Sulu Back in Trek ... After a Fashion
Filed under: Classics, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fandom, Remakes and Sequels
While rumors continue to swirl regarding a return to the Trek franchise for actors William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy (Kirk and Spock respectively, of course), another original series actor is quietly making his comeback to the universe as well. George Takei, who played Hikaru Sulu, has agreed to appear in a 50-minute fanflick movie put together by a team called Star Trek: New Voyages. Now, unlike Free Enterprise, which William Shatner appeared in a few years back, New Voyages does not make films about fanboys. They do, in fact, make films which pick up where the old series left off. Yes, you got that right ... it is rather like fanfic but with cameras and costumes. According to Sci Fi Wire, the company is funded -- are you ready for this -- by leader James Crawley, who finances the productions "from his earnings as an Elvis impersonator."I don't even know what to say about this odd melding of fanfic and cosplay; I think you're just going to have to check out the website for yourself and make your own amusing comments. A large part of me wants to openly mock those involved, but in some way you also have to admire their crazy dedication.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-26-2006 @ 8:09PM
Geoff said...
Ick.
I remember downloading a Star Wars fanfic film a while back. It was awful - worse than Phantom Menace.
Seriously, if the guys who actually make Star Trek can't come up with a good film these days, then fans without a serious budget won't fare much better. This is a series that has been pretty much run into the ground.
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9-26-2006 @ 10:06PM
Das_klaun said...
"fans without a serious budget won't fare much better"
Fortunately, New Voyages DOES have a serious budget. And several writers from the original series. And Walter Koenig playing Chekov. And Gene Roddenberry's son.
This is not just some amateur tribute with cardboard sets, this is (for the most part) what Trek should be. To read more:
http://dasklaun.blogspot.com/2005/12/so-we-all-know-what-shite-state-star.html
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9-27-2006 @ 2:55AM
Jonny Rice said...
Geoff, what if we used that same logic for all independent films? "If Hollywood can't come up with a decent flick these days, the film fans without a serious budget won't fare much beter."
Indie Trek? Come one, why not?
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9-27-2006 @ 8:22AM
Jonathan said...
I am not a hard core Trekkie, but a fan of film ostensibly just like Mr. Beale. However, I would at least first view any film, Hollywood, Indie or Fanflick before passing judgement. The only thing lacking in the New Voyages is major funding, which would go to pay the (long) list of Hollywood sfx masters who donated their time and to the actors. Yes, some are fans and if you had funding, you could upgrade there. But for a showcase of talent and a very limited budget, there needs to be a new category to put in films like this one, and the latest Star Wars fan film.
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