After a report in a Scottish tabloid about James McAvoy playing Scotty, TrekMovie.com reported McAvoy’s publicist stated the actor had not been approached for the role. At the time it was noted that even if he hadn’t been officially approached, there still may be some interest. Now in an interview with IESB McAvoy puts a little more wood on the rumor fire. When asked specifically if he had been approached he cryptically says "not in so many words." To add more confusion, the first time TrekMovie made inquiries on this subject we were told by some one in his camp that he had been approached, but then were told later (by his publicist) that he had not been. Until Trek XI has a budget it is unlikely that actors would be officially appraoched (especially for secondary roles). One thing is clear from the McAvoy interview, he is a real Star Trek fan (see below).
Here is the full text of the IESB interview:
IESB: James, I’ve heard a rumor and I need you to help me put it to rest or find out if it’s true, a newspaper says you are the-favorite to play Scotty in the new Star Trek film.
JM: Beam me up! (laughing)
IESB: Have you been approached and would you do it?
JM: I was approached by a Klingon (laughing) and I ran away. I was very scared, he came at me with his batleth. (laughter) I’m a very big Star Trek fan, you see, and, but, no, I couldn’t possibly comment.
IESB: So you have been approached?
JM: Not in so many words.
IESB: So you would do it if you were approached?
JM: I don’t know to tell you the truth, I’m a Star Trek geek,fan, fanatic, so, anything about it could make me cry. But I’m notgoing to, I’m saving that for the talent show.
For now there is just some smoke to this rumor, but it is still too hard to tell if there is an actual fire. TrekMovie.com will of course keep a look out.
Mmmmm….. good to know he is a Star Trek fan. Plus, he knows what a batleth is! Very cool :)
A bit too young for Scotty in my mind, but McAvoy is certainly no slouch as an actor. And it would be nice for Scotty to have a genuine Scottish accent — THAT at least is something I hope the filmmakers make a priority for Scotty. There are far too many faux Scottish accents floating around (often cartoonishly so).
Hey if this guy can ACT, sign him!
If he was approached, why all the back talk. I too think he would be great in the role,but also agree that he may be too young. Scotty was about 10 years older than Capt. Kirk, so unless the Kirk character is going to be 15, I say hire Chris Doohan for the role. If anyone looks the part, it’s him.
His performance really stood out in Narnia.Very notable.Problem is.He doesn’t seem to be the same physical type as Dolhan.He seems a little slight.I really liked him in Narnia.I think if they get him his performance will be impeccable.This guy’s gonna be big whether or not he gets in Trek.
Glad to see his publicist provided him with a list of Trek terminology to work into his soundbite.
Not a bad choice, but I too say give it to
CHRIS DOOHAN !!!!
He really would be the best choice
I agree give it to Chris
#2 – Mike Meyers should play Scotty.
Arrghhh, get en mah belleh!
They’re really missing the boat on this. This is going to be a screwy version of Trek if they cast McAvoy not because he’s a bad actor, to the contrary, he’s quite accomplished for his age, but age is the problem. The more I hear about these young actors being considered, the more worried I get that this is going to be a “brat pack” Trek — and that should concern anyone. If they had even the slightest intelligence in casting, they’d consider Angus Macfadyen who played Robert the Bruce in “Braveheart.” He’s the right age. Come on Abrams and company. You want to end up with another “Nemesis?” Scary, very scary.
Watch “Chronicles of Narnia” for his performance.they had him dressed up in such a way that any mediocre actor would have looked ridiculous but he made it work .a flawless performance.He really made me believe he was the character.If Trek gets him they would have caught a rising star.I know I said before that he didn’t seem like James Doohan’s physical type,but I have no doubt he will be able to interpret the spirit of the character Scotty and make that disappear.Just sign him up so he’s bound to a 3 picture deal to play Scotty
I think McAvoy would be just fine for the part. He came across as very charming and likeable in THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND (and that’s saying a lot, as I really disliked the character that he played). So long as the story is good, I have no problem with a ‘brat pack’ Star Trek at all–done right, it could infuse the franchise with exactly the sort of energy it so desperately needs right now. Again, it all comes down to story.
And not to be o/t, but does anyone know when they’re going to post that damned “Doomsday” trailer?!
I have to agree with several of the previous comments and suggest a new comer like Chris Doohan.
.
. Even though I have political aspirations, I’m a Trek fan thru and thru.
About the age thing,
My impression is that this version of Trek is supposed to feature our heroes as YOUNG people before the TV series, so YOUNG is GOOD (especially if they are going to make a series of these movies that goes on for several years).
Also, the only reason why we think of Scotty as older than Kirk is because Doohan was older than Shatner. But that wasn’t intended by Roddenberry when he first cast the roles– he was only looking for the right actors for the parts. It was only a coincidence that Doohan was older. He could have just as easily been younger.
I find McAvoy much more acceptable in the Scotty role than I do Gary Sinise as McCoy as some on these boards have suggested. Sinise is almost 52 years old! That’s about ten years older than Kelley was in the series.
It really all comes down to the character and what the actor has to play.
Does McAvoy have the talent to play older than he looks? Yes. He proved he could act in make-up in Narnia. A small role that stood out because of his talent.
Does McAvoy have the life experiences to make Scotty real? I’m not sure, having not seen him in King of Scotland yet, I don’t know.
The casting directors will have to decide, but if it was me making the decision, based on what I’ve seen him in, I would definately put him at the top of the list.
However, I have always seen Scotty as older than Kirk, and if we are wanting an authentic Scottish accent for Scotty, then I think the age should be authentic as well.
If the choice was between Doohan and McAvoy and they both had the same acting ability, then I would choose Doohan, because he looks the part. But if Doohan can’t act, then I would choose McAvoy and make it work with make-up.
And there are many unkowns out there just waiting for the chance to show what they can do…
Peace.
Um…
To those of you advocating Chris Doohan for the role of Scotty…
How many of you have actually seen him _act_?
I think it would be heartwarming to see him get a fair chance to audition in honor of his special heritage, but I am completely dismayed by the number of fans wanting to simply _give_ him the role solely on the basis of some sense of inherited right — which, let’s face it, is far from the best way to make a casting decision (and, btw, completely _not_ how these things in the real world work).
I mean, what happens if relatives of other Original Trek actors decide they want to take over their roles? Do they just automatically get them because they have the same last name? That isn’t just illogical – it’s completely absurd.
Casting decisions are (and should be) based on who’s best suited for the role, and what’s best for the film. If Chris Doohan can indeed convince TPTB that he fulfills that criteria, then make it so. But to preemptively presume that he does based solely on his parentage is the kind of nonsensical thinking that gives fanboys a bad name – and frankly makes it harder for our voices to be taken seriously in the industry.
Think about that. Please.
P.S.: For whatever it’s worth, James McAvoy happens to be a rather extraordinary 28-year-old Scottish actor (see Last King of Scotland, Narnia, Children of Dune, among others) – and I think everyone may be too quick to presume that Abrams & Co. will prioritize finding someone Doohan-esque versus finding the best, most exciting actor to redefine the role of Scotty. (As in: Daniel Craig wasn’t cast to be Sean Connery as James Bond – he was cast as _James_Bond_.)
For those critical of the Scottish accent Jimmy Doohan used, how do you know what a Scottish accent will sound like in the 23rd Century?
I agree with the posts that emphasize acting ability over physical attributes. That’s a no-brainer.
Yes, McAvoy is quite slim while Doohan …wasn’t always. But go back and look at “Where No Man Has Gone Before” — Doohan was downright *wiry* in that episode.
17. Mark makes an excellent point…
After all, we know that in the 24th century Frenchmen speak with English accents! ;-)
Love James McAvoy from “Children of Dune” and “The Last King of Scotland,” but he’s way too young to play Scotty. Must be older than Kirk!
He’s too young for Scotty. He’d make a good Spock though. Just cos he’s scottish doesnt mean he has to play scotty.
Wow, we have Sinese who’s too old, Mcavoy who’s to young and Doohan that’s not tested. WHAT TO DO???
I got!!
Hire McAvoy to coach Chris Doohan on the Scottish accent.
Going once, twice, sold! Give Chris Doohan his role.
PS To the previous comment who said that Mcavoy should be Spock. I agree. Ho looks like him and it would be a much meatier role I’m sure
To the person who said the McAvoy should coach Chris Doohan, that’s brilliant!!.
McAvoy would never do that, but avoice coach is a great idea.
Chris Doohan all the way. Do it Paramount!
But Chris sounds just like his dad when doing the accent. He doesn’t need to be coached, as it’s already perfect…as in sounds just like the original Scotty. If anything, if McAvoy got the part Chris should coach him on how to sound like the original Scotty.