When the original Star Trek series was cancelled by NBC after three years in 1969, no one could ever have predicted its incredible future success. As Trekkies and Trekkers well know, this sixties science-fiction show spawned an animated TV series, four spin-off TV series, countless licensed items, and a series of big-screen, blockbuster movies.
For the most part, the original cast and characters were retired from the films after the sixth movie entitled Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. The cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation TV series headed the films after that (though William Shatner, the late James Doohan and Walter Koenig were part of movie seven) with mixed success.
The last Star Trek film was viewed as a revenue disappointment and the most recent TV series, Star Trek: Enterprise, was cancelled on the UPN due to low ratings. As a result, Paramount Pictures has been looking for a way to reinvigorate the franchise and have hired writer/director/producer JJ Abrams (Lost, Alias, Mission Impossible III) to helm a new movie.
Rather than utilize members of the casts of past movies and shows, its been said that Abrams wants to return to the original series for his inspiration. He reportedly wants to recast the original USS Enterprise shipmates and tell either a prequel story at Starfleet Academy or an early Enterprise adventure. I’m guessing that the ships, costumes and special effects would all be updated to reflect today’s movie-making capabilities (unlike the composite photo at top right). The story specifics are under strict wraps but Abrams has said, “Those characters are so spectacular. I just think that…you know, they could live again.”
One source has now stated that Abrams is eyeing Oscar-winner Matt Damon (The Talented Mr. Ripley, The Bourne Identity, Ocean’s Eleven) for the lead role as Captain James T. Kirk. It’s been said that Abrams has even asked for the approval of original series lead William Shatner and Shatner has given it.
Could Damon truly be headed for the final frontier? Time will tell. A shooting start date for “Star Trek XI” hasn’t been released but I’ll post details as they become available. 
Newer and/or Related Articles
-
Star Trek: See William Shatner’s The Captains Documentary for Free
Jul 20, 2011 -
Star Trek: William Shatner Won’t Be in JJ Abrams Sequel Either
Jun 21, 2011 -
Star Trek: The William Shatner TV Series That You Never Saw
Jun 18, 2011 -
William Shatner Turns 80! What’s Your Favorite Role?
Mar 22, 2011 -
Star Trek: William Shatner to Direct Documentary About Himself
Jun 16, 2010 -
Star Trek: William Shatner’s “Done” with Former Castmates?
Dec 2, 2009 -
Star Trek: The Next Generation: Audio Interview with Jonathan Frakes about Leverage, TNG’s Future, and Family Guy
Feb 10, 2009 -
Star Trek
Jan 2, 2009 -
Star Trek: Another Original TV Show Castmember to be in J.J. Abrams Movie
Dec 11, 2008 -
Star Trek: Watch Video of Leonard Nimoy’s Return as Mr. Spock
Nov 25, 2008 -
Star Trek: Shatner Was Included in the New J.J. Abrams Movie’s Script
Sep 10, 2008 -
Star Trek: New Crew Set for Star Trek XI
Oct 18, 2007 -
Star Trek: Two Spocks in Film, No Kirks — Yet
Jul 27, 2007 -
Star Trek: Shatner Says ”Nimoy’s In, I’m Out of New Movie!”
Jul 10, 2007 -
Star Trek: A Look at the 40 Year Phenomenon
Jan 30, 2007 -
Star Trek: CBS Considers a New Animated Series
Jan 3, 2007 -
Star Trek: Commercial Video Clips
Nov 24, 2006 -
Star Trek: Captain Kirk’s Final Appearance?
Nov 9, 2006
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I like the idea of an earlier adventure with the ship already established…maybe see everyone arriving on board for the first time, etc…..
Mat Damon as Capt. Kirk……..no way! Checkov maybe but not capt. Kirk.
Your site is great.
It sounds good that there trying to breathe new life into a series which was responsible for so many great spin offs, but the problem begins with giving the wrong person to deliver, what we hope to be something we would like to spend our money on…
e.g. TERMINATOR 3