At this past weekend’s Creationent CON in New Jersey, Bill Shatner told a large audience that “J.J. is committed to having Leonard [Nimoy]… and me, in the film.”
Of course the film Bill speaks of is the new “Star Trek XI” that has sparked an untold number of rumors about casting ever since Paramount let it be known of their intention to continue the franchise on the big screen with new blood behind production.
Bill went on to indicate, as reported in the MeeVee interview, that “it’s easy for Leonard, because Spock’s alive. But I’m [James Kirk is] dead.” The biggest surprise came when he reportedly put the young Kirk casting rumors to rest by stating that Abrams has put aside the idea of having actor Matt Damon as the new Captain Kirk (Matt was Bill’s early-on favorite choice). As to who Abrams would pick to play the part Bill would only say, “I think they’re going to go with unknowns [for Kirk and Spock].”
There are known knowns and known unknowns…but there are also unknown unknowns. Those are what we need to be prepared for.
I think going with Unknowns is a very smart idea. There are just too many faces in Hollywood that would not fit the bill. He’s going to have to find two actors that can really pull off the parts and pull them off well. Kirk and Spock are such classicn icons. If they don’t look as close to the originals as possible, it won’t be easy to pull it off. Though, those at New Voyages, the fan fun ST webisode site do an excellent job.
LOL Jeremy! Though Rumsfeld is out, his accidental poetry will never be forgotten…
i think ben browder would made a good kirk.. but thats me