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Star Trek XI is a working title applied to the planned eleventh feature film based on Star Trek. It is slated for release in 2008, likely in that year's fall/winter movie season.

The film will be produced by J.J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof, two of the creators of the hit ABC series Lost. Abrams also co-wrote the film with Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci and also has the option to direct. Kurtzman and Orci will also serve as executive producers, along with Bryan Burk and unit production manager Stratton Leopold.

Beginnings

An eleventh Star Trek movie was initially planned during production on the tenth film, Star Trek Nemesis. Nemesis co-writers, John Logan and Brent Spiner, intended to follow that film with a "crossover" sequel. After Nemesis failed financially, however, this plan was abandoned. [1]

Another plan for a possible eleventh film was then developed by long-time Trek producer Rick Berman. Berman's project would have been a prequel to the other films, taking place after the events of Star Trek: Enterprise but before the original series. A script was written – tentatively titled Star Trek: The Beginning – and for a brief time, there was talk that this project was going forward. In February 2006, however, Paramount shelved this script and the franchise again appeared to be in limbo.

On 20 April, 2006, however, the Daily Variety, citing sources at Paramount Pictures, reported that production on an eleventh Star Trek was officially underway. This initial report stated that not only was J.J. Abrams set to produce, co-write, and direct the next Trek film, but the story would revolve around the iconic characters of James T. Kirk and Spock during their days at Starfleet Academy. [2] Several days later, Abrams confirmed some parts of the report while denouncing others, stating that the announcement was an unofficial leak and was "not entirely accurate". He also stated that, while he was given the option to direct the film, he had not decided to do so at that time. [3][4]

One day after the original announcement, StarTrek.com reported that Rick Berman, who had overseen the Trek franchise since Gene Roddenberry's death in 1991, would not be involved in the eleventh Trek film as developed by J.J. Abrams. [5]
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Early discussion and speculation

Although the film may not revolve around Kirk and Spock's Academy days, comments from actor Greg Grunberg, a longtime associate and best friend of J.J. Abrams, suggested that the film will still revolve around the characters. Grunberg stated that the film would take place when the characters were "young", so they would have to be recast. [6] [7] Grunberg later went on to state that he would like to play a young Scotty – suggesting that the movie may take place during Kirk's voyages on the USS Enterprise during the historic five-year mission seen in the original series. [8] However, producer Bryan Burk later suggested that Grunberg was merely commenting based on false pretenses. [9]

In June, writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci alleviated some fan concerns by emphasizing their intention to be true to what has occurred on the other Star Trek series and movies rather than recreating the franchise "in the way that [Ronald D. Moore's] Battlestar Galactica has been reimagined." They went on to state that the film would feature both familiar characters and others who precede them. [10]

Fans received their first official hint as to what direction the film would take when Paramount released an early poster image for Star Trek XI on 22 July 2006. This teaser poster depicted the emblem which was used by the crew of the USS Enterprise in the original series. The background of the poster is one-half command gold, one-half science blue, suggesting the film will be set in the 23rd century, with some scenes possibly set on the Enterprise itself.
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Development

The original treatment for the film (the initial story outline) was completed in August. By the 24th of that month, writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman had begun working on a first draft of the screenplay. Although it was hoped that this first draft would be completed by the end of October with a second, final draft to be turned in by Christmas 2006 [11], the first draft had not yet been completed by 2 November. [12] However, the first draft had been completed by 12 December [13], with the final script expected to be completed in January 2007. [14]

The development of the film's budget, which will be handled by executive producer and unit production manager Stratton Leopold, is set to commence in January, but requires a final draft script. Pending the approval of both the script and the budget, Star Trek XI is expected to receive the greenlight in February, at which point pre-production officially begins. Shooting was initially slated to begin in summer of 2007 [15], but the filmmakers expect to begin filming in April 2007, despite the slight delay in the completion of the script. They also expect production to run through the fall, and for post-production to last about one year. [16]
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Story

At present, only rumors and speculation exist as to the film's story. Producer J.J. Abrams has repeatedly stated that it was too early to discuss plot details and that he and the other "made a pact not to discuss any specifics". [17][18] As previously noted, early reports that the film would be set at Starfleet Academy have been referred by Abrams as being "premature" and "not entirely accurate". As evidenced by the artwork for the film's teaser poster and as reported by a number of credible sources to Trek Movie Report, however, the film will be set during the era of Star Trek: The Original Series and will also involve the characters of James T. Kirk and Spock. [19] It has been reported that the hope of the writers to "fill a gap" in Star Trek history and to explore the origins of the original Star Trek series. [20] Discussing his vision of Star Trek, Abrams has stated that "Star Trek to me was always about infinite possibility and the incredible imagination that Gene Roddenberry brought to that core of characters. It was a show about purpose, about faith vs. logic, about science vs. emotion, about us vs. them. It was its own world, and yet it was our world." [21]

As the film has been all but officially stated to revolve around Kirk and is expected to "fill a gap" in Trek lore, there exists much speculation as to what point(s) in Kirk's life the story will be set. With the debunking of the initial announcement that the film would take place during Kirk's Academy days, the most prevalent rumor is that it will be set during his service as a young lieutenant aboard the USS Farragut during the 2250s. There is also a possibility that the film will detail Kirk's first mission in command of the Enterprise or will cover several events in his life leading up to his taking command. [22] In any case, as noted above, it is the writers' intention to remain faithful to what was established in past Star Trek stories. [23]
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Casting

Casting for the film had begun as early as October 2006, although no casting announcements have been made as of January 2007. [24] It was confirmed in August 2006 that both William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy have signed contracts giving them some approval power on recasting of their characters, suggesting that actors are being sought after for the roles of Kirk and Spock. [25]

Among the first actors to express interest in a role in Star Trek XI was the aforementioned Greg Grunberg. Grunberg stated that he would talk with Abrams about possibly playing a Klingon in the film, although he later expressed interest in playing a young Scotty as previously stated. [26][27][28] Executive producer Bryan Burk subsequently stated his expectation that Grunberg would be in the film, but did not specify what character he might play. [29]

Also showing interest in playing Scotty is Alias star Kevin Weisman. [30] Yet another actor who has expressed interest in a role is Heroes actor Zachary Quinto, who has conveyed his wish to portray a young Spock. [31]

Yet another actor interested in appearing in the film is William Shatner himself. [32] Shatner even reported several times his belief that Abrams was planning for both he and Leonard Nimoy to appear in the film, although it would have to be meaningful roles. [33][34] Nimoy himself even suggested that he would come out of retirement to play Spock if he thought "the project had merit." [35]

As the buzz around the film was building and word spread that James Kirk and Spock were to be recast, rumors as to who would play the younger versions of Kirk and Spock also arose. One prominent rumor suggested that Abrams was very interested in casting Matt Damon as Captain Kirk, even soliciting William Shatner's aid in signing him up. [36] Damon himself denied having been approached for the role [37], although he later told SCI FI Wire that he would be interested in playing a young Captain Kirk if the script met with his satisfaction. [38]

Other actors who were widely rumored to have been considered or even approached for a role in the film are Ben Affleck and Tom Cruise. [39][40] Both of these, however, have also been proven false. [41][42] There are also sources reporting that Academy Award-winning Philip Seymour Hoffman (Capote) may have a role in the film, possibly as a doctor (but not "Bones" McCoy). [43] Most recently, there was a rumor that the new James Bond, Daniel Craig, was interested in a role. [44]
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Crew

Although no one has officially been hired yet – a budget is required before the hiring process can begin – those who have been approached to work on the film are long-time associates of J.J. Abrams. Besides co-writers and executive producers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, who worked with Abrams on Alias and Mission: Impossible III, producers Damon Lindelof, Bryan Burk, and Stratton Leopold have all collaborated with Abrams in the past.

In August 2006, another frequent Abrams collaborator, Michael Giacchino, was confirmed as being tapped to be the film's composer. [45] In December, Scott Chambliss was announced as having been selected as the film's production designer. This will make Star Trek XI the first Trek film since Star Trek IV on which Herman Zimmerman was not production designer. Chambliss and Abrams, who have previously worked together on Felicity, Alias, and Mission: Impossible III, had begun working on designs for the film by 19 December. [46]

Also in December, it was announced that Stratton Leopold, a collaborator of Abrams' on Mission: Impossible III, would serve as an executive producer and unit production manager for the film. As unit production manager, he will be tasked with handling the film's budget, which must be calculated before the studio decides to greenlight the production. [47]

As stated above, Abrams himself has been given the option to direct this film. As of December 2006, however, he has not decided whether or not to do so and is instead waiting on a completed script. [48]