Bruce Greenwood Is Pike November 7, 2007
by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: ST09 Cast , trackback
Last week TrekMovie.com reported that Paramount was ‘close’ to signing their new Chris Pike, and now they have. According to the Hollywood Reporter the role of Captain Christopher Pike in J.J. Abrams new Star Trek has gone to Bruce Greenwood. Although he is not necessarily a ‘big name,’ the 51 year-old Canadian actor is well known with 90 TV and film credits to his name. He most recently starred in the HBO series John from Cincinnati. Pike was originally played by the late Jeffrey Hunter in the un-aired first Original Series pilot “The Cage.” After Hunter declined to return for the second pilot, William Shatner came on board as Captain Kirk. “The Cage” was later reworked into the 2-part episode “The Menagerie” as a series of flashbacks. Although the character of Pike only appeared that episode, as the captain of the Enterprise before Kirk he will have an important role in the new prequel.
Command Experience
Greenwood will be playing the Captain of the Enterprise and the commanding officer of younger Spock (Zachary Quinto). A look at just the last decade of Greenwood’s career shows he has plenty of ‘leadership experience.’ He was the CEO of US Robotics in the sci-fi hit I, Robot. He has played a US President twice (Thirteen Days & National Treasure: Book of Secrets). He commanded a submarine in Below, a machine drilling to the center of the Earth in The Core and an Antarctic Expedition in Eight Below. And if the time-travel rumors are true, then Greenwood should be ready for that as he played an FBI agent heading up a team using time travel to solve crimes in Deja Vu.
Hunter and Greenwood…the original and new Pikes
More on Pike: Memory Alpha | StarTrek.com
More on Greenwood: IMDB Page | Wiki Page | Fan Site
Greenwood on Video
Trailer for ‘Below’
clip from ‘The Core’
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Comments»
wow…..good choice!!!
Now this thinking out of the box in a definite good way. I would’ve never thought of casting him as Pike, but I think he is awesome and is a charismatic and serious actor. Sure he doesn’t look like Jeff Hunter but it’s nowhere near as bad as the other casting.
Long Live Nowhere Man!
He was great as JFK in the movie “Thirteen Days.”
Wait until you guys here who else is gonna show up in this movie!!!
Bruce’s last roll was as surfer dad Mitch Yost, in HBO:John From Cincinnati.
Terrific actor. Definitely not a physical match, though.
Never heard of him
Very cool!!! Thanks for sharing Anthony.
#6
You will be hearing him and seeing a lot of him now….
STAR TREK HAS ITS NEW CAPTAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I feel mixed about this.
I’m disappointed that Pike is not a bigger star, like Hanks or even Liotta.
On the other hand, I do really love Bruce Greenwood. He was fantastic in Nowhere Man.
Great choice. I can EASILY overlook the lack of resemblance when it’s an actor as solid as this.
This guy is perfect, very good actor and I can see the Pike in him for sure. He’s done some great work, always solid. He’s also had a few parts where he’s played real life people, like JFK and I think he played Dennis Wilson in a Beach Boys bio pic. His resume is solid from what i know. Plus, we finally get another Canadian cast as the Captain of the Enterprise! ;)
Hey Lightyearmodels@yahoo.com,
What do you mean in post #3 about “wait until you guys hear who else is going show up in this movie!!!”? Do you have information regarding another addition to the film or did you just mean you expect more great casting? I was just curious! I love surprises!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0XR3BqCARc fresh from the 80s
Excellent choice. Definitely has the acting chops for it. Totally unexpected but I love it.
good actor, but seems old to me… still i dont know how old pike was supposed to be. well, i guess its better that he be a good actor.
In Thirteen Days, we had Steven Culp and Bruce Greenwood playing the Kennedys. The future Captain of the Enterprise, and the future MACO of the Enterprise (as well as a deleted scenes existence as the future first officer).
Great casting, Greenwood is an excellent choice.
Somehow, Bruce Greenwood seems like a great choice for Pike. And he’s at the right age for Pike at the end of his Enterprise command/start of Kirk’s.
I haven’t been this excited about Trek since the debut of TNG! Before that, it was the premiere of Star Trek: The Motion Picture. I’m worried they’ll ruin it, but I’m optimistic that I’ll at least get an honest effort at a good Star Trek.
15. Actually, if the film takes place considerably later in Pike’s command than “The Cage”, Greenwood could be a good match. Figure, Pike was probably in his mid-30s in 2254 for “The Cage”. If “Star Trek” (2008) is closer to the time when Pike ends his tenure as Enterprise CO (say the 2260-2263 period), then Pike would be in his mid-40s, and Greenwood could work out quite nicely.
I simply cannot believe this..I think paramount need’s to try harder.
Bruce is a great actor “knowhere man” was a great show ,he looks like Pike but he is 20 years too old.
Fantastic choice!
Always nice to have a Canadian actor as the Captain of the Enterprise! :)
Wow. First time I’m not excited. He is a great actor but…
TOO OLD.
I’ll try to take Spock’s advice to Valeris in ST6 “You must have faith that the universe will unfold as it should.”
This one’s tough to swallow though.
It’s a good thing the only thing most of you people can do is complain.
Although i’ve also preferred a bigger name for the role, he seems to be an excellent choice for a captain of a starship. And that’s the most important thing!
Well, I think he’s alright…
I hope they will have Samuel L. Jackson for Benjamin Sisko, if there will bi any Deep Space Nine Movie(s) LOL
Loved him in Nowhere Man and always hoped he’d end up in Star Trek in some capacity. I always thought he’d make a great Starfleet captain but I never imagined him as Pike. Still a little disappointed at the fact that there are no A-list actors involved.
He was good in 13 days, did a decent portrayal of JFK, but as Pike, well well wait and see.
Good choice.
I’m excited to see what he does with the role.
With all of the youngsters in the cast, it’s good that they’ll have a veteran in there to set the bar and show’em how it’s done.
#28
Right, someone has to show them how it’s done. That’s probably the reason for the long run-up.
I like the actor. However, it seems very rushed!! I hope he can pull this one off! There is no comparison to Hunter at all in him!! Pike rode horses, at least implying he has some sort of physique and also ssaid he loved gthe outdoors. Perhaps the actor can carry Pike’s emotional turmoil very well. I dont know! we got to wait and see. The Scotty role seemed like a mistake going to Pegg ,and Pike, How could they???
I’m sure he’ll make a very good older Chris Pike.
Looking forward to seeing what the team will give us!
If Pike has an important role in this movie it’s better not to have an A-list actor, because he could steal the show from Kirk and Spock.
I think A-list actors would be a better choice for little roles in this movie, perhaps Tom Hanks as an admiral, something like that.
Wow. As many have said, this is a bit of a suprise, but what a fantastic choice. He’s not an “A-lister” but, then again, not all “A-listers” are there based on talent. Mr. Greenwood has quality acting ability(as evidenced by his LOOONG resume). And I, personally, think his demeanor and character will be a perfect fit.
I like Bruce Greenwood. He was really cool in the SF series “Nowhere Man”. And he has been in many SF movies, like “I, Robot”, “The Core”.
And he is going to be good as Pike.
good choice
he was awesome in 13 days as JFK
29. Iowagirl –
Just between you and me, I’ve been a bit worried about the film coming off too much like Dawson’s Trek.
I’m just glad it didn’t turn out to be Josh Lucas…or some too-distracting ‘A-lister’ like Tom Hanks either…
This Movie shouldn’t need ‘megastars’ to be popular, but instead needs to stand out in other departments, and end up a ’star-making’ vehicle in it’s own right… Bruce wouldn’t have been my first or second choice, but it could have been a lot worse, and he’s a decent choice I think.
And he will inject some much needed ‘older’ gravitas ( along with Leonard ) among some of the ‘younglings’ cast in this so far. I hope he gets a big share of screentime.
I loved “Nowhere Man” & I think he’s an excellent choice for Pike.
I wonder if this will be right before the accident when Pike is put in the Electric Beep Chair and if we will see it? Wouldnt that be something if the Romulans secretly caused the baffle plating to rupture. We don know how long from Kirk was in Command of the Enterprise before it happened. Was it weeks or months on subspace chatter Mendez said to Kirk?
As long as they do a little something with his hair he’ll be perfect :) Good choice.
By the way Anthony,
has your Mom stopped coming to your site now?…as some of the recent ads here are getting decidedly dodgy…
‘Anna Nicole Lesbian Sex Video’ indeed…
Hey, I’m only here for some Star Trek news… ;)
hammering out the age factor: kirk, at 31, became the youngest starfleet captain. assume pike is three years older when he becomes a captain. he commanded the enterprise for at least 11, possibly up to 13 years. so he’s probably at least 45-47 when kirk takes command. so at 51, greenwood is not really a stretch.
He’s too old, he’s 10 years older than Jeffrey Hunter was.
Sorry I don’t like this choice.
Wow – excellent choice! Bruce Greenwood is an excellent actor – loved him in Nowhere Man.
And his casting keeps the Canadian connection alive that existed in the original series with Shatner and Doohan.
Greenwood’s casting feels right on every level.
To repeat, excellent choice!
Hmmm… not nearly as handsome as Hunter, though.
Wow that is surprise, Bruce Greenwood is okey actor but i cant see him playing big role. If Pike part is substantial they would have casted bigger name then Greenwood. So I have a feeling we are going to see Pike give Kirk his command as Captain of the Enterprise. His age seems to point that too as he is too old to still be captain of the Enterprise.
Admiral Pike is more likely
Would’ve never thought of Greenwood, but I like him too.
This is a very safe choice. Solid veteran actor to anchor the cast. I actually prefer Greenwood as a heavy like in “I Robot”, but there is no denying that he has a certain intensity that will work well for Pike.
I would love a movie with just Greenwood as a starship captain! This is a great actor with an excellent screen presence. Well done, team.
I agree with #43 — so far. I reserve the right to change my mind if he’s really good in the role. He doesn’t look much like Jeffrey Hunter.
I don’t know the man’s work so I am admittedly at a disadvantage right now.
Ok, yeah….I remember the guy from “I, Robot”…good actor…
Now that is inspired casting! I wasn’t expecting that. Greenwood has a great screen presence, very commanding and he always delivers the goods. Nice choice.
Chris Pine and Zachary Pinto are clearly “physical matches” for Shatner and Nimoy. Greenwood does not come close to Jeffrey Hunter. I totally agree this movie DOES NOT NEED A-listers to be successful. However I I am not crazy at all about this choice. In the Menagerie Pt 1 — Commodore Mendez describes Pike as “Tall and Strapping” — Greenwood is not. Greenwood is a great actor — he just should not be playing Christopher Pike. THUMBS DOWN ON THIS ONE!!!!!!
What an excellent choice! As a Canadian, I am thrilled to see Bruce Greenwood, one of the most talented actors that Canada has ever produced, plays Captain Chris Pike in the new movie.
Beautiful Casting. This is the first time I think I clapped when I read the news.
Chris Pine doesn’t look like Shatner, either, but he’s the same “type.” I think Greenwood will do a spendid job & he’s the right age, too. If Hunter was 38 when “The Cage” was made & “The Menagerie” episode was supposed to be 13 years later, then that would make him…51! Perfect. I wish I had a nickle for everytime you guys used the word “gravitas” or the term “acting chops.” I could retire.
I was disappointed there wasn’t a snippet, at least, about the first day of shooting. C’mon, Anthony, throw us a bone here.
I disagree with the idea that he is too old…. if Pike was the Captain for over a decade, than the age is perfect… remember, Kirk was younger than the other captains when he took over, so his age is very spot on. We saw Pike in a flashback, to a different era, so he should be older.
Tom Hanks would have been a terrible choice… rather than Pike, we would see Tom Hanks in a Starfleet uniform… and Ray Liotta looks like he has been eating whole bakeries.
I think this is good. I was expecting a bigger name, but this will be fine. This movie is getting great press and exposure already, without a giant name attached… heck, I see more about this and hear more excitement than I do for the return of Indiana Jones.
Now, I can’t help but wonder… with Pike involved…might that not also open the door for Talos IV? Doubtful, but ya never know….
This is sad…I was expecting some big name casting, not a bunch of unknowns and comedians.
If you haven’t seen this guy in “Rules of Engagement”, then your missing out too. He played a “bad” National Security Advisor in that. One of my personal favorites.
And he was great as Kennedy in 13 Days.
#58 Trek Man
Some of the best Movies ever made have just involved ‘unknowns’ and ‘comedians’…
However, I might have been able to live without the ‘comedian’ in this particular instance… ;)
Fingers crossed…
Greenwood is an experienced actor that the youngsters in the cast can learn from. Just as the characters they play would want to learn from Captain Pike.
It would hurt the movie to bring in a superstar to play Pike. He’d just upstage Kirk and the new crew. And the audience would be distracted from the story. “Hey look! It’s in a Star Trek movie!”
i dunno who he is, but good choice, hes got an interesting face… lotsa character.
i’m not a big t cruise fan, but i have to admit, he looks like he woulda been a good pike, but for the fact that tom is a slab of wood in front of the camera and his celebrity would detract from a good story line.
i liked in in wotw, though, what a movie!
“Hey look it’s big_name_actor in a Star Trek Movie!”
(Oops.)
Excellent casting. I wanted Bruce in a Star trek film just like I wanted David Warner (he was in 2 trek films, as well as TNG). Bruce looks like he was made to wear the gold uniform. (I still think his “Eight Below” co-star Paul Walker would have been another good Kirk choice)
Now if we can find a role in this film for Hugo Weaving (A Vulcan or Romulan, of course….). He is my next “has to be in a Trek film” guy.
Ah, but what do I know…
#61 I agree with you — I have said all along since this trekmovie.com thing started. The success of Star Trek, especially TOS was about great story telling, never about having A-listers in the cast, NOR should it ever be. I don’t question Greenwood’s experience and talent — I just don’t think he’s a fit as Pike…time will tell!
I think this is a great choice primarily because he is a great actor. He is handsome enough and has some character in his face that is a good juxtoposition to Quinto and PIne. Lastly, if Paramount felt this script was good enough to reboot the original characters (reboot reimagine whatever) which is risky in and of itself, and actually greenlit it we have to trust that they know what they are doing with the hiring of the actors.
The right Starfleet Uniform for the movie will make Greenwood be Captain Pike since he will have the Captain uniform and Kirk will not except at the end of the film.
I think he’s a terrible choice. Not for any professional reason, but simply because he looks better at 51 than I do at 35! If I could look have as good in my 50’s as he does, I would be a forunate guy!!
Agreed, the uniform is much of what makes the character come to life. Good choice.
He looks too old in my opinion.
@68 – haha – good one.
I don’t get this he’s too old stuff from. You folks do realized that Pike commanded the Enterprise for quite awhile after the events shown in The Menagerie, don’t you?
Good choice, bad move. Paramount needed to use the Pike role to make this film more viable for the international market. Trek films don’t do well in non speaking English countries. Big named stars in key roles would have been a good way to do deal with this. Greenwood and Bana aren’t going to cut it.
I wish this production a lot of luck. It’s going to need it
I have to say, I saw his face and instantly recognized him. Unfortunately, I have always found this actor to be a bit flat and wooden… like he would make a better choice for a random stodgy Starfleet admiral or something. I must admit, I was hoping for a choice with more star power… more “umph!”. The choice of Bana for Nero had my hopes riding high for Pike. Oh well.
So Greenwood will use the Enterpise in Battle against Bana’s Nero and will Pike say that the battle with the Romulans was enough to step down and relinquish command. This will be good. Will Pike recommend Kirk for the Captaincy?
I’m not familiar with Bruce Greenwood myself, but I’m willing to wait and see…
Any word on if Gary Mitchell is going to be in this movie, and if so, who will be playing him?
53:”Commodore Mendez describes Pike as “Tall and Strapping” ”
Odd, since Jeffrey Hunter was neither.
I like this choice. Every time I have seen him in a movie he always turns in a solid performance. Great actor!
Now give us some on set photos!!!
The only thing I remember him from is the short-lived TV series “Nowhere Man”.
Remember Kirk stated that, “I met him [Pike] ONCE when I took over the Enterprise from him. Spock served with him for several years.”
Spock – “11 years, 4 months, five days”.
I like this casting.I was a fan of Nowhere man,and he should have gotten an Oscar nomination for 13 Days.He Is also the right age for Pike.This Is set around 11 years after The Cage.
I wonder what is the role that Captain Pike will play other than him being Enterprise Captain before Kirk.
looks schmmoks, he is a good solid actor and he will do fine !
I wished for a long time that Ray Liotta could fill the role of Pike.
Bruce Greenwood… yea, I think he would do a great job.
I’ve seen him in many shows and movies – A great actor indeed!
Refreshing to know that he’s a year older than me- and I look more like than Pike than he does! (Pike- always wanted to play him, dammit!)
So be it.
Bruce Greenwood I think is pretty good casting. Of course also I am one who does not need a this “A list” actor BS. He is a solid good actor and I believe more than the right age. Most captains of huge ships in our real life navy are usually men in their 40s up to their late 50s in some cases. Kirk did start out young. ;) I think things are shaping up good. Of course the final product is what is really to be judged. This could go anywhere. I am hoping for the best.
Anthony, don’t forget to add him Mr Greenwood your Cast page and fix the spelling of “Henchman” #1
It’s bad enough we all spell so badly hear in the cohments sekshun.
;-)
Ps- I think this is a good choice. We don’t want TOO powerful an actor overshadowing the Kirk… better someone wise, ready top hand the reins over, etc.
Looks like good casting. Plus, he’s the same age as I. Bring him on!
Weirdly, while I don’t know the guy from Adam and have no opinion on his abilties because of this, I *do* think he looks like Hunter, similar sunken eyes and brows, nose shape and chin. With some intelligently designed make up I’m sure the look will be spot on.
A-listers would unbalance ‘Star Trek’, I think, particuarly in previously-inhabited roles.
#61 Jackson
I absolutely agree with you. I now realize we do not need a big A-lister in the movie.
Not someone I would have thought of, but a good, solid choice. Someone with a bit of a name in the industry, but not someone who’s SO famous that it’ll be distracting. I like that someone who’s played JFK is taking on the role of a Kennedy-esque Starship Captain.
Welcome aboard, Mr. Greenwood!
Yeah, Greenwood’s casting is really an inspired choice. The more I think about it the more I like.
Kudos JJ! Great choice.
This thing about Greenwood being too old… have to remember something:
Pike’s age was never established on the show. He *looks* youngish in the Cage, but there’s a statement made about how old he is. Roddenberry’s original concept for the captain varied, if you read “The Making of Star Trek”—at times the captain (sometimes Robert April, sometimes Pike) was the young “boy wonder” which later became Kirk, but at other times he was a slightly older, more seasoned man (but never actually “old” per se). There’s even a scene written for the Cage (later excised from the script due to time and budget constraints) in which the captain, upon inspecting a group of new arrivals (and exiting veterans–one of whom Pike has a dramatic scene with) remarks tersely on their young age. Roddenberry then notes this in his commentary and says, “this is something Kirk, the boy wonder of the academy, would never do” or words to that effect.
Pike’s character was never, therefore, quite as clearly established as Kirk’s, since only one pilot was shot with him and then the role was discarded (because Hunter didn’t come back for the series). *Kirk* became the “boy wonder” who had been one of the youngest to attain the captaincy of a starship, and we could therefore then assume that Pike’s career was of the more standard variety, and that he was probably in his 40s during the Cage, or maybe 40 at the very least—even though he looks younger. Then, at the time of “The Menagerie,” he would have been at least 53 years old, and perhaps even in his late 50s.
Sorry, in that previous post, it should read:
Pike’s age was never established on the show. He *looks* youngish in the Cage, but there’s NEVER a statement made about how old he is.
Well the first thing that went through my mind was what a jerk he was in Double Jeopardy. But my girlfriend told me I was typecasting so I will at least give hime a chance.
Check out the movie BELOW to get a feeling of how Greenwood would be in a captain role. In that movie he plays the role of a submarine captain during World War II.
Star Trek 2008 just keeps looking better and better.
Best wishes,
V of Romania
Good choice! He doesn’t really resemble Hunter, but will work as the commanding but doubt-ridden captain and mentor of Spock. Bruce Greenwood will do good. I am slightly less pessimistic about this…
Rather than go by the book for every jot and tittle they are going for the feel here, you have the young crew (including wonder boy kirk) and the seasoned captain of the enterprise, who is noticibly older, but by no means “old” and whose presence has a sense of being in adventures and traveled, and brings about a respect and admiration for the captain from those under him.
I think he is a good choice. He looks more like Pike in the top picture than in the one next to the Pike image.
Presuming they are going to try and make the characters look like the people who played them before they only need to get the hair right and the give him some blue contacts and he would look the part.
I took the top image and made a Greenwood Pike image
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd147/HoloJames/Greedwoodpike.jpg
Awesome, awesome.
I’m happy with this.
Now bring on the set photos!
100
and the cast photos in full costume…. :)
There is a leaked rumor over at trektoday from a insider that says Pike Role in the movie is critical and he will be assassinated by the Romulans and old Spock realizes something is wrong with the timeline when Old Kirk shows up in his time . Thats right folks, they are saying that Shatner will show up for a brief part. Its just not official yet. Anyway this insider says that Old Spock contacts the young spock to advise him of the situation and to make sure that Pike avoids being assasinated from Nero and the romulans. In the end Kirk will be given a well deserved death that the Whole Star Trek Universe depends on. The insider says that the writer Harlin Ellison is not very happy with this situation with paramount. The information is over at Trek Todays BBS forum under Shatner is in Movie Leaked. They said it, not me. Sounds pretty good to me for the story.
Superb choice!!!
I can buy into the “Nowhere Man” as Captain Christopher Pike. I still think Ray Liotta was a better choice.
I’m neutral on this one.
He is a very solid actor, but is neither a big name nor does he seem to be dashing enough to be a Starfleet captain.
What happened to the big name cast?
Where is Shatner?
I’m starting to feel like this film may be a let down for me.
This is actually the first casting news that has me excited–Greenwood is a terrific actor and I’m in the minority I guess with a few other people here but I think he fits in very well with Jeff Hunter’s look (and frankly I always found Hunter’s work as Pike pretty stiff; I think Greenwood will bring levels to the character that Hunter never could have).
He’ll do a great job. He looks more like an older Pike than James Cromwell looked like Zefram Cochrane, and that worked out just fine.
PS. John from Cincinatti is a really wierd show.
He did an excellent job as JFK in Thirteen Days. I think this is the best casting decision so far. Don’t understand ‘he’s too old” comments. That’s only true if everybody in the movie has to be under 30. Which seems more marketing strategy than fitting the characters. I wasn’t going to run out and see this, but Greenwood makes it a heck of a lot more likely, for the two sheckles that’s worth.
#102 — Huh. I posted a similar story idea on this forum a few weeks ago, but I just made it up. I wonder what their source for this new rumor is?
Hey #76 tell me 6foot 1inch is not tall –
Jeffrey Hunter
Promoting media: pictures, videos, wallpapers, quotes, bio, filmography.
Nickname: Hank McKinnies
Known for: The Searchers, King of Kings, Star Trek: The Cage
Birth name: Henry Herman McKinnies Jr.
Birthday: 25 November 1926, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Height: 6′ 1″ (1.85 m)
most of Joe Public have no idea who Captain Pike or Jeffrey Hunter are/were., Its only us. So as long as Bruce Greenwood does a good job, and he fits into the role of a seasoned StarFleet captain I think we”ll be fine.
FANTASTIC CHOICE!!! Bruce Greenwood was excellent as JFK in Thirteen Days and he will be great as Pike!!!!!
So will the Cage be Canon or the Menagerie?
I met Greenwood on the set of “Nowere Mam” and he will be just fine. Was able to spend a afternoon with him and think he will give some depth to a character we don’t know other than a few tidbits. I always thought when they were casting Enterprise that he would have been a better Archer than Bacula.
Have faith
Darth “Nowere Man Extra” Ballz
Bruce Greenwood was awesome in Thirteen Days! I didn’t even know he was Canadian! Pleasantly surprised with this choice.
RoyTheBoy nailed it! Abrams and gang have to be taking the approach that Paramount mandated with ST IV. Make it accesible for the masses, whilst keeping the fans happy enough that they see it a couple of times. The difference this time is that there was not an internet for ST:IV. Starlog and Premiere magazine aren’t the only way that news of the film is gonna spread. So, if they have a turkey on their hands…everyone will know very quickly.
But I really doubt it…
#99
That looks like Chuck Woolery from that dating game show!!
I personally don’t care if he looks like Jeff Hunter (which he doesn’t in the slightest) or not. He’s a fine actor and will do a good job.
Interesting choice–certainly a strong actor….but will he capture the moody/angry Pike as established by Mr. Hunter?
Good choice. He’s a fine actor.
#113
The answer to that was already given by the great Gene Roddenberry himself.
Considering the authority figures he has played in the past, he should be able to carry off a believable starship captain just fine. At last, another starship captain we can look up to, that’s not incompetant, inexperienced, over-confident, delusional, megalomaniacal, or bent on revenge, as nearly every other one we ever saw was.
Great Actor, Prob the best movie portrayal of JFK in 13 Days!!! I like the choice!!
Still I was hoping for Jamie Bamber or Ray Liotta, both of whom look a great deal like Hunter.
Edward James Olmos for Sarek!!!! – Adama for Sarek!!!!!!
Mary McDonnell for Amanda!!! – Pres Roz for Amanda!!!!!!
“Denny Crane kidnaps hookers!!”
Ya’ know, I’ve never thought that Ray Liotta still had the acting chops to play a Starfleet captain. At least not since Hannibal Lecter ate part of his brain. I guess this means that Sharon Osborne is out of the running for the part, too.
Greenwood ought to be good. Really my only question arises around Pegg as Scotty. Not questioning his talent; just kinda odd casting.
I think this is a good or decent choice.
On an unrelated note, looking at Jeffrey Hunter’s picture reminds me that I second Comic Book artist John Byrne’s opinion that Hunter would have been a perfect choice for Reed Richard’s. That is of course if the Fantastic Four movie been made back then.
Greenwood is a fine actor. I think he’ll be able to take the flavor of Hunter’s portrayal and run with it, while adding some interesting wrinkles of his own. Whether you’ll be able to buy the “continuity” of the two performances will depend on a suspension of disbelief similar to that of buying James Cromwell as Zefram Cochrane; personally, I have no problem with it.
I went down to Imperial Beach a few months back to check out the real-life ambiance for “John From Cincinnati,” which will go down as one of TV’s most fascinating failures. Greenwood was one of the few things that kept the series grounded, and the exclusion of his character from a number of the final episodes was a major misjudgement on the part of the producers.
Regardless how he looks, there is always makeup and I’ll reserve all of my “look” comments until the cast photo is released.
I WANT TO SEE THE SHIP!!!!!!!!!!!
Cmon, Jeffery Huners BIG role was King of Kings.
This new casting makes me happy that star Trek by avoiding a conspiracy controversy by not hiring Jim Caviezel as Captain Pike.
Although I think Caviezel does look more the part.
Why don’t you ask Captain Pike himself about if he approves of Bruce Greenwood playing him. Turn your speakers up so you can hear him answer. Speak loud and slow in Yes or No questions.
http://www.hellomeyer.com/pike/
If you wanna see the new ship click on the link below
kidding — sorry — feeling cruel
#124 Wow! I had no idea John Byrne said that, because I’ve thought the same thing for years. Hunter looks like he was drawn by Jack Kirby. Just put him in a blue uniform with a black collar. He also had the commanding “man’s man WW2 vet” Reed Richards presence of the 60’s version of the comic book. Its odd that Byrne said that, as in my opinion he was the writer/artist who slowly began the change of Reed into the thin, wimpy science nerd that he eventually became in the recent movies.
..wow…you ..you just ….wow….. not nice…
funny but not nice..;)
Robert AICN is reporting Bay on Trans 2 – what’s the scoop??
133
I thought that was old news — we’re all doing it together.
Yes! What a great chice JFK is Pike!!…he was one of the ones i suggested in a big list in a previous Pike thread a couple of weeks ago..
when Josh Lucas looked to have been cast a week ago i thought i had ballsed up big time by not including him in the big list of possibles (obviously i thought that if they were going for a Matthew McConeghey type theyd actually get Matthew McConeghey ) but nope its actually Bruce Greenwood whos a great choice AND importantly is in the correct age range at 51 (as Jeff Hunter was 39 in The Cage and we know from Spock in The Menagrie that the events in The Cage were set around a decade prior to TOS with Capt Kirk)
very happy with this casting!
#129- Roberto, the Enterprise is cloaked there- that’s not canon!!!!
Welcome aboard, Bruce!
Oh, and welcome to your new lifetime hobby of being a Trek figure.
;-)
Greenwood, by the way, will kick ass as Pike. He has the intensity and the commanding presence and is always a pleasure to watch onscreen. I love actors with character and life’s experience written into their faces. So much more interesting to watch than the cookie cutter “pretty” types.
God bless the “character actor”….rather watch him than the “leading man” any day!
136
lol
I think he will do fine
This doesn’t count as a writing gig against the strike, does it Roberto?
I mean, out of respect, I’ve stopped taking Anthony’s checks.
#131
Now that you mention that fact it is strange. He said it in an issue of Back Issue that Twomorrows publishing puts out, a year or two ago. His point was if you could have anyone in the movie, living or dead.
I always thought Reese on the Texas Rangers show, played by WWII hero Neville Brand, would have made a great Thing.
I am always amazed at how much some Trek fans complain about any and every little thing. I’m just happy that this movie is going to be made. I enjoy Star Trek for what it is and I could care less about the “All Sacred Canon” which has been broken in all of the shows at one time or another. We should give this nice variety of talent some slack and remember that the success of this movie depends on the chemistry that these actors have with each other. Why they each were chosen may not be obvious to us now but I truly believe that when all is said and done it will work. Passing judgment on a film before it has even been shot is imbecilic.
No matter how things turn out in the end, I would rather have ANY Star Trek rather than no Trek.
Mr Orci, If you are still Hangin’ with us…Anthing to the Idea of filimg at Vazquez Rocks?…A Favorite TOS filimg local..
I had a feeling that Pike wasn’t going to be the “A-list” role – that’s going to be the “Federation Captain”. That’s where Hanks goes.
Or better yet…. Not using Vazquez rocks.
Mr Orci- Shooting has started and we of course we are all excited. How about the answer to the BIG QUESTION:
Shatner….In or Out?
Mr. Orci –
Glad you still read the boards. Frankly, it would drive me nuts.
Is there any truth to the rumor I am about to start, that new ‘New’ Enterprise has wings?
David
(jk)
Contiued from last post: Bruce Greenwood-EXCELLENT CHOICE!
Wow, don’t know why I never thought of him. Maybe because many of the things I’ve seen him in he was a real bastard. This is cool.
I Don’t Know Butchie Instead
Great choice!! I Loved him in I Robot and Rules of Engagement He’s an Incredible actor. Congrats!!!
#129 Sure, but if you go to View Source, and perform two rot13’s and a rot26 (just in case)….. and then import it into Office 2007, convert it and save as an Office 97-2005 .doc format, print it out in invisible ink, and leave it on the front porch for a sunny afternoon…
It’s still not showing the link!
Writers with free time on their hands…. I just don’t know what you guys will do with all the free time after you put in your 20 hours! Maybe hang out at the bulletin boards and tease all fen to death? :)
Anthony,
C\’mon guys…STAR TREK is currently filming, RIGHT NOW. Where are the scoopers? Where\’s the spy photos? I want some asses wiggling…Let\’s see some action! Course…the golf carts shuttling people to the location are completely covered…and everyone is wearing black trenchcoats…
But why should that stop anyone? Let\’s see some uniforms!
Meantime, those TRANSFORMERS special features rock.
Wow, Chris is lurking in here again.
How’s it going? Do they let you on the set? Can you swipe me a phaser?
Also to Chris Doohan –
In all seriousness, have your agent call every other show and movie project in the genre. You have some serious “trek credit” now. You will get some great gigs.
Well, if he’s the guy who played Kennedy in 13 Days, then that’s alright…that was one incredible movie. I, Robot was good too….
So good choice! I think.
Robert MB – Free Enterprise 2 The Wrath of Bill?????
And yes let the flood of juicy spying tidbits going!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#154 — Seconded, thirded, and fourthed (quartered?)
LET’S SEE SOME SET PHOTOS, PEOPLE. (Or at least uniforms).
!29 & 130 Roberto: You are such a bad boy! That made me laugh so loud.
Well you asked for it. Here is the films first look at the set and uniforms with weapons. Enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COjFzYqm5-Y&NR=1
Mr. Orci,
Does your Enterprise have an officers lounge or a crew lounge of sorts??
Dr. McCoy needs a place to enjoy a mint Julip or Romulan ale, Scotty needs a place to enjoy his Scotch, and Kirk needs to be able to have a Saurian brandy with them.
I want answers!!! ;-)
While I think an “A-lister” would have helped in bringing a new life and non-hard core fans into the mix, which frankly this franchise needs (ala Craig as Bond), this is a great choice. I find it easy to be a Bruce Greenwood fan, and yes, he’s a very good actor. To be honest, I’m tired of hearing how happy Quinto is to be Spock, I hate his charactor on Heroes and I don’t like the way he plays it. That bieng said, hopefully I’m wrong about his range and he can Pull this off.
Going back to Bruce Greenwood, great choice, didn’t see it coming. I think this is the first really exciting casting other then Eric Bana.Simon Pegg Semi-exciting.
p.s. It’s nice to know people remember Nowhere Man.
#154:” I want some asses wiggling…”
You’re looking for “Casting” – third door down on your left.
A good solid actor. One of my favs! Can”t wait to see the first cast photo.
Just popping in to say — good choice. I can definitely see him as Pike. :)
Man, no one but no one but Jeffrey Hunter will ever be Christopher Pike. I am not upset that they are recasting Kirk or Spock, but Pike? Oh, man, that hurts. No offense to this guy, he’s a fine actor — but Jeffrey Hunter made the most of that role in just one frakking episode! No one else will ever really be Pike for me.
He was great in Double Jeopardy Starring Ashely Judd.
OK, I have to start the campaign:
Jeffrey Hunter MUST be in this movie, or it isn’t Star Trek.
Oh, wait…
I’m not holding my breath for any info or pics being leaked from the set. I think there may be some “sanctioned” leaks, i.e. stuff that J.J. chooses to release.
I just wanna say that I called it some time back…lemme go try to find my comment post….well, I can’t find it, but I said it! I suggessted either Bruce Greenwood or Shepherd Smith from Fox News as Pike. Don’t mean to gloat, I just never get to be right with predictions, so I am pretty happy! Woo hoo!
I have found Greenwood to be very Pike-like ever since I saw him in “The Core”.
#167… Ummm, Pike was recast once before. In 1966. Sean Kenney. Needs a bit of blemish coverup from Mary Kay though…
Why have you waited 41 years to protest recasting Pike?
Still think Connor Trinneer would make an excellent Lt Kelso… (Or maybe he could wait till the Buck Rogers remake and be Lt Devlin!) Of course, Trinneer would look good in the post-delta-rayed Pike role too… Good cameo opportunity…
I’m glad Bruce Greenwood was picked as an older actor he’s better suited for Christopher Pike role he’s a good actor. And do a good job playing the Captain in the new movie.
My first reaction was, “this is their first misfire.” Then I remembered Pegg. :-)
On further rumination, I like the choice. Much better than the rumored Josh Lucas. Someone here mentioned Greenwood being in “The Core.” What a horrible, cliché-driven movie, but I do remember Greenwood’s turn in that as an astronaut. He (SPOILER) gets killed early, but up until that point, he did a great job. I do remember that.
I think he’ll do a fine job as Pike. More power to him. And if this movie is set just before Kirk takes the center seat on the Enterprise, he’s exactly the right age to play Pike: early 50s.
Scott B. out.
I remember Bruce Greenwood from “Nowhere Man”. He’s a good actor, and ought to be good in the part, even if the doesn’t resemble Jeffrey Hunter all that closely. Nice casting!
uh oh…the strike is making Orci go a little loopy
The guy looks like a less frightening Willem DeFoe
This casting choice got me all giggly: earlier this year, I was an extra in National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets, and we shot two nights at Mt. Vernon in Virginia—where Nicholas Cage’s character, Benjamin Franklin Gates, KIDNAPS THE PRESIDENT during his birthday celebration at that historic locale. That film is to be released Dec. 21, 2007, and I will be watching not just to see if I’m visible at all (in the shots that don’t end up on the cutting room floor), but also to see what kind of actor Bruce is in NT2. I saw “THE CORE” and enjoyed it; this is what these people do—they ACT OUT these roles, and apparently, Bruce gave JJ & Co. what they wanted in the auditions. That means, he’s the one who came closest to what the SCRIPT calls for, the director (JJ) visualized for Pike, and what the casting personnel were hoping to see.
Now, we go on………… to the other characters. Sarek & Amanda, George “Joseph” Kirk (in Shatner’s new novel co-written with the Reeve-Stevens team from ST:ENT) and his wife Winona, perhaps Gary Mitchell, perhaps Carol Marcus, and/or whomever else Roberto Orci & Co. have included in the story. Maybe we’ll see Robert April and/or an elder T’Pol (from ST:ENT), Number One, and so on. But I TRUST these people who are doing this film, and the anticipation now only BUILDS as we see the final major roles cast.
WARP SPEED to Dec. 25, 2008!
I always thought he resembled David Caruso.
Good actor, but looks nothing like Jeffrey Hunter. But maybe with the right haircut, makeup and lighting he might look close enough for his acting skills to suspend our disbelief.
The writer’s strike has caused Orci to go loopy
Before it’s finished, he’ll be writing books like Snoopy
It was a dark and stormy night
Captain Kirk got in another fight
And Spock’s sword, without pon farr, got droopy!
Yeah?? Let’s see any of you do better with rhyming “oopy’ ies”!
I think Greenwood is a solid actor, and I’ve seen him in dozens of movies where I’d never have remembered him, but he made each film better with good acting and brevity.
At any rate, guy doesn’t look “dead-on” like Jeffrey Hunter, but they do look alike. The lips, the brow, and while his jaw isn’t QUITE as square and strong as Hunter’s, it’s not far from it. With that Starfleet crew-cut and a gold uniform he should look awesome. And with shock-white hair and massive scars, he should look awesome too. (God that accident better be in Trek 11!). No widow’s peak either, but that won’t make or break a replacement.
The only thing vastly different is that he doesn’t share Hunter’s steely blue eyes. Pike had some freakin’ blue eyes!
Personally, I hope they give him contacts. It won’t hurt my feelings if they don’t, but if they do, it’ll add a lot to linking the two portrayals.
I just don’t know anything about most of the other cast choices, but Bruce Greenwood is IMO the best one yet. Other than Nimoy and hopefully Shatner of course.
148
No wings. Just flames. On the side.
#180 – suspend our disbelief? Good grief.
The last thing I want to see is a carbon copy of the 1960’s Trek. Who gives a freaking flip if they look like the actors that previously held the role for all of 1.4 hours of screen time. Sure Kirk needs to be an Iowa white guy, but as far as I’m concerned – characters with less than 3 hours of total screen time can be anyone or anything.
I want a new trek that honors the old. Not a weak parody.
Just my two bits.
Mr Ocri – can i have 1% of the movies ww gross?
Much appriciated
Sweet. Just kill my first internet rumor the very same day. LOL
You seriously HAVE to release an image of the new Enterprise with flames a full 24 hours before we really get to see her. Imagine the blogs that would meltdown…
184, 187:
And spinning chrome rims on the naecelles? Please? ;-)
Oh, yeah! And don’t forget the purple-neon-light frame surrounding “NCC-1701.” Better yet, forget the neon light frame. Just have the entire “NCC-1701″ in purple neon lights! Muy caliente!!
Peace. Live long and prosper.
The Vulcanista }:-|
188 edited to add:
BLINKING purple lights!
Although I don’t think I’ve ever seen any of Bruce Greenwood’s films, I think he looks the part especially since he’ll be playing Captain Pike in the time between “The Cage” and “The Menagerie, Parts 1 and 2″. To me at least, Mr. Greenwood looks like a perfect fit for Pike just a few years before the accident that put him in the wheelchair (say around 2260-2261).
The End is Near
184. roberto Orci -
– No wings. Just flames. On the side. —
Whoa — flames!! This ship’s gonna be FAST!!!
With this ship the crew are sure to win the race against the Klingons, even with the less experienced Kirk standing in for Pike, who hit his head on the door of the Enterprise while bending down to pick up a nugget of gold-pressed latinum given to him for good luck.
The writers’ strike made Orci go loopy
She has flames! She has wings!
The fans think, the fans laugh,
No link for Big E.. aww poopy!
186
Only if the strike goes well…
#194 The strike going well for the writers, you mean? Right now, it seems to be going well for the studios. At least for a few more weeks, when things start coughing and stalling like the Millenium Falcon unable to get the hyperspace drive running…
Hmmm, do they watch Star Wars at Starfleet Academy on movie night… hmmmm…. Will we see an NCC-1138 USS George….
Meanwhile, back to Greenwood. With a cast like this assembled to match what must be a stellar script… This is going to be quite the new movie franchise… because to stop with Star Trek and not do XII and XIII will be a real shame….
Ray Liota was still more of a match in appearance. But I think we got the better actor… (oops did I say that?) Sorry ray.
oh well… not the best visual for the role of captain pike.
He is not a bad actor. He just seems to old ….
Hey Leonel….not bad!
Awesome Guy. He was my roommate in NYC in 1980 when we went to attended acting school together.
I get the very strong impression that about 99% of people who post responses to these articles are recruited by paramount to suck up to all their choices. To influence who though? People who comprehend Gene Roddenbberries original philosophy won’t look twice at some travesty by J.J abrams. For they understand as I do that star trek is 90% philosophy about a better future and better humanity and 10% everything else.
The problem is these morons are now taking the 10% of everything else and inflating it into 90% thus reducing the philosophy to 10%. It is called money making and it has nothing to do with anything but. Get use to it. J.J abrams is a money hungry elephant boy who’s out to make an ‘every man’s’ action movie dressed up with starfleet insignia to C$sh in on the franchise forged by a man who actually knew something about expressing the need for a better future. This film will flop just like enterprise did, and deservedly so. It’s a damn shame they can’t use the money they’re wasting on this to feed some starving people in the world. Now that would be more trek than anything J.J abrams can devise!
#200
And just, pray tell, would you do with the keys to the kingdom if granted the opportunity? It has to be, at least and foremost, entertaining!!
#200
Well, bless your heart!
Gene Roddenberry’s “original philosophy” was to make as much money as he possibly could off of Trek while he was alive, and he succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. How is he any different than what Paramount has done for the past 40 years?
“The problem is these morons are now taking the 10% of everything else and inflating it into 90% thus reducing the philosophy to 10%”
And you know this how? Really, if you’re going to make sweeping statements like this, how about something factual to back it up, like a copy of the script, for example?
Sorry, folks. I’m done feeding the troll.
Peace. Live long and prosper.
The Vulcanista }:-|
200. Trek is philosophy –
It’s a fair concern that you articulate. I’m looking at JJ Abrams’ work-to-date at IMDB.com, and it’s not much akin to the deep, thought-provoking concepts that were the staple of TOS (and TNG, for that matter).
And, yes, it’s also a fair criticism that JJ Abrams work-to-date is unabashedly pop. It’s music for the masses with a dollar sign devotedly at its core.
But, some of the people involved — like Bob Orci — inspire hope in the new film. He’s as knowledgable and devoted a fan as the best (worst?) of us, and he wrote the damned thing.
The point being that we’re not all patsies here. We’re just hopeful.
Hope is one of the fundamental Star Trek values, no?
Hope and optimism. A better future. 12-25-08.
Opining about the casting choices, as we are here, is not tantamount to rolling over with respect to the final product.
If the movie turns out to be a stinker, I’ll bash it along with you, mein freund.
But, even if the new film turns out to be a stinker, it might still inspire a fantastically enjoyable synopsis like Nemesis did here:
http://www.stardestroyer.net/Nemesis/Pictorial-1.html
Seriously, that synopsis made Nemesis worth having sat through, for me.
‘Gene Roddenberry’s “original philosophy” was to make as much money as he possibly could off of Trek while he was alive, and he succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. How is he any different than what Paramount has done for the past 40 years?’
Right, in the 1960s when the most popular medium of story telling in both film and television entered around the old west cowboy tales Gene Roddenberry felt it essential to money making that he create a television show, that was ultimately underfinanced, that he knew stood a very good chance at outright rejection, which depicted a group of multi-ethnic humans and a guy with pointed ears, which was canceled after three seasons, which he made very little profit on initially, yes, he knew what a money making machine it would ultimately be, hence his philosophy behind making it as accessible as possible, right? He could have made quick money writing another western, why didn’t he? Never mind that was a rhetorical question.
‘And you know this how? Really, if you’re going to make sweeping statements like this, how about something factual to back it up, like a copy of the script, for example?’
Enterprise! Plus ‘JJ’ Abrams caters to the masses with his brand of writing. But whatever, I am not here arguing against this film, I am here to ridicule the point of it to begin with. The world is in turmoil, wars continue to create divides amongst cultures and people continue to starve in much of the third world, and even some parts of the western so called civilized world. Star trek originally spoke out against a society which condones ‘more for me, less for you’ yet so many so called star trek fans talk about the false free market system as if it’s a god head for future development, not comprehending the fact that it stagnates us because 1-It isn’t free as it proclaims to be and 2-it weakens incentives toward unity by forcing people to toil over basic necessities, thus slowing down progress by decades, if not centuries. it is a god damned shame that this film is being made with capital that should be used to feed and clothe people who need it. This is not a compassionate effort at all. It is time we stop preaching trek and start acting trek.
Can’t we have a little entertainment while we’re trying to change the world?
#205
Apparently not.
Peace. Live long and prosper.
The Vulcanista }:-|
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