Digital Production Solutions has acquired the rights to create two animated movies based upon Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry's work.

"This is exciting," said Howard Jonas, chairman of DPS parent-company IDT. "Acquiring two stories by Gene Roddenberry is like finding long lost unpublished manuscripts of Shakespeare or Hemingway in an old trunk in the attic. Now a new generation of fans will be able to experience what no generation has before: Gene Roddenberry's visions on the big screen in 3-D."

The two movies, Gene Roddenberry's Starpoint Academy and Gene Roddenberry's Char, are concepts that were created by the Star Trek legend before his death. In the same way that TV projects Earth: Final Conflict and Andromeda came about after he had passed away, they are based upon work materials he created and are being executive produced by widow Majel Roddenberry.

"Gene and I had often discussed the wonderful possibilities available in storytelling for these younger audiences," said Majel Roddenberry. "These projects will bring alive his positive vision of science, exploration and adventure to a new generation."

Starpoint Academy takes place on an artificial planet called Starpoint Pharos, which houses "emissaries of peace" from every galaxy. Here they debate and resolve problems in what is described as an "cosmic United Nations". The story also focuses on teenagers who are recruited and trained to be part of a force of Rangers who guard peace in the universe. Meanwhile, Char is the story of a girl who is raised as a normal 24th century Earth girl, not knowing that she is really an Intergalactic princess who was robbed of her birthright.

"We're very excited to be working on projects from the mind of such a legendary sci-fi master," said IDT's Morris Berger. "We want all of Gene's fans to know that the result will be well worth waiting for."

More information can be found in the original press release.

Discuss this news item at Trek BBS!
 Add TrekToday RSS feed to your news reader or My Yahoo!
Also a CSI: Crime Scene Investigation fan? Then visit CSIFiles.com!