New Star Trek Rumor: Who is the Captain?
My friend Vic over at ScreenRant has gotten a possible scoop on JJ Abrams’ Star Trek. I’ve tried to confirm the information, but (as expected) JJ has done a good job of keeping the script under-wraps (much like that monster movie he’s producing…).
Warning: Possible spoilers ahead.
The new Star Trek film will focus much more on Spock than on the crew of the Enterprise. Also, the adventure takes place on a USS Enterprise commanded by Captain Christopher Pike(!), with Pike and crew being helped out by Kirk but not until much later in the film. It’s unknown what ship Kirk would be serving on, but he is not yet a captain at that time. Finally, none of the film takes place at all at Starfleet Academy.
One of my sources seems to believe that the Starfleet Academy is featured in the movie, while another has heard that Pike is featured and that Spock is indeed the main focus (but that is something that we already figured).
Pike, played first by Jeffrey Hunter, was a Captain in the original Star Trek pilot, which was rejected. The character appeared in a later episode titled “The Menagerie” (played then by Sean Kenney). Pike is the first Captain of the Enterprise recognized in Star Trek canon (to go into the non-canon background would be boring). The character was severely injured while rescuing several cadets from a baffle plate rupture onboard a J-class training vessel, and appeared in “The Menagerie” confined to a wheelchair. The delta ray radiation made him mute and badly scarred, so the wheelchair is operated by brainwaves. Pike communicated through a light on the chair: one flash meaning “yes” and two flashes indicating “no”.
Many people believed that Pike would make an appearance in the film, and some internet rumors even claimed that Tom Cruise would do a cameo as the man inside the electronic wheelchair (however, Cruise gave confirmation earlier this week that the rumor is false). But if the scoop above is true, we would be getting a fully functional Christopher Pike as the Captain of the Enterprise. Would we finally get to see his “accident” on the big screen?
What do you guys think?
Spider-Man 4 will Happen, With or WITHOUT Raimi, Maguire or Dunst
Sometimes I really don’t understand the internet. One of the big stories going around the web this week was Sam Raimi confirming a Spider-Man 4, 5 and 6. I really don’t understand how this is news considering Sony optioned six films way back when (when exactly I’m not sure, but I’ve found articles stating this all the way back in 2004). But since Raimi’s new comment has refueled interest in this area, let’s explore.
A Spider-Man 4 will happen, with or without the current director and or cast. Sure, Sony would love to have the full team return, but that might not be possible. It’s a Hollywood version of Jenga, you pull one block out and they all fall. Kirsten Dunst has said that she won’t return unless both Tobey and Sam also sign on. Tobey has been on and off again about his comments, but has ultimately said that he could only be interested if Sam came back. And no one knows if Raimi will return. The director has spent a lot of time on the series (five years to be exact). Another film would be a 2-3 year investment. Internet rumors say that New Line would like to sign the director for The Hobbit, an adaptation which must happen soon, and would prevent Sam from helming the fourth Spidey flick. And remember, if Sam is out, Tobey is out. If both Sam and Tobey is out, Kirsten is out. And even if Sony wanted to bring the whole team back, could they afford it?
Spider-Man 3 is expected to be a huge hit. I’m sure all the people involved will demand even bigger contracts. Tobey was supposedly offered $20 million to sign on for a fourth film. At the end of the day, Sony spent over $300 million on the third film. This means the film will have to make $600 million at the box office and a couple million on DVD to break even. Don’t get me wrong, it will break even, but it’s more about the long haul than you would think. Could a fourth film be profitable with bigger egos demanding even more cash? And I’m sure the FX budget would also expand.
Production president Matt Tolmach told EW, “We’re making Spider-Man 4. Our hope, dream, and intention is to do it with Sam…. But I don’t have a crystal ball.” The truth of the matter is, Sony is going to go ahead with or without Sam, Kirsten and Tobey.
And what’s planned for the next one? Producer Avi Arad says there’s a story idea and an old-school villain lined up.
Emile Hirsch cast in the Wachowski Brothers’ Speed Racer
Lords of Dogtown star Emile Hirsch is in final stalks to star in the Wachowski brothers’ big screen live action adaptation of Speed Racer.
Hirsch would play Speed Racer, an eighteen-year-old who aspires to become a race car driver, but his father, automotive engineer “Pops” disapproves. Speed with the help of the amazing Mach 5 race car, embarks on a series of fantastic adventures that pit him and his friends against Skull Duggery, Snake Oiler, Mr. Wiley, and the Alpha Gang. The film is expected to include Speed’s family and mysterious arch-rival, Racer X.
Hirsch has also starred in Alpha Dog, The Girl Next Door and The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys. This news comes just a week after internet rumors placed Zac Efron as the top contender for the role. I think Hirsch is a much better choice for the character.
The original cartoon was one of the first Japanese animes to catch traction with American audiences.
Speed Racer is scheduled to hit theaters on May 9th 2008.
Don’t Believe Those Superman Rumors
Why are you guys listening to those stupid internet rumors anyway? This time even the people around Hollywood were spooked.
One of the big stories on Monday was that Warner Bros was considering dumping the proposed Superman Returns sequel altogether. Brandon Routh would instead star as Superman in the recently announced Justice League of America movie. A juicy rumor which we did not report because, well, it’s not true.
Even Variety today is slamming internet websites for reporting such nonsense.
“While the Internet is home to both news and pure rumor, the two sometimes get mixed up, said Pamela McClintock of Variety. “One thing is for sure, though: Superman isn’t flying off the Warners lot.”
So there you have it.