Orci Opines on Pine December 18, 2007
by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: ST09 Cast , trackback
One Star Trek actor that still remains a bit of an unknown is Chris Pine, the new Kirk. Today SciFi Wire has put up some more quotes from the SciFi magazine interview with Star Trek co-writer and executive producer Roberto Orci that provide some insight into why the actor was chosen for the iconic role, as well as giving some insight into how the film makers are approaching the character…
Chris Pine has two things which are very difficult to find simultaneously. He has the maverick nature of an extremely motivated, cocky guy who doesn’t play by the rules, who is intelligent enough and can command sufficient respect to be an astronaut.
…
But Pine also conveys the intelligence of a starship captain. It’s difficult to find a good-looking guy who you would believe can fill the old Kirk shoes of getting into a fist fight while also having a Ph.D. in astrophysics. That’s a tough one, because you need that as he has to face the intelligence of Mr. Spock [played in his younger years by Zachary Quinto]. Chris has a great sense of humor but is also able to get serious on a dime to step in and out of leadership while being fun.
See more at SciFi Wire [Note: they are leading with the angle that a role for Shatner is still possible, but regular TrekMovie.com readers should know that already for previous reports here as well as comments from Mr. Orci himself]
Loading ...
Comments»
Hope he has the chops to stand shoulder to shoulder with Spock.
1ST!
Great!!
hope he wears brown contacts
I’d agree with that. But I’d also add to that, Pine also will need to walk that fine line of having that cocky attitude (at times) while possessing great charm and charisma at the same time. Not an easy tast since most people who act cocky are usually very annoying.
No wonder they chose him as kirk:
http://s2.supload.com/free/0003.jpeg/view/
They definitely have their work cut out for them. They are going to have to show the germination of a friendship between two characters that we the viewing public have grown to know and love for 40+ years; and make it believable with entirely new faces. I’m not saying it can’t be done, but it’s going to be a challenge.
I hope Orci is right. if so, sounds like he’d be perfect!
#4: Oh good lord. He doesn’t need to wear brown contacts.
People… watch Chris Pine in his relatively small but high-impact role in Smokin’ Aces…
I know my concerns were out the window as soon as I did.
#6,
Oh God. Is he singing Mr. Tambourine Man in that picture?
I still claim bragging rights for suggesting Pine in the first place (message 104 here: http://trekmovie.com/2007/07/27/tabloid-rumor-robbie-williams-as-kirk/). :D
9 – why not? Routh wore blue for Superman as he had to have the same eye colour as reeve
There has been a lot of fan talk about the design of the Enterprise, how Quinto will look with the ears, whether Shatner will be in the movie, etc. etc. However, there is an 800 lb. gorilla in the room that people are just now starting to talk about: Chris Pine as Kirk.
For my money, the movie will look like a (150) million bucks, it will be cool to see Trek on the screen, seeing Nimoy again will be awesome, but the ultimate success of the movie will be how convincing Chris Pine portrays Kirk. Shatner was by far the best actor on the show, particularly in the first two seasons. Playing a strong leader is not easy to do. Pine has to meld the intellect of Spock and the humanity of Macoy, plus woo the women and kick *ss all at the same time.
Pine will make or break this movie.
^4 Snake
Doesn’t The Shat have hazel eyes?
BUT STILL NO CAROL MARCUS!!!!
Picard/Marcus 2008
Because It’s the Smart Way to Vote
#4:
Yes, contacts are a must, as well as this:
http://www.darrenscollection.com/Masks/kirk2.JPG
Orci should “opine” on Shatner not Pine.
Starring Christopher Pine as “William Shatner”
4. Don’t worry, I’m sure one of the Star Trek nerds out there(not the Trek geeks – of which I am proudly one) will do a digital remaster with all the old crew’s faces and voices…eventually(we all know its the geeks that actually get the job done). So just sit back for, say, another five or ten years and you will get the exact movie you want.
Still haven’t checked out Smokin’ Aces. Gotta put that on my to-do list after the holidays.
LOL @ 18!!!!!
What Orci said about Pine as young Kirk sounds promising at a quick glance. Cockiness and wit surely are important ingredients of that particular character, but it takes much more to bring out Kirk’s depth and distinctiveness. Especially as STXI will be dealing with a pre-TOS timeline, it’s Kirk’s tentativeness and his self-doubt, G. Mitchell is hinting at in WNMHGB, which are essential elements to be highlighted. Kirk is an amazingly multi-layered personality – showing just few pages of the book won’t do him justice.
#17
Yes, and it’s quite significant that the Pine article is leading with the Shatner role angle.
19 – Pine wearing contacts isnt overkill – its just bringing him closer in looks to that of the shatner…
eye colour makes quite a difference in a persons looks
#15 – I was really hoping Carol Marcus would be in this…oh well. I found this out about the same time that I realized that the composer for the Incredibles is also doing Star Trek (yes, I am a little slow, I don’t read this all the time, I was forced kicking and screaming to have a life, but I digresss… >;>}), so the coolness of that and the bummer of no Carol Marcus kind of cancelled each other out. Plus the news (or supposition) that the movie is going to be non-linear, like Lost, is not exactly encouraging either. So currently I am much more cautiously slightly pessimistic at this point.
Hazel contacts for Pine!
#13 – No, Routh had to wear blue contacts to have the same eye color as SUPERMAN.
Are we Trek fans really now so petty that we gripe if the new actor doesn’t have the same eye color as the original actor? Seriously? Do all the Bonds have the same eye color? More importantly, was Bond’s eye color ever a matter of fact like Superman’s? I don’t think so and I don’t think it matters what friggin’ eye color Kirk or Spock or Sulu have. It’s whether the actor can pull off the character, not whether they look like the OLD actor who pulled it off in the 60’s – 80’s.
Tell me we’re not discussing eye color again. Hazel, schmazel. Contacts, schmontacts. Whatever.
I like Orci’s take on the character. I like Pine. I agree that everyone who’s worried should see his tiny but vivid part in Smokin’ Aces (though frankly, you could chuck the rest of the movie). And in Princess Diaries 2 he’s quite charming in a Kirky-cocky sort of way. He’s a handsome fellow and a smart one, and he has a good voice, and he’s willing to ham it up when the occasion demands, and he’s funny, and and these are all good things, and everyone should just relax about his blue eyes. Give the boy a chance.
I’m darn glad _I’M_ not in this movie. I’d be terrified of the fandom!
If Bill gets his ‘appearance’ in this, then Chris will surely have the ‘contacts’…
And if he doesn’t, it’s hardly worth caring about…
To clarify –
If Bill doesn’t get his ‘appearance that is.
19. If you even care for one second about the color of the eyes, then there is no possible way you will like this movie. What about the color of the hair, or the depth of the receded hairline, or the shape of the ears, or the overall height in relation to the other characters(etc., etc.)? Worrying about the eye color IS overkill, or the worst kind. You can’t possibly enjoy the movie if you are that much of a picker of nits.
Chris Pine’s the only good thing in the lame-ass movie Just My Luck..and for that I give him 100 points..
I’ve also seen him in other movies and I found him to be charming,funny, energetic,cocky-in a likable way,smart and serious…and I agree with #25 he has a really great voice almost kirk-like
1ST!
wait, nvm.
:P
Oops 28 was meant to be @22. Sorry
I agree with the poster above that states the success of this one rests heavily on Chris.
I’m really rooting for him, but he has a HUGE ask on his hands.
no wonder they chose him as kirk part II
http://s2.supload.com/free/photo_16.jpg/view/
I just read the ful article.. and it seems it the fans fault that Bill isn’t in it as we are ’sticklers for canon’. !!
Mr Orci- just this once I think most will happlily forget it or live with it.
Get it done!
he looks like a schoolboy,and DOESNT look he has the authority he needs for a starfleet officer like J.T.kirk!
come on people dont epect anything like the legacy movies we saw from the 80s!!!
mr jj you are playing with fire!
as for the uss ncc 1701 dont you dare mr jj to touch anything!
I’m waiting for the first comment that Chris must shave portions of his head, and then get a mid-1960’s vintage toupee — or, if he doesn’t, the movie will suck.
I actually have to agree with most of Iowagirl’s post #21.
I go lie down, now.
#37. hah!
Put a crappy Beatles wig on Anton Yeltsin’s head, too.
And while we’re at it, doesn’t Simon Pegg have all 10 fingers? Maaaaajor continuity problem.
#36. C’mon, he’s playing the YOUNG kirk!
to paraphrase simonkey. . .
mr jj go ahead and play with fire. dont you dare mr jj make a bad movie thats all i ask!!
#4 #16 #22
of all the cosmetic, fan-boy erection having, william shatner worshiping, cannon fa-lay-shing, circle jerking talkin’ about brown eyes….
…. who flippin’ cares?
1-18 can’t get here soon enough.
I’m surprised no one said Pine needs to be able to overact. Uh, I mean… I hope the new Enterprise has wings and flame detailing on the side. That would be awesome! Oh, and dice hanging from a fake rear view mirror at the helm.
On a more serious note, I can’t friggin’ wait for this movie.
#38
I am appropriately filled with consternation. ;-)
“… And an untried captain!”
Two things yet to be proved: The writer’s ability to do justice to these legendary characters. They are as untried at writing Kirk and Spock as Pine is at playing Captain Kirk. So like post #21 you are right Kirk is as much a self doubting charactcer in his past (and throughout the original series, Balance of Terror, Ultimate Computer). He’s as much a flawed character as he is a tactical genius (this continued even up til the 6th movie and crept in, in the first film too).
What makes Kirk 3 dimensional is as much his flaws as his strengths. McCoy and Spock can dillute those flaws when one of them wins him over; and in most cases convert them together into winning strategies.
As for the Shatner issue, if that interview was November, filming likely had started the script was finished, the strike on.
THEY KNOW. THEY KNOW!
They are either teasing to conceal a great surprise. Or they are back pedalling and letting it drag on so not to damage the movie.
It would be classic if when the movie comes out, Pine’s portrayal pales in comparison to James Cawley’s.
A uniform thought:
Whether or not what we’ve glimpsed so far are valid uniforms, compared to what’s come in the past, objectively, they are FAR cooler looking, I think.
24 – well Dean Cain had brown eyes when he played superman…but because Routh was playing the Christopher reeve version of superman he had to wear the contacts..
#13 — “why not? Routh wore blue for Superman as he had to have the same eye colour as reeve”
Actually, Routh wore blue contacts because traditionally Superman/Clark Kent has been depicted as having blue eyes in the comics. His other two live-action versions, Reeves and Cain didn’t have blue eyes; the former brown and the latter black.
Have to agree with #21 Iowagirl; Kirk is a highly-intelligent man, who is as complex a character as Spock. He is a suburb tactician, smart enough to recognize what Spock is thinking, a skilled starship pilot, a bookworm (”a stack of books with legs”), a deep-thinker (”in his class you either think or sink”) and filled with a underlying self-doubt especially in the early 1st season. And I am glad that Orci and the others on the production recognize that he is more than his generalized public perception of a space cowboy and womanizer.
Of course he should have hazel contacts, that’s a given. The character of James T. Kirk was born into the body of William Shatner and through TV shows, movies, comics. novels and even a lunch box or two, over the past 40 years, this character, in an official capacity, has ALWAYS been a likeness of William Shatner. Not always the best likeness, but a likeness none the less. The character of Kirk in Star Trek 2008 is no exception.
James T. Kirk has hazel colored eyes. If this movie is not a reboot, as the producers claim, just give Pine contacts and move on.
47 – EXACTLY
#39
ohhh… you’re RIGHT!
Me? I’m going to be really PISSED if they don’t have service crawlways with pipes labelled “GNDN.”
Considering that ZQ’s prosthetic ears include prosthetic earlobes, I shouldn’t be at all surprised by contact lenses for Pine.
And, seriously, those photos of Pine doing Shat-hands in other roles actually do kind of show he has the same physicality as Shatner.
BTW, my spellchecker doesn’t believe in Shatner (or, indeed, “spellchecker”) but is happy to accept “shat-hands”. Hmmm…
#50:
“Shat-hands”: the coinage of the year. And every single one of us knew exactly what you meant.
Who cares about the eyes, what does Pine weigh? Does mr. jj know exactly what he is dealing with here?
And I am quite upset that John Cho apparently had clear skin as a youth.
Also:
That Harry Potter kid is getting too old.
#50, 51
Yes, spot on. That’s what I call brand recognition.
Get real, nitpickers.
The characters are far important than the color of eyes. JJ and his crew chose Chris Pine because of his talent, not color of his eyes.
54 – so did Bryan Singer and he made Routh wear em
Above all else, the reason why I am not concerned with how this new vision will either co-exist or contradict TOS and Canon is Orci.
With all that we know about Orci, the one thing that everyone should keep in mind is that he is quite a big fan. A much bigger fan than me. What I keep thinking about is that he has read some of the books, which says alot, since I don’t think you need to be knowledgeable about the novels to be a fan. By being a big fan, he is almost like our representative, he is a trekkie (or trekker) rep. He acts on our behalf. All the little things that are nitpicked about on this site, might already have been brought up by our rep to the filmakers. Plus he co wrote the thing. An example of something similar to this might be the movie version of Iron Man coming out soon, directed by Jon Favreau. Jon is a huge fan of Iron Man, and from the trailers, seems the fans are very happy with his vision.
Because of this, I trust Orci. Without kissing his ass, I really enjoyed Transformers. It did what it was soppose to do, which is kick start a new franchise by bringing in alot of new fans. It was fun, and had alot of humour, which I think is very important for a TOS movie, and something that was lacking in the next Gen movies.
Too bad Shia won’t make a cameo in this movie.
I thought Chris Pine was AWESOME in Smokin’ Aces. I am a bit nervous about him in this role as Kirk. Looking back at TOS, especially season 1 it’s so clear that Shatner was BORN to play Kirk.
#36:”come on people dont epect anything like the legacy movies we saw from the 80s!!!”
You promise? Thank god!
55 Routh was chosen for his talent??? Talent for what exactly?(I though he was chosen for the hair)
I thought Routh did a fine job in the part, it was the MOVIE that stunk up the place. What a stupid, insipid plot!!
Yepper, this film is shaping up to be STAR TREK: 90210.
17. Ivory – December 18, 2007
Orci should “opine” on Shatner not Pine.
Shatner’s been opined enough on this site. The subject is Pine. Shatner’s thread is a few clicks back.
————————————————————————————
I believe this young man can do this part. Some of you are right, he’s got work ahead of him, But I am willing to see him try… unlike others who have almost condemmed him before we even see a preview.
#61 TheGreatBird
If you don’t like what you see and can judge a film and actors before it’s released, you are a far better fan than most here.
I assume because of this judgement, you will not be joining us at the movie?
hey harry baltz I liked superman returns – it went abit overboard with the homaging though (e.g. homaging the actual storyline to Superman 1 wasnt the best idea in the world) and Bosworth was totally miscast but i loved the fact it was a sequel to the originals and used the classic scores, brando, fortess/krypton designs etc..
Pine must wear hazel contacts personally approved by shatner
But will we see a Shatner roll and Shatner double handed arm chop from Chris Pine? Otherwise, he may as well go home.
Star Trek 90210? Oh Jason Priestley as Gary Mitchell!
Supe Returns was plodding and humorless. And TOO LONG.
Pine? Contacts? Naa…
60 Routh might have been acceptable if Singer hadn’t kept reminding us all movie long that he wasn’t Christopher Reeve. Hopefully, JJ will allow Pine to do his own thing while still paying homage to what The Shat brought to the role. There’s really no point in recasting if the new cast is just mimicing the old. Might as well just watch the old if that’s the case.
If the new guys can’t(or aren’t allowed to) make the roles their own, the movie will fail. The last thing anyone wants is to see Mr. Pine doing his best Shatner for two hours. Or Quinto doing his best Nimoy, for that matter. I don’t think JJ will make that mistake, hopefully
#62
- Shatner’s been opined enough on this site. The subject is Pine. Shatner’s thread is a few clicks back. –
Xai, Shatner’s not been dealt with sufficiently as the question whether or not he’ll be involved in STXI is not answered yet. This issue will remain important to many of us whether you like it or not. And as this thread is not only about Pine but also and particularly about the character he’s about to portray, it should also be allowed to touch on the Shatner subject.
I agree, though, that our main focus in this thread should be directed towards Pine which already has been done and which surely will still be done accordingly.
As a DC fanboy first and a Trek fanboy second, I felt that Brandon Routh’s Superman was good. Nobody will ever be Christopher Reeve. But what Routh did was an admirable take on the character that complimented the Superman character.
Also, Ledger as the Joker looks incredible.
I like Chris Pine’s look, and if they say he has the maverick ability along with the intelligence, than that’s a good enough description for me to place some trust into our new James T. Kirk.
#67 “The last thing anyone wants is to see Mr. Pine doing his best Shatner for two hours. Or Quinto doing his best Nimoy, for that matter. ”
Are you saying that when Nimoy’s firmly-established- over-the-course-of-40-years Spock, time travels back to his past, that Quinto..appearing as a younger Nimoy/Spock, shouldn’t act, at least somewhat, like a younger Nimoy as Spock? I don’t get that line of reasoning at all.
#66: “Supe Returns was plodding and humorless. And TOO LONG.”
Agreed.
#63
Aren’t other opinions allowed in your world?
#64 Snake “I liked superman returns”
Snake, I agree with you that there were some good bits to the movie; the music, the effects, Brando, Routh…….but the one HORRIBLE aspect of the film was the stupid plot device of Luthor wanting to build a continent/island in the middle of the ocean! That was such a BORING premise that it yanked me out of getting lost in the film. Hell, I waited YEARS for that flick to come out and then, while sitting in the theatre watching it, I kept glancing at my watch wondering when this snorefest was going to be over……..not a good sign!
If Shatner does end up in the film, it should be in contention for the most procrastinated bit of casting ever.
Xai:
Why go out of your way every time you get the chance to talk Shatner down?
Many people feel Shatner’s version of Kirk got a raw deal and that he should be in the film. Believe it or not, few people seem to care about Chris Pine compared to William Shatner.
Okay, that’s a good rationale. I’ll admit, despite giving the producers the benefit of the doubt, I really have been head-scratching over Pine-as-Kirk. This is a good interview.
LOL #13 Superman Is blue eyed , Routh wore the contacts for that same reason.
50 – Exactly. We can all calm down about the contacts. If they gave Quinto prosthetic earlobes to match Nimoy, they’ll give Pine contacts and they’ll dye Pegg’s hair.
You know, James Cawley got better and better in every episode of NV and the Sulu one was really really good, and I think it was in so small part, due to Cawley’s Kirk.
I was able to look past the different actors pretty easily with New Voyages, and especially like the guy who played Spock.
I don’t think we’ll have any harder a time with this New cast than we did with Daniel Craig as Bond, which was NOT AT ALL.
“Opines on Pine”? Anthony admit it! You have been dying use that pun for awhile haven’t you? ;)
Some like to opine on Pine
Quinto playing Spock is fine
The casting of Scotty is debated
The Chekhov choice goes unrated
The cast, as a whole, will shine!
68. Iowagirl – December 18, 2007
“Xai, Shatner’s not been dealt with sufficiently as the question whether or not he’ll be involved in STXI is not answered yet. This issue will remain important to many of us whether you like it or not. And as this thread is not only about Pine but also and particularly about the character he’s about to portray, it should also be allowed to touch on the Shatner subject.
I agree, though, that our main focus in this thread should be directed towards Pine which already has been done and which surely will still be done accordingly.”
Iowagirl, I appreciate the civil comment on my post and I understand that there are Shatner fans that are feeling put out these days.
I don’t dislike the man, and if we are being told by him that he’s not in it, I believe him. I don’t understand the lack of comments from Bad Robot, but I am all sure it will all come to light sometime in 2008.
To echo what you said in your last paragraph somewhat.. the main focus of this thread is Pine. There are dozens of Shatner threads, I don’t think there’s been a lack of a forum for Shatner’s fans to say their peace. IMO
72. TheGreatBird – December 18, 2007
“Aren’t other opinions allowed in your world? ”
Sure, tell me what you are basing yours on… I don’t understand how something can be judged before the product is in front of us. Just the way I see it.
75. Ivory – December 18, 2007
“Why go out of your way every time you get the chance to talk Shatner down?
Many people feel Shatner’s version of Kirk got a raw deal and that he should be in the film. Believe it or not, few people seem to care about Chris Pine compared to William Shatner. ”
Why do you feel nearly every thread needs Shatner in it?
And read #82.
Can the brother throw a convincing dropkick??? I’d like to know if he participated in any High School or Collegiate Athletics. Preferably Football and Wrestling or Martial Arts. If you actually know how to fight the chorography looks much more convincing.
I have high hopes though!!! I wonder if they are using the same fight chorographer from Lost, show has some of the more convincing fist fights on screen.
oh, and the thread is ABOUT Pine and Orci’s comments about him. If you read up…I did say he has hard work ahead of him.
Message to JJ, Orci, Kurtzman, et al…
PLEASE MAKE THIS MOVIE A REBOOT so we can all stop whining about “continuity” and / or “canon” things like eye color, height, weight, etc.
Please.
I made it about halfway through this thread, the people started talking about eye color.
“Eye color”? “Contact lenses”?
Are you people serious? If you are concerned that this new guy’s eye-color might not match Shatner’s, then YOU ARE THE PEOPLE in that SNL skit that wanted to know the combination of the space-safe.
Maybe they should meticulously document and record every blemish and/or mole on Shatner’s body and replicate them on the new guy. Perhaps Pine should be altered (digitally or surgically) so that his height PRECISELY matches a 34-year-old Shatner and so he has the EXACT-same number of hair-follicles.
“He should wear contacts so the eye-color matches”….Jeezus….
#88 El_Nastro:
That’s actually one of the things I’m angry about. I heard a rumor on TrekWeb that Abrams has *rebooted* the combination of the space safe!
It is now 4-8-15-16-23-42! I am outraged!
88. El_Nastro – December 18, 2007
“Maybe they should meticulously document and record every blemish and/or mole on Shatner’s body and replicate them on the new guy. Perhaps Pine should be altered (digitally or surgically) so that his height PRECISELY matches a 34-year-old Shatner and so he has the EXACT-same number of hair-follicles.”
Hair follicles counted on his head… that’s 12 right?
That reminds me of a song… and off subject, but we seem to be off anyway…
:
On the twelfth day of Christmas, Trekmovie sent to me…
Twelve Batlehs spinning
Eleven (Dr.) Pipers piping
Ten Lord Garths a-leaping
Nine Vulcans laughing
Eight nacelles a-whirling
Seven o’ Nine dancing
Six Hortas a-laying
Five Lat-inum bars!
Four Birds of Prey
Three Red Shirts
Two puzzled Spocks
And a Tribble in the command chair.
No copying and I apologize that it doesn’t f l o w , just rattled it outta the brain. Now on to “Twas the night before Christmas and all through the theater…”
You know, I’m surprised no one’s brought up the scary fact that Pine’s father is actor Robert Pine who played the captain, Getraer on CHiPs which means he comes from a family of campy actors in campy TV shows. I hope this is not a portent of things to come!!!
that’s a stretch…
I think Pine has pretty much an open field because he probably won’t be playing Captain Kirk or commanding the Enterprise. My guess is he’ll be more like Luke Skywalker’s part than William Shatner.
#83 – Right on.
I don’t remember what article or thread it was in, but I recall someone (Orci) I think talking about how these characters are iconic or Shakespearean and that, in a way, these characters now have an existence apart from their original actors.
Thus, it’s about getting the character right, not replicating the performance of William Shatner. Yes, yes, Capt. Kirk has only been portrayed by Shatner (well, there is that other guy, but I haven’t seen him), but even then, his acting was a take on the script and the direction he was being given from the directors. I think it’s unfair and probably unwise to expect Pine to give a Shatner performance as opposed to a Kirk performance.
In some other thread, someone brought up A Few Good Men and gave the example of seeing the difference between an actor portraying the Jessup character, or simply doing an impression of Nicholson doing that character. I think that Pine will do justice to Kirk, and I hope that we’ll be pleasantly surprised by his performance, as well as those of the others.
Where is Stanky? Why isn’ t Stanky weighing in on this?
Wo now,,,,
These characters Kirk and Spock never met until after the Pilot episode of TOS.
^
Are we throwing that away….?
I think what’s going to happen is your going to see 3 different storylines one centering around Spock and Pike and one around Kirk and the rest of the crew..and the wild-card Nero and old Spock.
96. steve adams – December 18, 2007
Wo now,,,,
“These characters Kirk and Spock never met until after the Pilot episode of TOS.”
I don’t remember that fact…. what source?
^
Kirk and Spock didn’t meet until Kirk took over from Pike.
^
Established cannon.
There’s no way any of you are gonna give this guy a fair shake. You’re worried about his freaking eye color for God’s sake! That’s just effing pathetic. You should be ashamed of yourselves. In fact, it seems like some of you are already geared up to hate it and I don’t think anything could change your minds.
I hope Chris Pine plays Kirk really gay.
I hope he plays Kirk gay, has two different wrong eye-colors and
they THROW CANON OUT THE WINDOW! (or airlock, as the case may be)
Canon-schmanon, that’s what I say!
I hate that term “canon”. As if Star Trek continuity is Holy Writ.
It’s not as if we’re talking about a single, grand unified vision. This is EPISODIC television, not Lord Of The Rings. Just about every episode of Star Trek had an entirely different mercenary writer-for-hire anyway, so it they mess with “Sacred Canon” it’s not like they’re dishonoring anyone’s Magnum Opus.
And let’s face it…at least half of all the episodes from all the series’ were so poorly-written, they never should have seen the light of day to begin with. A large portion of the Holy Canon SHOULD be thrown out, especially if Established Canon gets in the way of a cool storie people are writing TODAY.
Star Trek is CONSUMER-PRODUCT. It’s fun and entertaining, but it’s not anything resembling art in any way. Stop talking about stupid canon.
@99 – lol
@100 – no, it’s not just episodic television, now you are being silly. It’s a way of life, an aspiration, a template for the future. It is the single most important communications medium ever and a rule book for the way humans will be in the 22nd century.
To deviate from this even for the sake of a contact lens throws the future into Mortal Peril…
If Pine doesn’t have contact lenses in, then it’s all over.
All of it.
Everything.
#98: Not canon. It’s -purely- speculation. What’s more, it’s only an inference that Kirk didn’t meet Pike until taking over the Enterprise. Close analysis of the relevant dialogue from “The Menagerie” shows that Kirk’s meeting with Pike at the handing-over ceremony is not exclusive.
According to OFFICIAL CANON, Kirk and Spock may have served together throughout their careers–perhaps even under Captain Pike.
And I’d love to see specific citations to the contrary. Q.E.D.
Not that having them meet in the film will cause my life to crumble, however Kirk and Spock never met in the past and it was never discussed during the shows run. We just assume so based on the way the characters were written
^
I was just making a point. Not saying its gonna ruin it for me #100,and
I’m sure alot of fans will disagree with your assesment of the writing on TOS.
^
100: If memory serves, TOS had quite a stable of quality “mercenaries: ” Harlan Ellison, David Gerrold, DC Fontana, and more names I do not remember. Consistency was checked by an outside agency, I read once.
Canon creates a world with added richness and depth of environment. Canon is also the history and experience of the characters which make them more complex, showing growth from what came before. It’s the early Kirk people mention here vs. what we know he would become.
It’s also fun when Trek goes over the top with it, like Trials and Tribble-ations, or In a Mirror, Darkly.
Or even just having “remarkable man” McCoy on board the Enterprise D in the first episode of TNG encapsulating in a short scene everything we know and love about the character. Canon.
It’s been handed off to a completely new group of people, so some are a bit concerned. We’ll see.
102. James Heaney – December 19, 2007
#98: Not canon
I agree… I don’t recall anything that said or has shown that Kirk and Spock had not met before.
I don’t care about the extreme minutiae of canon quite so much as I wonder if this team is competent to make a Star Trek film that expresses Gene Roddenberry’s vision. Slam him and damn him all you want, newbies…but he created the very thing which brings us all here.
“Horatio Hornblower to the Stars”
^ ^ THAT is exactly what we need to see again. Horatio Hornblower and Wagon Train to the Stars…no more Melrose Space. Back to the basics.
And speaking of basics…yeah, Pine needs contacts….if he wants to be Captain Kirk.
Pine needs contacts…and should have to undergo painful re-constructive surgery in order to bring him to Shatners height of 5ft 9 1/2
#109 I am Kirok!!!
And gain about 100lbs.
#109 and 110 …
Very clever! I’d advise you 2 to take your act on the road, only … right off the top of my head, I can’t think of any venues with zero seats. :)
Ok, if this was a full-fledged reboot, eye color would be irrelevant. But since the filmmakers are going to the trouble of tweaking Zachy’s lobes to look like Lenny’s, then yes, Pine should look as Shatnerific as possible. Lenses it is!
IMO, Kirk’s eye color is not a mere casual attribute, but an inimitable feature which is part of the physical expressiveness of the character. Changing it would be a break in continuity; a needless one.
#110
No, he wouldn’t have to. He’ll play young Kirk pre-TOS; gaining weight would contradict canon. Shatner, should he appear in the film, would play Kirk post Generations. As a logic operation from all TOS films so far, I’d say he’d be boxing in the right weight class.
CHEERS #106…!
I can’t believe the issue of eye color is still being debated.
111 – Exactly. There should be no worries about any of the physical attributes. The earlobes for Quinto should put to bed all of our concerns (contacts for Pine, dye job for Pegg, etc.).
Sounds like they were looking for exactly the right qualities for Kirk. Good work!
I know that this is a rather simplistic explanation, but is it possible that the only reason that Z.Q. has been fitted for prosthetics to simulate having ‘free’ earlobes (to, perhaps, appear more like Leonard) is only because, Mr. Nimoy has a role IN THE SAME MOVIE and it might appear odd to have the same character (at, apparently, different points [no pun] in his life), have free ear lobes that appear and disappear as you switch from “Z.Q.” Spock to “L.N.” Spock?
And, that without, the Shat in the movie, the already overly-discussed ‘hazel’ contacts for Pine is un-necessary?
/Inquiring minds, and all that stuff…
#117 No… I don’t think so, despite the fact that Shatner is not in the movie.
I agree very seriously and “sanely” (is that even a word?) to the fact that Pine must have hazel eyes, just as Pegg must have black hair, just as Urban must have blue eyes, just as Zoe Zaldana must be Black… why would skin color be important, and not eye color? They were careful to cast actors who would fit agewise, heightwise, why not adapt the few things they could adapt so that the actors would fit more with the description of their CHARACTER? Scotty has black hair, McCoy has blue eyes, Kirk has hazel eyes. Period.
While you guys babble over a green-skinned girl, we girls care more about ol’ Jimmy’s eye color ;-) Leave us our fantasies :-P
#118 et al. – Eye color is not intrinsic to the characters, I’m sorry. This is admittedly conjecture, but I think the only reason those characters have those eye colors is because the actors they cast had those eye colors, not because it was part of the character’s description. Hair color, okay, a little more noticeable in that someone who’s always had black hair you don’t suddenly want to see as a blond. Needless to say, race/ethnicity is a prominent aspect of the characters also. But eye color? C’mon.
the reason Kirk’s eye color matters are twofold:
1) unlike weight or hairline, eye color does not change (in the “natural” course of things, that is). more often than not, the eyes (and the gaze) express the man/woman. Shatner/Kirk’s eyes were penetrative, pensive, resentful, lustful, fiery, resigned, twinkly etc etc at various points of the TOS game. they really were an outstanding weapon of action/seduction/destruction. and through it all, Shatner made those golden/hazel eyes as much a part of the character as his shoulder roll or his end-of-the-season paunch, or his stop-start way of speaking. they can, if they want, not give Pine hazel contacts, of course. but to me, something will be missing if they don’t.
2) simple: the hazel matches the gold/green shirt. ;)
so sorry for the atrocious grammar. me tired after a long day. :p
#113 Thanks, Steve. I only met the real Bird once in 1971 or ‘72, but our 15-minute conversation and his generosity, humility and kindness have stuck with me ever since. At the moment however, I have far more faith in James Cawley and New Voyages than I do in JJ and the “official” reboot. Especially after seeing WORLD ENOUGH AND TIME, which is the best Trek *anything* I’ve seen in nearly 20 years.
It’s too bad that this movie is going to needlessly disappoint a lot of people.
I would advise them to stear clear of anything dealing with Star Trek XI.
#112 Iowagirl, but to use the word logic and Kirk post-Generations doesn’t work. The character is still dead post-Gen.
Smile…you know you want to.
Shatner could undress you with his dark sultry hazel eyes…
Imagine the amount of tail the Shat has tapped in his life…(yes even when he was broke living in his camper post TOS)…
It dosnt bear thinking about…
#124
Xai, you must draw up a logic operation of all my sentences. “Dead” isn’t exactly the term I’d use for an appearance in person in STXI (insert my supposed smile).
Famke Jannsen has brown eyes. Jean Grey has green eyes. She was great. What I didn’t love was the way her red hair was a cool colour in the first X-men film then a dodgier colour in X2, followed by a hideously coloured fright wig in X3.
Similarly, I was less offended that Starbuck became a woman than I was that none of the original female characters had a place in the new BSG. A modern version of Cassiopeia would have rocked much along the lines of Enara the companion in Firefly.
The point that I’m making badly is that we will all be able to get over Kirk having different colour eyes as long as we like Chris Pine. There will many other, more important issues over which to vent our spleen.
Janice’s wig is it for me. Oh wait… no Janice? Urge to kill rising….!