That made under 100 million, Paramount seems to be hoping for like over 150 million if not 200 million for this one. They have HIIIGH expectations and are letting Abrams spend a lot on this film.
First Contact did
over $100 million worldwide, had a modest budget and was the second highest grossing Trek film ever. Adjusting for inflation, as it came out over 10 years ago, it would've met Paramount's "new" expectations. The proof is there - it's not that the series needs to shake off its geek stigma, it just needs to make
good movies.
Also, this Kirk as Bond crap that's spewing out of J.J. Abrams mouth is distinguished mentally-challenged. First off, the comparison isn't even relevant for a LOT of reasons, the most important of which is the source material. Also, Star Trek is way more of an ensemble
enterprise (hah!) than Bond films are.
Shatner
is Kirk. It's not a matter of someone embodying a character so well, as he
was the character. Same with Nimoy. And those guys are still alive. People who bought tickets to their films are still alive and kickin'. Kids know Shatner is Kirk. So now matter what, Damon and Brody will be living in Shatner and Nimoy's shadow and it's a large one.
I also don't trust J.J. Abrams as a filmmaker, because he has not proven himself.
I really think this is going to be a trainwreck and I'm boggled to why someone would anticipate something like this. They should've gone a different direction.
