William Shatner has been putting on his best actor’s face over the last several months since the announcement was made that his buddy and fellow long-time Star Trek cast mate Leonard Nimoy would be appearing in the new Star Trek film, but Shat would be left out.
Even though director/producer J.J. Abrams and his writing team of Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman continue to insist that they are looking for a realistic and appropriate way to include the iconic Emmy winning actor in the film, with less than three weeks until shooting begins, it is beginning to look less likely that Shat will be in the movie.
“I couldn’t believe it. I’m not in the movie at all. Leonard, God bless his heart, is in, but not me,” Shatner told The Associated Press just yesterday. “I thought, what a decision to make, since it obviously is a decision not to make use of the popularity I have to ensure the movie has good box office. It didn’t seem to be a wise business decision.”
Bill, just recently released one of his ongoing LIVE-video chats about the film once he learned that Chris Pine would be playing the younger version of James T. Kirk, the character Shatner literally turned into a legend for 40 years. He was pleased with Paramount’s choice, but the wear of not having some kind of significant input into the film, whether on or off camera was beginning to show.
While, the great one is apparently put off by the obvious shun, it hasn’t slowed down the 76 year old entertainment industry giant. “I’ve got a lot to do,” said Shatner…however…”Having been in on the creation of it (Star Trek), I was hoping to be in on the re-creation.”
Bill is still busy on his Emmy winning ABC show “Boston Legal,” is currently doing voice work for the Christmas spoof “Stalking Santa” due on DVD on Nov. 6 and continues work on his next Trek novel titled “Star Trek: Academy — Collision Course.”
Michael Natale says
They should throw the guy a bone and give him a cameo.
I think maybe he overestimates his importance a bit strictly speaking, but still the guy’s still around and wants to play and he WAS the original Kirk for crying out loud.
Why not let his name being attached ‘one final time’ (really this time) help boost box office? Nimoy is in it after all, so its obvious they’re not flushing all old ties in favor of a 100% new reboot.
Skiznot says
I can see no good reason to put Shatner in the new movie. They didn’t put Adam West in any of the new Batman movies nomatter how much he whined. Kirk Died in Generations and they would have to do some sci-fi back flip or have him in some way shown in the future but before his demise. Just sloppy, tell a good story don’t worry about actor’s egos. Maybe put him in as a Klingon but that would distract from the story.
Mark in St. Louis says
I’m with Skiznot on this one: if they hadn’t killed him of in Generations, then sure. But, they did.
The only way I could see Shatner in this movie during the ending credits, as himself, bantering with Nimoy. Or, he could do a voice over intro similar to TOS: “Star Fleet Academy: where it all started…”
Alsai Joaquin says
We don’t know where the script is going to start or end. If this story is told in “flashback” it could represent Spock’s and Kirk’s memories thinking about the “good old days.” But I don’t think so. JJ Abrams is trying to do the story when Kirk took command of the Very First Enterprise. The only thought on that is Shatner could play the young Kirk’s father, while Leonard Nimoy could play Sarek. Even so, both roles will primarily be short roles, more like cameos than larger substantial roles within. We just don’t know how this is going to play out, and no one is going to allow anyone OUTSIDE the studio to see a first draft of the script. ST has always been careful about not revealing any plot, even so rumors would often fly in the face of it. I do think Shatner could have been consulted when it comes to being behind the camera, but the actors chosen are going to have to make these characters their own. The should not be poor carbon copies. They have big shoes to fill, and that is a tough job ahead.
Walter Gass says
Leave him out. And if they can get rid of Nimoy too, all the better.
tim and darcy low says
know what they could do? wait until the dvd comeout and let him and mr nimoy do the voice overs for the movie. and talk about it. that would be cool. then everybody be happy.
darcy
ralph says
maybe he’ll be happy that he’s not associated with the film when it ends up being the crap that so many ‘re-boots’ end up as.
Dana says
Shat has apparently chosen to forget that his popularity has NOT ensured good box office for all Star Trek films in the past. The quality of the film determined that.
Let the new version stand (or fail) on it’s own merits. If it’s good, it doesn’t need Shatner. If it sucks, Shatner couldn’t save it anyway.