Paul McGillion Lands Star Trek Role December 13, 2007
by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: ST09 Cast , trackback
In September TrekMovie.com broke the news that Stargate Atlantis’ Paul McGillion auditioned for the role of Scotty for the new Star Trek film, but of course in the end the role went to Simon Pegg. However it appears that wasn’t the end of the line for McGillion. TrekMovie.com has learned that the McGillion impressed the film makers with his audition and they found a different role for the actor. No details yet on his role, except that it is a small speaking part.
McGillion has actually already finished shooting for the film, which took a few days back in November. It appears he will be in a scene with Chris Pine (Kirk). Since Simon Pegg had not started working yet, there will not be an on screen meeting between two.
After TrekMovie.com first broke the news that McGillion auditioned for the role of Scotty there was a large outpouring of support from the fan community, but it is not known if that factored into the decision to give him a role. A source told TrekMovie.com that JJ Abrams was impressed with McGillion’s audition and even though he picked his MI3 co-star Simon Pegg for Scotty, he still wanted to find a place for Paul.
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great, could bring the gaties to us :D
kind of liked this guy more than pegg. to me he feels more like scotty, but what can you do?
Awesome!
Could he be Gary Mitchell???
Good for him. I like the guy.
Jeez, it’s looking like just about EVERYBODY in Hollywood has a part in this movie.
Nothing against Pegg, but he should have been Scotty.
Can you say, Finnagen?
I don’t watch any science fiction except Star Trek, so I don’t know who this guy is, but I hope he helps makes the new Trek film as beloved as TWOK.
Finnegan! Yes!!!
(10th, BTW, i think…)
Still think he should have been Scotty, but I’ll go see this film now I know he’s in it. Yep, I’m that big a fan!!!!
Great! I love this guy. Too bad he isn’t Scotty though…
I’m thinking Finnegan myself… “How are ye, Jimmy beye?”
#6: …except Shatner. Hee, hee!
Terrific news!
You know, with all the changes that are going on, I hope I don’t end up being as disappointed as I was when I came out of the cinema after seeing Superman Returns, for the first and only time at the cinema.
Early new year 2009 will tell I guess, or whenever it opens in the UK. Certainly there is no way I would be able to see it Christmas Day, family stuff and all that.
Great, I’d far rather he was playing Scotty but it’s still great
Can you picture the look on the Shat’s face if it ends up that EVERYONE IN HOLLYWOOD BUT HIM is in the new movie? Yikes!! :)
This cast just gets better and better each day, doesn’t it?
I am feeling a Grand Epic scale of a movie here. Where does the casting end? I hope doesn’t stop here.
Finnegan might be good. How about the Federation Captain role”?
Scotty’s Dad, at the Graduation
Funnily enough I was just thinking about him today, and what would happen if Simon was replaced. Strange. But I’m happy he didn’t get the complete boot!
Thanks Anthony
Defintely happy to hear that Paul got a part. He was excited, and loved to tell everyone at Dragon Con 07, about the possiblity of playing Scotty. It will be interesting to see what role he did land.
Good to see he made an impression, he should have been cast as Scotty IMHO. Pegg, I haven’t seen so he is an unknown to me. It’s a bummer in a way that Paul did get a part (if it is small). It probably lessens the chance that Scotty could be recast in a sequel as Saavik was with Kirsty Alley / Robin Curtis!
He plays the great great grandson of the love child that Kirk and I had in an alternate timeline.
yup, this guy should’ve been scotty by a LONGSHOT
Simon Pegg is a good choice, even if it seems out of left field. He’s a terrific actor, and though he’s mostly known for comedic roles, I’m willing to bet he’ll impress us with his take on Scotty. I doubt Paul is crying over spilt milk, so I don’t see why we should either.
He does look a lot like the guy who originally played Finnigan in “Shore Leave”. It wil be interesting to see what comes of it.
Kigs :)
I like Pegg as Scotty. Why is everyone so sure that he’ll suck?
A little off topic, but I just saw the UGO video of the alien-choreographer who they basically establish played a Romulan in the movie. And it’s interesting how he agrees that the movie will be “fantastic” and that JJ Abrams is “brilliant.” It seems that virtually everyone who has an in with this new production is utterly convinced that this will be a success, and I just have to say that it’s reassuring. I’m sure that, historically, there have been complete flops despite peoples’ confidence in the people at the movie’s helm, but something about this movie seems different. I dunno. I think we all will be delightfully surprised.
Also, has anyone read the SciFi magazine interview with Orci? It’s excellent.
I went from enthusiastic about this film (because of Paul McGillion) to indifferent and now I’m warming up again.
I can’t help wondering who he will play and a couple of the possibilities suggested above have my thoughts whirling.
Ok, Abrams. I’m back in line for my ticket.
*coughs* I meant whom.
Looking at the above photo, he looks like James Doohan. I can believe he is Scotty!! This film is making me nervous!!
WHOOHOO!
Love ya, Paul!
“Jimmie-boy, you’re an old man. But me, I’m still twenty years old!”
No Finnegan for McGillion. Besides, Finnegan is Irish!
Fantastic!
Yeah, he was all excited to land a role until they handed him the red uniform , to which he replied, “Oh bugger.”
I’m fairly certain that JFX online has photos posted of what they call the Star Trek Officer Uniform
300 quatloos says he’s Gary Mitchell.
#38: The link was posted in the “Star Trek’s Alien Choreographer” Thread.
Peace. Live long and prosper.
The Vulcanista }:-|
#39 Ah, good enough - just wondered why the link hadn’t been posted on the main site…
#4, #39 to old for Gary Mitchell
800 Quattloos that he’s Finnegan. He’s older than Kirk, an Upper classman. It may work that way.
This is good news, Indeed!
Isn’t he too old to play Gary Mitchell, or Finnegan, if Kirk is only in his late 20’s?
#16 - I am also afraid it will be like Superman Returns. The hero will get his girlfriend pregnant and then go into space, leaving her to raise their son by herself.
>;>}
McGillion could be Finnegan: “So even you can’t save the Kobayashi Maru, can you Jimmy Boy?”
Yay for Paul.
To #9.
Jerk. :P
Finnagen!
I just wonder when Paul has impressed JJ with his acting quality, why hasn’t he landed the role of Scotty? Can’t imagine his scottish accent was too bad :-)
“Finnagen! Whats been happening to my people!”
“I want answers!”
“Comin’ up!”
#47 Jan
Paul impressed J.J. enough to land a role in the film (which, if I had to guess, is Finnegan), but Simon Pegg apparently impressed Abrams more for the role of Scotty. It all depended on who Abrams thought was better for the role; he chose Pegg.
Out of all the other shows JJ has been a part of I am only really well familiar with LOST. He had to have had a big hand in choosing who played what character in that movie. and I think he was pretty spot on with most if not all of them. So I have high confidance that the actors chosen for this movie, are right for there parts. I think Peg will be a good choice. It will be a little wierd seeing his face with Scotty’s name attached to it, but I think his acting will help to over come that.
He’s Jim Kirk’s older brother, Sam! (Only Jim calls him that).
Jim’s Older Scottish brother!
Ben Finney? Paul would be old enough to play an older friend of Kirk’s who has a teen daughter by the first season…
talk about throwing us a bone!
He so should have been Scotty. :(
[…] Despite losing out to Simon Pegg for the role of the upcoming Star Trek movie, TrekMovie.com has been able to announce that Paul McGillion will be making an appearance in JJ Abram’s Star Trek movie. Apparently JJ was so impressed with Paul’s audition he wanted to find a place for him in the movie. He’s already finished shooting his scenes, which are apparently with Chris Pine, who is playing Captain Kirk. […]
Wow, now we have another Stargate Star Trek connection!
Awesome news! Sure the scene is excellent!
I was so pissed when Paul did not get the part of Scotty.
However this is a nice consolation prize. Nice sci-fi fan service JJ!
Now just say Shats in the film & all will be good.
#47
Finnigan or whomever - I hope it will be a good role you can remember after you’ve watched the movie :-)
I think Paul will have to do a lot of make-up because he looks to much like Scotty and Pegg is playing Scotty .
In again, out again. Gone Again FINNEGAN!
He’s Perfect for that!
i can’t wait to see him in it. i like both trek and stargate so this is perfect. can’t wait
….and Paris Hilton as “Yeoman”
AWESOME! News… I still wish he was Scotty tho!! And I just realised he’ll be the first Stargate lead actor to cross over into a role on Star Trek. Stargate has had loads of big Trek guest stars, but never the other way round. Kudos to McGillion he ROCKS!!!!
He could be Finnegan, Captin Decker, or Fleet Captin or just the guywaiting around with Kirk before he takes the Kobe Asi Maru test.
Ya’ know, I always had pictured guys like Dominic Monaghan or his co-actor from LOTR, Billy Boyd as Finnegan. McGillion will always be my first favorite choice for Scotty, but, alas, that will never be. Maybe he can play Boothby.
(ducks)
Boothby? If you’re hinting that McGillion will look like Ray Walston when he gets old…….heh, heh……..yeah, you better duck! :)
What did Ray Walston look like when he was young? For that matter, was he ever young? If memory serves, he looked old in My Favorite Martian.
Paul McGillion as De Salle!!
(hides)
The fact that you’re asking if Ray Walston was EVER young will go a long way in impressing McGillion as to your suggestion of character that he should play…..he gonna hunt you down like a dog and ride you like Trigger! Yessir!!
Please tell me you’re not taking me seriously, Harry.
Paul McGillion as Kyle!
i hve not seen him or Pegg in anything( showing my age I guess)
But after seeing the picture of Pegg last week after winning the award I said to myself yes that’s Scotty’s smile. Just make thae hair a bit darker .
THX, I can assure you………….I NEVER take you seriously! :)
#65 THX,
LOL! Ray Walston looked old on “MFM” because you were six years of age or so. *Everybody* over the age of 10 looks old to a six-year-old.
I just looked on IMDB. He was 49 in ‘63 when MFM started. 49 is *NOT* old, I tell you. It’s not! Nope, no way. Unh-UNH!! Nosirree.
Peace. Live long and prosper.
The Vulcanista }:-|
Vulcanista, does the number 49 hold some significance for you?? :)
#71
No, but the number that comes after it does. Which isn’t old either. Nosiree! Not at ALL!
Peace. Live long and prosper.
The Vulcanista }:-|
Hey, I’m 52 which, by coincidence, is the number for I.Q.of the CBS “genius” who shut down StarTrek.com!!
I think it was Victor Hugo who said, “forty is the old age of youth and fifty the youth of old age!” :)
Rejoice!!
[…] >a href=”http://trekmovie.com/2007/12/13/paul-mcgillion-lands-star-trek-role/” target=”outside”>TrekMovie.com reported that former Stargate Atlantis cast member Paul McGillion won an unspecified speaking role in J.J. Abrams’ upcoming Star Trek movie. Original post Copyright ©2007 SCI FI Wire Go » […]
Nobody ever takes me serious no more.
Harry and Vulcanista, I think you’re both beautiful. I’m 42 but I keep asking myself where all these kids came from and why do they keep calling me “dad”?
And the reason Vulcanista won’t go out with me is because her father is opposed to the idea.
When asked he shakes his head and says, “I just can’t picture a Vulcan with Harry Ballz”
BA-DUM-BUM!! :)
#73 Harry: “forty is the old age of youth and fifty the youth of old age!”
What a wonderful way to look at “middle” age! Seriously, I’m kidding about the age thing. I’m grateful to even still be here, considering some of my youthful indiscretions.
#75 THX: LOL! Although I don’t agree with everything you post, I think you’re beautiful too!
#76 Harry, ({{{{GROAN!}}}}}}}
Peace. Live long and prosper.
The Vulcanista }:-|
“youthful indiscretions”…………….ooh, sounds good!
(in my best Anthony Hopkins voice)
Come, Clarisse…..quid pro quo……tell me about the….indiscretions…
[…] A while back Paul McGillion auditioned for the role of Scotty in the upcoming Star Trek movie - he didn’t get it. HOWEVER it seems that the film makers liked Paul so much they decided to find a way for him to be in the movie! Read more on TrekNews.com! […]
#78 Harry.
I’ll tell you what the deponent told the taking attorney in the depo I reported on Thursday:
“I refuse to answer on the grounds that my answer may incriminate me and/or bring infamy and disgrace to myself or my loved ones. I hereby assert my Fifth Amendment privilege.”
};-P
Peace. Live long and prosper.
The Vulcanista }:-|
Vulcanista,
Q: Do you know why scientists are starting to use lawyers in their lab experiments instead of rats?
A: Hey, there are SOME things a rat won’t do! Not to mention, you can become emotionally attached to a rat!!
Paul should have been Scotty. Period. Not only does he look like him but he does a fantastic Scottish accent. However I’m still very happy that he’ll have a part in the movie, no matter how small it may be.
He was robbed…
I’m upset that he didn’t receive the Scotty role. He would’ve have been great. I think that this is a way the TPTB thought that they could ease the lost of him not in the main role. Yeah, they threw a bone at us to keep us quiet. Hopefully, his scene is not that short, and will not be cut during the editing process. I’m looking forward to seeing him in the movie in December!
I agree with rac76, they underestimated McGillion’s fanbase by a mile and to appease us, they threw him a bone and put him in the movie. This is like a thorn I can’t reach.
McGillion is a natural-born “Scotty”, everybody knows it–EXCEPT the director. When the movie opens, I’ll be there. I’ve been a Trek fan since 1967, but I will always harbor a resentment that McGillion was not given a role he was (so obviously) born to play.
I thought he would be Pike, but then I checked and learned that there is already an actor playing him. He would make a finde Pike. Check his Picture out on Wiki.
# 35 - Paul’s last name is Irish. I’m pretty sure his father is actually Irish. He has a lot of Irish heritage. I can’t see Finnegan being too far out there for this Scotsman to play. :)
I love Simon Pegg, so even as a hardcore Paulie fangirl, Simon being cast as Scotty doesn’t bother me in the least. It’ll be interesting to see the fit of a Scots accent on him. I’m just glad J.J. was courteous enough to give Paul a part!