“Star Trek Into Darkness” Writer and Star Defend Film and Bash Upset Fans

After fans at the largest Star Trek convention named “Star Trek Into Darkness” the worst film in the franchise, star Simon Pegg and writer Roberto Orci have spoken out not only defending the film, but also chastising fans who didn’t like it.  In response to an article that called the JJ Abrams view of Star Trek “broken”, Orci said,

I think the article above is akin to a child acting out against his parents. 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. As I love to say, there is a reason why I get to write the movies, and you don’t.”

“STID has infinitely more social commentary than Raiders in every Universe, and I say that with Harrison Ford being a friend. You lose credibility big time when you don’t honestly engage with the [#@&!]-ING 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: [#@&!] OFF!”

After Orci’s less than civil response, he has tweeted several apologies, including,

not my finest moment. agreed.  what can I say?  i'm more than half human.

Simon Pegg on the other hand has actually told fans what they can do with themselves, and done so unapologetically.  While promoting his recent film, “The World’s End”, Pegg summed up the entire fan outcry to nothing more than fans upset that the Abrams films are successful and more mainstream than ever,

I think it’s like when you tire of an indie band that you love because, suddenly, they get a number one single. You don’t necessarily start disliking their music, but you stop liking them because you’re pissed off that they’re famous, or whatever. “Star Trek Into Darkness” is the most successful “Star Trek” movie ever made. It is, in terms of what it took at the box office and how many people went to see it. More people saw that film than any iteration of “Star Trek” that existed before. That is probably slightly annoying to some “Star Trek” fans — which I totally understand.

And you know what … it absolutely isn’t the worst “Star Trek” movie. It’s asinine, you know? It’s ridiculous. And frustrating, as well, because a lot of hard work and love went into that movie, and all J.J. wanted to do was make a film that people really enjoyed. So, to be subject to that level of sort of, like, crass [#@&!]-ing ire, I just say [#@&!] you.

Many have been quick to point out that Pegg is being EXTREMELY hypocritical here after his very vocal distaste for the Star Wars prequels, saying later in the interview,

The prequels I didn't like at all, because they felt contrary to everything that made the first films great.

Pegg’s view on the Star Wars prequels, funny enough, is a common complaint fans have had against the JJ Abrams Star Trek films.  Interesting how much a paycheck can change someone’s outlook.

Is “Star Trek Into Darkness” the worst Star Trek film?  Not at all, but that doesn’t mean it is good either.  I’ve already expressed my opinion for it and won’t go too far into that right now, but I take issue with the idea that fans who don’t like the new films are being petty children or are just upset because it wasn’t made for them anymore.  To go off Pegg’s analogy, this isn’t like an indie band that is suddenly famous.  This is more like fans being upset that KISS went Disco for their album “Dynasty”, going in an almost completely different direction just to appeal to the audiences of the day.

If you feel strongly about your movie, go ahead and defend it.  But if the fans have issues with it, address it, don’t just tell them, “It’s your problem.”  After all, those fans are the reason you were able to make this movie in the first place.