Star Trek goes for later release
Star Trek fans will have to wait a bit longer to see
where the crew of the starship Enterprise is boldly going next.
The US release of JJ Abrams’ Star Trek, with a new cast
taking on the roles of Captain James Kirk, Spock and other original
characters, had been moved from Christmas Day to May 8, 2009,
distributor Paramount said today.
Studio spokesman Michael Vollman said the switch was a business
move, not because of any problems with the film caused by the
Writers Guild of America strike that just ended.
Star Trek would be finished in time for its original
release date, but studio executives decided to hold it until next
summer in the US so the film could pull in more money, he said.
“Star Trek is in fantastic shape,” said Paramount
spokesman Michael Vollman.
“This is all about box-office potential. Summer is where you see
the Star Wars and the Spider-Mans and the
Shreks and the Transformers. Star Trek
is in that league.”
The movie had been in production without its screenwriters on
hand for revisions during the strike, which began November 5.
The guild reached a deal with producers last week, and writers
voted on Tuesday to end the walkout.
The strike had left a few holes in 2009’s summer blockbuster
schedule, leaving the May 8 date up for grabs, Vollman said.
Star Trek will open a week after 20th Century Fox’s
X-Men Origins: Wolverine, the X-Men spinoff
starring Hugh Jackman, and a week before Sony’s Angels %26amp;
Demons, Ron Howard and Tom Hanks’ follow-up to The Da
Vinci Code.
Directed by Lost creator Abrams, Star Trek recounts an
early adventure of Kirk, Vulcan scientist Spock and their
shipmates.
Chris Pine plays Kirk, a role originated by William Shatner, and
Zachary Quinto plays the young Spock, a part created by Leonard
Nimoy, who returns to play the Vulcan in older age.
Paramount and DreamWorks, both owned by Viacom, shuffled other
release dates, including Ben Stiller’s comedy Tropic
Thunder, moving from this July 11 to August 15; Brad Pitt and
Cate Blanchett’s fantasy The Curious Case of Benjamin
Button from this November 26 to December 19; and Eddie
Murphy’s comedy Nowhereland from this September 26 to June
12, 2009.
AP
