[Screenwriter Roberto] Orci emphasized that the game’s plot would not be “fan fiction,” and likened its place in Star Trek universe to that of the Star Trek: Countdown comics that were released as a prequel to the 2009 movie: “not just a side effect, but a part of the universe.”
Though Orci wouldn’t give away specifics about the game’s plot, he did reveal that Kirk and Spock’s relationship would be at “that middle step” between their initial meeting in the 2009 film, and the legendary friendship that we all know is coming. The two will be teaming up to fight a villains who “might be the people who end up in the movie,” and who are “very much in canon.”
At first I thought I would be alone on the disappointment at Orci’s input regarding the game connecting to the sequel. I found out I wasn’t alone. You see, people DO remember being confused on the plot holes of the Matrix sequels and a missing Nightcrawler on the third X-Men film. As some of us know, these plotholes were adressed as ‘canon’ videogames that the studios or even the filmmakers think everyone is going to play. I don’t have a problem with games in general; I do have a problem with this format. Wouldn’t it be an equally good idea to have Kirk, Spock and the rest of the Enterprise face off against a threat in the game and, then in the film, have them face a new one without mentioning events in the game? Is that too much to ask?
Orci’s thinking is wrong – and it creates a slippery slope. But it’s not like they didn’t do this stunt before. Remember that one huge plot hole from the previous film involving Nero? Well, that gaffe was covered in the “canon” comic book ‘Nero : The Lost Years”. “Well, you are missing out! You have to read the comic to understand what happened with the villian and his crew for those twenty years downtime! And how he gets his ship back!” For die-hard fans who care, they might hunt down the comic book tie-in or videogame.
But for a filmgoing audience, it’s another ballgame. It tells me the film you plan is incomplete and you’re covering your ass by putting the information critical to the story in a videogame which not everyone on the planet will play and/or a comic book which not everyone will read. When it comes to the film, let the film be the film.
Chime in Int’l friends.
