The ladies from down under (Chonastock), are back with a new set of gorgeous TOS inspired photos.  These women make their own costumes and go out and find some great locations to shoot their pics at.  I’m always greatly impressed by what they come up and manage to do.  It’s very cool to see a female version of the classic “Kirk-wrap around” style uniform tunic here.  I got the chance to interview them a few years back for the podcast (way back on show #179) and I’m glad to see they are still going strong with their love of costuming, photography, and “Star Trek.”  Make sure to check them out online HERE.

The next “Star Trek” movie has started to fill out the main guest cast more (which is a good thing since production is expected to start soon on this summer, 2013 film).  Pictured above from left to right is:  actor Benedict Cumberbatch who will play the main villain in the film, next in the middle is actor Noel Clarke (known from “Doctor Who”) who will play a ‘family man’ with a wife and daughter, and finally actress Nazneen Contractor (who was on “24”) and will play Clarke’s wife in the film.  No word on the exact story yet or much about the character that Benedict Cumberbatch will be playing in the movie.  But I’m certain more information will be coming out very soon as things start to heat up for this next film in the venerable franchise.  (For the record – I think the villain will be an alien – maybe a Klingon).

Actor Peter Weller has been cast in the next “Star Trek” film, due out now in May, 2013.  The next JJ Abrams film is gearing up and actor Peter (“Robocop”) Weller will be in the movie as possibly some type of corporate executive.  He also appeared in a couple episodes of “Star Trek: Enterprise”, so Weller has some Trek already in his background.  It’s expected a bigger villain is still to be cast yet and we will keep everyone informed as things on the next movie progress as we approach the official production start point of Jan. 15, 2012.  More on this story can be found HERE.

Well, after a very long wait it’s looking like we are finally getting some information on the next “Star Trek” movie.  Not everything I will list below is completely confirmed, but it’s looking like filming will start in mid January, 2012 and the movie will release on May 17, 2013.  That’s about a year later than it was suppose to happen (from the original June 2012 release date), but at least it’s now moving along.  JJ Abrams will be back to direct as will all the cast of the hit 2009 film.  So, now we have a target and the “official” wait is on.  Listed below are some of the details that have come out in the last few days.  Oh, it’s going to be filmed in 3D too!

Next Trek film info:

Filming to start:  Jan. 15, 2012

Release date:  May 17, 2013

Directed by:  JJ Abrams

Filmed in 3D

Locations in:  Hawaii, L.A., etc.

Music by:  Michael Giacchino

Cast:  All confirmed to return

Guest cast:  Possibly Benicio Del Toro

other info and links:

http://trekmovie.com/2011/11/23/star-trek-sequel-to-be-released-may-17-2013-in-3d/

http://trekmovie.com/2011/11/16/exclusive-star-trek-sequel-filming-starts-january-15th-locations-pre-production-update/

Here is just an awesome and cool video featuring various animated Ships the Line from the calendar series that is out each year for Trek.  find more awesomeoness like this over at the Drex Files blog, done by Doug Drexler.  Love this stuff and these calendars are always awesome to get each year.  Oh, you can pick up your very own calendar with some amazing art on it over at Amazon right HERE.  Enjoy the video!

Some preview clips have gone up from the Phase II Trek fan film production guys.  This is based on a short story by Welcommittee founder Shirley S. Maiewski about Kirk having his memory erased by the Klingons and sent back to 1950’s Earth.  It’s a great story and it looks like there are going to be some great moments in this one.  A few of the actors playing certain roles have moved on to other things so we will be getting some new faces this time.  To learn more about this and other productions from the Phase II folks, go to this link:  http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/

Well, it’s official now.  The entire series of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” (all 178 episodes) is getting remastered and put out on Blu-Ray.  This is going to be terrific and unlike any TNG episode we have seen yet.  They are going back to the original 35mm film and redoing each episode.  More details below along with a short trailer.  A 4 episode sampler pack will be out prior to the season sets.  I can’t wait!

The remastering process

• CBS is starting from scratch using the original film negatives, and editing the episodes together precisely as they were when they originally aired between 1987 and 1994.
• Visual effects will not be upconverted from videotape, but instead will be recompositioned from the film elements available.
• The freshly cut film will be transferred to high definition with 7.1 DTS Master Audio.
• Work is being done in conjunction with Denise and Michael Okuda, who are on board as consultants.
• Aspect ratio for Blu-ray release is the original aspect ratio as it aired on televsion – 1.33:1 (4:3) – confirmed by TrekMovie.com and The Digital Bits