Star Trek: Renegades | |
---|---|
Genre | Science fiction drama |
Screenplay by |
|
Story by | Jack Trevino |
Directed by | Tim Russ |
Starring | |
Composer | Justin R. Durban |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
Production | |
Executive producers |
|
Producers |
|
Production location | Laurel Canyon Studios |
Cinematography | Tristan Barnard |
Editors |
|
Running time | 90 minutes (Pilot) |
Original release | |
Network | YouTube |
Star Trek: Renegades is an upcoming unlicensed and unofficial web series based upon the Star Trek franchise, although it features several characters from commercially produced Star Trek played by the same actors who realized them for film and TV. The story concerns a group of criminals and misfits assembled to undertake a covert mission when suspicion arises that the official military chain of command has been compromised by enemy agents. The film was largely funded through crowdsourcing, and the film's producers claimed they were going to submit it to CBS as a spec TV pilot. While neither CBS nor Paramount can commit to a new series at this time, it will become a web based series on YouTube.[1]
Ten years after the starship Voyager's return from the Delta Quadrant, the Federation is in a crisis. The Federation's main suppliers of dilithium crystals (the primary catalyst for the fuel used in faster-than-light travel) are disappearing. Space and time have folded around several planets, isolating them from outside contact. The phenomenon is unnatural – someone or something is causing it to happen. The need to stop this necessitates drastic measures; some of which are outside the Federation’s normal jurisdiction. For this, Admiral Pavel Chekov, head of Starfleet Intelligence, turns to Commander Tuvok, Voyager's former security officer and current head of the newly reorganized Section 31, Starfleet's autonomous intelligence and defense organization. Tuvok must put together a new covert, renegade crew – mostly outcasts and rogues – and even criminals. This new crew is tasked with finding out what is causing the folding of time and space, and stopping it at all costs. But will they be able to put aside their differences and stop trying to kill one another in time to accomplish their mission?[2]
The team behind Renegades had previously produced the fan film Star Trek: Of Gods and Men.[9] The film was shot at Laurel Canyon Studios in Los Angeles, utilizing green screen techniques.[4] Principal photography commenced on October 2, 2013 and was completed on October 16, 2013 in Los Angeles.[10]
The premise for Renegades originated on the final day of the Of Gods and Men shoot. Jack Trevino made the suggestion of a series where the cast had to work outside of the boundaries of Starfleet. Writer Ethan Calk later credited this as being the origins of the idea.[11]
The production team announced plans for three possible outcomes from the film: CBS picks it up for a series; it is made into a stand-alone film; or it would be the first episode of an Internet based series.[4]
Primary financing was via a three successful Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaigns in 2012, 2013, and 2014[12][13][12][4] Total raised for the film now turned in to the first episode was $375,038.[4]
The first teaser trailer premiered online on November 21, 2013.[14] A second, longer teaser trailer premiered on December 21, 2013.[15]
An official trailer was released April 7, 2015.[16] The full length film was to have been released in early 2015.[17] The official premier took place at the Crest Theater on Saturday August 1, 2015, at 4:30 pm.[18][19]
In early September 2015, Star Trek: Renegades will premiere at Fan Expo Canada in Toronto.[20] In mid September 2015, the film will be released at the Alamo City Comic Con in San Antonio, Texas and The Geek Gathering in Sheffield, Alabama.[20] In mid October 2015, the film will premiere at the TRIFI (TCIF3) Film Festival in Richland, Washington.[20] In late October 2015, the film will premiere at Rocket City NerdCon in Huntsville, Alabama.[20]
As neither CBS nor Paramount can commit to a new series at this time, Star Trek: Renegades will be released as a web based series on YouTube beginning September 30, 2015.[1][21] The current film will be denoted as episode 1 (the pilot) and the screenwiters are actively writing episodes 2 and 3.[1]
A DVD and Blu-ray edition of the first episode ofStar Trek: Renegades is available to buy at the official website. With a payment of $50, the purchaser will receive the digital download of the movie poster, access to exclusive web content, the digital download of the film, plus a DVD of Star Trek: Renegades. $5 will be added for shipping in the U.S., $15 for international shipping.[20][22] With a donation of $60, the purchaser will receive the digital download of the movie poster, access to exclusive web content, the digital download of the film, plus a Blu Ray of Star Trek: Renegades. $5 will be added for shipping in the U.S., $15 for international shipping.[20][22]
The cast of Renegades includes several Star Trek alumni, who in some cases are reprising their former roles.[4] Garrett Wang was to return as Harry Kim but had scheduling conflicts with his involvement in Unbelievable!!!!!, a comedy film with other Star Trek alumni actors. He has stated, however, that he may return if the film is turned into a series and gets picked up.[23] J. G. Hertzler was originally set to play Borrada, the film's main antagonist, but has since taken political office in New York.[24]
Richard Herd was cast as Admiral Owen Paris on October 9, 2012.[7] Courtney Peldon was cast as Shree on November 14, 2012, who is an Andorian con artist, thief, and hacker.[8] Tim Russ was cast as Tuvok on December 7, 2012.[4] Walter Koenig was cast as Admiral Pavel Chekov on March 4, 2013.[3] Adrienne Wilkinson was cast as Captain Lexxa Singh who is leader of the Renegades and a direct descendant of Khan Noonien Singh.[5] Sean Young was cast as Dr. Lucien.[6] Robert Picardo was cast as Dr. Lewis Zimmerman who is the developer of the Emergency Medical Hologram.[6]
Chasty Ballesteros was cast as Ronara who is a troubled young Betazoid.[5] Kevin Fry was cast as Jaro Ruk who is a somewhat unbalanced former Bajoran freedom fighter.[6] Grant Imahara was cast as Lt. Masaru who is an aide to Admiral Pavel Chekov.[5] Vic Mignogna was cast as Garis who is a vicious Cardassian prisoner.[5]
Walter Koenig has agreed to reprise Admiral Chekov in this two-part episode, with Episode 2 ending with a cliffhanger, and Walter has decided that Episode 3 will be his final performance as Chekov.[1]
The score for the first episode will be by Justin R. Durban.[25] Total Running Time is 1.3 hours.[25]
Track | Score Listing |
---|---|
01. | Invictus |
02. | Last Kill |
03. | Assemble A Crew |
04. | Heist |
05. | Prison |
06. | Cadet Chekov |
07. | Pursuit |
08. | The Mission |
09. | Stay True |
10. | Photons, Force Fields and Holo-Matter |
11. | Sabotage - Shree |
12. | In and Out Fast |
13. | Spirit Without Discipline |
14. | Battlestations |
15. | Renegades |
16. | Sacrifice |
17. | Tunnels of Syphon |
18. | One Way Trip |
19. | Out of the Night - Make This Fair |
20. | They're Up to Something - We Will Annihilate |
21. | Breaking Free - A Slow and Painful Death |
22. | I'll Stay |
23. | Forward |
24. | End Credits |
Although not released as of August 2014, several reviews have been posted of the previews.
Drew Turney, of moviehole.net, wrote, "The story of ”Star Trek: Renegades” has quite a cool premise... The execution is a little less successful, the script feeling a bit under-written and too full of corny tropes that went out of fashion in the sci-fi of the 80s," adding, "It’s clear the team behind the movie loves the Star Trek name, and diehard fans are likely to be far more forgiving of the flaws than most (when Robert Picardo showed up as the fan favourite holographic Dr. Zimmerman, it prompted cheers in the screening). But it’s very hard to be down on what’s essentially fan fiction made on a shoestring by people who’ve given it their hearts and souls."[26]
In his online video review, Nate "Blunty" Burr said, “It is a bit of a mess. The whole thing. It’s got some production values and cast members that you’d think would be in big-budget impressive stuff who know how to do things, and then huge chunks of it come off as this most horrible, awkward, badly delivered fanfilm... My eyes started to hurt from the amount eye-rolling.” He concluded, “I feel like hardcore Star Trek fans are going to be scared about saying, ‘This is a bit shit.’ I want more Star Trek on my TV, but not so much that I won’t publish a video saying 'this Star Trek Renegades thing is kind of not fantastic.' [But] Worth watching just for the sake of the spectacle.”[27]
((cite news))
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |newspaper=
(help)
((cite news))
: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |newspaper=
(help)
Drama | |
---|---|
Audio drama | |
Parody |