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Kurtzman and Orci Talk Villains and a Setting for Star Trek 2

by Ethan Anderton
January 24, 2010
Source: TrekMovie.com

It's only been eight months since J.J. Abrams launched the critically acclaimed and audience praised reboot of the legendary Star Trek franchise, and while there are many hardcore fans who have cried fowl, there's still a vast majority of us who simply cannot wait for Star Trek 2. And if anything, the anticipation is even higher now that Paramount has set a release date of June 29th, 2012. Luckily writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci talked with our friends at TrekMovie.com and gave them another update with a hint of the various directions they might take the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise and the villains they may encounter.

First and foremost, it seems like Kurtzman and Orci are going back and forth on where they want to pick up the story. Orci explains: "We would never do a remake… it will be some time in the five-year mission. But that is a question. Should we pick them up immediately the next day or should it be later, we are still discussing that." So while speculation of immediately following Star Trek with a return to The Wrath of Kahn seemed like a logical conclusion, it doesn't sound like they're eager to remake any of the original films. But they know that they're going to need to tread the same path that Kahn did as far as providing a worthy adversary for Kirk and his crew. Kurtzman says the sequel gives them free reign for a challenging villain:

"I think our idea on this is that the first of any series is about them coming together or the formation. I couldn't really tell you what Jeff Bridges was doing in Iron Man, but it doesn't matter at all because it is all about Iron Man becoming Iron Man. Whereas I think sequels are very much about the villain. Because while [in the first one] the villain serves to bring the crew together, the second one I think has to be a true challenging of what that family is about. That is why Wrath of Khan was so amazing. Khan tested each one of them and ultimately asked for the [ultimate] sacrifice, and that is why that movie held up so well."

Just because they have a successful beginning under their belt doesn't mean they've breathed a sigh of relief. This is where the real game begins. Orci states: "Frankly I feel more pressure because we were so confident when we came up with the idea of how to bridge canon, and yet free ourselves from canon. Now we have no excuses for anything, now we are free. Now we don't have the benefit of low expectations." In fact, these expectations are nothing short of massive, and it'll take a lot to follow up the equally massive success of the first one. But it sounds like Kurtzman/Orci are up to the task. As soon as we hear more, we'll let you know.

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19 Comments

Khan isn't the reason why Star Trek II is so great. It's what Kirk went through. Feeling old and getting back onto the Enterprise, then regaining it as captain. Finding out he has a son. He isn't able to deal with death and then he's forced to. Then he as to live with the loss of a brother. He grows because of all of this, he evolves and by doing so he feels young. Kirk deals with his humanity, and grows because of it.

Dan on Jan 24, 2010

Oh and the acknowledgement of his son. his regret of not chosing to be with Carol Marcus and a father. BTW Khan is just a plot filler to push events into action. What the main characters were thrown into, the villian could of been anyone. Kan was just a dumb stereotypical meaningless vengeful villain. there really was nothing sound why he wanted to kill Kirk, it was a celestial event that caused her death, the planet Kirk marooned them to was green and lush at the time. I say blame God or the fates.

Dan on Jan 24, 2010

It wasn't Kirks fault, stupid Khan!

Dan on Jan 24, 2010

Just NO 3D!!

Crump's Brother on Jan 24, 2010

not he biggest star trek fan(borg episodes)more star wars,if star trek was more like the last film,i'm all for the next two films villains should be khan,the klingons any of them with the right story would be good.

tobi,leader of the akatsuki on Jan 24, 2010

Whatever they make, they should think in 3D or 4D. People will start comparing with Avatar

videos on demand on Jan 25, 2010

you are a moron, Dan. Khan was just a plot filler?! haha. that's one of the stupidest things i've ever heard anyone say about star trek. he is one of the few villains who ever gets the best of kirk and the crew and so is dangerous. he is bent on revenge; so, it is a hundred times worse than when he appeared in the show. sure all those other things were essential to the story, but without khan, the movie has no reason for any of the other stuff that goes on. the enterprise completes it's training run, and the credits roll.

josh on Jan 25, 2010

SAVE THE WHALES (again)!!!!!

Voice of Reason on Jan 25, 2010

I agree with what Kurtzman and orci say the first one was about getting the crew togeather the second one as to be about the Villain, Sutch as Khan but who would play Khan in the new star trek 2 me myself i cannot get way from the original Khan Richardo montalban. my ? who would play Khan.

Cineprog on Jan 25, 2010

Those two shouldn't be allowed to write screenplays.

d1rEct on Jan 25, 2010

Kurtzman and orci should write the star treks but they shouldnt write anymore Transformers

D on Jan 25, 2010

#10 - d1rEct Agreed. Star Trek had so many plot holes they told people to read the comics to find out answers. It's not a stretch to see that they wrote Transformers 2.

SlashBeast on Jan 25, 2010

"Jim. It's not your fault. *Don't say it* IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT!...*sniffle*...it's not your fault."

Twittwit on Jan 25, 2010

The cool thing about this - start hating the word - reebot, is that the Star Trek universe is free to show us ANYTHING: a combination of the old stories, new setups, new villains, familiar characters... the possibilities are endless. The idea of having a strong villain in order to challenge Kirk and the Enterprise crew is just great, and if only Kurtzman and Orci could do EVERYTHING different as what they did in the most sorry-ass sequel ever (Transformers 2), they'll do just fine.

leinergroove on Jan 25, 2010

As long as they bring back Twiki, Princess Ardala, and Hawk, it should be good. Nanu, Nanu!

Mega Jet Jaguar on Jan 25, 2010

is it just me or does everyone seem to say exactly what orci and kurtzman siad or the complete opposite! someone please make a meaningful comment that doesn't reiterate (it means repeat u idiots!!) what they said or the other 5 people who already copied and pasted their words...i understand if u want to comment but please contribute to the conversation; don't glorify the two writers for something that hasn't even come out to us yet

cooper on Jan 25, 2010

Are Kidding me!! Khan is not the only villain out there.....The writers have the entire trek universe to get ideas from...The new movie looked fresh and exciting! Don't blow the sequel by giving us the same old tired stuff we've seen before....

korben on Jan 25, 2010

antonio banderas is...................KHAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

nacho on Jan 26, 2010

Have them fight the Gorn as an invasion force.

sabre on Jan 26, 2010

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