In a humourous chat with MTV News' Josh Horrowitz, Star Trek Into Darkness screenwriter Damon Lindelof has addressed a lot of the complaints that some fans have shared since the movie was finally released in the US last week. As well as addressing any apparent plot holes and the many twists - including the fact that "John Harrison" was indeed Khan - Lindelof even teases the future of the franchise. More spoilers can be found by clicking on the link at the bottom of the page!
Why Did They Decide To Make John Harrison's True Identity, Khan?
"As for our friend Mr. Harrison (I am still uncomfortable even typing his true identity, so conditioned I have become to not do so), yes — there was a fair amount of back and forth as to whether to take on such an iconic character. But it was never really a "Should we or shouldn't we?" as much as it was "We really have to do this but if we don't get it right people are going to kill us." I think that character is so iconic — he has such an intense gravity in the Trek universe, we likely would have expended more energy NOT putting him in this movie than the other way around.
Were They Ever Concerned About The Similarities Between This Movie And Wrath of Khan?
"We were ever wary of the line between "reimagined homage" and "direct ripoff" and erred on the side of the former. As a fun FYI, Bob, Alex and I code-named the script file "PLANT STUDY" as we sent it back and forth. We never considered leaving Kirk dead at the end of this movie. No one would've believed we'd leave him that way and in this spoiler-centric culture, the inter webs would have known we were bringing him back and how long before the release of STAR TREK KIRK IS BACK WE PROMISE."
Why Did Admiral Marcus Load The Genetically Enhanced Soldiers Into The Torpedos?
"He didn't load the torpedoes. Harrison did. This is made clear in the movie when he growls, "There are men and women in all those torpedoes. I put them there." He removed the fuel compartments and replaced them with the cryotubes in attempt to smuggle his crew out of the underground bunker where he was forced to develop them. When his plan was discovered, all he could do was escape, leaving Admiral Marcus with his 72 Trojan Horses. When Kirk suggests going after Harrison on an unofficial vendetta mission, Marcus thinks for a moment (you can actually SEE this happen in the movie) and then realizes he can kill two birds with one stone by having Kirk fire the torpedoes at the Klingons, getting rid of the evidence and starting a war in the process."
Did They Really Consider Star Trek: Vengeance As The Title:
"we considered Star Trek Vengeance as a title. But a wise man once said, "Ghost Rider Did It." And that wise man was J.J.. We debated multiple titles... there are seriously email chains between J.J., Alex, Bob, Bryan and myself that offer up no less than HUNDREDS of ideas. Many of them did not include the words "Star Trek." My personal favorite was "Space Fun!" (yes, the exclamation point was included)"
Was It Really Necessary To Bring Back Leonard Nimoy As Spock?
"We continue to feel blessed that we get to carry the Trek torch and the best way of expressing that in story is to acknowledge the parallel world we are deviating from — a world whose sole ambassador just happens to be Mr. Spock. It would have been hubris for us to represent to the uninitiated that Khan was our idea and there was no one better to pop in briefly and say — "Hey, these guys are just doing their own spin on a bad guy that was around a long time before they came along." The minute we stop honoring, acknowledging and representing the original Trek, we are bound to lose sight of the enormous gift we have been given in sustaining it."
Why Did Carol Marcus Have A British Accent When Her Father Has An American One?
"Well, she explains that at length. But we cut it out because the story wanted to explain the torpedoes... not the fact that Marcus was stationed in London when Carol was a little girl. We did shoot this and I'm sure it will be available on the BluRay for all interested in the under-discussed area of British accents and why they are awesome because British people are cooler than we are."
What's Next For The Franchise?
"Well... the honest truth is, yes — seeds — indeed SPACE seeds — have been sown for what comes next. But after spending four years of not telling who our bad guy was this time around, we're certainly not in a position to say anything about the plot of the next movie, should we be lucky enough to do another. So BOO-YA, bone withheld!!!"
When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.
STARRING:
Chris Pine as Captain James T. Kirk
Zachary Quinto as Spock
Benedict Cumberbatch as John Harrison
Alice Eve as Dr. Carol Marcus
Karl Urban as Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy
Zoe Saldana as Nyota Uhura
Anton Yelchin as Pavel Chekov
John Cho as Hikaru Sulu
Simon Pegg as Montgomery "Scotty" Scott
Bruce Greenwood as Admiral Christopher Pike
RELEASE DATE: Out Now!
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