A number of movies are coming to theaters in the next couple of months featuring the talent of many Star Trek alumni, on-camera and off.

Opening this weekend is a movie drawn from the life of David Gerrold, the popular author of "The Trouble with Tribbles" and contributor to The Animated Series and The Next Generation. "Martian Child" is based on Gerrold's autobiographical novel of the same name published in 2002 about a single man who adopts a boy who insists he's from Mars. The premise of the movie is essentially the same as the book, with one fundamental difference: the protagonist played by John Cusack, a science fiction writer named David Gordon (note the initials), is straight — a widower who adopts the child several years after his wife's death — whereas Gerrold is openly gay. Gerrold, however, was involved in the film as one of the executive producers. Joan Cusack plays the sister (what a stretch!) and Amanda Peet plays the heterosexual love interest. "Martian Child" is in theaters starting Friday.

In two weekends, there are several films coming out simultaneously with Trek talent attached. One of the biggest releases of the fall season is Paramount's "Beowulf" directed by Robert Zemeckis. This is a CG interpretation of the oldest known story of the English language (which we saw a holodeck version of in "Heroes and Demons"). Dominic Keating is "Old Cain," providing not only the voice but also the body movements of the character in the unique motion-capture technique we saw in "Polar Express." "Beowulf" comes out November 16, with some theaters showing it in 3-D. The movie also stars animated versions of Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins and Angelina Jolie (and guys, seriously, she's essentially naked in this!).

The same weekend, a movie written by Nicholas Meyer comes out. "Elegy" is based on the novel by Philip Roth and stars Ben Kingsley as a cultural critic whose life is thrown into disarray by a sexy student played by Penélope Cruz. Meyer, of course, is the brilliant writer/director creatively responsible for the even-numbered Original Series-cast films.

Also the weekend of Nov. 16, "Southland Tales," an offbeat sci-fi/comedy/drama opens nationwide with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson ("The Champion" in "Tsunkatse") in the lead, and Wallace Shawn ("Zek") and John Larroquette ("Maltz") in supporting roles. Sarah Michelle Gellar and Seann William Scott also star in this near-future apocalyptic tale from the maker of "Donnie Darko." The Rock's "The Game Plan" is currently in theaters, doing very well for Disney.

Two movies featuring William Sadler ("Luther Sloan") open on November 21: "The Mist," a Stephen King horror story; and "August Rush," a drama about a young musical prodigy starring Keri Russell.

Also during November, two special theatrical events will put small-screen fare onto the big screen. As a STARTREK.COM reader, you should already know about the special "Menagerie" screenings taking place all over the country and in Canada and Europe. That will take place Tuesday, November 13 and Thursday, Nov.15, with further dates in Europe. See this page for details.

But another show we're all fans of is doing something similar. On Monday, November 12, the upcoming two-hour special of Ronald D. Moore's Battlestar Galactica starring Michelle Forbes ("Ensign Ro") titled "Razor" will be screened to the public in advance for free at select theaters in select cities. Visit BattlestarEvent.com as soon as you can to see if one of those screenings is near you, and RSVP right away. Spaces are filling up quickly (Chicago is completely sold out already!). "Razor," which goes back in the BSG storyline to recount the history of the Battlestar Pegasus, airs on the Sci-Fi Channel on November 24.

In December, a new film adaptation of Richard Matheson's science fiction novel "I Am Legend" — this time under the original title — is slated for release on Dec. 14. "I Am Legend" has previously been adapted into "The Last Man on Earth" with Vincent Price and "The Omega Man" with Charlton Heston. This new version stars Will Smith. Matheson is the SF giant who wrote "The Enemy Within."

On December 21, the much-anticipated Tim Burton film "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" scripted by John Logan ("Star Trek Nemesis") rolls out in limited release, in time for Oscar consideration. Johnny Depp stars as the murderous haircutter.

That same weekend, the comedy "Flakes" featuring Christopher Lloyd ("Kruge") comes out, also in limited release.

And on Christmas Day (one year and counting to "Star Trek XI"!), Cyia Batten ("Navaar," "Irina," "Ziyal") appears in "Charlie Wilson's War," a drama based on a true story starring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts.