Star Trek Sequel Worthy Already

The Enterprise is going to get a second spin through space.

Variety reports that Paramount is so excited about the potential of its new “Star Trek” film that it already has a sequel in motion. Director JJ Abrams is ready to produce again with Bryan Burk; no word, though, on whether Abrams will direct again. Screenwriting team Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, and Damon Lindelof are in place to write the screenplay. Everyone is hoping for a May 2011 release.

Orci and Kurtzman worked together on this year’s film; Lindelof is the new guy. Kurtzman says the writers are willing to listen to the fans. Mr. Kurtzman, please explain:

“Obviously we discussed ideas, but we are waiting to see how audiences respond next month. With a franchise rebirth, the first movie has to be about origin. But with a second, you have the opportunity to explore incredibly exciting things. We’ll be ambitious about what we’ll do.”

The movie opens on May 8th and has generated a lot of buzz. My parents are beyond excited. None of their friends want to go with them, though. Yes, my parents are the geeks of the retirement community.

Going ahead with a sequel when the first movie hasn’t been released may seem like a big risk, but probably not so much in this case. With “Star Trek,” you know you have a built in, fairly big group of fans that will come out no matter what. Now the ideal is to bring in people beyond the core fans, but it’s nice to have that safety cushion that will always keep the movie from being a total bust.