New Star Trek’s Big Opening Ensures Sequel
Perhaps Star Trek is not dead after all. The release of Star Trek on May 8th, the eleventh feature film in the Star Trek series, brought many sci-fi fans joy with the idea that the franchise would be relaunched. It was pointed out that this new Star Trek movie represented a major financial risk for the movie studio. It was further argued that even though previous Star Trek films had been hits, none had been a blockbuster. Furthermore, it was argued, the last Star Trek movie opened with less than $20 million in opening weekend receipts and grossed less than $50 million in the United States.
There were other factors that led movie mavens to believe that this latest Star Trek had disaster written all over it. Despite the fact that only one Star Trek movie (in ten tries) had broken $100 million in U.S. box office receipts, Paramount cleared a $150 million production budget for the new Star Trek. It was clear that even a strong return at the box office for this move, something along the lines of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, could still result in major losses. It was agreed by all that there was no guarantee that at this budget Star Trek could be profitable. With the benefit of the first week's box office behind us, it has become clear that the doomsayers were a bit gloomy in their predictions.
Star Trek grossed over $75 million on its opening weekend, more than double the previous best Star Trek opening. Season movie analysts were stunned by the numbers for that opening weekend. The film has gone on to become the highest grossing Star Trek movie in history in only 7 days according to industry insiders.
Sources at Paramount Pictures have confirmed that there will be another Star Trek movie, tentatively scheduled for release in the summer of 2011. It is also believed that the writers of the latest Star Trek movie will pen the new film. It is unknown at this point if the director, J.J. Abrams will reprise his role in the directorial chair. It is believed that Abrams will at the very least produce the film.
This news comes as music to the ears of Star Trek fans everywhere who have been nearly unanimous in their praise of the new Star Trek movie. The fact that many in the media pronounced Star Trek dead several years ago has made the return of James T. Kirk and crew so satisfying to Star Trek fans everywhere.
There have been no reports of yet as to the plot or storyline of the next Star Trek movie. What is clear, after the developments that took place in Star Trek, is that the writers will have the artistic license to take the franchise anywhere there imagination can lead them. There have already been reports that there may even be another Star Trek movie in the offing as the principal cast was signed on for three films. It is, once again, a very exciting time to be a Star Trek fan.
