For those of you who were already trying to figure out how you’d excuse yourselves from Christmas dinner at the folks’ house this year to go see Star Trek on opening night, now you won’t have to worry about it. Abrams’ new movie just got pushed back to May 8. According to Variety, Paramount thinks the movie has too much potential not to open it as a summer release.
Before we all get too bummed that we’re going to have to wait another half a year longer to see just where Abrams is taking the franchise, let’s stop and think for a second: this isn’t entirely bad news. It’s getting pushed back because Paramount is expecting numbers. Unlike Nemesis (which was a winter release back in 2002) this one not only stands a chance at being successful, it could very well be one of the biggest movies of the year. I’m a little sad about this too, but if they’re right, May 8 will bring in more viewers and ultimately, assuming Trek fans’ faith in JJ’s vision is well-placed, it could save the Star Trek franchise. I think a Trek movie that broke records could easily lead to a new series.
And that release date also leaves just one more season of Lost left after the movie opens. Which means JJ would have time to spearhead a series very soon after the movie, if the studio offered it to him. But I shouldn’t get ahead of myself… that’s all assuming the hype pays off and people are still interested after a year and a half of hearing about it. That’s also assuming the movie doesn’t suck.
Unless something changes, Star Trek is now opening a week after the Wolverine movie and a week before the DaVinci Code prequel. Which means it isn’t opening against anything huge at the moment.
I’ve read a few people commenting on other articles who are outraged and blaming this on the writer’s strike. I really don’t think that has anything to do with it. The movie was already written, already in production during the strike, and now the strike’s over so they still probably had time to make their December 25th date. This is all about marketing technique and like it or not, it’s good business.
Count your blessings, folks. The strike is over. There’s bound to be some new stuff worth watching between now and then.
LLAP
-Cap’n Logan
