Former 'Star Trek' stars reunite for independent film 'Of Gods and Men'
By MICHAEL SHERIDAN
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Saturday, June 21st 2008, 4:00 AM
Walter Koenig
Alan Ruck
Tim Russ
So, have you seen the latest "Star Trek" movie?
No, I'm not talking about the J.J. Abrams big-budget feature film due in theaters in 2009, I'm talking about that other "Star Trek" film.
Wait, you haven't heard about it? Well, that's not surprising, not too many people have.
"Star Trek: Of Gods and Men," a unique feature-length production sporting an impressive cast of former Star Trek luminaries and regulars, is available online - for free.
"I thought a film that celebrated the 40th Anniversary of Star Trek would be ... fun," said Douglas Conway (whom everyone calls Sky), a writer and executive producer of "Star Trek: Of Gods and Men."
The film, shot on a paper-thin budget in less than two weeks back in 2006, was produced largely in upstate New York. Some scenes were filmed in Los Angeles, and the array of special effects were created in several locations, including Australia. The producers hoped to have it released in early 2007, but delay after delay postponed its debut.
"Star Trek: Of Gods and Men" was eventually broken up into three acts. The first premiered online in December 2007. The third and final act was made available on the Internet last weekend.
Headlining the cast are Walter Koenig and Nichelle Nichols, famous for their taboo-breaking roles as Ensign Chekov and Lieutenant Uhura, respectively, in the original "Star Trek" series.
"I did not have that strong a need to revisit the character," Koenig told the Daily News about his initial reaction when approached about the project. But when he understood where they were going with the story and the character, he was happy to sign on.
"These folks were really very dedicated," Koenig said, praising the cast and crew. "I'm pleased we were able to do something for a very small amount of money that had some really good dynamics."
Koenig had last appeared on the big screen as Chekov in 1994's "Star Trek: Generations." However, he did make an appearance in a fan film last year that allowed him the opportunity to say goodbye to the character.
But his role in "Of Gods and Men" was a departure from the Chekov we've known before. In this case, we're offered a more twisted, vengence-filled character.
"In the back of my head, there was Chekov, but then I was able to move away from that," Koenig explained.
The story features Chekov and Uhura as the pair are thrust into an adventure in a parallel universe where Captain James T. Kirk never existed, and the galaxy is in turmoil. The two are joined by Captain John Harriman, who commanded the Enterprise-B in "Generations." Alan Ruck, of "Spin City" and "Ferris Beuller's Day Off" fame, reprises the role he played in that film.
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