Pocket Books has indefinitely postpone the release of four planned new Star Trek universe tie-in novels, all of which had storylines that take place just after the events of JJ Abrams’ Star Trek film, so as to not interfere with the film’s sequel plans.
After the huge success of Abrams’ Star Trek movie, which was released in theaters May 2009, Pocket Books had announced their plans to release the four new Trek tie-in novels in Summer 2010. Just last week, TrekMovie posted the summaries and preliminary covers for the planned books.
The novels were written by some big name scifi/Trek authors — Alan Dean Foster, Christopher L. Bennett, David Mack, and Greg Cox — which makes this postponement news even more disappointing for Trek fans [i.e., me].
Here’s the statement on the postponement that Pocket Books gave to TrekMovie:
With last summer’s blockbuster STAR TREK movie, JJ Abrams created a new vibrant, layered version of the Star Trek universe. After careful consideration, we decided to hold off on telling new stories while JJ and his team continue to develop his vision.
Here’s a list of titles that have been put on hold, which hopefully, will be released in the not-so-distant future.
On Hold Titles
Star Trek: Refugees
by Alan Dean Foster
(original on-sale date: May 25, 2010; now on hold)
In this new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of the Star Trek movie tie-in, Captain Kirk and the crew of the Enterprise must decide if a group of refugees are actually a menace—or just misunderstood.
Star Trek: Seek a Newer World
by Christopher L. Bennett
(original on-sale date: June 29, 2010; now on hold)
When the Enterprise is outnumbered and under attack, the crew manages to escape and discovers an entire hidden civilization in this exciting new original Star Trek novel.
Star Trek: More Beautiful Than Death
by David Mack
(original on-sale date: July 27, 2010; now on hold)
An all-new adventure featuring the new Enterprise crew on a mission to broker a Federation trade agreement, from critically acclaimed Star Trek author David Mack.
Star Trek: The Hazards of Concealing
by Greg Cox
(original on-sale date: June 29, 2010; now on hold)
An all-new adventure featuring the new Enterprise crew—from New York Times bestselling author Greg Cox.
Hmm, usually I’d ignore these as I’m not a super-trek fan, but since it was a revamp, it might be fun to check these out whenever they release.
Good. I knew it was way too soon to develop literary sequels to a movie that will almost undoubtedly go in a whole different direction when its released and thus create massive inconsistencies with these novels right out of the gate. From a literary standpoint, in fact, I’d much rather see the “J.J.-verse” disregarded entirely. The movie was great fun, sure, but I’m a lot less interested in following TWO original Trek timelines at once than other people might think they are. J.J. has re-envisioned Trek for modern cinematic audiences, and that’s fine because he’s remained true to the mythology of the original series, but in the end the only big difference will be the destruction of Vulcan. I’m fine with a few more movies being made from this premise, but I don’t want two entire series of original Trek novels, one taking place in the original timeline and one in the altered timeline. That just seems tedious and pointless.
I am not a big fan of “Star Trek” but I did watch the remake film they did and I have to say it was better than expected and if they do get round to making more and releasing it on DVD ill probably give it a watch.