Shatner In The Movie Saga Still Not Over December 19, 2007
by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: ST09 Cast, Shatner , trackback
Over the last few months there have been a lot of stories regarding whether William Shatner will or will not be in the new Star Trek movie. Periodically a report crops up that claims to have the definitive answer one way or another. The latest is a new report at Moviehole claiming ‘final confirmation’ from co-writer and executive producer Roberto Orci that Shatner will not be in the film. However, it appears they have jumped the gun.
Last week at the Paramount WGA Trek event Mr. Orci told TrekMovie.com that nothing has changed on the Shatner front and a decision either way was still possible. The same notion that it was still possible was in his Sci-Fi Magazine interview. In that interview Orci noted that a role for Shatner was still possible but difficult due to Kirk’s death at the end of Generations. Today Orci tells TrekMovie.com that he didn’t tell Moviehole anything different and that there is no change.
Of course Shatner is not helping himself with all his talk about not being in the film being ‘foolish’ or ‘a bad business decision.’ In fact his complaints landed him on Cinimatical’s “Lame in 2007″ List. But it appears he may not have learned to keep quiet. Just today KGMB’s Hollywood reporter claims that Shatner said of the new Star Trek movie: “I hope that movie bombs.”
Over? Did you say over?
For those who were disheartened to hear that it ‘was over’…perhaps this motivational speech will raise your spirits. [warning: colorful metaphors]
Comments»
I’m totally convinced that this whole Shatner “is in it/isn’t in it” — is just one huge gimmick. After all that is said and done, my gut tells me that he’s is IN IT!!!!!
I’d personally love to see him in it, but not as Kirk (of any age or vintage). But I’ll see the film either way :)
The eerie thing about that clip is that, two-thirds of the way through, the music starts sounding very Star Trek …
As of this moment, Moviehole is on double secret probation!
By God, Jim, this has gone on long enough!!!
Get back your command! Get it back before you really do become just another long thread!
Anthony, thanks for your always reliable and up-to-date coverage!
#1
I do hope your gut is right!
Think about it - if he wasn’t going to be in it, we would have gotten the final word long ago. They only risk massive backlash by keeping up this “is he or isn’t he” guessing game only to come out in the end said “no.” In my opinion, they’re trying their best to preserve the surprise of the movie without flat out lying to us.
How about they stop jerking us around and give us a straight answer?
To me, it’s not Star Trek unless William Shatner is playing Capt. James T. Kirk. It was a mistake to kill him off, probably why Rick Berman is no longer associated with the franchise.
Plenty of time to make it work. But I’ll be first in line, regardless.
Hope they can work it out, what an awesome gift to fandom…and me… that would be…especially if it were miraculously managed to be kept secret. The media and fandom would eat it up…except the Shat-bashers of course, many whom are grumbling this very minute at the sheer thought and mention of it in this article! lol
Fingers remain crossed!
If Shatner loses any weight over the next 6 months we will have the answer.
If he’s in it, fine, if he’s not in it, fine. Either way, I’ll see the film.
This has got to be one of the lamest attempts to keep a secret in the history of Hollywood moviemaking.
The fact that Shatner is running around crying like a baby about not being in the movie is proof something is up.
Let’s think about this for a second. What is the plot of the new movie? Clearly, it’s a flashback movie. Old Spock is thinking of the past, back when he was just graduating from Starfleet Academy.
Don’t expect Leonard Nimoy to sit in a rocking chair and tell the grand story of the day he met James T. Kirk to his grandchildren or some stupid variation.
This is going to be just like The Search for Spock, but instead it’s going to be The Search for Kirk.
Old Spock is on a mission to rescue James Kirk from the Nexus. This story will be interlaced with flashbacks of young Kirk and Spock beginning their lives in the Final Frontier.
At the end of the movie, old Spock will save Kirk and Shatner will surprise us all with a cameo.
Why else would Shatner be on the Internet every five minutes complaining about not being in the movie? Because he IS in the movie and wants us all to think that he won’t be making an appearance.
Mr. Orci’s belief that it would be “difficult” to include Shatner in the script because Kirk died at the end of Generations is silly. Spock died at the end of ST II — and we all know what happened then: The character was included in the script of ST III. Amazing! How’d they do that?
Anyone else agree with my theory?
With CGI he doesn’t need to lose weight! :P
Won’t even need a girdle! =D
I think we can all agree that there is a strong possibility that Shatner will or will not be in the movie. That’s my final word on the subject. Now, my advice to you is to start drinking heavily.
Mr Orci,
Please find a way to get William Shatner in the film as Kirk. I know he has made an ass of himself trying to get in the film, but it would mean a lot to many many people to see Kirk ride off into the sunset rather than fall off a cliff to a bloody + meaningless death.
Mr Orci, please save Captain Kirk.
Here we go again…
8. Penhall - December 19, 2007
“How about they stop jerking us around and give us a straight answer? ”
They may not HAVE a final answer to give you and they really don’t have to tell us anything. We are not owed, we don’t own this. Sorry.
6. Iowagirl - December 19, 2007
Hi, weren’t you just implying that this doesn’t get enough discussion or coverage over in the Pine thread?
Here ya go…
Nimoy and Shatner make this film complete. Nimoy w/out Shatner makes it feel half baked.
End the Shatner/Nimoy era with these two legends riding off into the sunset and then we can start the new era with the new actors.
#13
Agree. It makes perfect sense.
The needs of the one out way the needs of the many.
Also, why December 25th? What’s the gift? Shatner of course. You have to know you want the gift before you get it, right? So this is all about making us want the gift.
Also, they could have just committed to make a Star Trek reboot without any old characters…and kept Nimoy a secret too. Having Nimoy there is the only thing that makes us ask “why not Shatner?”. Nimoy is the bait. :o)
Exciting news. We may get the Shat back after all.
I have to be honest. As much as I love Star Trek I don’t think I would go see this film if Shatner isn’t in it as Kirk.
#13 JohnnyK, well put however I would see your version of the new trek film and then I would hate it because of its lack of creativtiy and also its obsession with kirk and spock.
Star Trek is a team effort, why would a kick start focus on 2 members of that team?
^
If this film is a rescue mission to save kirk they might as well put it out on direct to dvd because it will do better along side “Starship
Troopers” then in the theatres…
^
This film IMO, will focus on the academy, pike and spock. The madien voyage of Enterprise (Aprils command will be explained away) and the upcoming crew Kirk, uhura, etc.
^
IMO, They will be in some grand epic storyline in witch involves time-traveling to save more than just one man……..
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Shatner un-dead hear me now….
This movie is about Star Trek not Kirk….
^
It better be..!
What is the deal with this issue? Why can’t they just come out and say he’s not in it? I mean seriously, what are the odds at this point with the script being written and actually being FILMED, and the writer’s strike preventing it from being re-written for the forseeable future, that they will be able to fit Shatner into the story in any meaningful way? I’m not saying it’s a ruse or a conspiracy of any kind, I just don’t get what anyone has to gain at this point by leaving the door open if they really haven’t already thought of a way to include him. Sure, J.J., Shatner or both may just be milking the whole thing for publicity, but it seems to me that it stopped being GOOD publicity for either of them quite a while ago.
Can’t we just resolve this and move on, please?
Moviehole is very unreliable. I’ve lost count over the months and years they’ve said:
No Arnie for T4
Arnie for cameo for T4
Arnold will not appear in T4
Producers want Arnie for T4
Arnie will only be in a Cameo
No cameo for Arnie
Get the idea lol
#13
While I agree that is the missing episode many fants want, it would be the lamest movie ever.
I’m sorry to disapoint you, but I’m totally sure that the Nexus or bringing old Kirk back to life won’t have any presence at all on the movie.
They are making a movie for newcomers and both those things are unrecognizable to newcomers.
Everyone I know wants to see Mr. Shatner as Kirk in this film. Why would they ever invite Mr Nimoy back and not Mr. Shatner?
Please spare me that nonsense about Kirk being dead. Wasn’t Spock, McCoy, Scotty, Checkov etc.. all “dead” at one point or another?
If they really want Shatner in the film (most fans do indeed want him back) they will find a way. I really think this is just a marketing ploy at this point. It keeps people talking Kirk and Star Trek.
Without Shatner I don’t think many people outside of the hardcore fans will really care about this film.
My prediction = Shatner is there in the end.
I think we can all agree if that Shatner was DEFINITELY NOT IN THE FILM, we would all have known that by now and it would have sprayed all over the mainstream media. The question is — why is it necessary to play this cat and mouse game? To generate more buzz? Not necessary. I think we can all agree we ALL SEE IT, whether he is in or not. I want answers…
#13 - Johnny K., your theory doesn’t make a lick of sense. True, they killed Spock and then wrote him into STIII, but they had to make up new Vulcan mysticism and tweak the Genesis plot to explain how Spock came back. Bringing Spock back wasn’t a subplot: it was the entire point of the film.
Bringing Kirk back would as a main plot would be stupid, pointless, and a disaster at the box office. Imagine the synopsis of your movie: “An old Vulcan has flashbacks of his youth while he tries to bring back a dead friend.” Ooooohhhh!!! Boy, that’s the stuff of big-screen adventure! Sounds like a real winner! Sure to resurrect the franchise…yep…
If this new movie was about resurrecting Kirk, it would appeal to NOBODY but the fanboys and fangirls who drool over Shatner. No general audience is going to show up to watch 2 hours that result in Shatner…period. If you think so, then you need to stop smoking whatever you’re smoking.
Another thing: why the hell would Spock want to bring Kirk back from the dead? Death is death; the only reason Spock came back was because of the whole “katra” idea. Kirk had no idea that Spock COULD be brought back until McCoy started acting nuts and Sarek melded minds with Kirk. If McCoy hadn’t been going nuts, Kirk would have had no reason to go back to Genesis at all.
Shatner’s complaints about not being in the film don’t prove anything. If he really did have a role, his whining would just draw attention to it. And Shatner’s hardly been “on the Internet every five minutes complaining” about it. He’s made a few statements and that’s it.
Why are you people so obsessed about Shatner? He willingly killed off Kirk in Generations; he WILLINGLY CHOSE to stop playing Kirk at that point. Nimoy killed Spock, but brought him back and then even played him in TNG to show that Spock was still around. But Shatner bowed out.
I, for one, don’t want to see any lame “search for Kirk” crap at all. It’s pointless, it’s illogical, and it would be a bad movie.
The stubborn question about whether or not Shatner is in the movie, has tired and annoyed me a lot. In short, I just want to watch the movie. That is it.
#24… agreed! If elder Kirk was not in the working script at the time of the WGA strike, and they don’t resolve the strike soon, he cannot be written in.
But, there’s always the possibility of reshoots later on in post-production (late 2008). I’m sure hope the strike will be over by then!
Though, Shatner stated he’s better than just a “cameo”. Maybe he can get over that thinking!
#13. I like your plot ideas.
24-”What is the deal with this issue? Why can’t they just come out and say he’s not in it? ”
C’mon. I mean really. What could they possibly gain by spilling the beans this soon in the game? A years worth of fans bitching because he isn’t in it? A years worth of bitching because he IS in it? Nothing is to be gained by revealing ANY surprises of the film a year before it even opens. They have no valid reason to reveal anything THIS soon. Anything leaked or released in an official capacity will be picked apart.
The will sit on the important stuff for months to come. They have nothing to gain by tipping their hand so soon.
#20. Ivory - “End the Shatner/Nimoy era with these two legends riding off into the sunset and then we can start the new era with the new actors.”
Um…they already did that. Trek VI actually ended with the entire ship flying off into the sunset (well, into the sun…sorta…ahem…). What’s the point of doing that again?
#27 - “Without Shatner I don’t think many people outside of the hardcore fans will really care about this film.”
What are you drinking? You think the general public cares about Shatner being in the film? ONLY diehard fans give a crap about who is in the movie: the general public views Trek as silly sci-fi for geeks and Shatner as a joke. He’s gained acclaim as Denny Crane, but the general public has NEVER been concerned about Shatner playing Kirk. ONLY fans care.
And the rest of you: the filmmakers have already said “Shatner is NOT in the film.” They’ve answered the question. He’s not in it. IF they could find a way to add him in, and IF the writer’s strike ended in time, and IF Shatner still wanted to, then yes, they’ve said they’d love to have him in it.
But they have given the “definitive answer” many times. Shatner is not in the film, not gonna be, not happening, uh-uh, no way. They wish it would work, but it won’t, so he won’t be in it.
How much more definitive can the filmmakers be? Do you want them to go and shoot Shatner so they can say, “See? He’s dead, so he’s REALLY not going to be in the movie”?
I think he is in it . Spock saves the past of young Kirk and that changes time and saves Kirk from death in “Generations”.
I wonder if this “will he or won’t he” has something to do with the writer’s strike. In other words, it’s still possible that they might be able to find a way to give him a small wrap-around part with Leonard, but they can’t technically write it until this strike ends. So nothing of the short could likely happen until reshoots next year at the earliest.
Look at Shatner kiddies. He’s lost a bit of weight, and his hair is longer now, like Kirk-length. Thats all I have to say about that. Otherwise: I love John Belushi. Such a phenomanal comedian, and actor. Yay Animal House (I would assume thats Animal House, after all, I can’t think of any other movies like that, that featured a young, not-dead-as-Kirk John Belushi)
I’m assuming he’s in until I hear a 100% certain that he isn’t.
Lets face it, they would be nutso not to include him.
If doing a cameo is below Bill then he needs to get over it. It would/
could be the one of the greatest, most moving cameos of all time if done right.
This is getting really tiresome. It’s almost spoiling the anticipation to constantly bang on the Shatner issue.
This just in — I will also NOT be in the movie. Absolutely, positively. Unless they work out a way to get me in there. In which case I am DEFINITELY in the move. But until I am in the movie, I’m not in the movie. When I’m in the movie, it will be DEFINITE. But if I’m not in the movie, it will also be DEFINITE.
So I’m glad to clear that up for you.
LOL
Thanks Anthony,
This article is why this site is the best trek site out there. TrekWeb just took Moviehole at their word and declared in their headline “Final Confirmation that William Shatner Won’t be Appearing in the New Star Trek Movie.” But TrekMovie actually bother to check with the writer and get the truth. And you get some Belushi thrown in to lighten the mood.
I really don’t konw what I would do with this site…thank god CBS cant lay off Anthony and his gang like they did with the staff of startrek.com.
Oh and the voices in my head are telling me that Shatner will be in the movie…but he will be playing an orion slave girl.
James T Kirk will be in the film. Whether Shatner will be is another question still up in the air.
Who the hell keeps deleting my comments? If you don’t want me here, tell me so, and I’ll leave.
Oh, goody — this again. It’s like Kabuki theater. So ritualized! Look, so we don’t have to go through this one more time, I’ll lay it out for everybody.
Shatner lovers: Hurray! Psych! He’s in the movie!
Shatner haters: Who gives a crap! He’s dead and egotistical! And he has disturbing hair!
Shatner lovers: Shatner-haters be danged!
Shatner haters: Shatner-lovers have no life!
Shatner lovers: Long live Shatner! Long live Shatner!
Shatner haters: Death to Shatner lovers! Death to Shatner lovers!
Shatner lovers: If he’s not in the movie, I WON’T GO SEE IT! SO THERE! HAH! THAT’LL LEARN YA!
Shatner haters: You are all pathetic Shatnerholics! Get out of your parents’ basements!
Shatner lovers: Meanies! Meanies! I’m telling mommy!
Shatner haters: (sticking out tongues): PPPLLLLLLLLL!!!!
I think that chain of stores in the malls called Hot Topic should change its name to “Shatner”. Shatner is BY FAR the hottest topic in Trek fandom, if this place is any indication. He’s so hot, the Enterprise should be slingshotting around him! Wake up and smell the tranya, Trek XI producers!
I think the Kennedy assassination had less scrutiny and analysis on it than whether or not Shatner’s in the new movie!!! :)
I think we just need to pay close attention to what the Shat’s up to day by day. If we don’t hear anything from him for a while, he might be on the set.
You know, I think we all ought to enjoy all the speculation surrounding this film, as I don’t think we’ll ever see the like of it again.
#42.. I am. Just randomly exercising my god-like powers to keep them sharp.
#47. Pragmaticus, that is a highly pragmatic view of things. Good one.
I expect that exactly one year from now, I’ll be reading the same crap from most of you. It will be December 19 2008 and both camps on either side of the Shatner fence will still be in a pissing contest.
If the writer’s strike lasts until the summer Shatner become moot.
Must be a slow day.
372 dtST
I won’t believe Shatner said “I hope it bombs” until I hear/see him say it ten times.
That’s either bad reporting or sour grapes, but I think it’s the former.
I said it once,,and I”ll say it again,,
Having Mr Shatner in the next trek would make this the biggest sci fi event since Star Wars came out in 1977.
This story sounds like it would work for a cheap tabloid. All of these “claims” that are made make me sick. Please post something when it’s KNOWN. Now isn”t that a novel approach?
i dont agree either that shatner said this. lets hear for ourselves if its true. william shatner MUST be in this movie. without him its not complete.
nimoy and shatner as kirk and spock need to be there together to help launch the ‘new crew’. lets hand over the baton properly this time round.
if spock is in it by himself everyone even non trek fans will say ‘wheres the old kirk’?
doesnt make any sense not to have him in it.
cheers
greg
UK
This came from dirtyrottentomatoes.com:
William Shatner hasn’t exactly been shy about expressing his disappointment over not being included in next year’s Star Trek XI — but, as it turns out, his protests may have been premature.
As Trek XI co-writer Roberto Orci tells SCI FI Wire, there’s still a chance that the filmmakers will find room for The Shat in J.J. Abrams’ franchise reboot — but if they don’t, it’s nothing personal. It’s just that, you know, Shatner’s character is dead. From the article:
“There are two things,” Orci said in an interview in November. “One, from our point of view, we are still hoping to find a way. Secondly, one of the difficulties that was brought up and discussed with Shatner when we all met him and pitched him ideas is that Trek fans are sticklers for their canon. [And,] unfortunately, Shatner’s Capt. Kirk was killed in Star Trek VII [1994’s Generations].”
The second of Orci’s “two things” is, of course, the writers’ strike, which is keeping Orci, his partner Alex Kurtzman, or Abrams from making any changes to the script. Once that’s out of the way, Orci isn’t averse to a Shatner appearance, provided it makes sense:
“The difficulty there is not just ignoring that or explaining it in an unsatisfactory way merely to get him back in,” Orci said. “So that is the struggle: the rigors of canon and not phoning it in just to have a cameo.”
So there you have it, Shatner fans. All hope is not lost. And if you can take Orci at his word, the torch has been passed to capable hands — the screenwriter is all kinds of happy about the casting of Chris Pine as young Kirk:
“Chris Pine has two things which are very difficult to find simultaneously,” Orci said. “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. Remember, these people are all astronauts!”
Source: SCI FI Wire
1. Somebody has to pose for the gigantic Kirk memorial statue at the San Francisco space port — so there’s yr cameo.
2. If the new movie “Star Trek” makes a splash, that will increase probabilities for another film based on Shatner in the leading role.
3. The cameo in Mirror Mirror of a Kirk from a parallel universe, short though it is, demonstrates the amazing range Shatner brought to his role on Star Trek.
News Flash: 6/15/09 — “Paramount Hints that Shatner May Appear in new Star Trek DVD. Or not. -developing”
Not that I think Shtner should be in the movie, but this is pretty funny:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=gX9shr_Pq2I
Shat… If you wanted to be in more Star Trek Movies, you shouldn’t have agreed to fall off a bridge… especially in the 24th century where main charicters stay dead.
#20, 54
I concur.
#19
Anyway, I‘ve demonstrated some foresight. ;-)
#33
- ..but the general public has NEVER been concerned about Shatner playing Kirk. -
The general public was required for acknowledging Kirk’s cultural heritage status which has developed during a 40 years space of time. It was not only the fans that made the trademark “Kirk” possible - fans, though numerous, could not have accomplished that alone. The general public, the public who is not concerned much about Trek, still know Kirk and Spock and they are definitely able to recognize their “faces“, Shatner and Nimoy.
#48 okay then. :)
#59- OH yes!
Anyway, this is all about “creating buzz.”
He’ll be in it. Shall we take a poll?
Anthony?
#37,46,52,54…..
All of you are the (Shatner Un-Dead).
:o
#63 … I’m OFFENDED that I was left off the list! :)
Who cares? I like Shatner, but I’m gonna still see the movie.
I still think this is another one of Shatner’s infamous pranks. We can already surmise that we get Kirk’s birth scene in the film from what we know about casting so far. No reason not to have Grampa Kirk (played by Shatner) at Little Jimmy’s birth.
I have said it all along. He will be in. It is the LOGICAL thing to do!
No, even better: JT Kirk (played by Pine) gets in some hot water and returns home and we’re surprised to suddenly see Shatner as Grampa Kirk who gives James some words of encouragement that stokes his flame and sends him back off to save the day.
I think the only way we’d see Shatner in ST11 is if Kirk appears to Spock as he (gasps!) dies–for good, this time. I can see it now–the white light and all.
Kirk: Spock! What the hell is taking you so long? Bones and I are waiting for you.
Spock: Jim? My old friend, Jim?
Kirk: Hey, watch it with that ‘old’ stuff, willya? I’m immortal now.
Spock: What are you doing here?
Kirk: (smiling gently) I paid off the Angel of Death, my friend. I’m taking you home.
Spock: Paid off the Angel of Death? (pause) Why am I not surprised?
Kirk: It’s a true Eden, Spock. No wants, no needs.
Spock: Wasn’t that Omicron Ceti III?
Kirk: That’s my Spock, still the literal smartass.
Yo….go to post #58 and watch the video…it’s FRIGGIN’ HILARIOUS!!!!! :)
Anthony, I think you’re being way too hard on the Shat there, buddy.
Is it Shatner who keeps harping on not being in the movie, or is it the media who won’t leave him alone about it? You know, in all the videos and quotes you link to, how many times has Shatner brought it up himself? How many times has he been asked about it? The unfortunate fact is that Shatner can’t fart without a reporter asking him what he thinks about Chris Pine’s farts being in the movie and not his. Maybe if he was smarter, he’d try to hide his disappointment whenever prodded and he’d just start giving a ‘no comment’.
If Shatner’s comments are staged and he’s going to be in the film, thats cool. I’m not thrilled to resurrect him but not totally against it either, i guess. If his comments are not staged however, I say keep him away from star trek. Don’t even buy his books. He should be thrilled to have been such an iconic charactor for as long as he was. He’s just upset because he see’s this big budget movie being made and he see’s fame and dollar signs.
#58 THAT WAS HILARIOUS!
Who knows how it’s going to end up, but consider this…
Orci made his statement regarding Bill’s participation in the film as still possible…while on strike with the WGA.
If you’re not with me so far, the WGA strike means no further script adjustments.
If Bill being in the film is still “possible” with no script rewrites/adjustments wouldn’t it stand to reason Bill’s role is already planned?
Also…
Bill’s statement about hoping the movie “bombs” is somewhat contradictory to his previous statements in which he claimed to believe it will be a wonderful film.
#72 “He’s just upset because he see’s this big budget movie being made and he see’s fame and dollar signs.”
Or it could simply be that he feels a connection to something he’s be an integral part of the success of for 40 years. Plus the fact that they cast his co-star in a key role. Plus the fact that the director met with him. Twice.
To paraphrase what Kirk himself once said, this film would be stronger WITH Shatner than without him!
I’m adding my name to the list of people who think this is a publicity thing. I mean, it’s JJ Abrams, he’s known for his tricky advertising. This who Shatner being bummed thing has gotten almost as much attention as the film itself. On opening day we are all going to be greeted to a Star Trek with the Shat in it.
THE FILM WOULD BE WEAKER WITH SHATNER BECAUSE IT MAKES IT LOOK LIKE THEY’RE RELYING ON AN OLD FORMULA. SHATNER=HOAKEY
LOL Don’t think the Shat needs to hope for anything… think it’s pretty much guaranteed to bomb from everything I’ve seen and read. Oh the pacing might be enough to keep the attention of the average Xbox junkie to make a buck or two… otherwise puberty should pretty well kill this endeavor.
But if it’s a success and there are the “told you so’s” all that proves is that the ticket buyers don’t really get TOS for what it is except “some old show that TNG and DS9 was based on”.
“Enterprise who?”
About this whole matter, who truly knows. Until someone manages to peak at the script during shooting, put a homing beacon on Shatner or whatever else… we’ll have to wait.
At this point, why would Orci spoil a huge secret like a Shatner cameo? I was alive in 1984 when ST III came out. Was it common knowledge that Nimoy would be resurrected as Spock? Be honest here.
I agree that Shatner is being rather childish and illogical. Yes, it must suck to be excluded from a new Star Trek film. But guess what, you made the choice to be in that god awful piece of trash called ST Generations. You allowed your character to die and gave it your blessing.
Something tells me once Star Trek XI comes out, Shatner will write a story similar to XI but add himself in in some fashion.
It’ll be a sequel to Generations if Shatner’s in it.
Sorry, I guess I missed it - when did Shatner say he hoped the movie bombs?? I’ve hadn’t heard that until this thread.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:
Star Trek XII: The Search For Kirk
And they otta do it fast after XI while Nimoy and Shatner still exist in this continuum. Keep Nimoy and the Shat HEALTHY! :D
#58
sorry, but that was just aweful! the song sucked, the lyrics sucked, the clips sucked.
why do people post links to crap like that
Who knows. It just gives fans a bad name.
Its stories like this one that drives me to this site everday.
The official site would have not touch on this one at all.
Sounds like they have a part for him just in case.
Please put Shatner in!
It would drag my Girl Friend & Parents to the theater.
Spock is good, but we need Kirk too!
Extra people would go!
Take the cameo they wrote for ya Uncle Bill.
You’ll get a bigger part in the next one!
Shatner would have been a bonus for this movie - nothing more, i don’t think this movie will be any worse off without him.
#29 there is a flaw in your logic!
“Kirk had no idea that Spock COULD be brought back until McCoy started acting nuts and Sarek melded minds with Kirk. If McCoy hadn’t been going nuts, Kirk would have had no reason to go back to Genesis at all.”
at the end of TWOK, Kirk says that he must return to Genesis…. *wees on bonfire*
# 76. Good points. I would just have a hard time separating kirk, if he were in this movie, with Shatner, who i’m liking less and less with every comment he makes.
oh and i also think the shat will be in this film, i mean come on, no official denials at all… he’ll be there in the end!!
there is some freaky coincidences going on that prove this:
a) the shat is looking slimmer and more kirkish, don’t believe me then look at his recent shatner visions
b) No official confirmation from anyone - you would think they’d be like “Yea Bill’s not in the movie.. sorry, we did try to fit him in”
and
c) Shats behavior… seems really odd and publicity stuntish to me!!
He will be in the movie people… if he isn’t ill shave my beard off!!
#89 … No one should believe the comment on that stupid local news website. Notice that same article stated the movie started filming yesterday! It’s total bullshat, and someone should get canned for it.
On the other hand, we have videos aplenty of Shatner saying he’s looking forward to the movie, and hopes it’s a big success.
Is that Artie Lange?
Who knows what Shatner said? Certainly “I hope that movie bombs” is consistent with the rather petulant attitude he’s been taking so far.
RE comment to HI tv station
I have contacted the reporter to see if I can get clarification. however, it is quite possible. yes shatner has said positive things about the movie. He has also called JJ Abrams an a–hole in front of thousands in vegas, said abrams decision to not put him was ‘foolish’ and repeated said it was a bad business decision.
It is totally within character for shatner to say something like ‘i hope it bombs’ as a joke with a tinge of truth underneath.
As for me giving him a hard time?
I have stated before that I agree that he is not the one out there starting these stories, but I have also stated that he does not have to say what he says. He can say ‘no comment’ or ‘i am disappointed but I wish them luck’ or a number of other things. Shatner has been dealing with the press for over forty years. I am sorry, but to blame the media for exact quotes coming from shatner is just silly. He said what he said
Do you see the other TOS cast saying those things? Did George Lucas say that it was ‘foolish’ for Sean Connery to decide not to be in the new Indiana Jones movie?
I love shatner. I want him in the movie. This is why I am saying what I am saying. He has a chance, but if he keeps badmouthing abrams and the movie he will not be in it for sure.
Re. #93…
“Oh, that’s our Dennis!”
[cue laugh track]
I don’t believe for a second that Shatner actually made that statement hoping that the movie bombs. I think it was published hearsay without any verification and poor journalism.
What if Shatner played an Admiral who gives Captain Pike his orders and he would be the same Admiral that would promote Captain Pike to Fleet Admiral? Can Shatner still play a Captain? Their is that Federation Captain role they still need to cast. A couple more possibilities, a Starfleet Acadmey Teacher or President of Starfleet Academy.
Well screw this i am going to make my own star trek movie
, with Dabo and orion slave girls and william shanter, whos with me
!
Why does everyone assume they are owed an explanation for casting? Or plot?
Did the studio and Bad Robot get everyone’s permission here to proceed with the film?
Show of hands please.
Fine… simple resolution.
Was he announced as being IN the cast by anyone associated with the film?
No.
Has he said…I am not in the film?
Yes.
Is there REAL evidence to say the two questions above and the answers given are inaccurate?
___.
This ISN’T a hateful post..I’d say the exact same thing if Shatner was confirmed and Nimoy was odd man out.
I’d say Shatner sealed his character’s fate when he agreed to kill Kirk for a paycheck and you won’t see Bill in this film in ‘08.
I’m sorry if you find this statement goes against your desires, but that’s the way I read it.
Sorry I just thought of one more role for Shatner - United Federation of Planets President.
Shatner_Fan_2000, don’t be so thin-skinned. :lol:
Madge Roddenberry stated a few years back that she “had no use for him”.I forgot what the circumstances were.
come on JJ and Roberto! end the misery and put him in the damn thing already!
Shatner as De Salle!
Anthony @ 94:
“Do you see the other TOS cast saying those things?”
Do you see the other TOS cast members being asked?
But now that you bring up the other cast members, I think it’s important to point out one other thing. Anybody remember George Takei’s one man movement to get himself a Sulu/Excelsior series? And no one cared but him. That was hard to watch. With Shatner on the other hand, partially the reason this story won’t die is because there actually are people out there who do care about this, both positive and negative. It’s gotten people talking, as you can tell from the comments sections when these stories are posted. Maybe Shat is just dumping fuel on the fire, and maybe he’d help his case by refusing to comment the next time someone asks him about it. But the blame isn’t entirely his here.
*ROFL!!* ANIMAL HOUSE!! ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!
“It is totally within character for shatner to say something like ‘i hope it bombs’ as a joke with a tinge of truth underneath.”
Too true. All too often, the man has let his mouth get twenty steps ahead of his brain. (Or, as one of the Soprano clan once observed of the late, unlamented Livia, “No interlocutor.”) That’s why, in spite of a half century-long career built on a solid foundation of genuine talent, good looks, charisma, and the great fortune to play one of the most iconic characters in American TV history, there are multitudes of former co-workers who wouldn’t bother to take a piss on Bill Shatner if his hair was on fire. If this latest remark is confirmed to be something he really said, fans of the franchise, or J.J. Abrams, shouldn’t take it to heart. It’s just par for the course, and a real pity.
To quote Dr. McCoy in Star Trek VI: “I’d give real money if he’d shut up.”
I love Shatner but to be honest I’d be really disappointed in the man for “hoping the movie bombs”. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and believe he was just being humorous and flip like he often is when he made that comment.
RE 105
um yes. Takei, Koenig and Nichols all get asked and all of them have said only nice things about the film. Not a single one has said the film should have them in it. I think it is a safe bet Nimoy wouldnt be demanding to be in it if he hadnt been asked, and he would surely be graceful
Blame the media is a nice and easy out…but Shatner said what he said and he bares 100% of the responsibility for his words. As a veteran actor he knows that when asked a question he can choose to answer or not and can choose how to answer…so when \’it is a foolish decision\’ or whatever comes out of his mouth
It seems that there are some who will defend anything from Shatner…but his actions this year have really made me lose a lot of respect for the man. His ego has always been legendary, but it has never been so ugly as it has been in 2008
Seriously.. I love Shatner/Kirk. now that that is out of the way…. He is 8-0 pounds to heavy and another 12 years removed from Generations. I DON’T want to see that. Shatner is Denny Crane now and that’s GOOD. He isn’t a physically fit Starship Captain anymore. If they can manage it tastefully … like from the neck up fine.
Vulcans can live to 200 and Nimoy wasn’t stupid enough to have himself written out of the franchise. Everyone knew he was coming back at the end of WOK when they showed the empty casket for F’s sake.
I didn’t read the whole thread, but I just want to say this:
I love the ShatKirk…but please, Please, PLEASE let’s give this a rest. ShatKirk should NOT be in this movie. Frankly, I wish NimSpock wasn’t in it. I wish it wasn’t a “time travel” story or anything of the sort. I wish it was a purely new and original creative piece. Just doing something like bringing ShatKirk back is a gimmicky and will not help this movie or help in brining new fans to Star Trek.
Well if the writers strike goes on past March…If he hasn’t been ‘written in’ prior to the strike beginning, or they have ‘in case of’ scenes previously written then its so not going to happen. It’s already been reported they cant change any other details with the script despite stuff cropping up while shooting.
I’m guessing the same applies to Kirk/Shatner in the movie regardless of any want or not, to have him in the film. Not written in now, wont be written in any time soon! What’s he gonna do otherwise? Stand next to old Spock, smile and nod? I dont think so!
Besides, this is getting a bit old. I really wanted to see Paul McGillion as Scotty, IMO he would have been awesome but unfortunately thats not going to happen. And it looks like the same goes for The Shat in the Trek movie, so let’s move on shall we?
111 posts later —
‘ya all got it solved yet?
For Tonight’s Final Jeopardy:
The Answer: What Star Trek fans are doing.
.
.
.
The Question: What is beating a dead Tribble?
I think it’s interesting that Roberto Orci is also against the ‘phoning in a cameo’ as well as William ‘I don’t do cameos unless they are cereal commercials’ Shatner too.
It does rather feel that there could be a lot more to this story than just a simple ‘beginnings’ script - the older Spock does bear this out too.
I’d really not expected them to address anything that happened post Generations, but maybe, if it all pans out, they really do have an eye on resurrecting James T Kirk from his death on the wrong bridge.
Hell, they could kill him of properly and heroically, let young Kirk see it and give more credence to the ‘I’ve always known…. I’ll die alone’ bit. Coooo, ratifying Star Trek V after Generations fluffed that part up too - that would be some serious attention to canon.
But I do feel, and have felt for a while now, that it’s too much to ask for that. It would give more pathos to Kirk both in the new franchise but throughout the rest of TOS and the first movies.
You’d be able to watch everything again knowing you were looking at someone who knew how they died and having something which then resonates throughout what has happened before would be a bit special.
I’d thought I’d become bored with the speculation and the endless rants, but every new fragment of information does put things in yet another new light.
This stuff really is fun, else we wouldn’t be here.
One of the other threads had someone rant on about how canon was boring them but the exercise of trying to see how this stuff can all possibly fit together after TOS spent so much time contradicting itself is one of the cool things that Trek does best.
As evidence, I give you Klingon foreheads (’we don’t talk about that’) which worked out to be one of the best bits of self indulgent fun in Enterprise. Look at how badly Star Wars chewed up it’s own ‘canon’ of only three movies (by the same AUTHOR for crying out loud) and marvel at just how clever Trek writers can be.
Or…
It could just be that the Shat is objecting to being written as a disembodied voice which says ‘Eyyeeeeee am the ghooooost of Captain Kiiiiiiiiirk… stay awaaaaaaaay from Briddddgesssssssss’ back through time to Pine and all the negotiations are around how to rewrite the lines to make them hammier….
If ghostly Kirk did tell young Kirk to stay off bridges, it could also bring an ongoing air of contradiction to Kirk as he struggles with his conflict about wanting the big chair,but being scared to go on the bridge….
As for the rest, I can quite imagine Shatner deadpanning that he hoped the movie bombs. He’d be assuming that we ALL know that he of course doesn’t (well, probably doesn’t) and we’ll get the joke. It’s not like we’re a bunch of rabid fanboys and girls now is it?
Ah, sorry - just realised how long and rambling this post is, so I’ll make it longer by apologising about the length of it.
No doubt this will sound like blasphemy to some, but I believe that once a decision is made to kill a character, no matter how foolish the decision might be, they should stay dead. Bringing them back is a cheat, and you look even more foolish trying to bring them back. Spock should have stayed dead after STII, and as much as I hated the treatment Kirk got in Generations, it’s done. I would prefer to just ignore the film, but the new filmmakers don’t have that luxury.
I think both Shatner and Nimoy should be in this film, but I would have just put them both in a cameo set pre-Generations and moved on with the story as flashback. An overworked device? Perhaps, but not as overworked as time travel, and I would argue it is ultimately more sellable to a general movie-going audience. I find what we’ve heard so far about the storyline for this movie not terribly encouraging.
On a lighter note, props to Anthony for including Sen. Blutarsky’s most excellent speech. 100 cocktails to you, sir.
#80, your point about STIII is well made. When STII came out in 1982, it was obvious to most fen, Spock’s “Remember!” with instant mind meld to McCoy, and the intact coffin-torpedo on the Genesis planet was a direct indication of where STIII would go.
I remember (no pun intended) knowing through all of 83 and 84 before the movie came out that it would be about putting Humpty Dumpty back together again.
What no one expected was the fun that was STIV that followed in ‘86, with the aftermath of this little trilogy….
Everyone keeps wanting Nimoy’s Spock to somehow “save”, “rescue” or “change the timeline” to bring in Shatner’s Kirk. How about instead, Nimoy *and* his Spock retire by going TO the Nexus, along with an off camera nod to Doohan’s Scotty and Kelley’s McCoy? Together the 3 of them can go into the Nexus, and ride off into the sunset with Shatner’s Kirk. I for one would love to see Nimoy get on a horse beside Shatner on a horse, and literally do this.
Then all the later movies, can be Nimoy and Shatner-free zones.
@114 - ‘Beating a dead tribble’… chuckle…
Yep. It is rather impressive in a very sad way isn’t it? :-)
Anthony: Looking at that quoted “crap” from M***hole:
“Shatner, sadly, killed off kirk, sobit kinds rues put hands.’’
Clearly someone can’t type well… If you look at the phrase, it should read:
“Shatner, sadly, killed off Kirk, so_it kinda ties our hands.”
It’s clearly poor typing as in the quote b is for the adjacent space,
a for the adjacent s
r and u for the adjacent t and i
p and t for the adjacent o and r
Go figure that one! Hard to understand… especially when they then make some lame joke about interpreting it.
#15. Good advice imn doing it now……….:y
#29 Paul B. I love your post!
The Cinematical piece is funny. In part:
“Lame because: By now, everyone in the world (and the galaxy, for that matter) knows exactly who didn’t land a role in the upcoming Star Trek XI: Poor William Shatner. And the reason why we all know this is because the guy wouldn’t shut up about it in 2007. It could’ve been a story about the man’s all-time favorite Disney characters, and he still would’ve found a way to complain about not being asked to participate in the new Star Trek film…Just shut up, sell another kidney stone and come to terms with the fact that no one really cares…Those rosy cheeks might garner a smile during a Priceline commercial, but they don’t belong on the Enterprise. At least, not anymore.”
…I love Shatner..BUT….
Boy is that line getting tired….as if it somehow validates the Shatbasher’s position.
I’ll give Shat one thing…his awesomeness and popularity sure does irritate a lot of people! Maybe those folks need to look a bit closer at themselves and ask why are they so bothered by it?
While it makes perfect sense for fans of Kirk and Star Trek to be happy and even excited at the prospect of seeing the lead actor of Trek return to the iconic role he created, especially after being killed off, it makes little sense for fans to be so against it. By the same token, if someone can’t stand Bill Shatner or Kirk, it makes perfect sense to be against his possible return. I’d wager many of these people were quite happy to see the good captain killed off in Generations amd are non too thrilled at the prospect of his return.
No matter how many times they type the words “I like Shatner BUT…” the back handed compliments and outright insults are telling. They didn’t like him then, and they don’t like him now.
WOW….If the Shat’s comments are true..my respect for the shat is sadly over..
I hope the new movie is successful and Chris Pine’s performance is brilliant… we need a new kirk that the new generation will look up to…
Make us prd Chris!!! Don’t screw up!! we need a new Kirk!!
cuz the old one does not exist to me anymore.
122.He sold a kidney stone?
#125 JC
yep
126 Uh .Wow.That’s different.Wonder how much he got.Anyone know?
Is THIS where I post my “Bring Back Shatner As Kirk” comments?
123. jonboc - December 19, 2007
“While it makes perfect sense for fans of Kirk and Star Trek to be happy and even excited at the prospect of seeing the lead actor of Trek return to the iconic role he created, especially after being killed off, it makes little sense for fans to be so against it. By the same token, if someone can’t stand Bill Shatner or Kirk, it makes perfect sense to be against his possible return. I’d wager many of these people were quite happy to see the good captain killed off in Generations amd are non too thrilled at the prospect of his return.”
Are you implying that someone cannot be a true fan of Trek if he or she isn’t fully behind a role for Shatner in this movie?
And further…
“By the same token, if someone can’t stand Bill Shatner or Kirk, it makes perfect sense to be against his possible return. I’d wager many of these people were quite happy to see the good captain killed off in Generations amd are non too thrilled at the prospect of his return.
No matter how many times they type the words “I like Shatner BUT…” the back handed compliments and outright insults are telling. They didn’t like him then, and they don’t like him now.”
People can’t change their minds? Or decide they want things to move on? Or see that this actor agreed to kill his best-known character for a paycheck? Or insult the director and his decisions? Or…?
And after all that… he wants IN?
127 JC
try google
I still like the idea of having the timeline change make Kirk “Alive” when he’s not supposed to be, and to fix it, will ultimately mean his death. Very much like TNG’s “Yesterday’s Enterprise” but would give our hero a fitting death.
Jonboc
sorry but you are way out of line. being a fan of kirk and shatner is not an all or nothing proposition. I love Kirk. i love shatner. I think some of the things he has said this year are embarassing. I think the movie should focus on the story and only work him in if it fits.
why do you find it so hard that people can believe these things? they are not conflicting statements. And you sir are not a better fan than I or anyone here
Re: # 107
I want to take this moment to thank Michael Hall for quoting “The Sopranos.” I needed that.
Where’s Livia when we need her? She’s dead too, right? Can SHE be in the movie? When are we gonna start arguing about that?
I have said it before and I will end up saying it again:
There are going to be a lot of needlessly disappointed people come Christmas next year. This movie is going to be DIFFERENT than what they are used to. They can either accept the reality of the changes or they can move along. I have had to open my own mind a bit as to what is going to change. The Enterprise is going to be different. McGillion won’t be Scotty. And in all likelyhood, there will be NO APPEARANCE BY SHATNER. Time to face facts. No amount of internet cajoling will change anything. Shatner can praise mr. jj or belittle him and it JUST WON’T MATTER.
Can’t wait for the Movie.
129- “Are you implying that someone cannot be a true fan of Trek if he or she isn’t fully behind a role for Shatner in this movie?”
I’m not sure what to label you if you really are a fan of “STar Trek” (not the spin-offs) which was 99% centered around Jim Kirk and his adventures, as portrayed by William Shatner, and yet you don’t like the man or the character of Kirk. It’s kinda like saying you love apple pie..as long as you leave the apples out of it.
“People can’t change their minds? Or decide they want things to move on? Or see that this actor agreed to kill his best-known character for a paycheck? Or insult the director and his decisions? ”
Certainly people can say they don’t want someone they “used” to like playing a favortie character again because the actor agreed to have that character killed off for a paycheck.( depsite the fact that it could be done easily with good writing, as witnessed by it being done many times before)….and yes, for some inexplicable reason, someone who used to love Kirk but now hates the character, could easily never want to see him again… and yes, someone could let the personal life of an actor dictate whether or not they like a fictional character. People can and apparently ARE exhibiting many of these traits.
I’m not saying people can’t do it, I’m just making the observation that it’s more than a little on the odd side.
Also, I’d like to state right now that if anyone wants to start a message board devoted exclusively arguing about everything *I* happen say, go right ahead. Feel free. Just throwin’ that out there.
#132 “I think the movie should focus on the story and only work him in if it fits.”
ok…you’re a a fan of Kirk and Shatner and you ARE agreeable to the idea of them working Shatner in, as Kirk, if it fits the story. Correct?
Like I said, “.. it makes perfect sense for fans of Kirk and Star Trek to be happy and even excited at the prospect of seeing the lead actor of Trek return to the iconic role he created, especially after being killed off, ”
You just validated that part of my statement, so I’m not real sure what it is that you are diagreeing with.
I find myself caring less and less whether or not he’s in the movie. He always was full of himself, but this is getting ridiculous.
130. $ 24,000 to Golden Palace casino.
One thing that I have always said is that no one has the inside line on how to be a fan…no one likes the right show, no one is a better fan.
and yes it is possible to be a fan of TOS, Shatner and Kirk and not be happy about every one of his statements. It is also possible to be all those things and not DEMAND that Shatner be in the movie regardless
135. jonboc - December 19, 2007
129- “Are you implying that someone cannot be a true fan of Trek if he or she isn’t fully behind a role for Shatner in this movie?”
“I’m not sure what to label you if you really are a fan of “STar Trek” (not the spin-offs) which was 99% centered around Jim Kirk and his adventures, as portrayed by William Shatner, and yet you don’t like the man or the character of Kirk. It’s kinda like saying you love apple pie..as long as you leave the apples out of it.”
Last I checked, you are not the person responsible for labeling people as a Trek fan or not. Or any other kind of label.
And I see by reading the above.. I share that opinion with others.
Well, it’s been over 140 posts now, and I think we finally have come up with a consensus on this William Shatner issue:
Over one billion Chinese don’t care.
I really think Shatner as Kirk was at his best in TWOK. Beyond that movie, I don’t feel the performances were his best work.
#142 Jupiter1701
re:Chinese
but some will as they make a penny and a half for each bootleg “Star Trek” dvd they produce.
I for one would feel lied to, and manipulated if it turns out that all of this Shatner whining was a plan to create publicity and interest for the movie. I understand it may be an effective marketing mechanism, but I don’t think it is respectful to the fans to lie and manipulate them in this way. I am surprised that so few people have discussed this perspective. Am I the only one?
#144.
No way, no way. That moment in III when David dies and he stumbles back into the chair? Heartbreaking.
His timing in IV is spot on, his scenes with the klingons in VI are marvelous, and as for V. . . well, I happen to like V - much deeper and more entertaining than people give it credit for. I NEED MY PAIN!
I meant to reply to #143.
I see your point.
Here we go again.
No doubt Shatner will be all over the net saying that he is not in the film tomorrow + it is a bad business decision. Only to be followed by Bob Orci saying that they haven’t decided if he will be in the film (despite the fact the script is “locked”
Although, I do take it as a good sign that they have not ruled Shatner out yet.
For Christ’s sake just put Shatner in the film already.
#144
True dat.
OK, I’ll amend my statement:
6,638,619,549 people on the planet Earth don’t care. This is by most measure almost a total landslide of humankind uncaring in regards to whether or not William Shatner is in the next movie.
However, there may be a larger percentage of space aliens from another planet who care. See, they’ve been monitoring our “historical tapes” and were quite upset when their Godhead, The Kirk, met his untimely demise. They were so p*ssed off they launched a fleet to destroy all life on Earth. Takes about 14 years to get here from their planet, more or less (depends on how many times they stop for potty breaks).
So unless they get some sort of proof that the only Kirk-God they know is still alive, it’s the end of the world as we know it. But I feel fine. You see, we dolphin know when the party’s over, man. So all I’ve gotta say is:
“So long, and thanks for all the fish.”
Put him in a Next Gen reunion movie for TV.As far as I’m concerned He’s Next Gen material now.
Shatner was clearly joking when he said “he hopes the film flops”
#148 Thanks.
#150. Oh yeah - I read that one. It’s an Ursula K. Leguin novel.
If he even said it, VOODOO. And the Cinematical piece is stupid. It states, “the guy wouldn’t shut up about it in 2007.” No, correction: You, hack writer, are the one who won’t stop talking about it. That piece, like the bombing “quote” relayed by the anonymous “Hollywood reporter”, demonstrates what the real problem is - the media keeps repeating the same bit over and over, attempting to put an ugly spin on and sensationalize it for tabloid audiences, and in some cases, even putting words in Shatner’s mouth. And some of you are falling for it! As he did in numerous episodes where the crew had fallen victim to some mind controlling force, Kirk would slap you back to reality in this situation.
Good luck finding clarification on that “quote”, Anthony. Something tells me Roddenberry has spoken to Shatner more recently than any numbskull at KGMB.
In spite of being accused of being a “Shat Basher” by some of the more primitive minds in this forum, I am going to venture forth with the unpopular opinion. Personally, I don’t care to see him in this movie. And aside from FInal Frontier, I’ve liked Shatner as Kirk. I just watched TMP and TWOK the other night, just to see him. The first one isn’t great, but I remember going to it when it first came out and how awesome it was when he first appears.
So don’t go bashing me as a Shat Basher just because I think one of his Star Trek movies was awful. But the last time he played Kirk in Generations, he wasn’t even playing Kirk. He was just being William Shatner. I’m not interested in seeing him play the character any longer.
Just my preference. I’d prefer that instead of attacking me for this position, you disagree with me in a logical and rational way. I’m no less a fan because I don’t like every single movie.
I don’t care whether Shatner is in it or not. If I were him (or Nimoy) I would avoid it like the plague.
Too late for Nimoy.
Whether it bombs or is successful really doesn’t matter to me either. It has already failed on numerous levels in regards to being what I consider to be Star Trek. They might as well take an old print of Mary Poppins and slap “Star Trek” at the beginning. Would save a lot of trouble.
“Star Trek” is the sixties series, plain and simple.
#157.
Mr. Stanky, man, then why are you reading this forum? I thought it was only for dweebs who care.
oops, I meant #156. D’oh.
re: 157
Because I am a glutton for punishment :)
Because I am a fan of Star Trek and this project has the name “Star Trek” attached to it.
Because I imagine that deep inside of me, I have some kind of deluded hope that I will like it when it comes out. I would need Spock to calculate the actual odds on that happening.
#157, 157
Because its the fan’s prerogative to whine when things change with the times.
Personally I was disgusted when they dropped Pierce Brosnan as James Bond and then made the latest movie a reboot. Guess what? I avoided the movie, and I will probably continue avoiding any further sequels that feature the fake Bond. It’s entirely my right to surgically remove myself from the fan base if and when they do something that is utterly against the best interest of the franchise.
That said, Shatner retired Kirk in Generations. it was his decision then and it’s a decision he should just learn to live with.
Shatner can say what he likes. He’s not in the film. He was never in the film. He’s been shut out of the film. No one from the film has bothered to keep him in the loop about anything. All thats been said is he’s not out of it, when his friend Nimoy who’s read the script said he’s not in it. I don’t believe that quote from the mediocre journalist, source, context? And if it is true it’s likely tongue in cheek.
The Hoff is back as Michael Knight, Indiana Jones is back as Harrison Ford (or vice versa) and Stallone is back as Rambo.
SO the main question is……. IS Arnie gonna be in Terminator 4???
Ah, hope springs eternal. I understand.
Personally, I have to stop reading and posting to this forum. I want to preserve the thrill when I see the film on its relase. I don’t want to know too much. So this is it for me.
Merry Everything to everybody. . . Happy New Year.
See you Christmas Day 2008!
I beg to differ; TOS is not the only Star Trek. Both Next Generation and DS9 had some very good episodes. Voyager and Enterprise had a smattering of good shows, but were mostly inferior in my opinion. They were still Star Trek, and all shared enough of a common thread to be recognizably kin.
One might as well say that the third season of TOS wasn’t Star Trek, because is was worse than many NG, DS9, V and E episodes. I’m so surprised to see some of you already writing off this movie. Why so bitter and angry? If they try to mimic TOS it won’t live up to your expectations. If they try to re-imagine it you’ll tear them a new one. If the actors try to play the characters just like the originals, you’ll complain about now inferior they are. If they play the characters differently, you’ll whine that they aren’t being Kirk, they aren’t being Spock, etc.
Are you really fans? What in the world do you want? You’ve put these guys into the Kobayashi Maru scenario and can’t wait to flay them. I don’t believe you really want the franchise to continue.
what if they put shatner’s face sort of revolving around in the nacelle caps?
i think it would be a fine tribute and somehow more than a cameo…
…and perhaps he said “i hope the film is DA BOMB” and was misquoted?
i love this site more than i could possibly love the film, which is alot.
I’m drunk while I’m reading this and I’m still bored with the whole Shatner issue.
I’ve said this before elsewhere, but I don’t blame Bill for being angry after being consulted with Nimoy about being in the film and then being left waiting and wondering for so long without even so much as a courtesy phone call saying “Sorry Bill.”
If he was in the film he would know by now. The script won’t be changing due to the writers’ strike. Face it: SHATNER WILL NOT BE IN THIS FILM. And I for one have felt my interest in the project plummet.
Ugh. Not this tired subject again.
#110. i’m not good with words. more often than not i come off sounding like an a-hole. when i do, i’m trying to say exactly what you just said. thanks. i’m not hateful: i just don’t like the way Shat has acted this year.
#163
“Are you really fans? What in the world do you want? You’ve put these guys into the Kobayashi Maru scenario and can’t wait to flay them. I don’t believe you really want the franchise to continue.”
Stop making so much logical sense or you threaten to make “fans” not look as ridiculous as they are. It would be a scary prospect indeed if people started looking at this issue with the same pragmatic mentality that the characters they claim to love so much would have themselves if faced with such an all-important conundrum.
For me, it is essential that Shatner is in this movie as old Kirk. If he is not in the movie I could only think of all the great moments he could have had with Nimoy and how this would have made the movie better. With these thoughts I could not enjoy the movie.
There are so many possibilites to bring back old Kirk and I cannot imagine a screenwriter not coming up with a great idea to bring him back. And I think it would make the movie so much better. Shatner and Nimoy together one last time, this would be so great!
I somehow have the bad feeling that they are killing off old Spock in this movie so I think that this may be the last chance to bring those two characters together again.
I cannot understand why someone would let slip such an opportunity. Kirk and Spock in one movie again… it is ridiculous to think that people wouldn’t find this fun and great.
I’m really fed up with this discussion. The more speculations we make and the more Shatner is complaining, the more I wish he will NOT be in this movie!
And I can’t believe that anyone of you won’t watch this movie because Shatner isn’t in! How silly is that?
Holy Jesus H. It makes me not ask who put the “H” in “Jesus H Christ” as much as who gives a shit is JTK is in the movie as played by ol Bill. One year from now I plan to see the movie between Christmas and new year’s day and at no point from now til then will I buy anything Trek related other than a movie ticket. Note to Bill S, shut up! We get it you wanna be in trek and whether you are or not we just don’t care anymore. Excuse me, I need to go watch Jason of Star Command.
#172
- ..we just don’t care anymore. -
Please, no Pluralis Majestatis!
Another day dawns, full of suspense and hope…
well if anybody want my OPINION ! , nah i will say one thing about the shanter thing , but its good to see all there star trek fans are still full of passion , ……it makes me proud to be a trekkie lol. sure we make other fans of movies look like …….well just that fans . long live star trek !
#5 - ” By God, Jim, this has gone on long enough!!!
Get back your command! Get it back before you really do become just another long thread! ”
LOL.
I need some Romulan ale.
I wish Shatner and Nimoy were in another film together that would do them both justice.
This new film is being made to appeal to the masses whether we like it or not. It won’t have the warmth that a reunion film could have if made for a smaller audience.
#145-”I for one would feel lied to, and manipulated if it turns out that all of this Shatner whining was a plan to create publicity and interest for the movie. I understand it may be an effective marketing mechanism”.
You hit the nail 100% on the button!!!!!! Does Abrams and company have such little faith in their project that all this “he’s in it/he’s not in it” is just some b.s. marketing ploy to create more interest in the movie? I do feel somewhat manipuated by this. And as excited as I was about this movie, my enthusiasm is beginning to wane. I know there have been many posts an opinions on this subject but aren’t we (me included) just getting sick of this absolute nonsense???? For good or bad/right or wrong just come out and say it already. Either he’s IN or either he’s OUT — just stop playing these foolish games already!!!
Computer, activate internet!
A-ha-ha-ha…
You know, I really don’t want to know anymore if he is in it. I would rather go see it and be surprised to see him in it at the end. That would be exciting!
Best to keep it a surprise.
Maybe Shatner could play Young Kirk’s grandfather … or Great Uncle Tiberius! (ha ha!)
But wouldn’t it be better for marketing to reveal it before the movie opens so that the news can report about it? Maybe show him in the trailer or so? That would be cool.
#135: “I’m not sure what to label you if you really are a fan of “STar Trek” (not the spin-offs) which was…”
Has it occurred to you yet that such “labeling” is both trivial and self-important?
You don’t get to vote on whether someone else is a “Star Trek fan” - it’s not your club or your rules. :)
I can say with 99.9999999% certainty that William Shatner is currently not in the movie. Mr. Orci keeps saying there is a chance, but now with the writer’s strike, how is that going to be possible? Unless he’s already written a part for Shatner, at which point why wouldn’t they offer it? The whole situation just stinks. I know J.J. is no stranger to an avid fan base, with Lost, but it just baffles me how he’s allowed this to carry on?
I don’t know if this has already been sugested (or if its been done) but Antony, how about a poll, with only yes or no as an option:
Would you be happy if they ignored Kirk’s death (and therefor canon) and included Shatner in a meaningful role?
I think we would all agree that a Spock saves Kirk form the Nexus would be the death of the Trek francise. a small Shatner Spock dream or something Cameo wouldn’t be worth it and would cheapen the film.
But, ignore a crappy move in Generations and problem solved.
Actually, thinking about it, if you want Shatner in (and you may not) some on these boards months back sugested a small line like Spock’s in star trek 6 about having been dead before from Shatner to leave a canon explanation open to imagination.
sorry, forgot to say that the point of that poll would be to give to the writers as proof (if the vote was ignore generations and put him in) that the fans are prepaired to forgive a breach of canan, so go ahead and put him in.
Didn’t our favorite Captain once say “In every revolution, there’s one man with a vision!”
J.J. Abrams is that man right now and either we’ll love is story or hate it.
That being said there’s a possibility they had more than one draft of the movie, one wth the Stat, one without. Since strike rules allow them to use anything from a prior draft, they could still use Shatner even with the strike on… as remote a possibility as it is. Also, iit’s the FANS and the MEDIA that are making this an issue, not the pruducers, directors, or the Shat… they’re just answering the questions put to them with the est answers they have at this time. They don’t owe us an explaination, sneak-peak, plot summary or pictures. All they owe us is a release date on 12/25/2008.
I wsih people would quit dumping on Shatner. Acting is his job. It’s a business, not a hobby. Also, altho trek V was not the best movie in the franchise… it had some great character moments, which is what TOS was all about. Also, thre was a teamsters strike during trek 5 which is why the ending didn’t get made the way it was supposed to and PAramount wouldn’t dish out the cash for a top-notch effects studio. Look at the rock creature they made for it on the trek v dvd. They may as well have gotten the Gorn costume out of mothballs. Shatner was not to blame for the whole movie.
#170 “I cannot understand why someone would let slip such an opportunity. Kirk and Spock in one movie again… it is ridiculous to think that people wouldn’t find this fun and great.”
Exactly, Admiral. I just do not understand how the writers can use “canon” (in this case, canon emanating from an old, depressing, let-down of a movie - Generations) as an excuse for not including Shatner, when the whole premise of the film reportedly involves hitting a Giant Reset Button on the whole Trek universe! You would think the all-time high popularity of Shatner, and one last great opportunity to reunite him with Nimoy, would outweigh any such concerns. If ever there was a time for the franchise to throw off the shackles of its self-imposed rigidity, to go for the entertainment jugular, and be as much FUN as possible again, that time is now. And no matter what anyone says, no one brought more fun to this particular party known as Star Trek than William Shatner. If I go see that movie a year from now and he’s not in it, and it’s confirmed that this was just because the writers couldn’t work around his “death”, I’m going to be pissed. It makes me a bit ticked off now, just thinking about it.
Anthony, any luck verifying the “quote” from the KGMB reporter, who goes by the name “Sunrise” and reported that the movie started filming 2 days ago? Hmm.
Yes, but they got the rock creature right by the time the sequel, “Galaxy Quest” was made. :p
That was to 186, of course.
WE WANT SHATNER!!!!!
Shatner in a cameo as someone other than Kirk.We don’t want a sequel to “Generations”
#170 & #187,
Agreed!
Give the people what they want!
Nimoy & Shatner together again in a new Trek Movie.
Its a no brainer JJ!!!!!!!
Don’t offend the over 30 crowd with No Shatner film.
Yeah I would agree Shat can be a blow hard,
but I still love him as Kirk & he deserves to be in the film.
Its a respect thing people!
#190 is right on!
WE WANT SHATNER!!!!!
141- Last I checked, you are not the person responsible for labeling people as a Trek fan or not.
Never said I was. I just made an observation that I find it extremely odd how anyone can say they love Star Trek (TOS) yet dislike Kirk and Shatner….since the show just kinda happens to be center around that character I really have a hard time understanding that particular mindset. Naturally, If you or anyone else says they LOVE Pepperoni Pizza, then orders and pays for one…then picks off all the pepperoni before eating it…well…sure, live like you wanna live….more power to you. It’s just a bit bizarre. Just sayin’.
#135: quoting me —-> “I’m not sure what to label you if you really are a fan of “STar Trek” (not the spin-offs) which was…”
You don’t get to vote on whether someone else is a “Star Trek fan” - it’s not your club or your rules.
Never said I wanted a vote. Just making an observation.
If someone wants to call themselves an “All in the Family” fan because they love “The Jeffersons”, go right ahead. If you’ve seen “Goldfinger” a thousand times, yet you can’t stand Sean Connery as James Bond but you love Moneypenny, more power to you. If you want to claim apple pie is your favorite desert …as long as the apples are replaced with oranges…go right ahead. Never said you couldn’t or shouldn’t. But it would be my observation that such behaviour is rather unusal.
For goodness sake people, don’t you KNOW what Bill is like by now? His comments about “I hope the movie bombs” are totally tongue-in-cheek, and anyone who knows Bill and what he is like will confirm this.
Bill loves STAR TREK and Leonard is probably his best friend in the whole world, and I can assure you that regardless of whether there’s a place for him or not in the film, he wishes it nothing but the best. He’s just having a little fun with the media - and all you suckers are falling for it. :)
#170 “I cannot understand why someone would let slip such an opportunity. Kirk and Spock in one movie again… it is ridiculous to think that people wouldn’t find this fun and great.”
First, Kirk and Spock will be in this movie. These fictional characters will be played by Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto.
Second, it’s actually ridiculous to expect the studio to ignore experience in this regard - after ST 4 audiences stopped turning out to see Shatner and Nimoy play Kirk and Spock in sufficient numbers to satisfy the studio that continuing the TOS-based movies was worthwhile. If the people at Paramount thought the only way to produce a Trek movie was to feature the original cast we wouldn’t be seeing another Trek movie at all.
#124 drama queen! Thats even more petulant than Bill is being made to look by certain websites!
Like Shat even cares if hes in it or not. Why should he! I wouldn’t if I was him. He has nothing to prove.
JJ, Orci etc on the other hand have a huge job at hand. I have my doubts-until proven otherwise.
#195 “First, Kirk and Spock will be in this movie. These fictional characters will be played by Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto.”
Why waste valuable time splitting tribble hairs? We all know what he meant: the REAL (fictional though they may be) Kirk and Spock. The new guys may amount to a nice tribute at best.
“it’s actually ridiculous to expect the studio to ignore experience in this regard…”
You’re proceeding from a false assumption. No one is asking for a movie that features a pair of 76 year olds as the leads. Only that Shatner be allowed to join Nimoy in passing the torch to the new cast. And yes, Admiral_Bumblebee is totally right - audiences would LOVE that aspect of the movie.
193. jonboc - December 20, 2007
Good grief. I’ve never said I dislike Kirk… just the opposite. However, Shatner, through actions and words, makes me rethink who I want to appear in ST08. And I think it’s a little too incredible to revive yet another dead crew member, even if it is the William Shatner. Besides, it’s not up to me.
And as for you labeling and determining who’s a fan and who’s not…. keep digging the hole. I find it facinating to see what analogy you’ll come up with next. Chocolate pudding without the chocolate?
More people than I have now commented on this. I think you’d do well in dropping it before the hole gets too deep, fellow fan.
Just today KGMB’s Hollywood reporter claims that Shatner said of the new Star Trek movie: “I hope that movie bombs.”
If that’s true, any respect I had for Shatner (which admittedly wasn’t much after his whine-fest the last few months) it’s completely gone now. What, is this guy 5 years old or something? “If I can’t have it NO ONE WILL!!”
#199 …
A) I’m gonna go out on a limb and say the “reporting” from the undoubtedly highly intelligent and credible source who goes by the name “Sunrise” and reported that the movie started filming a mere 2 days ago is probably just total bullsh*t. Where’s the rest of KGMB’s interview with Bill? I guess they lost it.
B) There’s been no “whine fest”. Read post # 154.
200. Shatner_Fan_2000 - December 20, 2007
Even discounting the “bomb” content, this was reported in the story above.
Quoting Anthony…
“Of course Shatner is not helping himself with all his talk about not being in the film being ‘foolish’ or ‘a bad business decision.’ In fact his complaints landed him on Cinimatical’s “Lame in 2007″ List. But it appears he may not have learned to keep quiet.
While you may not label this a “whine fest”, he’s certainly not helping his cause.
#200 … He’d like to be included; a natural reaction that many of us would have under similar circumstances.
He legitimately believes he would add something positive to the movie. Many fans agree.
And what of the equal number of comments he’s made calling Abrams “wonderful” and “talented” and saying that he plans to see the movie and he hopes the film is a big success? Those comments aren’t anything that can be used against him, so they tend to be conveniently overlooked.
Once again, to all the people wanting William Shatner in the movie and not being prepared for the inevitability that he won’t be:
You will be disappointed.
This movie will not be to your liking. I am wondering what it is that you are trying to get across to those of us that are going to enjoy this movie? Perhaps you are on this board to “get it off your chest”. You certainly aren’t going to accomplish anything tangible other than engage in arguments without resolution. My suggestion would be to either make peace with the reality of the Star Trek movie you are going to get or leave the future of Star Trek to others who want keep enjoying new adventures with Kirk, Spock, et al.
” Because I imagine that deep inside of me, I have some kind of deluded hope that I will like it when it comes out. I would need Spock to calculate the actual odds on that happening. ” #159-words actually uttered by Stanky on this very thread.
I couldn’t believe it when I read it. I knew that he hadn’t totally given himself to the dark side I think he’s coming around.
If they use Shatner they should do it the way Richard Donner used the old ’50’s Superman tv stars in ‘Superman:the Movie”.In ’spot them if You can homage cameos.That might be fun.But I would find Shatner as Kirk tremendously distracting.
#166
Now, how are you so sure that such a phone call didn’t take place?
There are some mighty presumptuous posts being made here today.
Kobayashi Maru, anyone? ;-)
Peace. Live long and prosper.
The Vulcanista }:-|
(deep voice) “Come, Stanky……..come over to the DARK side…..” :)
196- Good grief. I’ve never said I dislike Kirk… just the opposite. However, Shatner, through actions and words, makes me rethink who I want to appear in ST08.
In other words, you’re letting your dislike of the actor, William Shatner, through his actions and words, influence your thoughts on the character of Kirk being in the new movie. FIne. Again, I don’t know why it ts so hard to dis-assocciate the actor from the character, but whatever.
And I like that chocolate pudding comparrison..”.I LOVE chocolate pudding…just don’t put any chocalate in it! ”
Very appropriate! Good to know you recognize the enigma that is “TOS fandom that can’t stand Kirk” .
Yes, I would tend to agree that something is up. or maybe it’s just shatner trying to get as much publicity out of this as possible. I would say “uh, why don’t we just wait and see next Christmas. Then we will know for sure”
“Only that Shatner be allowed to join Nimoy in passing the torch to the new cast. ”
Which part of Shatner and Nimoy passing the torch in Star Trek 6 did you not get?
#131. I’d never heard that that one. That would actually be alright. I have been against Kirk being in the film, but if if were an alternate timeline that gave him a proper, and hopefully this time permanant, death, that would be cool.
#209 … Q: “Which part of Shatner and Nimoy passing the torch in Star Trek 6 did you not get?”
A: The part where Paramount decided to go back to the TOS well 15 years later, J.J. Abrams met with Shatner and Nimoy and boldly announced to the world, “…the involvement of William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy means a great deal to us on many levels, not the least of which is just the respect of who they are and what they do. They are the carriers of this torch and, without being too reverential; we want to show them the kind of appreciation and admiration they deserve” … then cast Nimoy and started shooting and left Shatner out.
That part.
#204 “I would find Shatner as Kirk tremendously distracting”
That’s like saying you’d find the Lincoln Monument distracting on a tour of Washington landmarks. Shatner IS Kirk.
#203
I fail to see the point of your post. We’re all trying to get across a thing or two, and most of the pro-Shatner posts are pretty clear.
Well, you for one were just trying to get across that Shatners non-appearance in the film is inevitable and that the pro-Shatner posters will be disappointed. The former is a mere presumption, the latter is surplus.
My suggestion would be to refrain from presumptions and make peace instead with pro-Shatner posters who put their heart and soul in stating their points of view because they do love TOS and because they regard this film as a unique chance for an encounter of the well-known, beloved portrayals and the fresh, new ones. I love Star Trek too much to just quit and I think it weird to be suggested such a thing just because my thinking differs from yours.
#211:”Shatner IS Kirk.”
Was.
204
How is Shatner a distraction but Nimoy isn’t?
213
Is + always will be.
Nimoy isn’t a distraction because he can still pull off portraying an older Spock.
Shatner, after a decade of lampooning his own image, would come across as portraying…..well…..William Shatner……and that wouldn’t just be a distraction, it would be an abomination!
Jonboc.
1.Kirk’s in the movie. Apparently we only need one for the flick.
2.You have an ama