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Posted: 10:23:53 on August 14 2002
By: Steve Krutzler
Dept: People

The son of STAR TREK creator Gene Roddenberry, Eugene W. Roddenberry, speaks with SyFy Portal today about a new project meant to show the positive side of TREK fandom, the antithesis of the 1997 "mockumentary" TREKKIES.

"When I saw 'Trekkies,' I was proud of the fans, but I knew how the general public took it," the 28-year-old Roddenberry heir told Michael Hinman. Roddenberry says he has hatched plans to produce a more positive feature documentary at fandom.

"I did an insert for TNN (for its broadcast of 'Star Trek: The Next Generation' episodes), and there I met the producer, Scott Colthorp, and he told me about an idea that he had that I had thought of many times but never did it. He wanted to do a bio on Gene Roddenberry, and after we talked, it became something where we wanted a view of the Star Trek phenomenon with the fans, the positive influence that it had on them."

Tentatively titled TREK NATION, the documentary is currently being produced by Atmosphere Pictures, but Roddenberry says its lack of stereotypical negativity about fandom might disuade potential investors.

"I think the problem for us is going to be selling the idea," he admits. "We want a theatrical release, something to make enough money to pay for itself, and not everyone is going to want to see a warm, fuzzy story about how Star Trek changed people's lives for the better."

One approach is to try to get famous individuals, like Microsoft founder Bill Gates, to testify about their experiences with the sci-fi franchise.

"We've approached many of (the Star Trek stars), a lot of them, but some of them have been burned by 'Trekkies.' I was hoping that the Roddenberry name being involved would make that different, but just because I'm Gene's son doesn't mean I'm not going to make a mockery out of them."

Roddenberry also says that his father's legacy is one of the most sought-after in Hollywood, with any project edging to get the famous moniker attached. He says Tribune Entertainment, the production company behind EARTH: FINAL CONFLICT and ANDROMEDA, may be one of them.

"They began to give me a raw deal, and I disagreed with the way they would treat Majel," Roddenberry said of Tribune. "I have no interest in being involved with them. I think they do good television for what they do. The actors are excellent, but they don't have much to work with. (For EFC), we had one of the most talented cast and crews in Toronto and Hollywood, but it was truly squandered."

To read more of the interview, in which he also discusses maintaining the integrity of the Roddenberry name the newly-relaunched Roddenberry.com, check out this page.

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