STAR TREK News
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STAR TREK News |
January 22
"I've been working with a writer [Hans Tobeason] on a story that was very enthusiastically accepted by both Paramount and IMAX, and the writer is now writing a screenplay," Berman says.
"I can tell you we plan to have Colm Meaney in it. As for other characters you know, I can't tell you about them yet."
"There will be a lot of new characters," he adds, "and I'm not sure yet if it will cross several 'Trek' shows or not. Hopefully, it'll be a fun project." Thanks to John Devins!
December 30
From TV Guide:
The reports of the impending death of the Star Trek phenomenon are unfounded, according to Rick Berman. "This season, ratings are up on both Deep Space Nine and Voyager," says the executive producer of both series. "That marks the first time they've been higher than the year before." The ninth Trek film -- to be directed by Jonathan Frakes -- is now in preproduction, with all stars of The Next Generation on board (Patrick Stewart, left, is pocketing $12 million in a package deal with Paramount that will give him first crack at several non-Trek scripts). Due in theaters next November, the as-yet-untitled film has been reported by Variety to be based on the classic Joseph Conrad novel Heart of Darkness (as was Francis Ford Coppola's "Apocalypse Now"). "But that is greatly exaggerated," Berman insists. "There were similarities to Heart in earlier drafts, but now there is no more than a suggestion." While Berman does admit there are elements of "Lost Horizon" in the new film, he says he's "doing everything but taking retinal thumbprints to keep the script out of the wrong hands." Secrecy also envelops Berman's $10 million, 40-minute Trek film to be produced in IMAX 3-D. "The first draft will be ready in January and involves both familiar and newly created Trek characters." The projected premiere date? "Well, it'll be this millennium," Berman says with a laugh. "But that depends on whether you think the millennium ends in 1999 or 2000." -- M.L.
November 3
Interview with Rick Berman
What is happening on the IMAX movie?
We've completed a story that was written by myself and Hans Tobeason. I'm very pleased with it and Paramount is very pleased as well. It has now gone off to IMAX. We're just waiting to see what the next step is going to be.
Are you planning on featuring more than one Star Trek crew in this IMAX film?
At the moment, it features one well-known Star Trek character and a number of other actors who are not known. There is a good chance that there will be some peripheral performances by other known Star Trek characters.
(Editor's Note: Given all the hype over Seven of Nine/Jeri Ryan's, um, "dimensions", you might think that TPTB might want to take it to the next level of 3D reality. :-) )
June 11, 1997
Rick Berman: ...we have just finished a deal with a writer by the name of Hans Tobeason to write the new IMAX movie. His previous credits include: the TV series The Marshal 1994-96 season, Tribeca 92-93 season and The Adventures of Brisco Countty, Jr. 93-94 season. We are, as we speak, in development for a 40 minute IMAX 3-D movie that will be a Star Trek film. As to what characters it is going to have, or if they are characters we already knowm or a mixture of the two, we don't yet know.
It has been rumored that you are considering cast members from all the various Star Trek incarnations to appear in this film.
That's just a rumor at this point. We haven't thought of anything specific yet. It could have completely new characters or it could have characters from the different Star Trek series. We just have not made any firm decisions on that yet.
When do you forsee this IMAX film being released?
We don't know yet.
Will this IMAX film be a 40-minute IMAX Star Trek episode or more of a scientific/technical film using the Star Trek theme?
I think that is twill have some scientific/deucational elements to it but not to the point that it will take away from it being highly entertaining. It is just going to give us a chance to do Star Trek on a gigantic screen and not only using the IMAX format but the new IMAX 3-D format. It's going to be breathtaking.
February 25, 1997
The film will be shot in state-of-the-art Imax 3-D with CGI graphics, with a running time of about 40 minutes and a budget of around $10 million.
There's no deal yet and no script, but sources said the plan on the drawing board would be either to use the cast from the Next Generation, Deep Space Nine or Voyager series, or to cull characters from each. If that constellation of stars is unavailable, the third option is to assemble a new cast.
The development marks a warp-speed move forward for Imax, whose screen size and 3-D capabilities dwarf traditional moviehouses, but which so far has lacked a brand-name product like Star Trek. Most Imax pictures have been documentaries, along with several fiction productions, including L5: First City in Space and the Jean-Jacques Annaud-directed Wings of Courage, the latter produced by Sony and starring Val Kilmer.
Imax now has 150 theaters in 22 countries, with projected 20% screen growth for the next few years. Though the number of theaters is small compared to traditional hardtops, the ticket prices are about $9 per show, the films stay in theaters longer, and they can be shown up to 10 times per day.
Paramount and Berman, always looking for new ways to feed the Trek audience, are eager to jump into Imax, though it's undecided whether the film will be financed jointly or only one will pick up the costs. The effort is being spearheaded by Berman, Imax chairman-co-CEO Bradley J. Wechsler and Andrew Gellis, Imax senior vice president of film. None of the principals would comment.