HBlurfrushan.El_Segundo@xerox.com (12/15/90)
The following article appeared in nov 14th issue of Daily Variety which is a Hollywood trade paper and (usually) has very reliable info. I don't know if you need any permission to reprint it. The phone number for Daily Variety is: (213) 857-6600 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- From "Daily Variety" November 14th 1990. Paramount Prepping 'Trek' For Final Voyage In 1991 Paramount is wheeling "Star Trek VI" avowedly the last in the theatrical series, onto the launching pad as the caper to the 1991 celebration of "Star Trek's" 25th anniversary. Nicholas Meyer, who just wrapped his directorial role on MGM's tentatively titled "Dinosaurs" with Gene Hackman and Mikhail Baryshnikov in London, has been assigned to write and direct the outer-space curtain closer. Meyer has turned in his first draft and expects to do considerably more polishing. He directed "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" released in 1982, and co-wrote 1986 release "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home". Meyer says he also pitched in substantially on the writing of "Star Trek II" as well, though he's not listed in that film's credits. Reached in London, Meyer offered only a clue to the story line of the sixth feature: Spock falls in love. Asked how he is dealing with the finale of the theatrical series, he quipped, "I hope I'm dealing with it well...That's all I'm going on record with...All 'Star Treks' are a state secret for as long as they can be kept under wraps." Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner, George Takei and other cast regulars had been asked to stand by for a possible February start, but Meyer said shooting now is not likely to begin before April. Ralph Winter , who produced "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier", is expected to reprise on the new one. "I have every intention of being involved", Nimoy told Daily Variety. "I will not be directing, but I will be there to act...I think it will be a wonderful way to finish our films with a flourish because 1991 is the 25th anniversary of the tv show. "The intention is to really do a grand-exit movie for the original group...to put a flourish signature on the series of films. It is not my wish that it be finished...(but) I think we have run our course..." Harve Bennett, who has long been identified as executive producer and sometimes writer of the theatrical series, no longer is on the Paramount lot because of creative differences over the best way for "Star Trek" to say its cinematic goodbyes. His concept was embodied in David Loughery screenplay that would have been a prequel, revealing how the Enterprise crew came together - with younger actors playing the now familiar roles associated with Shatner, Nimoy - intercut with flash forwards to other films in the series. While Sid Ganis was still co-president in charge of production, Paramount flirted for a year with Bennett/Loughery scenario (titled "Star Trek VI: The First Adventure") but then decided that was not the way to end the series. "I left because they didn't want to do the one I wanted to do", said Bennett, who is writing a screenplay based on a book he has optioned (he would not say more about the project). He also is mulling a return to television. "I'm not upset and I'm not bitter. I think they are wrong...'Star Trek' in all its episodes, including the features, has never done how they came to be. "Paramount management was very indecisive for a year...After encouraging us all that year, they suddenly switched gears and said, 'there isn't time'. They said, 'You can do it'. I said, 'I can't. I don't want to fail, so adios'." Nimoy is bittersweet over the prospect of doing his last theatrical "Star Trek". "I think 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' (the tv show in current syndication) has done a terrific job of building its own reputation and its own identity. Maybe it's time to really pass the baton officially." he said. Meyer's writing credits include the 1976 Universal release "The Seven Percent Solution", based on his novel of the same name. "Dinosaurs", which will be retitled,has been slotted for a March release. Disney has a previously registered title called "Dinosaurs" in production. -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edited by Jim "The Big Dweeb" Griffith - the official scapegoat for r.a.s.i. Email submissions to trek-info@dweeb.fx.com, and questions to trek-info-request@dweeb.fx.com