Hyperchannel 38: To Be Takei

Star Wars VIII director Rian Johnson reviews J.J. Abrams Star Trek | To Be Takei coming first to DirecTV

Running Time: 11 minutes 59 seconds

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Star Wars VIII director Rian Johnson reviews J.J. Abrams Star Trek

While J.J. Abrams is behind the camera of Star Wars Episode VII, he will not be directing the eighth installment of the franchise. That honor goes to Rian Johnson, who will also be calling the shots on Episode IX. So it's looking like the new Star Wars trilogy might be more of a "Johnson Joint" than an Abrams one. Back in May 2009, Johnson guested on the /Filmcast to review J.J.'s first Star Trek outing. Slashfilm has brought the episode back to the surface now that the two directors will share a franchise, and it's an interesting look back at when Star Trek was first rebooted.

Listen to the podcast.

To Be Takei coming first to DirecTV

George Takei is best known for playing Hikaru Sulu on The Original Series, and in recent years he has become one of the most vocal members of the original cast. A champion for human rights and equality, Takei uses his Star Trek notoriety to make a difference in the world. With more than 7 million Facebook fans, Takei actively connects with us all daily. A new documentary titled To Be Takei will chronicle the life of the actor from his childhood in a World War II internment camp through his work on Star Trek and beyond. The documentary, which opens in theatres August 22, will premiere on DirecTV first and run from July 3 through the 5th to give fans an early peek.

Find out more about the documentary.

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Hyperchannel 37: Stealing Scotty's Jacket

Alternate Krenim temporal weapon ship designs discovered | Scotty's jacket goes under the gavel in Belfast

Running Time: 18 minutes 27 seconds

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Alternate Krenim temporal weapon ship designs discovered

In the Voyager episode "Year of Hell," scientist-gone-mad Annorax possessed one the most dangerous weapons in Star Trek, a temporal weapon ship. This giant vessel with its unique shape and beam that could literally push its target out of the space-time continuum almost did in Janeway and her crew. We all know what this ship looked like in the episodes, but as it turns out it wasn't always quite what we saw. Just after finishing the magazine that accompanies the Official Starships Collection reproduction, Eaglemoss uncovered some lost designs by artist Rick Sternbach.

See Sternbach's designs at StarTrek.com.

Scotty's jacket goes under the gavel in Belfast

In The Search for Spock, Scotty helped Kirk steal the Enterprise. And now some lucky person in Belfast gets to steal Scotty's jacket. Well, not steal it… but get it at a potentially bargain-basement price. More than 1,000 pieces of rare sci-fi memorabilia seized from a criminal couple are going on auction in the Northern Ireland city and include not only six sets of costumes from Star Trek but also items from Star Wars and Doctor Who.

Find out more from the Belfast Telegraph.

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Hyperchannel 36: There. Is. One. Disc!

Paramount confirms 2016 release date for third J.J. Abrams Star Trek | DVD Talk breaks down "Chain of Command" Blu-ray release

Running Time: 18 minutes 44 seconds

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Paramount confirms 2016 release date for third J.J. Abrams Star Trek

It's been generally known for some time now that Paramount was targeting 2016, the 50th anniversary year of the Star Trek franchise, for the release of the third J.J. Abrams film. At the CineEurope conference in Barcelona today, Paramount confirmed that "Star Trek 3," as it is currently being called, is indeed slated for release in 2016. Roberto Orci will direct and also pen the story together with J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay. While the film seems to be moving along at a fairly steady pace, there is still no word on plot details nor casting rumors, although tweets by Orci appear the indicate filming in the spring.

Find out more.

DVD Talk breaks down "Chain of Command" Blu-ray release

When the Star Trek: The Next Generation remastered project reached the first (and greatest) cliffhanger in the series, "The Best of Both Worlds," the producers decided to pay proper tribute to the landmark story with a feature-length standalone release. The trend has continued with "Redemption," "Unification," and now "Chain of Command." The powerful sixth-season episodes in which Picard is captured and tortured by Cardassians, have been merged into one long story complete with special bonus features available on the standalone Blu-ray only. To help you dig into the special release, Randy Miller III of DVD Talk has released a comprehensive breakdown.

Read DVD Talk's review of the "Chain of Command" Blu-ray.

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Hyperchannel 35: The Comic On the Edge of Forever

IDW releases The City On the Edge of Forever, Part 1 | 3D printer head to the International Space Station

Running Time: 15 minutes 3 seconds

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3D printer head to the International Space Station

We've been hearing a lot about 3D printers recently. In fact, we know many people using them. And in August this seeming predecessor to the replicator will be taking to the stars as Made In Space sends the first additive manufacturing technology, or 3D printer, to the International Space Station. The purpose of sending the printer into space is to test the technology’s ability to function in zero-gravity. While aboard the ISS the printer will build 21 demonstration parts—test coupons, parts, and tools. If the printer meets expectations, the technology could potentially be used to produce spare parts on demand, making space travel safer during emergency situations, as well as making the station less dependent on resupply trips.

Find out more and see photos of the printer.

IDW releases The City On the Edge of Forever, Part 1

On April 6, 1967, "The City On the Edge of Forever" aired and became one of the most famous Star Trek episodes of all time. But while this tale of time travel and altered futures is amazing, it isn't quite the story that Harlan Ellison wrote. Now IDW brings us a graphic novel adaptation of Ellison's original script, and the first issue of the four-part miniseries was released today. Readers will notice the changes right off the bat as the unique and fitting art style pulls us into a city on the edge of forever that is quite different from the one we remember.

Get the first issue.

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Hyperchannel 34: Bring Out the Badmiral In You

ANOVOS wants to make you a Badmiral | Star Trek MMO coming to fluidic space near you

Running Time: 14 minutes 31 seconds

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ANOVOS wants to make you a Badmiral

One of the perks of reaching flag rank is the uniform. Anyone who has seen more than a handful of Star Trek episodes has noticed that admirals get to pimp their threads. And it seems that there is something in the shoulder pads, the gold lining, or the belt buckle that turns an otherwise understanding new admiral into a "badmiral." If you want to command the room at your next convention, ANOVOS can help you do it in style with their new painstakingly reproduced Starfleet admiral's tunic.

See the tunics and get more details.

Star Trek MMO coming to fluidic space near you

If you've been itching to take the fight back to Species 8472, NGames will soon give you the chance in a new MMO the company is developing. The story centers around "fluidic space," that mysterious realm first revealed in the Voyager episode "Scorpion" that is home to the mysterious tri-legged Species 8472. With a heavy emphasis on combat, the free-to-play game on Game321.com will give players the ability to create ships and fleets to use in battle as they make their way through this unusual part of the universe.

Find out more about the game.

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