“I cannot wait for fans of Star Trek to check out the home entertainment release of the film. The behind-the-scenes features on the DVD — and especially the Blu-ray — give a wonderful look at the crazy hard work and incredible fun that went into making this movie,” said J.J. Abrams. “The cast and crew were truly extraordinary to work with — watching these special features, you’ll see why. And for people who didn’t catch Star Trek in the theater, I hope they do now, as Paramount has done an exceptional job with this release; the picture and sound quality are both excellent.”

Available in single-disc and two-disc DVD editions and a three-disc Blu-ray edition, extras on the two-disc DVD and three-disc
Blu-ray include in-depth explorations of the reimagining of the franchise, the cast, the action sequences, the score and the aliens, commentary by J.J. Abrams, the writers and producers, a gag reel and a digital copy of the film. Additionally, the discs feature deleted scenes that reveal a side story involving Nero with a first-ever look at Abrams’ version of the infamous warrior Klingons.

The Star Trek Blu-ray also offers over three hours of bonus footage including branching pods that allow for enhanced exploration, more features on the starships, planets, props, costumes and sound of Star Trek, as well as a Starfleet Vessel Simulator and access to the latest NASA news about real-life space exploration via BD-Live.

The two-disc DVD and three-disc Blu-ray will also offer a home entertainment first: groundbreaking augmented reality technology. Using a webcam, a Star Trek visual cue will morph into a 3D holographic tour of the U.S.S. Enterprise on the screen, providing a unique immersive and interactive experience.

Single-Disc DVD

* Anamorphic Widescreen
* English, French and Spanish DD5.1 Surround
* English, French and Spanish subtitles
* Commentary—By director J.J. Abrams, writers Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman, producer Damon Lindelof and executive producer Bryan Burk.
* A New Vision— J.J. Abrams’ vision was not only to create a Star Trek that was a bigger, more action-packed spectacle, but also to make the spectacle feel real. Every aspect of production—from unique locations to the use of classic Hollywood camera tricks—was guided by this overall objective.
* Gag Reel—Bloopers featuring the entire principal cast.

Two-Disc Special Edition DVD – As above plus a second disc with the following content:

* Digital Copy
* Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary
o Spock Birth
o Klingons Take Over Narada
o Young Kirk, Johnny and Uncle Frank
o Amanda and Sarek Argue After Spock Fights
o Prison Interrogation and Breakout
o Sarek Gets Amanda
o Dorm Room and Kobayashi Maru (original version)
o Kirk Apologizes to the Green Girl
o Sarek Sees Spock
* To Boldly Go— Taking on the world’s most beloved science fiction franchise was no small mission. Director J.J. Abrams, writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, producer Damon Lindelof, and executive producer Bryan Burk talk about the many challenges they faced and their strategy for success.
* Casting— The producers knew their greatest task was finding the right cast to reprise these epic roles. The cast, for their part, talk about the experience of trying to capture the essence of these mythic characters. The piece concludes with a moving tribute to Leonard Nimoy.
* Aliens— Designers Neville Page and Joel Harlow talk about the hurdles they faced creating new alien species, recreating the Romulans and Vulcans, and designing the terrifying creatures on Delta Vega for the new Star Trek.
* Score— As a fan of the original series, composer Michael Giacchino embraced the challenge of creating new music for Star Trek while preserving the spirit of Alexander Courage’s celebrated theme.
* DVD-Rom:
o STAR TREK D-A-C Free Trial Game for XBOX 360
o Weblink to the STAR TREK D-A-C Free Trial Game for PC
o Weblink to the STAR TREK D-A-C Free Trial Game for PlayStation Network

Blu-ray Disc

Disc 1: Main Feature

* 1080P Widescreen
* English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD
* French and Spanish DD5.1 Surround
* English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles
* Commentary—By director J.J. Abrams, writers Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman, producer Damon Lindelof and executive producer Bryan Burk.
* NASA News— This BD-Live feature gives viewers access to the latest NASA news about real space exploration. Learn about new mission developments and check out featured imagery from around the universe.

Disc 2: Extra Features

* To Boldly Go—See description above.
o Branching Pods:
+ The Shatner Conundrum
+ Red Shirt Guy
+ The Green Girl
+ Trekker Alert!
* Casting—See description above.
* A New Vision—See description above.
o Branching Pods:
+ Savage Pressure
* Starships—Abrams and production designer Scott Chambliss were careful to pay tribute to the design of the original Enterprise, but they also wanted to make it futuristic and cool for a modern audience. This chapter focuses on the unique stories behind the creation of the film’s starships.
o Branching Pods:
+ Warp Explained
+ Paint Job
+ Bridge Construction Accelerated
+ The Captain’s Chair
+ Button Acting 101
+ Shuttle Shuffle
+ Narada Construction Accelerated
* Aliens—See description above.
o Branching Pods:
+ The Alien Paradox
+ Big-Eyed Girl
+ Big Bro Quinto
+ Klingons
+ Drakoulias Anatomy 101
* Planets— From the frozen landscape of Delta Vega to the desert plains of Vulcan, Scott Chambliss and the art department had a number of radically different planets to create. Abrams’ desire to shoot on real locations whenever possible led the production team to a number of strange and surprising locations.
o Branching Pods:
+ Extra Business
+ Confidentiality
* Props and Costumes— Property master Russell Bobbitt had the unique challenge of designing props that were both true to the original series and pertinent to today’s technology. Likewise, costume designer Michael Kaplan talks about how he designed costumes that paid homage to what came before yet were relevant and timeless.
o Branching Pods:
+ Klingon Wardrobe
* Ben Burtt and the Sounds of Star Trek— When famed sound designer Ben Burtt was hired to create sounds for the first Star Wars film, he took his inspiration from the original “Star Trek” series. Burtt jumped at the opportunity to pay tribute to the sounds that sparked his career with the sounds he created for the new Star Trek.
* Score—See description above.
* Gene Roddenberry’s Vision— J.J. Abrams, Leonard Nimoy, previous Star Trek writers and producers, and scientific consultant Carolyn Porco describe and commend the optimistic and enduring vision of Gene Roddenberry.
* Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary—See details above.
* Starfleet Vessel Simulator—Explore extensive data on the U.S.S. Enterprise and the Romulan ship, the Narada. Submerse yourself in breathtaking 360° views and close-ups and review detailed tech information.
* Gag Reel—See description above.

Disc 3: Extra Features

* Digital Copy
* STAR TREK D-A-C Free Trial Game for XBOX 360
* Weblink to the STAR TREK& D-A-C Free Trial Game for PC
* Weblink to the STAR TREK D-A-C Free Trial Game for PlayStation Network

This summer, local audiences enjoying the critically acclaimed Star Trek movie have the right to point at the screen and say, “She’s from Maine,” when they see Rachel Nichols, painted green in some wonderfully steamy scenes with Captain Kirk.

Not that it’s easy being green: “It took four hours to paint that on her,” Rachel’s mom, Alison Nichols, tells us from the same house in Augusta where Rachel grew up and pointedly did not dream of becoming an actress.

Of course, Nichols is only the second Maine-connected star to look green and fabulous. In the original Wizard of Oz (1938), Margaret Hamilton, who retired to Southport Island off Boothbay, was painted a lurid copper-based green while playing her unforgettable Wicked Witch of the West. When she scares the scarecrow, the pyrotechnic special effects set poor Margaret’s paint on fire, too. She was in the hospital for days.

“Oh, no!” Nichols says. “In Star Trek, I don’t think my paint was flammable or copper-based, thank goodness. That process, including hair and makeup, took five hours.”

Nichols has come through being green comparatively unscathed. After bursting on the national scene in Dumb and Dumberer, she won recurring roles in Sex in the City, Alias, parts in films like The Woods, and this summer has vaulted up to far greater renown with the major motion pictures Star Trek and G.I. Joe.

This must be such an incredible year for you. Is this something you’ve wanted all along?

I had no plans to be an actress. I left Maine to go to Columbia with aspirations of power suits and briefcases and working on Wall Street. I started modeling my sophomore year at Columbia.

Was there a crystallizing moment, then, that changed your life around? It’s not as if they have a Schwab’s Drugstore in New York, or do they?

There were several moments. I used to work in Abercrombie & Fitch at the [South Street] Seaport in New York, and a casting director for a photographer who saw me contacted me.

Not that I didn’t have my doubts…You know, the girl from Augusta, Maine, being bamboozled by people in film.

It was funny and strange-I was still working at Abercrombie & Fitch when the Abercrombie & Fitch catalog came out, with me in it!

Your Star Trek opportunity is huge, but your role in the blockbuster G.I. Joe this summer is even bigger, isn’t it?

I’m extremely excited about it. It’s definitely the biggest role I’ve ever played, in the biggest movie. I’m playing the role of Scarlet, the good girl. She grew up with all the guys, working with all the Joes all her life. Some people think G.I. Joe is one man, but it’s really a group of guys who make up a high-level covert unit she’s worked with all her life. Scarlet is like their kid sister. The bad girl is Sienna Miller.”

So you’re Sienna Miller’s opposition character?

“Yeah. My biggest fight is against her. She’s extremely funny, really easy to work with. She’s a fantastic actress-I like her so much. We’re pretty much the only two girls in the movie, so if we hadn’t liked each other, it would have been a disaster.”

Was it out of character for you to fight? How many gangs could there have been in Augusta?

On Alias, I was told, ‘as Sydney Bristow’s protégé, you have to work out like Jennifer Garner works out.’ So I trained with Valerie Waters, Jennifer’s trainer, on Alias, where I also had some weapons training. I still work with her.

When I got the role in Star Trek, I wasn’t really familiar with [all the episodes and movies beloved to Trekkie universe]. Of course, I knew who Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner were. But I wondered if my not having been [a card-carrying Trekkie] before would be hard to overcome, and then I was relieved when the director, J.J. Abrams, admitted he wasn’t, either.

When I read the script, I was immediately fascinated by it. The old Star Trek fans really like the movie, but it’s wonderful way of creating a starting point for a new generation to love it, too.

How hard was it to get the green paint off?

They air-brushed the color on me for the scene with Capt. Kirk, so it wasn’t so much paint and paintbrushes. My hair was sprayed a sticky red. To get it off, they used shaving cream to break the chemicals down and loosen the color. A week later, there were still places of green that kept showing up-I’d look down and see it turn up on a toenail, or between my toes. I’d find it behind my ears! I think I was green behind my elbows the longest. I don’t even want to admit how long it took for me to notice that!

Your mom has told us you’re homesick sometimes.

I’m always homesick. I’m really, really close to my family and love returning to the same house I grew up in, close to the edge of town. I’m definitely coming home this summer, before the extensive press tours for G.I. Joe. I always fly to Portland. A visit to Maine isn’t complete until I get to see my friend, Christine York, in Augusta. Then I know I’m home.

The scary thing is, won’t Trekkies be bothering you for the rest of your life? Liv Tyler’s still being pestered for having been the Queen of the Fairies in Lord of the Rings.

My management company has been contacted by some Star Trek fans, but I was lucky, since I was painted green and had bright-red hair in the movie, they don’t know what I look like otherwise!
Nobody’s going to be following Gaila down the street.

Source: PortlandMonthly.com

That’s the second-best opening of 2009 (after X-Men Origins: Wolverine‘s $85.1 mil last weekend), and it includes a whopping $8.2 mil earned in IMAX showings, a new one-weekend record for the large format (beating The Dark Knight‘s $6.3 mil). What’s more, if you add in the $4 mil that the movie starring Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto earned in late-Thursday showings, Star Trek has banked an impressive $76.5 mil so far — well ahead of most expectations.

This result is highly logical. Considering all the hype and buzz and strong reviews that Star Trek has garnered, it’s no surprise that this film’s opening sum is by far the biggest of any Star Trek movie.

Of the nine previous flicks in the franchise, 1996′s Star Trek: First Contact bowed best, with (only) $30.7 mil over three days. Moreover, a look at the movie’s CinemaScore report card reveals some potentially good news. While it drew an expected crowd mostly comprised of older males, Star Trek‘s solid-A grade shows that word of mouth could be strong enough to bring in fans outside of the franchise’s usual demographic (i.e. people who weren’t alive in the 1980s…and women) as the weeks go on. Unless said folks are too distracted by Angels & Demons, Night at the Museum 2, and all the other big flicks on tap, of course.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (No. 2) was next with $27 mil on a 68 percent decline. Fanboy-driven films always fall hard, but this drop is particularly hefty. Nevertheless, Hugh Jackman’s franchise flick has already banked $129.6 mil in 10 days.

Source: EW.com

I have updated the gallery with pictures of Rachel Nichols attending the Lollipop Theater Network’s Inaugural Game Day a few days back. She looked very cute and casual at the event.

]]> http://www.rachelnicholsweb.com/2009/05/09/star-trek-now-in-cinemas/feed/ 1 http://www.rachelnicholsweb.com/2009/05/01/star-trek-los-angeles-premiere/ http://www.rachelnicholsweb.com/2009/05/01/star-trek-los-angeles-premiere/#comments Fri, 01 May 2009 11:14:15 +0000 admin http://www.rachelnicholsweb.com/?p=104 Miss Nichols looked smokin’ hot at the Los Angeles premiere of her new movie Star Trek, held yesterday. She wore a little silver dress and you will notice that her hair is dark again. I personally love her as a brunette! First pics have been added – stay tuned for more!

Star Trek opens May 8, 2009. Rachel plays Gaila in the movie.

]]> http://www.rachelnicholsweb.com/2009/05/01/star-trek-los-angeles-premiere/feed/ 0 http://www.rachelnicholsweb.com/2009/03/12/star-trek-final-trailer/ http://www.rachelnicholsweb.com/2009/03/12/star-trek-final-trailer/#comments Thu, 12 Mar 2009 13:09:48 +0000 admin http://www.rachelnicholsweb.com/?p=90 There is a new and final trailer for Star Trek with a slightly different sex scene featuring Rachel Nichols. View it in HD here or from YouTube under the cut.

]]> http://www.rachelnicholsweb.com/2009/03/12/star-trek-final-trailer/feed/ 0 http://www.rachelnicholsweb.com/2009/02/02/gi-joe-star-trek-spots/ http://www.rachelnicholsweb.com/2009/02/02/gi-joe-star-trek-spots/#comments Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:59:27 +0000 admin http://www.rachelnicholsweb.com/?p=86 HD screencaps have been added from Rachel’s two brand new Super Bowl spots for G.I. Joe and Star Trek… She can be seen briefly in both. You can also check out both spots right under the cut. Enjoy these awesome teasers!

]]> http://www.rachelnicholsweb.com/2009/02/02/gi-joe-star-trek-spots/feed/ 0 http://www.rachelnicholsweb.com/2009/01/22/star-trek-star-comes-clean-on-crazy-sex-scene/ http://www.rachelnicholsweb.com/2009/01/22/star-trek-star-comes-clean-on-crazy-sex-scene/#comments Thu, 22 Jan 2009 11:35:01 +0000 admin http://www.rachelnicholsweb.com/?p=78 Just how steamy will the new Star Trek movie be?

The film’s star Chris Pine told us not too long ago that the upcoming installment of the outer-space franchise has been “sexed up for a new generation.” However, he wants everyone to know that the Starship Enterprise hasn’t been turned into an intergalactic flying orgy.

Back in November, Pine, who stars as Capt. Kirk in the new Trek flick, said he not only shares some steamy lip-locking with Rachel Nichols, but he also predicted a scene in which Zoe Saldana takes off her shirt will “become famous.”

Fast-forward to Sunday night at HBO’s Golden Globes party…

“It is a different Star Trek, but there’s no crazy sex scene,” Pine told me at the Beverly Hills Hilton poolside soiree. “There may be some bare midriffs, but you know it’s been a long time since the bikini was invented, so I don’t think we’re going to ruffle any feathers.”

Beaming into theaters on May 8, the J.J. Adams-directed movie follows the early years of Kirk and Co. and also stars Zachary Quinto as Spock and Winona Ryder as Spock’s human mother, Amanda Grayson.

Chances are Pine attracted a few more fans when Paramount released a trailer for the movie featuring the hottie in nothing but a pair of underwear. The same could be said for Ms. Saldana, who is shown tossing off her shirt.

Sex aside, Pine says he’s ready for the Star Trek mayhem to begin. “I’m just waiting patiently,” he said. “I’m like an 8-year-old kid on Christmas Eve.”

Source: E! Online

]]> http://www.rachelnicholsweb.com/2009/01/22/star-trek-star-comes-clean-on-crazy-sex-scene/feed/ 0 http://www.rachelnicholsweb.com/2008/12/22/welcome/ http://www.rachelnicholsweb.com/2008/12/22/welcome/#comments Mon, 22 Dec 2008 01:11:58 +0000 admin http://www.rachelnicholsweb.com/?p=12 Welcome to Rachel Nichols Web, the newest website dedicated to the lovely and talented actress Rachel Nichols. Here you can find the latest news, plenty of info and a large collection of images featuring Rachel. We hope you enjoy your stay and will return for news and much more on the beautiful lady.

Rachel can next be seen in the highly awaited Star Trek, to be released May 8, 2008 in the US and UK. Click here for more release dates.

]]> http://www.rachelnicholsweb.com/2008/12/22/welcome/feed/ 2