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Star Trek: Prelude to Axanar

Star Trek: Axanar is a ground breaking independent film that proves the idea that a studio doesn’t need to spend millions of dollars to produce a feature quality production. Axanar will be the first non-CBS/Paramount produced Star Trek to look and feel like a true Star Trek movie.

By Connor Sat 12 Apr, 2014 7:09 PM - Last Updated: Mon 04 Apr, 2016 12:17 AM
Star Trek: Axanar is a ground breaking independent film that proves the idea that a studio doesn’t need to spend millions of dollars to produce a feature quality production. Axanar will be the first non-CBS/Paramount produced Star Trek to look and feel like a true Star Trek movie.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

Following the more recent releases of J.J. Abrams' reboot of the ever popular Sci-Fi franchise, Star Trek seems to have received a new lease of life and influx of attention and popularity. Independent films and fan campaigns are scarcely anything worth getting our hopes up over, though with the announcement of Star Trek: Renegades, one can't help but believe there's some hope after all. The more recent announcement of Star Trek: Prelude to Axanar, a prequel to Star Trek: Axanar, first announced in December of 2012, serves only to instill a little more confidence that high quality independent Star Trek movies can be made.

Star Trek: Axanar takes place 21 years prior to the events events of “Where no Man Has Gone Before”. The story follows Garth of Izar, a legendary Starfleet Captain who serves as Captain James T. Kirk's hero and as the role model for a generation of upcoming Starfleet Officer's. Garth charted more planets than any other Captain and was the hero of the Battle of Axanar and his exploits are required reading at Starfleet Academy. This is the story of Garth and his crew during the Four Years War, the war with the Klingon Empire that almost tore the Federation apart, and whose resolution solidified the Federation and allowed it to become the entity we know in Kirk's time.

What's perhaps more impressive than basing a short-film and a feature-length movie around this particular battle and the events leading up to it is the star-studded cast involved in the success of this project. Axanar features familiar faces in Sci-Fi such as Richard Hatch (Battlestar Galactica), Michael Hogan (Battlestar Galactica), JG Hertzler (DS9), Gary Graham (Enterprise) -- and that's only the prelude! The feature length movie will see other familiar faces from Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek joining the cast such as the more ecently announced Tony Todd, who played the role of Worf's older brother "Kurn", and Kate Vernon, best known by Sci-Fi fans for her roll as Battlestar Galactica's Ellen Tigh.

Since first releasing a kickstarter to fund "Prelude to Axanar", the fan interest and support shown towards the project has been overwhelming. From an original goal of $10,000, the fans went above and beyond in showing their support and by the time the kickstarter had ended on March 31st over $100,000 has been pledged with truly wonderful perks offered. The prequel looks to be released in the Winter of 2014 with a kickstarter and filming for the feature-length movie coming straight after.

Venturing into a concept that has not been fully covered in Star Trek lore is a risky endeavor, though with the budget achieved, the stunning concept art and visuals released, the overall well-rounded cast, fan support and overall stellar approach, you can only really assume that these films -- both "Prelude to Axanar" and "Star Trek: Axanar" -- are going to be a fairly large success in their own right.



What are your opinions on fan movies such as Star Trek: Renegades and Axanar? Do you think they're a step in the right direction in helping the franchise grow even further?

Find out more about Star Trek: Axanar:
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4 Comments
Sun 13 Apr, 2014 5:52 PM
I am a proud backer of this idea. From what I've read and the work being put into simply going to make it a wonderful film. Already, they can lay the ground work to form a studio for the Axanar film with what's been raised with the prequel.

I couldn't agree more with Connor that million's dont need to be spent and Star Trek fans are a dedicated bunch who will make their own films and bring us the Trek we want!. Another upcoming Kickstarter project I am keen on is Star Trek Horizon.

Thank you for your article Connor, it was truly a nice read!
Sun 13 Apr, 2014 6:07 PM
I personally love the idea of independent films, especially from people who are experienced in the industry, and have genuine interest in Star Trek.

I think that to keep Star Trek going, we need more films like this, show Paramount and CBS that we need for Trek!

I am so looking forward to this, and with the line of actors in the film, it should be fanatasitc. I am proud to call myself a backer Cool
Sun 13 Apr, 2014 6:53 PM
Will be backing this myself also, thank you for the article Smile
Mon 14 Apr, 2014 8:56 AM
I am also proud to have backed this project. Everyone involved on there Facebook page is very friendly and open minded. This was also the first Kickstarter Project I backed and I can't wait to see the Prelude short.