor in the franchise's hist ...
, appears as the grandfather of the character he plays on the later television series,
Worf
Worf, son of Mogh is a fictional character in the ''Star Trek'' franchise. He appears in the television series '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'' (''TNG'') and seasons four through seven of ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' (''DS9'') as well as t ...
. It is the second and last ''Star Trek'' film directed by
Nicholas Meyer and last screenplay co-authored by Leonard Nimoy.
''The Next Generation'' films
Both the sixth and seventh films acted as transitions between the films featuring the original cast and those with the ''Next Generation'' cast, with the sixth focusing on the original cast and
the seventh
"The Seventh" is the thirty-third episode (production #207) of the television series ''Star Trek: Enterprise'', the seventh of the second season. In the ''Star Trek'' universe, a spaceship has set out from Earth in the 2100s to explore the galaxy ...
focusing on the ''TNG'' cast. The ''Next Generation'' cast made four films over a period of eight years, with the last two performing only moderately well (''Insurrection'') and disappointingly (''Nemesis'') at the box office.
''Star Trek Generations'' (1994)
Picard enlists the help of Kirk, who is presumed long dead but flourishes in an extra-dimensional realm, to prevent a deranged scientist (
Malcolm McDowell
Malcolm McDowell (born Malcolm John Taylor; 13 June 1943) is a British actor, producer, and television presenter. He is best known for portraying Alex DeLarge in ''A Clockwork Orange.'' He was born in the Horsforth suburb of Leeds and raised i ...
) from destroying a star and its populated planetary system in an attempt to enter that realm. This film also included original crew members Scotty (
James Doohan
James Montgomery Doohan (; March 3, 1920 – July 20, 2005) was a Canadian actor, author and soldier, best known for his role as Montgomery "Scotty" Scott in the television and film series '' Star Trek''. Doohan's characterization of the Scottis ...
) and Chekov (
Walter Koenig
Walter Marvin Koenig (; born September 14, 1936) is an American actor and screenwriter. He began acting professionally in the mid 1960s and quickly rose to prominence for his supporting role as Ensign Pavel Chekov in ''Star Trek: The Original S ...
).
Following seven seasons of ''The Next Generation'', the next ''Star Trek'' film was the first to feature the crew of the
''Enterprise''-D, along with a long prologue sequence featuring three cast members of the original series and the only appearance of the ''Enterprise-B''.
''Star Trek: First Contact'' (1996)
After a failed attempt to assault Earth, the
Borg
The Borg are an alien group that appear as recurring antagonists in the ''Star Trek'' fictional universe. The Borg are cybernetic organisms (cyborgs) linked in a hive mind called "the Collective". The Borg co-opt the technology and knowledge ...
attempt to prevent First Contact between Humans and Vulcans by interfering with
Zefram Cochrane's (
James Cromwell) warp test in the past. Picard must confront the demons which stem from his assimilation into the Collective ("
The Best of Both Worlds") as he leads the new
''Enterprise''-E back through time to ensure the test and subsequent meeting with the Vulcans take place.
The first of two films directed by series actor
Jonathan Frakes
Jonathan Scott Frakes (born August 19, 1952) is an American actor and director. He is best known for his portrayal of Commander William Riker in the television series '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'' and subsequent films and series. Frakes als ...
.
''Star Trek: Insurrection'' (1998)
Profoundly disturbed by what he views as a blatant violation of the Prime Directive, Picard deliberately interferes with a Starfleet admiral's (
Anthony Zerbe
Anthony Jared Zerbe (born May 20, 1936) is an American actor. His notable film roles include the post-apocalyptic cult leader Matthias in ''The Omega Man'', a 1971 film adaptation of Richard Matheson's 1954 novel, '' I Am Legend''; as an Irish C ...
) plan to relocate a relatively small but seemingly immortal population from a mystical planet to gain control of the planet's natural radiation, which has been discovered to have substantial medicinal properties. However, the admiral himself is a pawn in his alien partner's (
F. Murray Abraham
F. Murray Abraham (born Murray Abraham; October 24, 1939) is an American actor. Known for his roles on stage and screen, he came to prominence for his acclaimed leading role as Antonio Salieri in the drama film '' Amadeus'' (1984) for which he wo ...
) mission of vengeance.
''Insurrection'' brought in ''Deep Space Nine'' writer Michael Piller instead of Ronald D. Moore and Brannon Braga who had written for ''Generations'' and ''First Contact''.
''Star Trek: Nemesis'' (2002)
A clone of Picard (
Tom Hardy), created by the Romulans, assassinates the Romulan Senate, assumes absolute power, and lures Picard and the ''Enterprise'' to Romulus under the false pretext of a peace overture.
Written by
John Logan and directed by
Stuart Baird, this film was a critical and commercial failure (released December 13, 2002 in direct competition with ''
Die Another Day
''Die Another Day'' is a 2002 spy film and the twentieth film in the ''James Bond'' series produced by Eon Productions. It was produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, and directed by Lee Tamahori. The fourth and final film st ...
'', ''
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
''Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'' is a fantasy novel written by British author J. K. Rowling and the second novel in the ''Harry Potter'' series. The plot follows Harry's second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, d ...
'' and ''
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'') and was the final ''Star Trek'' film to feature the ''Next Generation'' cast and to be produced by
Rick Berman
Richard Keith Berman (born December 25, 1945) is an American television producer and screenwriter. He is best known for his work as the executive producer of several of the '' Star Trek'' television series: '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'', ...
.
Reboot (Kelvin timeline) films
After the poor reception of ''Nemesis'' and the cancellation of the television series ''Enterprise'', the franchise's executive producer
Rick Berman
Richard Keith Berman (born December 25, 1945) is an American television producer and screenwriter. He is best known for his work as the executive producer of several of the '' Star Trek'' television series: '' Star Trek: The Next Generation'', ...
and screenwriter
Erik Jendresen began developing a new film, titled ''Star Trek: The Beginning'', which would take place after ''Enterprise'' but before the original series. In February 2007,
J. J. Abrams
Jeffrey Jacob Abrams (born June 27, 1966) is an American filmmaker and composer. He is best known for his works in the genres of action, drama, and science fiction. Abrams wrote and produced such films as '' Regarding Henry'' (1991), '' F ...
accepted Paramount's offer to direct the new film, having been previously attached as producer.
Roberto Orci
Roberto Gaston Orcí (born July 20, 1973) is a Mexican-American film and television screenwriter and producer. He began his longtime collaboration with Alex Kurtzman while at school in California. Together they have been employed on television ...
and
Alex Kurtzman
Alexander Hilary Kurtzman (born September 7, 1973) is an American filmmaker. He is best known for his work on the ''Star Trek'' franchise since 2009, co-writing the scripts to ''Transformers'' (2007), '' Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' and ...
wrote a screenplay that impressed Abrams, featuring new actors portraying younger versions of the original series' cast. The ''Enterprise'', its interior, and the original uniforms were redesigned.
This revival of the franchise is often considered to be a
reboot
In computing, rebooting is the process by which a running computer system is restarted, either intentionally or unintentionally. Reboots can be either a cold reboot (alternatively known as a hard reboot) in which the power to the system is physi ...
, despite having the same characters and story as the original. Still, it is also a continuation of the franchise, with Nimoy reprising his role of the elderly Spock. This route was taken to free the new films from the restrictions of established continuity without completely discarding it, which the writers felt would have been "disrespectful". This new reality was informally referred to by several names, including the "Abramsverse", "JJ Trek" and "NuTrek", before it was named the "Kelvin timeline" (versus the "Prime timeline" of the original series and films) by
Michael and
Denise Okuda
Denise Lynn Okuda is a computer, scenic and video supervisor, and a writer known for her work on several ''Star Trek'' film and television productions, as well as other science fiction television. She also co-authored the '' Star Trek Encyclope ...
for use in official ''Star Trek'' reference guides and encyclopedias. The name Kelvin comes from the USS ''Kelvin'', a starship involved in the event that creates the new reality in ''
Star Trek'' (2009).
Abrams named the starship after his grandfather Henry Kelvin, whom he also pays tribute to in ''Into Darkness'' with the Kelvin Memorial Archive.
''Star Trek'' (2009)
In the 24th century, a supernova destroys Romulus. Piloting a one-man vessel, Spock (Leonard Nimoy) attempts to contain the supernova by generating an artificial black hole, but is assaulted by a Romulan mining vessel captained by Nero (
Eric Bana
Eric Banadinović, (born 9 August 1968), known professionally as Eric Bana (), is an Australian actor and comedian. He began his career in the sketch comedy series '' Full Frontal'' before gaining notice in the comedy drama '' The Castle'' (19 ...
), who is bent on vengeance for Spock's failure to save Romulus; both vessels are pulled into the black hole and sent back in time to the 23rd century. Nero then captures Spock and uses the black-hole technology to destroy Vulcan. Spock's present-day younger self (
Zachary Quinto
Zachary John Quinto (; born June 2, 1977) is an American actor and film producer. He is known for his roles as Sylar, the primary antagonist from the science fiction drama series '' Heroes'' (2006–2010); Spock in the film ''Star Trek'' (2009) ...
), who is a Starfleet Academy instructor, and a volatile and arrogant cadet named James Kirk (
Chris Pine
Chris Pine (born August 26, 1980) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as James T. Kirk in the ''Star Trek'' reboot film series (2009–present), Steve Trevor in the DC Extended Universe films ''Wonder Woman'' (2017) and '' Wo ...
) must then set aside their current differences, and join forces to prevent Nero from consigning Earth and the rest of the Federation worlds to similar fates.
This film acts as a reboot to the existing franchise by taking place in an alternate reality, using the plot device of time travel to depict an altered timeline, featuring younger versions of the primary original series characters. It is the first production to feature an entirely different cast of actors playing roles previously established by other actors, with the exception of the aged Spock played by Nimoy. It was directed by J. J. Abrams (who produced it with
Damon Lindelof
Damon Laurence Lindelof (born April 24, 1973) is an American screenwriter, comic book writer, and producer. Among his accolades, he received three Primetime Emmy Awards, from twelve nominations. In 2010, ''Time'' magazine named him one of the ...
) and written by
Roberto Orci
Roberto Gaston Orcí (born July 20, 1973) is a Mexican-American film and television screenwriter and producer. He began his longtime collaboration with Alex Kurtzman while at school in California. Together they have been employed on television ...
and
Alex Kurtzman
Alexander Hilary Kurtzman (born September 7, 1973) is an American filmmaker. He is best known for his work on the ''Star Trek'' franchise since 2009, co-writing the scripts to ''Transformers'' (2007), '' Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'' and ...
. According to Lindelof, this production was designed to attract a wider audience. It received positive reviews
and a
number of awards, including the film franchise's only
Academy Award
The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...
, for "
makeup and hairstyling". A story that covered the events between ''Nemesis'' and ''Star Trek'' was released as the graphic novel ''
Countdown
A countdown is a sequence of backward counting to indicate the time remaining before an event is scheduled to occur. NASA commonly employs the terms "L-minus" and "T-minus" during the preparation for and anticipation of a rocket launch, and eve ...
'' in early 2009.
''Star Trek Into Darkness'' (2013)
A Starfleet special agent (
Benedict Cumberbatch
Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch (born 19 July 1976) is an English actor. Known for his work on screen and stage, he has received various accolades, including a British Academy Television Award, a Primetime Emmy Award and a Laurence Oli ...
) coerces an officer into blowing up a secret installation in London, shoots up a subsequent meeting of Starfleet brass in San Francisco, and then flees to
Qo'noS
The Klingons ( ; Klingon: ''tlhIngan'' ) are a fictional species in the science fiction franchise '' Star Trek''.
Developed by screenwriter Gene L. Coon in 1967 for the original ''Star Trek'' (''TOS'') series, Klingons were swarthy humanoids ...
. The crew of the ''Enterprise'' attempt to bring him to justice without provoking war with the Klingon Empire, but find there is much more to the agent's mission, and the man himself, than what the Fleet Admiral (
Peter Weller) has told them; the agent is none other than
Khan Noonien Singh
Khan Noonien Singh is a fictional character in the ''Star Trek'' science fiction franchise, who first appeared as the main antagonist in the ''Star Trek: The Original Series'' episode "Space Seed" (1967), and was portrayed by Ricardo Montalbán ...
; his allegiance and his motives are initially not at all clear.
''Star Trek Beyond'' (2016)
The ''Enterprise'' is ambushed and destroyed by countless alien micro-vessels; the crew abandon ship. Stranded on an unknown planet, and with no apparent means of escape or rescue, they find themselves in conflict with a new sociopathic enemy (
Idris Elba
Idrissa Akuna Elba (; born 6 September 1972) is an English actor. ) who has a well-founded hatred of the Federation and what it stands for.
''
Star Trek Beyond
''Star Trek Beyond'' is a 2016 American science fiction action film directed by Justin Lin, written by Simon Pegg and Doug Jung, and based on the television series ''Star Trek'' created by Gene Roddenberry. It is the 13th film in the ''Star T ...
'' was released on July 22, 2016, in time for the franchise's 50th anniversary celebrations.
Roberto Orci
Roberto Gaston Orcí (born July 20, 1973) is a Mexican-American film and television screenwriter and producer. He began his longtime collaboration with Alex Kurtzman while at school in California. Together they have been employed on television ...
had stated that ''Star Trek Beyond'' would feel more like the original series than its predecessors in the reboot series while still trying something new with the established material. In December 2014, Justin Lin was confirmed as the director for the upcoming sequel, marking the first reboot film not to be directed by J. J. Abrams, whose commitments to ''
Star Wars: The Force Awakens'' restricted his role on the ''Star Trek'' film to that of producer. In January 2015, it was confirmed that the film would be co-written by
Doug Jung and
Simon Pegg
Simon John Pegg (né Beckingham; born 14 February 1970) is an English actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. He came to prominence in the UK as the co-creator of the Channel 4 sitcom ''Spaced'' (1999–2001), directed by Edgar Wright. H ...
, who revealed the film's title that May.
Idris Elba
Idrissa Akuna Elba (; born 6 September 1972) is an English actor. was cast as the villain Krall, while
Sofia Boutella
Sofia Boutella ( ar, صوفيا بوتلة; born 3 April 1982) is an Algerian actress, model, and dancer.
Early life
Boutella was born in the Bab El Oued district of Algiers, Algeria, to an architect mother and a jazz musician father, Safy Bout ...
was cast as Jaylah. Filming began on June 25, 2015. This was the last film to feature
Anton Yelchin as Chekov, as the actor died in an automobile accident on June 19, 2016.
Reception
Box office performance
Critical response
Academy Awards
Future
A new film is scheduled for December 22, 2023, with J. J. Abrams producing.
Lindsey Beer and
Geneva Robertson-Dworet wrote the script.
It is scheduled to begin filming in late 2022 with the cast from the three previous films in negotiations to return.
Other potential projects
Before ''Star Trek Beyond'' entered production, Pine and Quinto signed contracts to return as Kirk and Spock for a fourth film in the reboot series should one be made. In July 2016, Abrams confirmed plans for a fourth film and stated that
Chris Hemsworth
Christopher Hemsworth (born 11 August 1983) is an Australian actor. He rose to prominence playing Kim Hyde in the Australian television series ''Home and Away'' (2004–2007) before beginning a film career in Hollywood. In the Marvel Cinemat ...
would return as Kirk's father, George, whom he played in the prologue of the first film. Later that month, Paramount confirmed the return of Hemsworth, as well as most of the ''Beyond'' cast, producers Abrams and Lindsey Weber, and writers
J. D. Payne and Patrick McKay. That same month, Abrams said that Chekov would not be recast, after
Anton Yelchin died in an accident outside his residence in California.
In December 2017, it was revealed that
Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Jerome Tarantino (; born March 27, 1963) is an American film director, writer, producer, and actor. His films are characterized by stylized violence, extended dialogue, profanity, dark humor, non-linear storylines, cameos, ensembl ...
had pitched an idea for a potential ''Star Trek'' film to Abrams and Paramount, who were reportedly enthusiastic about the idea. Tarantino was mentioned as a possibility to direct the film if his schedule allowed, and that Abrams and Paramount would attempt to assemble a writers’ room to explore the concept. On December 22, writer
Mark L. Smith was hired by Paramount and Bad Robot to write a screenplay based on Tarantino's original pitch, with Tarantino still expected to direct.
In April 2018, it was announced that two new ''Star Trek'' films were in development at Paramount. Later that month, it was announced that
S. J. Clarkson would direct the second ''Star Trek'' film in development, and that the film would enter production before Tarantino's film. J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay would co-write the screenplay, while Abrams and Lindsey Weber would co-produce the project. In August 2018, Pine and Hemsworth walked away from negotiations to star in the film after refusing to take pay cuts as a result of ''Star Trek Beyond''s alleged under-performance at the domestic box office. According to Hemsworth, the reason for his exit was because he found the script underwhelming. In January 2019, Paramount reportedly cancelled development of the fourth installment.
In May 2019, Tarantino confirmed that his ''Trek'' film was still in development, saying:
On November 19, 2019, it was reported that Pine had signed-on to return for a fourth installment alongside Quinto, Saldana, Pegg and Urban, and that
Noah Hawley
Noah ''Nukh''; am, ኖህ, ''Noḥ''; ar, نُوح '; grc, Νῶε ''Nôe'' () is the tenth and last of the pre-Flood patriarchs in the traditions of Abrahamic religions. His story appears in the Hebrew Bible (Book of Genesis, chapters 5– ...
was in talks to write and direct the film.
Simon Pegg later stated that he had no knowledge of the reboot cast's return in the film. The following year, it was announced that Hawley's movie had been put on indefinite hold, reportedly by Paramount's new president to get a better handle on how to move the film franchise forward. In late November 2020, it was revealed that the project was cancelled.
In December 2019, it was reported that Tarantino had left his proposed film, looking to make a smaller budget film. In January 2020, Tarantino stated that the film "might" be made, but he would not direct it.
In March 2021, ''
Star Trek: Discovery'' writer
Kalinda Vazquez
Kalinda Vazquez is an American television writer and producer.
She is well known for her work on the Fox drama '' Prison Break'' and The CW espionage series ''Nikita''.
Career
Vazquez worked as a writing assistant, staff writer and story edi ...
was hired by Paramount to pen a new ''Star Trek'' film, said to be based on an original story.
The following month, it was announced that the next installment in the franchise would be released on June 9, 2023, but that this would not be the Vazquez script.
See also
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List of ''Star Trek'' production staff
Notes
References
Sources
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Star Trek films
Star Trek
Star Trek lists
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