[Space Nomad]

Those of you who have been involved in online fandom for a while probably know that there was once a fan push for a series based upon the U.S.S. Excelsior under the command of Captain Sulu which would have taken place after the TOS movies. I don’t know much about the campaign other than that it happened, and that George Takei expressed disappointment that the series was never considered by Paramount.

So here is my idea: what if George Takei could be convinced to participate in a TU fan movie based on the concept? Yeah, I know that it sounds crazy, buy hey, New Voyages got Walter Koenig and D.C. Fontana to do an episode.

I have no idea whether or not Mr. Takei would even consider it. I think to even get him to think about it, TU would need to do some proof of concept work to prove that it was up to the task. The experience of the New Voyages crew would probably have to play a heavy role. Maybe Jack Marshall could even convince D.C. Fontana to write for it. Also, maybe TU could consider offering to pay Mr. Takei something for reprising his role (I think it might be possible for TU to raise enough).

If the New Voyages crew was unable to play a heavy role, then maybe this would be a good project for TU to consider as a second or third fan film after it has gotten some experience.

Please don’t think I’m insane, I know that it’s probably quite unlikely that this could ever happen… but if did it, it would make quite a statement about the power of fans, wouldn’t it? Maybe George Takei would be interested in it just because of that. Let me know what you think.

[CessnaDriver]

Space Nomad, on May 14 2005, 09:37 PM, said:

Those of you who have been involved in online fandom for a while probably know that there was once a fan push for a series based upon the U.S.S. Excelsior under the command of Captain Sulu which would have taken place after the TOS movies. I don’t know much about the campaign other than that it happened, and that George Takei expressed disappointment that the series was never considered by Paramount.

So here is my idea: what if George Takei could be convinced to participate in a TU fan movie based on the concept? Yeah, I know that it sounds crazy, buy hey, New Voyages got Walter Koenig and D.C. Fontana to do an episode.

I have no idea whether or not Mr. Takei would even consider it. I think to even get him to think about it, TU would need to do some proof of concept work to prove that it was up to the task. The experience of the New Voyages crew would probably have to play a heavy role. Maybe Jack Marshall could even convince D.C. Fontana to write for it.  Also, maybe TU could consider offering to pay Mr. Takei something for reprising his role (I think it might be possible for TU to raise enough).

If the New Voyages crew was unable to play a heavy role, then maybe this would be a good project for TU to consider as a second or third fan film after it has gotten some experience.

Please don’t think I’m insane, I know that it’s probably quite unlikely that this could ever happen… but if did it, it would make quite a statement about the power of fans, wouldn’t it?  Maybe George Takei would be interested in it just because of that.   Let me know what you think.

I would love to see Captain Sulu back in action, if Paramount does not want to do it. I would be happy even with a 30 minute fan made jaunt aboard Excelsior. Dont forget Christian Slater! I bet he would love to do it.

[Star Trek Excalibur]

It is my understanding that Mr Takei is again lobbying Paramount to make a "Captain Sulu" show as the next Trek series
Everyone should rally around that and start writing Paramount (or UPN)
If there is enough "Buzz" about this and Paramount thinks it can make money on Trek again (without The current producers)
Bring back Gene's people to do it. On, They can get Manny Coto as well

Joseph

[Captain_Hair]

Star Trek Excalibur, on May 14 2005, 06:22 PM, said:

It is my understanding that Mr Takei is again lobbying Paramount to make a "Captain Sulu" show as the next Trek series
Everyone should rally around that and start writing Paramount (or UPN)
If there is enough "Buzz" about this and Paramount thinks it can make money on Trek again (without The current producers)
Bring back Gene's people to do it. On, They can get Manny Coto as well

Joseph

Ooh, that sounds pretty neat. Could you point me to where you heard that?

[Star Trek Excalibur]

I did a search for Star Trek Excelsior and added Takei and found the article

[Cougar]

This idea has been around for years, no doubt Paramount has already heard it. I wouldn't be too interested in the series, but I'll watch it no matter what. Hopefully Coto will be in charge

[starbase]

I think it would be great to see George in the "seat" again I think it would make a great movie of the week. I'll give him a call and find out what his interest is.

I think there are some legal issues with paying talent to appear in fan films such as New Voyages since they are not a licensed partner with Viacom. I could be wrong on that so its best to check with Jack.

Rusty

[CessnaDriver]

starbaseindy, on May 15 2005, 06:39 AM, said:

I think it would be great to see George in the "seat" again I think it would make a great movie of the week. I'll give him a call and find out what his interest is.

I think there are some legal issues with paying talent to appear in fan films such as New Voyages since they are not a licensed partner with Viacom. I could be wrong on that so its best to check with Jack.

Rusty

It would have made an awesome mini-series. I really just dont understand Paramount at all. The create this great stuff and then stumble again and again.

[Space Nomad]

starbaseindy, on May 15 2005, 12:39 AM, said:

I think it would be great to see George in the "seat" again I think it would make a great movie of the week. I'll give him a call and find out what his interest is.

I think there are some legal issues with paying talent to appear in fan films such as New Voyages since they are not a licensed partner with Viacom. I could be wrong on that so its best to check with Jack.

Rusty

Wow, you mean you can just dial the guy up and talk to him? Very cool! Do you know him?

When you call, maybe you could assure him that the fan movie would be New Voyages or Star Wars: Revelations quality (I hope we could assure that)…hopefully he wouldn’t find the idea too silly and would consider it like Walter Koenig did.... Maybe we should wait and iron out how much TU interest there is and whether or not we would be able to pay him before you call.

I would be quite overjoyed if this actually happened....Thanks Rusty

[Space Nomad]

Star Trek Excalibur, on May 14 2005, 04:22 PM, said:

It is my understanding that Mr Takei is again lobbying Paramount to make a "Captain Sulu" show as the next Trek series
Everyone should rally around that and start writing Paramount (or UPN)
If there is enough "Buzz" about this and Paramount thinks it can make money on Trek again (without The current producers)
Bring back Gene's people to do it. On, They can get Manny Coto as well

Joseph

If that's true then its good to know he still interested in the concept. Who knows, maybe someday Paramount will listen to him. I'd sure love a mini-series, but I would honestly be quite shocked if paramount gives us anything trek for 10 years.

But one can always hope. In the mean time, I'll be looking forward to fan movies what ever there about. Ever time I see one it just blows me away that fans could pull it off, even when the production values aren't perfect

[Captain59]

Captain Sulu is my favorite Star Trek character and I would LOVE to see either a series or movie about him and the Excelsior. Do we know if he would be interested?

[Captain_Hair]

Captain59, on May 17 2005, 12:23 AM, said:

Captain Sulu is my favorite Star Trek character and I would LOVE to see either a series or movie about him and the Excelsior. Do we know if he would be interested?

He was as of December 2004: http://www.trektoday...081204_01.shtml

[Captain59]

Chase interviewed him yesterday, and this is part of the summary:

Before “Enterprise” premiered, Paramount requested that fans submit ideas for new Star Trek shows, and The Excelsior with Captain Sulu commanding was one of the concepts. Even now, George would love to do the series if ever offered the script.

[Aussie Trekkie]

I wouldn't mind a Excelsior story...but people got to move quickly for this idea to get off the ground

[Qundar]

Hi,

I'd watch it. There are other ideas I'm more interested in, but this'd be good.

[NX01]

Its not a bad idea. As long as it doesn't turn out like that god awful game "Shattered Universe" I'll be happy.

[Shlomi of Vulcan]

I'm a hugh fan of George's. Anything he'd be in I'd watch, especially if it's Sulu based.

[Space Nomad]

Captain59, on May 18 2005, 08:07 AM, said:

Chase interviewed him yesterday, and this is part of the summary:

Before “Enterprise” premiered, Paramount requested that fans submit ideas for new Star Trek shows, and The Excelsior with Captain Sulu commanding was one of the concepts. Even now, George would love to do the series if ever offered the script.

Thanks Captain59. I went and listened to it, it’s quite a good interview. He talked about some of the things he was doing now; the man is still quite active. This photo was up on thefandom.com accompanying the article:


I think he still looks young enough for the role, don’t you? Not a bad picture of Chase either…

Aussie Trekkie, on May 18 2005, 06:41 PM, said:

I wouldn't mind a Excelsior story...but people got to move quickly for this idea to get off the ground

I wish I knew someway to make that happen. I posted this here hoping Tim or maybe Jack Marshall would see it and express interest in the idea. I’m guessing that by now Tim has at least seen the thread, although maybe Jack Marshall hasn’t. I sent him a PM asking him to take a look at it but I don’t know if he ever got it. New Voyages and the leaders of TU are the only people I know of who could get something like this rolling. I probably would have found the idea too farfetched to suggest if both NV and TU hadn’t so recently shown what big things they were capable of.

Like I said, I know it isn't likely for something to come of this, but I just had to post the idea just to see. What kind of TUer would I be if I didn’t at least try it?

[Sevens]

well, I'm not exactly fond of the idea...but I would definitely give it a try.

[blennishia]

This isn't a crazy idea-it would be best to have an existing character as an anchor for any new series. It would be great to go retro and write for the TOS storyline.
Imagine-Captain Sulu,karate,tea and occasional guest stars like..."Kirk?"