Orci Reacts To Article And Online Comments
3 min read
Some comments from fans on TrekMovie regarding Star Trek into Darkness got to Roberto Orci, and he lashed out at the article and one commenter in particular.
The comments came after an article written by Joseph Dickerson, in which he claimed that Star Trek was broken. Dickerson offered suggestions on how to fix it.
As might be expected, there were plenty of comments pro and con after the article, and Orci, a regular commenter at the site, chimed in. “I think the article above is akin to a child acting out against his parents,” he said. “Makes it tough for some to listen, but since I am a loving parent, I read these comments without anger or resentment, no matter how misguided.
“Having said that, two biggest Star Treks in a row with best reviews is hardly a description of ‘broken.’ And frankly, your tone and attitude make it hard for me to listen to what might otherwise be decent notions to pursue in the future. Sorry, Joseph. As I love to say, there is a reason why I get to write the movies, and you don’t.”
One poster took exception with Orci’s comments, and said “If you are the real Bob, I say this, you guys didn’t listen to the fans before & will always do what the studio want; which is a movie that has more action & less thinking.”
A moderator at the site confirmed it was indeed Orci, who replied to the poster, saying “… I wish you knew what you were talking about. I listened more than any other person behind the Trek franchise has EVER listened. And guess what? Glad I did because it lead to 2 biggest Treks ever.
“You think action and thinking are mutually exclusive. Ok, then. Pitch me Into Darkness. Pitch me the plot, and let’s compare it to other pitches. Go ahead. Let’s see if you actually understood the movie. Tell me what happened?”
Orci then provided a list of items in the movie that happened as a result of listening to the fans:
- Kirk promoted too fast incorporated as part of the text of Universe.
- Remade Engineering
- Made Scotty more than comic relief
- Got Uhura more into the action
- Touched upon Prime Directive.
- Saw more of the ship
- Brought Pike back
A comment (evidently now deleted) by another poster set the writer off though. “STID has infinitely more social commentary than Raiders (of the Lost Ark) in every Universe, and I say that with Harrison Ford being a friend,” said Orci. “You lose credibility big time when you don’t honestly engage with the FUCKING WRITER OF THE MOVIE ASKING YOU AN HONEST QUESTION. You prove the cliche of shitty fans. And rude in the process. So, as Simon Pegg would say: FUCK OFF!”
Later, calmed down, Orci explained that occasionally he gets angry online and that he values Trek fans. “Don’t take me too seriously,” he said. If you’ve been on this board for the last five years (as I have been) you know that twice a year I explode at the morons. Today there seemed to be a congregation, so it seemed like a good time.
“You are the most listened to fans ever. That doesn’t mean you will get is to do what you want. Just means what I said: I listened. Then we decided, having heard as many opinions as possible. To paraphrase of one of my great and beloved heroes, George W. Bush, ‘We’re the deciders…'”
“You know I love you all,” he reassured another poster. “Every once in a while, even Spock loses his cool ;)”
About The Author
You know what, I’ll be honest, I’m not always the biggest fan of Gene Roddenberry. He cheated on his wives (and boasted about it), and going into the TOS films, I feel he was kind of losing his creative touch. However, when I think about the 1966-2005 run, I give the credit to this amazing franchise to many more people than just Gene. I think of people like Gene L. Coon, D.C. Fontana, Matt Jefferies, Rick Berman, Michael Piller, Jeri Taylor, Brannon Braga, and Many Coto to name but a few.
The Star Trek I’m a fan of in truth was a collaborative effort, built up over time by many creative people. I just feel that JJ and crew came in, took an IP these others had built up over decades, and trashed it up!
Can I just say how much I just became an even bigger fan of Doug Drexler? 😀
Yeah, all those complicated nerd-plots and not enough base-jumping and nudity, get real grampa!
Just a year ago I never thought I’d say this, but Berman and Braga have a better understanding and greater respect for Trek than JJ and the knuckleheads.
It was called “magic blood” in the film!