Online Star Trek mini-series completed

Filmed in two weeks on a tight budget in 2006, the third and final segment of  Star Trek: Of Gods and Men slid under most non-Trekkie radars to make its online debut this month. Although the special effects are a little bit PC game circa 2000, some fans have found this independently-made Starship Enterprise adventure most enduring. At the very least, it's a free spectacle to tie them over until the studio-backed J. J. Abrams blockbuster next year.

 

Directed by Tim Russ, who, in the film, reprises his role of Vulcan Lieutenant Commander Tuvok, and written by Sky Douglas Conway, who gets to play an Enterprise security officer, the mini-series, despite its frugal conception, stars a host of returning cast members. From the original series, Nichelle Nichols is back as Uhura, Walter Koenig as Cheko and Grace Lee Whitney as Janice Read. Meanwhile, Alan Ruck, who despite many years of consistent mild success is still best known as Ferris Bueller’s pushover friend Cameron, returns to expand the character of commanding officer John Harriman from Star Trek Generations.

 
According to the New York Daily News, Russ is attempting to schedule a screening for Paramount. Because the producers are prohibited from making a profit, the whole thing is viewable at no cost. So why was it made?

NYDN:

"Trek actors have a special relationship with their fans," said Jack Trevino, one of the writers of Of Gods and Men. "Because of this, I believe they regarded the project, not only as the ultimate thank you to Gene Roddenberry and the original stars of Trek, but as a thank you to them, as [the fans] are the ones who supported the series over the last 40 years." 

Meanwhile, Wired reports that CBS/Paramount is already beginning a merchandising surge to promote Abrams’ film, and aims to create product tie-ins (there is an actual mention of Trek Barbies) that will make Star Trek appeal to a wider audience, hoping they will boldly go to theaters where few people went in 2002 for Star Trek Nemesis.

Related links:
StarTrekOfGodsAndMen.com
StarTrek.com
StarTrekMovie.com

Got news tips for Paste? E-mail news@pasteamagazine.com.