The Questor Tapes (TV series)
Encyclopedia
The Questor Tapes is an American TV series in the planning stage. It is based on the television movie, The Questor Tapes
, which was created in 1973 (and aired in January 1974) by Gene Roddenberry
, who had hopes that the movie would serve as a pilot for a television series that "had the potential to be bigger than Star Trek
."
It was picked up and scheduled to air as a TV series, but was never produced, due to "creative differences" between Gene Roddenberry and NBC
, which had aired the pilot and had agreed to show the series.
Although the series was not produced, some elements of Questor, the android played by Robert Foxworth
in the pilot, were eventually incorporated into the character, Data
, in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation
and the movies based on that series. As one commentator put it, Questor was the "spiritual father of Data."
A novelization of the TV movie was later created by D. C. Fontana
.
, who had a long friendship with Roddenberry, had strong ties to the series that was never made. When the rights to the series reverted to the Roddenberry family in the early 2000s, Wright secured those rights with the blessing of Roddenberry's family to produce the series. Wright made several promotions for the series in 2003 at conventions. Wright even reserved production locations while working on a first script. The show suffered what was at first a simple setback when Wright fell ill within a year, which delayed the show's development. Wright died in 2005 before he could finally bring the show to life.
In January 2010, news releases indicated that Rod Roddenberry
, son of the late Gene Roddenberry, had struck a deal with Imagine Entertainment
, the production company owned by Brian Grazer and Ron Howard
, to create the new series. Imagine has a "first-look" agreement with Fox
, so it is likely that the show will air on that network.
The announcement of the deal between Roddenberry Productions (where Rod Roddenberry serves as CEO) and Imagine was made at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame induction ceremony where Rod Roddenberry accepted the posthumous honor, presented by Seth MacFarlane, on his father's behalf. "My father always felt that 'Questor' was the one that got away," said Rod Roddenberry. "He believed that the show had the potential to be bigger than 'Star Trek.'"
Early reports indicate that "it is expected" that Tim Minear
, known for his work on such science fiction
and science fantasy
series as Angel
, Dollhouse
, and Firefly
, would lead the production team. Although Roddenberry is careful to say that it is not 100% certain that the series will air, observers have noted that "it would be hard to discount a partnership between two well-respected names having the ability to generate some interest and open a few doors."
, well known for his role as Data, as his "first choice" for the role of Questor.
The Questor Tapes
The Questor Tapes is a 1974 television movie about an android with incomplete memory tapes who is searching for his creator and his purpose. Conceived by and executive produced by Gene Roddenberry, the script is credited to Roddenberry and fellow Star Trek alumnus Gene L. Coon.A novelization,...
, which was created in 1973 (and aired in January 1974) by Gene Roddenberry
Gene Roddenberry
Eugene Wesley "Gene" Roddenberry was an American television screenwriter, producer and futurist, best known for creating the American science fiction series Star Trek. Born in El Paso, Texas, Roddenberry grew up in Los Angeles, California where his father worked as a police officer...
, who had hopes that the movie would serve as a pilot for a television series that "had the potential to be bigger than Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
."
Background
The Questor Tapes was one of a series of television movies created by Gene Roddenberry as pilots for possible television series. It was originally conceived as a television series pilot about an android with incomplete memory tapes who searches for his creator and his purpose.It was picked up and scheduled to air as a TV series, but was never produced, due to "creative differences" between Gene Roddenberry and NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
, which had aired the pilot and had agreed to show the series.
Although the series was not produced, some elements of Questor, the android played by Robert Foxworth
Robert Foxworth
Robert Heath Foxworth is an American film, stage and television actor.-Early life and career:Foxworth was born in Houston, Texas, the son of Erna Beth , a writer, and John Howard Foxworth, a roofing contractor...
in the pilot, were eventually incorporated into the character, Data
Data (Star Trek)
Lieutenant Commander Data is a character in the fictional Star Trek universe portrayed by actor Brent Spiner. He appears in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and the feature films Star Trek Generations, Star Trek: First Contact, Star Trek: Insurrection, and Star Trek...
, in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
and the movies based on that series. As one commentator put it, Questor was the "spiritual father of Data."
A novelization of the TV movie was later created by D. C. Fontana
D. C. Fontana
Dorothy Catherine "D. C." Fontana is an American television script writer and story editor, best known for her work on the original Star Trek series.-Work with Gene Roddenberry:...
.
New series
Herbert J. WrightHerbert Wright (producer)
Herbert Wright was a science fiction writer and producer. His most notable work was for Star Trek: The Next Generation and War of the Worlds...
, who had a long friendship with Roddenberry, had strong ties to the series that was never made. When the rights to the series reverted to the Roddenberry family in the early 2000s, Wright secured those rights with the blessing of Roddenberry's family to produce the series. Wright made several promotions for the series in 2003 at conventions. Wright even reserved production locations while working on a first script. The show suffered what was at first a simple setback when Wright fell ill within a year, which delayed the show's development. Wright died in 2005 before he could finally bring the show to life.
In January 2010, news releases indicated that Rod Roddenberry
Rod Roddenberry
Eugene Wesley "Rod" Roddenberry Jr. is an American television producer and the only son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and actress Majel Barrett. He is known for his work in science fiction, astronomy and space exploration...
, son of the late Gene Roddenberry, had struck a deal with Imagine Entertainment
Imagine Entertainment
Imagine Entertainment is a film and television production company founded in 1986 by director Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer.Its productions include the television series 24 and Arrested Development and the films Apollo 13 , A Beautiful Mind and The Da Vinci Code .-Organization:Karen...
, the production company owned by Brian Grazer and Ron Howard
Ron Howard
Ronald William "Ron" Howard is an American actor, director, and producer. He came to prominence as a child actor, playing Opie Taylor in the sitcom The Andy Griffith Show for eight years, and later the teenaged Richie Cunningham in the sitcom Happy Days for six years...
, to create the new series. Imagine has a "first-look" agreement with Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
, so it is likely that the show will air on that network.
The announcement of the deal between Roddenberry Productions (where Rod Roddenberry serves as CEO) and Imagine was made at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame induction ceremony where Rod Roddenberry accepted the posthumous honor, presented by Seth MacFarlane, on his father's behalf. "My father always felt that 'Questor' was the one that got away," said Rod Roddenberry. "He believed that the show had the potential to be bigger than 'Star Trek.'"
Early reports indicate that "it is expected" that Tim Minear
Tim Minear
Tim Minear is an American screenwriter and director. He was born in New York, grew up in Whittier, California, and studied film at California State University, Long Beach....
, known for his work on such science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
and science fantasy
Science fantasy
Science fantasy is a mixed genre within speculative fiction drawing elements from both science fiction and fantasy. Although in some terms of its portrayal in recent media products it can be defined as instead of being a mixed genre of science fiction and fantasy it is instead a mixing of the...
series as Angel
Angel (TV series)
Angel is an American television series, a spin-off of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The series was created by Buffys creator, Joss Whedon, in collaboration with David Greenwalt, and first aired on October 5, 1999...
, Dollhouse
Dollhouse (TV series)
Dollhouse is an American science fiction television series created by writer and director Joss Whedon under Mutant Enemy Productions. It premiered on February 13, 2009, on the Fox network and was officially cancelled on November 11, 2009. The final episode aired on January 29, 2010...
, and Firefly
Firefly (TV series)
Firefly is an American space western television series created by writer and director Joss Whedon, under his Mutant Enemy Productions label. Whedon served as executive producer, along with Tim Minear....
, would lead the production team. Although Roddenberry is careful to say that it is not 100% certain that the series will air, observers have noted that "it would be hard to discount a partnership between two well-respected names having the ability to generate some interest and open a few doors."
Casting
According to early news discussions, Rod Roddenberry has identified Brent SpinerBrent Spiner
Brent Jay Spiner is an American actor, best known for his portrayal of the android Lieutenant Commander Data in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and four subsequent films. His portrayal of Data in Star Trek: First Contact and of Dr...
, well known for his role as Data, as his "first choice" for the role of Questor.
External links
- Questor Tapes pilot movie, Youtube. (Note: This is part 1 of 10 parts that make up the entire film, all on YouTube.)
- Article on Questor as "The Original Data.
- Online article including two videos comparing a scene from The Questor Tapes and a scene from Star Trek: The New Generation.