When the first teaser trailer forStar Trek Beyonddebuted, fans cried foul, claiming it looked too much like directorJustin Lin’s other franchiseThe Fast & The Furious. Many believed the director, who takes over forJ.J. Abrams, has created something that doesn’t fit into theStar Trekcanon, and that this looks more like a fast paced action movie than a thoughtful sci-fi adventure that fits in with the tone of the original series. Franchise starJohn Cho, who plays Lieutenant Sulu, insists that simply isn’t true. And that this next sequel, the third in the reboot series, is more like the 1960s version ofStar Trekthan anything that has come before it. He says this.
“When I read the script, my emotional impression was that it felt very much like the best of the original series. It felt like the series felt to me. And the first [film] that we made didn’t entirely feel like that to me.”
Star Trek 3arrives this July under the direction ofJustin Lin. He stepped into replaceJ.J. Abrams, who bailed to directStar Wars: The Force Awakens.Abramssuccessfully rebooted theStar Trek universewith his 2009 effort, which created a new timeline for these iconic characters. And he returned in 2013 forStar Trek Into Darkness, which was less well received by fans. The filmmaker did, however, forge a new language for this franchise, and having someone new come in took some getting used to.John ChotellsFamous Monstersthat there was a challenge, but he has faith inJustin Lin’s new vision.
“[Justin Lin] cared about themythology, he cared about the world, he cared about getting it right, he cared about moving the characters forward. … I think we all had question marks; it’s tough to be told that the guy you made two successful movies with isn’t going to be helming the third one. But we were all just really pleasantly surprised as we eased into working with him.”
WhenStar Trek Beyondoriginally moved forward, it was with directorRoberto Orci, who had previously co-written the first two reboots. He was going to work from a script he’d collaborated on withJ.D. PayneandPatrick McKay. But Paramount Pictures was disappointed with their progress and chucked the whole thing. That meant they needed a new script, and in a hurry if they planned to celebrateStar Trek’s 50th Anniversary. Timed to be released for the franchise’s golden anniversary, Paramount hired newBeyondwritersSimon Pegg, who already plays Scotty in the series, and co-writerDoug Jungto quickly hammer out a workable screenplay.John Chodoesn’t think this decision could have worked out better.
“What you’re going to get when you ask Simon Pegg to pen a script is a very human touch. And a warm touch. And that can come out in comedy, but doesn’t necessarily have to. And there are some funny moments. But I think he and [co-writer Doug Jung], from what I could tell, were constantly looking for connections between the characters. And that, from the cast perspective, was what was spectacular about asking Simon and Doug to do it. It just felt like they were looking for human moments.”
The latest issue of Famous Monsters of Filmland has even more with actorJohn Cho. It also contains a fitting tribute to the original 60s TV show from two ‘Trek-sperts’, along with interviews fromRod Roddenberry, the son ofStar TrekcreatorGene Roddenberry, and Original Series starNichelle Nichols, who played the original Lt. Uhura. The issue also includes a sneak peek at such anticipated upcoming movies asConjuring 2andGhostbusters, while looking back at the 1986 classicAlienswith a specialJames Cameroninterview. There will be two collector’s edition covers for this exciting release. The first we saw earlier in the month forAlien Day, which featured the characters ofAliens. This alternative cover, which you can see here, features both Captain Kirks as played byChris PineandWilliam Shatner.
