ANTON YELCHIN RU

Scripting has finally begun on the sequel to J.J. Abrams’ 2009 adaptation of the legendary science-fiction franchise, based on a story that has been discussed among writers and producers all summer. The story that is currently being developed is expected to be a standalone adventure but also deal with larger character issues that could continue into additional movies.

Last week Orci tweeted his official to-do list as “get groceries, do laundry, start writing Star Trek, walk dogs, get new book to read, vote ...” Now, according to TrekMovie, Orci is taking some time away from television projects like "Fringe" on Fox and "Hawaii Five-0" on CBS to work on the sequel film with his longtime partner in writing crime, Alex Kurtzman.

The scripting process is expected to take the rest of this year with confirmation that the script and budget have been approved coming in early 2011 so that pre-production can begin. However, there is still no news on who will be the primary villain. Chatter on the net for more than a year has been the return of Khan Noonien Singh -- last seen in the previous "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" in the early 1980s.

Another question, of course, is whether Abrams will return to direct the follow-up adventure.

The 2009 “Star Trek” was originally intended to be released around Christmas 2008, however due to the writers’ strike, re-writes required during production, and Paramount Pictures' belief the film would be a summer blockbuster hit, "Star Trek" eventually settled for a May 2009 launch, becoming the highest-grossing Star Trek film of all time, even when adjusted for inflation.

That film starred Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, John Cho and Anton Yelchin.

The sequel is expected for release on June 29, 2012.
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How did you enjoy playing the Chekov-esque character you took on in the fan film Of Gods and Men?

Koenig: It was a much better experience than I anticipated. Initially, I thought I was doing it as a favor for Doug Conway. But when I got the script and I saw that the non-standard Chekov character that I played was really full of passion and energy and anger, it became a much more appealing role for me. It was quite challenging, and the performance was at least modestly successful. So I thoroughly enjoyed doing that.

What did you make of Anton Yelchin’s performance as Chekov in Star Trek (2009). And we know that you met and talked to him. What kind of advice did you offer Yelchin going into the movie?

Koenig: I just told Anton to make it his own and not worry about any history, that there’s nothing here that was sacrosanct. I told him he is a different actor with a different perspective and that he should embrace the role as if he created it. And I think he did. He’s a terrific young man and a talented actor. He had a resume already, going into Star Trek, that I would have been very happy to have had. He’d already acted opposite Anthony Hopkins. He’d played the title role in another movie (Charlie Bartlett). He’s got a great career ahead of him. I met his parents, actually, and they seem very, very nice as well.

How strange was it to see someone else in your old role?

Koenig: I thought it was going to be a lot stranger than it was. I went in, frankly, a little apprehensive. I didn’t know how, exactly, I’d deal with that situation, whether I’d feel envious or intimidated watching somebody else in the role. I’m certainly capable of feeling intimidated because I’m certainly capable of feeling neurotic, so I didn’t know what my feelings would be. But when I sat down and began to watch it and relaxed, I appreciated a very good performance in a movie. I stopped comparing myself to Anton almost immediately. He was 19 and I was 73 at the time. There’s no way I could have played the role. So, therefore, I thought, “Just sit back and enjoy it.” And I was actually quite proud of Anton. I found myself rooting for him. The moments that he had that were funny, I laughed, and the moments that showed other qualities of the character, I thoroughly appreciated and applauded as well.
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From @boborci via Trek Movie:

aiming to turn in first full draft of Star Trek in six weeks or so.

If the script is filmable we should be hearing news on whether Abrams will direct sometime in April. A summer shoot seems likely, but according to Trek Movie that might “slip a bit” in order to accommodate Chris Pine’s schedule. Paramount pushed Star Trek back from December 2008 to May 2009, so there is a possibility they’ll push the sequel back if needed.

As well as Pine, Zoe Saldana, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin and John Cho are all expected to return.
http://filmonic.com/star-trek-2-script-to-be-delivered-in-late-march

The Russian-born actor is set to reprise his role as Starfleet officer Pavel Chekhov in JJ Abrams' forthcoming follow-up, alongside Chris Pine as James T Kirk, Zachary Quinto as Spock and Simon Pegg as Scotty.

"I haven't read the script, but I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what it is. It will be a lot of fun to play the character again, do all the research again and do all the homework," he told Collider.

"In a way, it will be difficult too, to make sure it's the same person. That was almost four years ago, so it will definitely be challenging to try to capture the same thing," he added.

Anton, who next stars in The Beaver with Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster, can't wait to be reunited with the Star Trek cast.

"It's a great group of people. It's one thing when you're going back to a movie and you're like, 'Oh, god, I've got to work with these people again'. But, it's such a great group. I enjoyed working with them all so much that I look forward to seeing them all again and working with them," he said.

But the 22-year-old doesn't know when they will start work on the sequel.

"I have no idea. It should be at some point. At some point, we will make it," he admitted.

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/enterta....VZrpsTm