Although Paramount Pictures is saying "Star Trek XI" will hit theaters May 8, 2009, sources with the studio tell Airlock Alpha that no actual premiere date is set in stone.
Word is coming that while Paramount is simply trying to fill in some post-writers strike gaps, there is still a lot of talking going on behind the scenes on when the movie is best to premiere.
Preliminary indications are that "Star Trek XI" could be moved to Memorial Day weekend a few weeks later, but there may be some grander thoughts on a much more high-profile release date.
"There are a few people here who want the Star Trek franchise to become the studio's new Fourth of July slam-dunk," said the source, who asked not to be named. "I don't know how well that will work because 'Star Trek' is not considered the kind of action fare that usually works as a summer blockbuster, but there's a lot of history behind summer releases that could really help" the franchise.
"Star Trek used to be a summer franchise, but for some reason, in recent years, it was moved back to being more holiday fare," the source said.
Of the 10 Star Trek movies already released, only "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" (June 4, 1982), "Star Trek III: The Search For Spock" (June 1, 1984) and "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier" (June 9, 1989) were summer movies. While the box office returns for those films were a mixed bag, many fans would say that had to do more with the content of those movies than their actual release date.
"I don't see any reason why this can't be a June movie again, but June no longer is the type of movie release month it once was."
Many fans were angered by Paramount's move that took "Star Trek XI" off the Christmas schedule, and rumors are still abounding that the move was more to allow some script rewrites on a film already over budget, according to some reports.
For now, however, Paramount is sticking with its May 8, 2009 date.
Please remember that none of this has been officially confirmed by the studio, and that this report should be treated as any rumor would.
About the Author:
Michael Hinman is the founder and site coordinator for Airlock Alpha and the entire BlipNetwork. He owns Quantum Global Media Inc., the parent corporation of the BlipNetwork. He's a print journalist by day, and lives in Tampa, Fla.
