So how did the bring back Data to the Star Trek Universe?

[samurainoir]

I just picked up Star Trek Countdown and while flipping through, I noticed that Data is now Captain of the Enterprise.

Which "Expanded Trek Universe" storyline brought him back? (novel, comic, video game?)

How did they revive him? I'm assuming it had something to do with the other Data like android they found in the last TNG movie where he bit it?

So why is Data the Captain of the Enterprise now and not Riker?

[jwyblejr]

I thought Riker wound up Captain of another ship? Think he got tired of waiting for Picard to step down.

[johnmiic]

In the last TNG film, ( and I mean it, last), Riker accepted a position abouard the U.S.S. Titan. If Data were clever he would have copied himself into the other Android's brain for safe keeping; if there was room. Tho Brent Spinner has said in interviews he got tired of dealing with Paramount over salary issues as each film progressed so likely we will never see Data on film again. If this is a comic book or paperback you are reading don't put too much stock in it. Anything not filmed is usually thrown to the bonfire if it contradicts a story they want to film.

[samurainoir]

In the last TNG film, ( and I mean it, last), Riker accepted a position abouard the U.S.S. Titan. If Data were clever he would have copied himself into the other Android's brain for safe keeping; if there was room. Tho Brent Spinner has said in interviews he got tired of dealing with Paramount over salary issues as each film progressed so likely we will never see Data on film again. If this is a comic book or paperback you are reading don't put too much stock in it. Anything not filmed is usually thrown to the bonfire if it contradicts a story they want to film.

It's the "official prequel" to the new movie, so it's as canonical as it gets right now since it shows the events leading to Old Spock and Nero's journey back in time.

Picard appears in it as the ambassador to Vulcan.

[The Bat]

When Data transfered his memories(and essence)into B4...Gordie said "Data...he'll be YOU"! After Data dies...and Picard is walking away from B4...B4 starts humming "Blue Skies" which Data was singing earlier in the Movie. So...the transfer was starting to take.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Tho Brent Spinner has said in interviews he got tired of dealing with Paramount over salary issues as each film progressed so likely we will never see Data on film again.

No offense, but Spiner should have been happy he was part of a (supposedly) lucrative film franchise and not have dickered too much on his price. Sure beats random guest spots on Night Court!

Chris

[huedell]

No offense, but Spiner should have been happy he was part of a (supposedly) lucrative film franchise and not have dickered too much on his price. Sure beats random guest spots on Night Court!

Chris

I think it's presumptious to assume what goes on behind closed doors
when it comes to salary negotiation for this kind of stuff.

There's probably a lot of factors we don't know that could make
a case for Spiner's frustration.

On the flip side, I'm with you in many cases when I read about many
of these negotiation issues----sometimes it seems so easy to
say "What are you DOING here?"

[Seeker]

Unless Data decided to weld on a few extra pounds and install some wrinkles I dont think Brent will be playing the role again.

People age... Androids do not. I remember the last episode and Datas aging modification consisted of a streak of white hair.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I think it's presumptious to assume what goes on behind closed doors
when it comes to salary negotiation for this kind of stuff.

There's probably a lot of factors we don't know that could make
a case for Spiner's frustration.

Not wanting to argue over this (I honestly don't care about it that much) but I doubt Paramount wanted to pay Spiner LESS each time. They may have, but it's highly doubtful. So it was more likely him wanting more money to do it each time, and having to fight for it.

Chris

[Seeker]

Come on he looked God awful in the last movie. HE had double chins going.

[huedell]

Not wanting to argue over this (I honestly don't care about it that much) but I doubt Paramount wanted to pay Spiner LESS each time. They may have, but it's highly doubtful. So it was more likely him wanting more money to do it each time, and having to fight for it.

Chris

Well I don't want you to get all bent out of shape from my replies...

but I think with all respect, you're being shortsighted
by breaking down Spiner's negotiations as:
"Hey, Spiner probably got offered the same or better
for each movie...so he shouldn't have any salary issues."

There are many more things to consider as potential negotiation setbacks
---things that are connected to politics that may or may not ever be
revealed.

It's tough to come up with one good example of what it MIGHT
have been because there are probably scads of stuff studio related,
franchise related, competetive with other actors factors, etc. etc. that
could influence a wrench in the negotiation machine.

If you choose to assume, that's fine---I just don't think that's a realistic
stance...please don't take offense that I disagree, because I think
I have a lot of precedence to back up my case.

See, not EVERY actor is a spoiled brat that mucks things up. Sometimes they
have a RIGHT morally, ethically or otherwise to dispute a salary.

[samurainoir]

Sure beats random guest spots on Night Court!

Chris

I forgot about Night Court! He was some kind of back wood yokel wasn't he? I loved that show.

I thought his appearance in ID4 was kind of fun.

I heard Brent Spiner appeared on Enterprise towards the final days in some kind of ratings grab. Did he play Data there?

[Captain]

Nope, he played an ancestor of Dr. Soong. Wasnt a bad two parter...His character created some more super humans ALA Khan. In doing so, he ended up being indirectly responsible for the Klingons losing their bumpy heads during the TOS era....long story.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Well I don't want you to get all bent out of shape from my replies...

but I think with all respect, you're being shortsighted
by breaking down Spiner's negotiations as:
"Hey, Spiner probably got offered the same or better
for each movie...so he shouldn't have any salary issues."

There are many more things to consider as potential negotiation setbacks
---things that are connected to politics that may or may not ever be
revealed.

It's tough to come up with one good example of what it MIGHT
have been because there are probably scads of stuff studio related,
franchise related, competetive with other actors factors, etc. etc. that
could influence a wrench in the negotiation machine.

If you choose to assume, that's fine---I just don't think that's a realistic
stance...please don't take offense that I disagree, because I think
I have a lot of precedence to back up my case.

See, not EVERY actor is a spoiled brat that mucks things up. Sometimes they
have a RIGHT morally, ethically or otherwise to dispute a salary.

Wow Hue, you can really ruin a good gripe, you know that?

Chris

[johnmiic]

After all the continuity was messed with in this film I wouldn't get too attached to anything claiming to be an "official" prequel.

Let's look at Spinner. Clearly he was the break-out character in the series. His talent shone thru the role. He was not only the answer to creating someone akin to Spock for the new series, a major attraction and insuring ratings, but he was Rodenberry's other creation, Questor, reborn.

Still, Spinner has had a long history of dissing fans and being "difficult" at cons. At one Creation con he refused to sign autographs and claimed it was Creation preventing him from doing so. At the very next con the Creation people took the bold move of stating, Spinner did not want to sign autographs. It was his call. I'm sure Spinner never heard about that or he would never appear at another con of theirs again. He knew the power he weilded. He wanted to be paid and be paid well otherwise he wouldn't do another film. I don't think he will be back if the cast reunites.