Star Trek at 50 … boldly going on
New audiences
LOS ANGELES, May 25, (Agencies): It launched with a mission of just five years “to boldly go where no man has gone before” but half a century later “Star Trek” is a multi-billion-dollar cultural phenomenon adored by fans the world over.
When the show debuted in 1966 the concept was a three-season television show following the crew of the starship Enterprise as they ventured into the galaxy to seek out new civilizations.
Little did NBC know it would snowball into a touchstone in entertainment spawning six shows with a combined 725 episodes and 13 movies, and turning its stars into household names.
“To be talking about the 50th anniversary is insane. I was born the same year that Star Trek was,” veteran filmmaker J.J. Abrams, the creative force behind the new “rebooted” trilogy, told a convention in Hollywood last week.
“I know how old I feel, so the idea that this thing endures is incredible.”
The original series starred William Shatner, now 85, as the suave Captain James T. Kirk and Leonard Nimoy, who died last year at the age of 83, as his stilted sidekick — a half-human, half-Vulcan science officer named Mr Spock.
Popular
Gene Roddenberry wrote the pilot in 1965, the same year as the first US spacewalk, and pitched the show as “a wagon train to the stars,” figuring that westerns were popular in Hollywood at the time.
Fans say Roddenberry examined earthly social issues with an unparalleled sensitivity, presenting television’s first truly multiracial cast, and the first televised interracial kiss.
Korean-American actor John Cho,
classic by some scholars and a major statement of the free-flowing Beat Generation.
Shortly before his death in 1997, Burroughs had recited parts of “Naked Lunch” to create an album with producers including Hal Willner, known for his work with rock legend Lou Reed and for arranging music on television show “Saturday Night Live.”
The project was abandoned but Willner who plays Starfleet Officer Hikaru Sulu in the rebooted trilogy — including the upcoming 50th anniversary film “Star Trek Beyond” — describes multiculturalism as one of its “defining features.”
“I really believe theoretically in ‘Star Trek’ movies. It’s a good cultural product, in my opinion. I wanted to be a part of something I felt was an important, positive cultural contribution,” the 43-year-old told AFP.
The franchise has attracted a devoted global cult unified by their affection for the Roddenberry vision, and today “Trekkies” are the only fan group listed by name in the Oxford English Dictionary.
Karl Urban, who plays ship’s doctor Leonard “Bones” McCoy — the role originally made famous by the late DeForest Kelley — said “Beyond” was more complex and yet more fun than previous episodes.
This is in part thanks to Simon Pegg — engineer Scotty in the reboot series — who was behind numerous British comedy hits including 2004’s “Shaun of the Dead” and took on scriptwriting duties for “Beyond.”
Balance
“We wanted to make sure we got the balance right between paying respect and homage to what had been before — little inside jokes and references for longterm fans — and making it fresh and delivering new material that new audiences can appreciate,” Urban, 43, told AFP.
The “Lord of the Rings” and “Riddick” actor is one of a handful of cast members who describe themselves as having been big fans of the original series.
“I just remember being into it as a kid. There were hot girls in short miniskirts. It was sexy, it was fun,” he said.
last year reopened it in collaboration with King Khan, a Canadian psychedelic punk artist championed by Reed.
Khan composed music to accompany the recordings made by Burroughs. He also tapped other artists including The Frowning Clouds, a punk band from Australia.
Khan’s label, describing his setting of music to “Naked Lunch,” said in a statement:
“Kirk had this swagger to him, where he was constantly getting it on with aliens of all sorts of different races.”
Part of the enduring appeal of “Star Trek,” says Urban, is its commitment to a hopeful depiction of a humanity united in the future despite differences in race and creed.
“That, and getting it on with green girls,” he adds immediately.
The latest film hits US theaters on July 22 but, whatever its fortunes, the “Star Trek” phenomenon will boldly go on, with a new television series due out from January 2017 on CBS.
“It’s been around for 50 years and hopefully we can build something that can continue it for another 50 years,” said “Beyond” director Justin Lin, an action aficionado who made four of the “Fast and Furious” films.
“What’s so fun about being a part of this is that, with these characters and themes, we can go anywhere, we can evolve and they are going to run into new challenges. And there should be no boundaries.”
Also: LOS ANGELES:
Warner Bros has been moving to change the role of Charles Roven after the mild disappointment of “Batman v Superman,” with the veteran producer becoming an executive producer on several upcoming DC superhero movies rather than day-to-day manager and producer.
Roven and Deborah Snyder are the producers on “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” which delivered somewhat disappointing results with $870 million in worldwide box office after two months in theaters.
Roven has worked on all DC Comics movies since 2005’s “Batman Begins,” including “Suicide Squad” and “Wonder Woman.” He could continue
“History was made and the scum began to rise.”
Even though “Naked Lunch” did not become an album in his lifetime, Burroughs frequently collaborated with musicians. (AFP)
NASHVILLE, Tenn:
and artist
Hit music producer Pharrell Williams has produced to be a producer on some sequels to those movies, though no final decision has been made.
“Roven is a key member of not only the DC slate but of the Warner Bros. family,” a studio spokesman said.
Roven has a producer credit on “The Dark Knight” trilogy, directed by Christopher Nolan, on 2013’s “Man of Steel”, “Suicide Squad” (due out in August) and on next year’s “Wonder Woman.” He’s currently on the set of “Justice League: Part 1” in London, but will not be a producer on “Aquaman” and “The Flash.”
Warner Bros. announced on May 17 a reorganization of the executives handling its DC movies, two months after “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” delivered its less-than-speculator numbers.
The studio is giving oversight of its DC Entertainment movies to Warner’s executive VP Jon Berg and DC’s chief operating officer Geoff Johns through its recently created DC Films arm. Berg will continue to report to Greg Silverman and Johns to DC Entertainment topper Diane Nelson.
The moves are being characterized as part of an evolution of the executive structure at Warner Bros, which has been attempting to rev up its output of movies based on the DC characters. Warner Bros announced earlier this month that Ben Affleck had expanded his role in the DC universe by taking on the duties of executive producer on Warner Bros’ “Justice League: Part One,” in addition to starring as Batman.
Variety reported last week that Warner Bros and DC Entertainment were developing a new standalone Harley Quinn movie featuring an allstar cast of female DC heroes and villains with Margot Robbie attached to reprise her “Suicide Squad” role.
the next album for country quartet Little Big Town, who will perform the first single on Tuesday’s season finale of “The Voice” on NBC.
Their new eight-song album is called “Wanderlust.” It will be released by Capitol Records Nashville on June 10, the band said. The new song, “One of Those Days,” was released digitally Tuesday ahead of the TV appearance.
The Grammy-winning group consists of Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman and Jimi Westbrook.
Fairchild said in a statement the collaboration between the “Girl Crush” singers and the hit maker behind “Blurred Lines” and “Happy” started with a writing session a few months ago that turned into several songs. (AP)
NASHVILLE, Tenn:
Grammy-winning country group Lady Antebellum will host the 10th annual ACM Honors show, which will be televised for the first time.
The show will honor Glen Campbell, Tanya Tucker, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Little Big Town. It will be held Aug. 30 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.
The show presents special awards and off-camera category winners from the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards, held in April in Las Vegas.
Other award recipients include Crystal Gayle, Jimmy Webb and The Statler Brothers, and posthumous awards for Eddie Rabbitt and Jeff Walker.
The show will be produced by dick clark productions and will be aired at a later date on CBS. (AP)