web
counter
 

Kurtzman and Orci Have Broken Star Trek

By Steven Lloyd Wilson | Posted Under Trade News | Comments (15)



kirkspockwhatnow.jpg

Speculation is still rife about what exactly is going to happen in Star Trek 2b, with little bits and pieces leaked out to tease us. There are two main things that seem to have been agreed upon by those of us who write rumors about each others’ rumors. First, it’s not going to have Khan in it. Second, it’s supposed to be bringing back an antagonist from the original series.

So the LA Times interviewed Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci about the next film and got this gem: “Well, we have broken the story, which is very exciting.”

Ok, I get from the context that they’re using “broken” in terms of a particular idiom that basically means the exact opposite of what “broken” means in colloquial English. But it makes for a great out of context quote, which judging by cable news, is at least 3/4 of professional journalism these days anyway. What, you hated the new Star Trek? Well Kurtzman and Orci did admit that they broke it. And that they’re very excited about having done so. Come on guys, you’re professional writers, you of all people should appreciate the power of word choice.

What else do we learn? Nothing.

It’s a brief interview, but other than a couple of interjections, this was what the interviewer went for:

“It’s early days on the “Star Trek” sequel, but is there anything you can tell us about the story direction, tone or even the types of challenges you’re anticipating with this next-step project?”

Not a bad question to lead with, and the two writers give some vague discussion which leads to the follow up of:

“Is your approach to this going to follow the lines of something like “The Empire Strikes Back,” where it’s essentially a second act and everything the heroes have built up in the first film is taken away from them and there’s doubt and despair before the resolution of the third film’s final-act story? Or, with that episodic heritage and optimistic spirit of that classic “Trek” archive, do you see these movies as more like self-contained adventures?”

Not a terrible question, but the answers given are again just terribly vague and so our intrepid interviewer goes in for the jugular:

“Your great advantage going in is the chemistry between this bright, young cast. It must be a treat to write for an ensemble that has already shown a lot of spark, humor and nuance.”

… That’s it? Two vague questions that the interviewees can just ramble through and then a “totes awesome cast, amirite?” Come on man, you’ve got the LA Times name at your back and get to sit down with Kurtzman and Orci and this is what we get? I’m not saying every interview has to be Nixon vs. Frost, but don’t just let them coast on through. A reporter has got to have some sadism lurking underneath, has got to be willing to not be friends with the subject. If there are honest and interesting questions that seriously make you question whether this person would ever consent to another interview if asked, then those are exactly the questions you need to ask.

(source: LA Times)









Each Time You Like, Share, Tweet or Stumble a Pajiba Post, An Angel Does the Paul Rudd Dance



Armageddon Days (Are Here Again) | Tom Hanks Joins Kathryn Bigelow's Triple Fontier | Channing Tatum To Star In 21 Jump Street | I Said Jump Down On Jump Street









Comments

This is really just one big bait to BSlim isn't it? Come on, admit it.

Posted by: TylerDFC at December 1, 2010 10:03 AM

Considering how badly nearly every other trilogy, reboot, remake, update, extension or reimagining of the past decade has fucked me, at least Star Trek had the decency to lube up first and leave cab fare on the nightstand.

Posted by: twig at December 1, 2010 10:19 AM

Kor, Koloth, Kang, or (god help us), Kruge.

Or . .

Fucking. Harcourt. Fenton. Mudd.

Posted by: idiosynchronic at December 1, 2010 10:47 AM

I've got it! The villain of Star Trek 2.0-A will be Clint Howard!

Scarier than the Borg.

Posted by: RobP at December 1, 2010 10:47 AM

Cue BSlim vitriol in 3 ... 2 ... 1 ...

Posted by: , at December 1, 2010 10:49 AM

OH that pix is sweet.
Must I chose?
Eeny meeny miny... oh I'll take both.
Abso-lovely. Thanks

Posted by: JaneSpotting at December 1, 2010 10:51 AM

Ok, I get from the context that they’re using “broken” in terms of a particular idiom that basically means the exact opposite of what “broken” means in colloquial English.

I'm still not sure I get it. Do they mean they've "broken ground" on the new story, i.e., they've started writing it?

Posted by: Ballymena Bob at December 1, 2010 11:33 AM

@Ballymena Bob: "Breaking" usually means they've finalized the plot and probably made an outline of story beats that they're happy with. Basically, they know how it ends.

Posted by: RobP at December 1, 2010 11:36 AM

Ah. O.K., thanks.

Posted by: Ballymena Bob at December 1, 2010 11:48 AM

Finally they admit it. Yes, Kurtzman and Orci, you did fuck up the story on the first one. Now dump that wretched plot into a black hole and let someone with talent write the new story.

Posted by: stardust at December 1, 2010 12:48 PM

I'm thinking that they'll continue turning Trek into Star Wars, but I doubt they'd write it as a second act. Are they seriously going to end it at three? Does anyone do that anymore? Or are they going to reboot it after three films and find someone even more annoying to write it?

Posted by: Uda at December 1, 2010 2:08 PM

Purty pics.. .thanks! just what I need as a lovely dessert after lunch. Damn, those boys look good.

I frickin' loved the reboot, so I'm at a bit of a loss as to what all the whining is about. Somebody 'splain that to me, please.

Posted by: Stella at December 1, 2010 3:08 PM

What the hell ever happened to journalism? It's like at the end of every friggin spoting event, when the sideline "reporter" drapes themself around a player or coach and asks them "what it felt like to win/lose this game?" Just once, I'd like to hear them ask "Do you think my hair is pretty?", just to see what the interviewee says.

Posted by: Leftylad at December 1, 2010 3:27 PM

Stella, I'll have you know that I loved the reboot almost as much as I like to whine so it only seemed natural that I should combine those two things.

Posted by: Uda at December 1, 2010 3:39 PM

Uda, Point taken.

Posted by: Stella at December 1, 2010 4:42 PM