Dear J.J. Abrams,
Two words: time management.
You kind of suck at it. Just saying.
Disappointed? Who me? Why yes, of course I am. See, you had a brilliant slot. A late June release in the summer of 2012. Historically, movies released during this time tend to do really, really well. But 'Super 8' took longer than you thought it might and you hummed and hawed on signing to direct our highly anticipated ST 12 and as a result that slot was given to freakin 'G.I. Joe 2' (no, I'm not bitter, what do you mean?). But for the sake of all involved taking their time and producing a great movie versus rushing and producing crap I was willing to overlook this. We've seen what happens to a Trek film when it's rushed. Michael Pillar wrote a book on the subject, in fact. It's called "Fade In: The Writing of Star Trek: Insurrection".... *wince* yeah, probably better for all not to rush. Those were some sour grapes (though with a boss like Rick Berman, who could fault the guy his righteous indignation? Pillar's original script would have been much better IMHO)
However, I do not think you've thought this 2013 release thing through. Why? You might ask. Let me list it out for you (actually, the list is taken from trekmovie.com, who took it from boxofficemojo.com).
May-July 2013:
November-December 2013:
You want to go up against Iron Man and Superman or the mighty Pixar and THE HOBBIT, are you freakin' insane?! The hell, dude?
But fine. I'll work with you. I promise to go see ST 12 at least as many times as I saw Reboot, maybe more (forsaking Superman to do it, I wont forsake 'The Hobbit' though, on principle. Sorry, I've loved Tolkien almost, but not quite, as long as I've loved Star Trek, but I promise to see 'The Hobbit' only once... well, maybe only twice) which was a lot, in fact, I saw Reboot so many times it's a rather embarrassing number, all truth be told. Obsessed? Who me? In turn, you need to make this movie cinematic genius. You need to make people forget that they've waited four years for this. You are working with an even numbered Trek here, so this works in your favor (let us forget, for the sake of this argument, that "Nemesis" ever happened). Please, draw the crowds back in? I want more Trek films! (<- Veruca Salt moment, everyone's entitled to at least one, right? ;-)) And I seriously doubt, just based on how their careers seem to be taking off, that Pine, or Quinto or Saldana are going to agree to do more once their contracts expire if this next movie doesn't live up to the standard you've already set.
You may think of this as an angry letter, but it's not, not really, it's a practical one. I'm trying to look out for you (but mostly look out for Trek). Please work really hard, harder than you worked on 'Super 8' and that last season of 'Lost'. 'Reboot' was wonderful, you did good (though we could probably use a tiny bit less lens flare in the next one, just saying) but don't let that go to your head and assume that the memory of 'Reboot' alone is going to draw a larger audience beyond we diehards. We Trekkies are trusting you once again with our franchise and our most beloved Kirk, Spock and company. Do us proud. But, you know, no pressure or anything.
Much Love,
Jaylee
P.S. - this letter was composed in reference to this article, here: Exclusive: Star Trek Sequel Filming Starts January 15th + Locations & Pre-production Update
You kind of suck at it. Just saying.
Disappointed? Who me? Why yes, of course I am. See, you had a brilliant slot. A late June release in the summer of 2012. Historically, movies released during this time tend to do really, really well. But 'Super 8' took longer than you thought it might and you hummed and hawed on signing to direct our highly anticipated ST 12 and as a result that slot was given to freakin 'G.I. Joe 2' (no, I'm not bitter, what do you mean?). But for the sake of all involved taking their time and producing a great movie versus rushing and producing crap I was willing to overlook this. We've seen what happens to a Trek film when it's rushed. Michael Pillar wrote a book on the subject, in fact. It's called "Fade In: The Writing of Star Trek: Insurrection".... *wince* yeah, probably better for all not to rush. Those were some sour grapes (though with a boss like Rick Berman, who could fault the guy his righteous indignation? Pillar's original script would have been much better IMHO)
However, I do not think you've thought this 2013 release thing through. Why? You might ask. Let me list it out for you (actually, the list is taken from trekmovie.com, who took it from boxofficemojo.com).
May-July 2013:
- Iron Man 3 - 5/3
- Pacific Rim - 5/10
- Singularity - 5/17*
- Fast & Furious 6 - 5/24
- Lone Ranger - 5/31
- 1000 A.E. - 6/7
- Man of Steel - 6/14
- Monsters University - 6/21
- R.I.P.D. - 6/28
- Despicable Me 2 - 7/3
- Robopocalypse - 7/3
- Oblivion - 7/19
November-December 2013:
- Thor 2 - 11/15
- The Untitled Pixar Movie About Dinosaurs - 11/27
- The Hobbit: There and Back Again - 12/13
You want to go up against Iron Man and Superman or the mighty Pixar and THE HOBBIT, are you freakin' insane?! The hell, dude?
But fine. I'll work with you. I promise to go see ST 12 at least as many times as I saw Reboot, maybe more (forsaking Superman to do it, I wont forsake 'The Hobbit' though, on principle. Sorry, I've loved Tolkien almost, but not quite, as long as I've loved Star Trek, but I promise to see 'The Hobbit' only once... well, maybe only twice) which was a lot, in fact, I saw Reboot so many times it's a rather embarrassing number, all truth be told. Obsessed? Who me? In turn, you need to make this movie cinematic genius. You need to make people forget that they've waited four years for this. You are working with an even numbered Trek here, so this works in your favor (let us forget, for the sake of this argument, that "Nemesis" ever happened). Please, draw the crowds back in? I want more Trek films! (<- Veruca Salt moment, everyone's entitled to at least one, right? ;-)) And I seriously doubt, just based on how their careers seem to be taking off, that Pine, or Quinto or Saldana are going to agree to do more once their contracts expire if this next movie doesn't live up to the standard you've already set.
You may think of this as an angry letter, but it's not, not really, it's a practical one. I'm trying to look out for you (but mostly look out for Trek). Please work really hard, harder than you worked on 'Super 8' and that last season of 'Lost'. 'Reboot' was wonderful, you did good (though we could probably use a tiny bit less lens flare in the next one, just saying) but don't let that go to your head and assume that the memory of 'Reboot' alone is going to draw a larger audience beyond we diehards. We Trekkies are trusting you once again with our franchise and our most beloved Kirk, Spock and company. Do us proud. But, you know, no pressure or anything.
Much Love,
Jaylee
P.S. - this letter was composed in reference to this article, here: Exclusive: Star Trek Sequel Filming Starts January 15th + Locations & Pre-production Update