Axanar situation update.... including an animated parody

[Jeff T]

Many of you know the circumstance regarding CBS and Paramount suing Axanar Productions in an attempt to curtail their full length online movie that was supposed to begin production this past January. They created and released a teaser entitled "Prelude to Axanar" last summer (2015) that was outstanding.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W1_8IV8uhA

A quick summary....

"Axanar" is  the story of a vibrant and healthy Garth of Izar and the Battle of Axanar, one of the pivotal events in the history of the Federation. You may recall Garth being featured in the 3rd season TOS episode "Whom Gods Destroy" being held within an asylum due to his mental issues.

In the TOS episode, Kirk discusses how Garth was once a hero to him. His accomplishments were required reading at Starfleet  Academy. This movie is about the battle between the Klingons and a young federation that was a turning point in Starfleet lore in which Garth was at the crux of these events.

Anyway... as this lawsuit had actually reached a court hearing, an animated spoof was created in the style of  "Prelude to Axanar" addressing the absurdity of this move by CBS and Paramount Pictures: "Stalled Trek: Prelude to Ax'd-We-Are" 

Here it is: (It will make more sense if you've watched "Prelude to Axanar" first)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cnHe0oIJIs

Since then, with a huge backlash from fans, and such... Abrams announced that it appears that this lawsuit may ultimately be dismissed.
http://www.axanarproductions.com/jj-abr ... p-lawsuit/

So... we'll have to see how this all pans out and what impact this may have on other fan-based series and movies still in production. There are updates about this being added to the Axanar website for those interested.

http://www.axanarproductions.com/

[BLZBUB]

 I like the no-nonsense Captain Salty Axelgrinder, of the USS #%#!

[Jeff T]

This was just released today: CBS and Paramount are now officially now putting the screws to all Star Trek related projects including Star Trek Continues, New Voyages, Axanar, etc...
These "guidelines" are equivalent to a stake through the heart of all of these amazing projects.  

Here is a summation:
http://www.geek.com/news/cbs-and-paramount-release-official-star-trek-fan-film-guidelines-1659271/

[Jureth]

It's a shame that CBS/Paramount aren't being more open. Just because it is within their right to be jerks (and I'm being nice) doesn't mean they have to be. Surely some where within what I'm sure is very branching corporate tree there is someone with the intelligence to figure out a way to work with these folks instead of killing them entirely, CBS are simply choosing not to. 

[BLZBUB]

CBS/Paramount and Axanar/ Peters have settled out-of-court.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/cbs-paramount-settle-lawsuit-star-trek-fan-film-966433

According to a joint statement, "Paramount Pictures Corporation, CBS Studios Inc., Axanar Productions, Inc. and Alec Peters are pleased to announce that the litigation regarding Axanar’s film Prelude to Axanar and its proposed film Axanar has been resolved. Axanar and Mr. Peters acknowledge that both films were not approved by Paramount or CBS, and that both works crossed boundaries acceptable to CBS and Paramount relating to copyright law."

 While this no doubt leads to a technical win for CBS/Paramount, I think they also realize a win in court would have gained them nothing from Peters, as he would likely go into bankruptcy and they would have gotten no monies.

 Also, as mentioned, the upcoming Star Trek TV re-boot didn't want the publicity. It seems Axanar will see some changes before release as well ...

"Axanar and Mr. Peters have agreed to make substantial changes to Axanar to resolve this litigation, and have also assured the copyright holders that any future Star Trek fan films produced by Axanar or Mr. Peters will be in accordance with the 'Guidelines for Fan Films' distributed by CBS and Paramount in June 2016," ...

 Personally, I really want to see Axanar, as I enjoyed 'Prelude to Axanar' very much, but these changes to fit CBS/paramounts "Guidelines for Fan Films", may trash the film completely.

[Kheren]

Well for one thing, if they do follow the guidelines for this one (which is not necessarily how it was settled if we read the statement as is) it will be 30 minutes tops and cannot be built with sequels or in a story arc of several short films. So it will not be a film nor even a TV episode but a featurette.

This and all the news about the upcoming series really convince me that Discovery was planning to use the Axanar incident from the start and got their legs cut under them when they learned that Axanar was being independently  planned... and so much better than what they themselves were planning on doing. The shame at Paramount/CBS must have been traumatic, judging by their reaction.

Let's hope we get something good out of this... which so far I am not that hopeful, especially knowing Kurtzman is still attached to Discovery.

[Jeff T]

Still a frustrating situation... Why can't they (CBS/Paramount) make a deal where they license Axanar and make their own profit from a full length feature that this team had intended on creating? A win-win for all. Otherwise, the stipulations are so restrictive that nothing worthwhile can ever be created or built on...
They are blinded by their own ignorance and/or greed... and we fans lose out as a result.

[BLZBUB]

 Production is wrapping up and Axanar should have its first release this coming summer ... fingers crossed.

https://youtu.be/mxcYz_G0ERo

[Jeff T]

Yeah, I watched the promo for it last week. Personally, I felt there was too much emphasis on self-promotion; especially compared to Prelude to Axanar. 

With Richard Hatch gone, a main partner/writer/creator pushed out and the time limit restrictions put in place, I don't feel as optimistic as I did all those years ago.

However, anything other than "Discovery" and their ilk would be a welcome distraction and replacement until the Star Trek franchise itself is placed into more competent and caring hands.

[Kheren]

Still a frustrating situation... Why can't they (CBS/Paramount) make a deal where they license Axanar and make their own profit from a full length feature that this team had intended on creating? A win-win for all. Otherwise, the stipulations are so restrictive that nothing worthwhile can ever be created or built on...
They are blinded by their own ignorance and/or greed... and we fans lose out as a result.

The problem is Kurtzman. Because of the asinine 5 year contract of total Trek control Les Moonves gave him to effectively kill classic Trek, CBS hands are tied.

At least until 2023.

No way Kurtzman will EVER allow real Trek creators like Peters, Mignona or Berman or even professional fans like McFarlane and Meyer-Burnett anywhere near Star Trek. Rob him of his political propaganda platform and show how inept he is? No way!

Remember, this is the guy who killed the Sony Spider-Man franchise with one movie, killed the Universal Monsterverse with one movie, killed the Transformers franchise and started destroying Star Trek in 2009 screenwriting the asinine Abrams movies. 

It is even rumored that, if you apply for a job on his shows and state that you are a Star Trek fan, you are immediately rejected. But frankly, what Trek fan would ever want to be part of this fiasco?

Axanar is fully in post production now. It will come. We will only have a fraction of what could have been; but I am convinced it will still torpedo Kurtzmantrek like a tricobalt device.