Pegg Defends Trek | TrekMovie.com
jump to navigation

Pegg Defends Trek March 29, 2008

by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: ST09 Cast , trackback

Simon Pegg’s Run, Fatboy, Run opened yesterday and the final interviews with the actor are now online. Showing the media’s interest in the new Star Trek, Pegg continues to be asked about his role as Scotty. He remains careful not to give out any spoilers, but offers insights into the role and the film. A few interesting excerpts below, including a testy exchange with the LA Times.

Pegg explains to ReelzChannel why he isn’t giving out plot details

The minute I open my mouth a bullet will come through that window. A dart will hit me in the neck and I’ll just go unconscious

…but did talk about Abrams approach

The thing that’s great about him is that he’s an enthusiast, he’s a movie-lover, he’s a geek like me, he’s a fanboy. I think if I wasn’t involved with Star Trek and I knew they were making a new film, I would want someone who is a fan of the franchise to make the film. And that’s what’s happened.

Respect for Scotty, the genius brawler
In another one of his comments (to the Scotland Daily Record) about his respect for the original Scotty, did Simon let out a little detail?

[Doohan] went in there and just came up with the character. So I decided to start from scratch and play a Scottish physics genius and engineer from Linlithgow who is a bit of a brawler. I did that as a tribute to James because he owns that role. I also wouldn’t want anyone to think I was making fun or parodying him. That’s the biggest mistake.

More on that theme and the film at the Star Tribune:

I didn’t want to undermine James in any way; he’s created one of the most enduring figures in modern science fiction. We’ve gone in there absolutely adamant that the spirit of the show’s going to remain intact. Seriously, not with a hint of parody, this is a ‘Star Trek’ film. It’s nothing but.

Simon gets testy…defends Trek
The following is an interesting exchange with the LA Times that shows Simon’s passions and how he really is a great spokesperson for the film, especially dealing with some biased members of the press.

LAT: “Star Trek”: Total nerdfest?
Pegg: For me as a kind of a geek, yeah! It was a fantastic experience.
LAT: Are you going to get roasted for destroying sacred characters?
Pegg: I don’t think so. The main thing is J.J. Abrams is a fan of “Star Trek.” He really gets it. . . . This is now the generation that grew up with the series. These are the people most qualified to make “Star Trek.”
LAT: Hmmph. We’ll see.
Pegg: I’m a fan of “Star Trek” since I was a kid. There was nothing I came across on set — it’s not an ironic, sort of postmodern take on the original series. I think we’re past postmodernism! The idea of sending up the past is a bit boring now. If you look at the reinvention of characters like James Bond, it had to go through its period of Roger Moore raising his eyebrow and making lewd comments.
LAT: That’s the smartest thing I’ve heard all day.
Pegg: It’s only 9:30.


Taking over for Patrick Stewart next?

Lastly, Pegg talked to the Deseret News about how after Trek and his latest film’s he is ready for a rest

It’s been an exhausting couple of movies. Probably more exhausting than anything I’ve ever done before, really. In fact, after all that running and exercising, I’m hoping to find a role in which I’m sitting down all the time. Perhaps I could even replace Patrick Stewart in the ‘X-Men’ movies.

Comments»

1. James Jamziz - March 29, 2008

Smart guy

2. James Jamziz - March 29, 2008

Lots of respect for the franchise

3. Joel - March 29, 2008

See everyone, Simon Pegg was great casting. Not only will he make a great Scotty but he’s got some respect too and is proving that right now.

4. Hat Rick - March 29, 2008

Go Scotty! I really like his passion for Trek. Simon Pegg is growing on me every time I read about him.

5. Charles Trotter - March 29, 2008

Simon Pegg as Professor X? That I’d love to see. :)

Good on Pegg for putting that snide LATimes interviewer in his/her place.

6. Batts - March 29, 2008

I am so tired of hearing him say the same thing over and over again. I guess he’s tired of being asked those same things? There are no Star Trek Leaks for us, my fellow trekkies. Pegg is not going to breach confidence. Maybe they need to work on the more weak minded. Sorry, that’s a Star Wars line. LOL!!!

7. Mr. Poopey face(formerly known as Closettrekker) - March 29, 2008

Who is this jerk at the L.A. Times? Simon should have done his best Doohan impression and said,

“Laddy, don’t ‘ya think ‘ya should…rephrase that?”

I don’t know who that guy was, but I’d love to see Pegg Scotty-slap him across the mouth.

8. Garovorkin - March 29, 2008

#6 Batts they are doing a real good job of keeping things under wraps but I suspect sooner or later someone is going to spill the beans on the plot details and everything else. In this day an age instant information you can’t keep things this quite forever. Sooner or later someone is going to talk.

9. Harry Ballz - March 29, 2008

The reporter from the Los Angeles Times should legally change his name to Jack Ass!

10. Jeffrey S. Nelson - March 29, 2008

Borgus frat.

11. Mr. Poopey face(formerly known as Closettrekker) - March 29, 2008

#3—I don’t think he has many fanboy detractors left after that exchange.

#5—Who was that guy, Charles? He (or she) certainly did have an attitude. What a jerk!

12. CmdrR - March 29, 2008

Very glad to hear there won’t be any wink-wink we’re too smart to take this seriously moments — at least that’s what I’m getting from Pegg here.

Blowed up 60s/70s TV shows have turned into 3 catagories of movies: excellent (including STII), stinkers (long list, including My Favorite Martian and Wild, Wild West) and stank so bad the studios should offer double your money back (even longer list, including Beverly Hillbillies, SWAT, and up to now anything made from Dr. Suess material.)

STXI must own its own space. It will obviously honor the original, but it can’t live there, neither can it be a crappy send-up as Pegg points out.

405 days to go… sheesh.

13. fakesteve - March 29, 2008

Total nerdfest? haha, I guess I will get that printed on a golden T-Shirt for 5/8/2009 ;))

14. Batts - March 29, 2008

Uh Oh! It’s the return of Harry Ballz. Wait a minute “I never left!” that would be the reply, probably?? How goes the battle, Harry? Maybe we need to send you over there to get some answers.

#8. Garovorkin
I agree with your optimism. Nothing can be that top secret and have no leaks. I mean common, look at the Us Gov’t.

15. Evan - March 29, 2008

#6 – You might as well get used to hearing the same thing over and over again. I hope not to hear any more about the movie than what has already been said. I’m one of those annoying people who like to be surprised. I find all trailers and teasers now give away too much of the films we would love. Either audiences are, indeed, generally dumber and need shiny stuff to interest them, or the studios just think they are.
If you keep reading sites like this (as I will) you might eventually see somone slipup and give too much away. Be patient.

16. BEAMER - March 29, 2008

But will there be enough power, captain?
Surely we’ll get him saying that, won’t we?

17. Mr. Poopey face(formerly known as Closettrekker) - March 29, 2008

” So I decided to start from scratch and play a Scottish physics genius and engineer from Linlithgow who is a bit of a brawler.”

Sounds like Montgomery Scott to me. I know some people say they are getting tired of hearing from him, but how could you be? While he’s really out promoting a different project, every time he answers a Trek question he nails it right on the head, IMO.

To think, there was a time when he was actually leary of accepting this role, and there were people here who thought it was a big casting mistake. Now he’s practically out defending our honor in response to this a$$ at the LA Times.

JJ Abrams became a Star Trek fan after seeing TWOK. The writers are even bigger fans. If he (Abrams) makes a ST film with the same grit and mass appeal of TWOK, all the while operating with this enormous and unprecedented ST budget, I wonder where this jerk (the reporter in question)will be hiding then.

Hmmp. We’ll see.

18. ScreenRant.com - March 29, 2008

LAT: That’s the smartest thing I’ve heard all day.

Pegg: It’s only 9:30.

LMAO… Brilliant!

Vic

19. Garovorkin - March 29, 2008

It sounds like Pegg has got the Scotty role nailed down nicely and it does sound like he’s getting a little fatigued answering the same questions over and over again. Its time that the media move on to other topics with him like his latest movie, Hey has any one seen Run Fatboy Run yet?

20. Iowagirl - March 29, 2008

I‘ll never actually regard the re-casts as our beloved characters, but as long as Pegg sticks to his “Doohan owns Scotty”, I’ll say that I do like his attitude and that I think he’ll be a fine Scotty for a new generation. His respectfulness seems genuine and that’s the most important prerequisite for a good portrayal, imo.

21. Thorny - March 29, 2008

It always amuses me how people in the so-called “popular press” get off on publicly insulting Star Trek fans. “Total nerdfest”, is just the latest. There will undoubtedly be more as the premiere date approaches, They must have this irresistible need to feel superior. A psychologist could probably make some serious cash getting to the bottom of that.

Really, how many fans of other genres, shows, sports teams, what-have-you are so regularly and pointlessly insulted like Star Trek fans are? You don’t see this kind of disdain for fans of the equally-pointless “American Idol”, which has more viewers than Trek could ever dream of. You don’t see the Times insulting fans of John Grisham, whose books seem to be cranked out as if he were a Xerox machine. The Harry Potter fans who lined up around bookstore corners all night to get a copy of Deathly Hallows weren’t insulted in the paper the next day. Hell, even Miami Dolphin fans aren’t treated this badly! But if you’re a Star Trek fan, you’re fair game to be ridiculed, belittled and insulted however the local newspaper sees fit. Sheesh.

22. Andy Patterson - March 29, 2008

9

Yeah, it sure seems he was trying to lead in whatever direction he wanted. Kind of thing about journalism Ricky Gervais parodied on an episode of EXTRAS.

23. Irishtrekkie - March 29, 2008

Simon Pegg is my New Hero , man i think we are so lucky to have pegg in the film, he really gets the role and star trek as a hole , i really hope the movie does well and we can see a few more movies with pegg as scotty !!!

24. diabolk - March 29, 2008

Hmm that reporter must have BEEN A POSTER FROM TREKMOVIE!

Naw, they wouldn;t have been won over at the end.

25. Irishtrekkie - March 29, 2008

@21

agreed , its a joke , they try to make all trek fans come off as the sterotypical social outcast loner , and i have no problem being called a nerd or geek but thats just me. And i dont get it , the last few years we have seen more fanboy stuff, it fine to be really into harry potter , or lord of the rings , or even comic books are kinda mainstream now thanks to all the movies, but just dont like star trek

which is just weird considering all really intelligent and famous people would like star trek . i guess the last laugh is on the media really , as they be as insulting as they want but people still love the shows and will hopefully go to new movie. i guess the last laugh is on the media , as the fact they insult the star trek fans is just a sign they dont get the franchise and are really out of touch .

26. Donald - March 29, 2008

Re: #21

The media disdain experienced by Trek-fans could be worse – just ask someone who was a fan of “Doctor Who” prior to 2005, say someone like Simon Pegg.

27. Matt Wright - March 29, 2008

OK I’ve like Simon Pegg for a while now, but man this dude just gets better and better, his dry wit in the LA Times exchange is just great!
I’d totally want to be friends with him.

28. Dr. Image - March 29, 2008

The more I hear from Pegg, the more confident I become in JJ’s approach.
What an honest and refreshing change from the drivel we got from B&B concerning Treks of the recent past.
Hey, Simon, keep it coming!

29. fred - March 29, 2008

Ok. We need to get the LA Times covering why Tom Cruise is ’still’ annoying, and get ‘both’ of them away from anything related to Trek.

30. Boborci - March 29, 2008

horny – March 29, 2008
It always amuses me how people in the so-called “popular press” get off on publicly insulting Star Trek fans. “Total nerdfest”, is just the latest. There will undoubtedly be more as the premiere date approaches, They must have this irresistible need to feel superior. A psychologist could probably make some serious cash getting to the bottom of that.

Really, how many fans of other genres, shows, sports teams, what-have-you are so regularly and pointlessly insulted like Star Trek fans are? You don’t see this kind of disdain for fans of the equally-pointless “American Idol”, which has more viewers than Trek could ever dream of. You don’t see the Times insulting fans of John Grisham, whose books seem to be cranked out as if he were a Xerox machine. The Harry Potter fans who lined up around bookstore corners all night to get a copy of Deathly Hallows weren’t insulted in the paper the next day. Hell, even Miami Dolphin fans aren’t treated this badly! But if you’re a Star Trek fan, you’re fair game to be ridiculed, belittled and insulted however the local newspaper sees fit. Sheesh.

A: Great points — so we have to give the press a new story, judo like, so that it becomes the their new thread:

Revenge of the Nerds?

We will make being a Trek Geek cool again?

31. Trek Nerd Central - March 29, 2008

#30 . . . Trek Geek has always been cool!

I count myself as a proud member of this and all Trek-related Nerdfests, Geekfests, Dorkfests, Freakfests, Dweebfests sand Total-Gooberfests.

32. JGC - March 29, 2008

Leave the guy alone.
It’s like the reporter who grabs the 100 meter runner who’s won the race and is puffing and panting,trying to get their breath back and the reporter asks “What were your thoughts as you were crossing the finishing line?”
Ridiculous.

33. ~~TARA~~ - March 29, 2008

The best way to get back to the media about Trek not being just for nerds will be when Star Trek breaks box office records. I can see that happening with the new film…wait that won’t stop them. They’ve been doing this to Trek for the last 40 years.

34. trekkie1415 - March 29, 2008

I’ll admit that I was shocked to hear that Simon Pegg got the role, but I’m beginning to wonder if he is the best.

Paul McGillions Accent didn’t sound rough enough to be Scotty (Even though it is a very good Scottish Accent), and James McAvery didn’t seem like the brawler type. Simon Pegg really looks and sounds like he can play Scotty.

Oh, and we all know he can brawl. Just watch Hot Fuzz! I really hope we get to see him whip someone properly in this movie!

35. Trek Or Treat - March 29, 2008

In the last few threads I’ve seen a lot of complaining about the lack of new info coming out on this film.

Add me to the list of people who want to be totally surprised by the plot. I don’t want to know anything more than I do already. Really. How fun is that if you go into the movie, knowing what’s going to happen? I am very thankful that Anthony puts spoiler warnings on the articles. I avoid them like the plague.

No trailer coming out this summer? No publicity photos for a few more months? Fine with me. I think stretching out a marketing campaign for more than a year, while sure to please Trek fans, is only going to lead annoy the heck out of the general public. They’ll get tired of it. Maybe it will affect their decision on whether to go to the movie. Why take the chance? I want EVERYONE to feel they must see this movie, I want it to seem new and fresh when it comes out. All of this because I want this movie to be Trek’s re-birth. Not its swan song.

Now don’t get me wrong, when we get close, I want to see Trek XI trailers on every TV commercial break. I want a publicity bliz bigger than what we saw for TMP. But let’s have a little patience. We’ve waited for years. We can wait a little longer.

Just my 2c

36. I Love My Moogie - March 29, 2008

My respect of the LA times just went up 101%

37. Mr. Poopey face(formerly known as Closettrekker) - March 29, 2008

#36—Well, there’s no accounting for taste…

38. Spock with a Crowbar - March 29, 2008

I dig the ‘Scotty as a brilliant physicist’ approach. Wicked cool, right?

39. Garovorkin - March 29, 2008

#36 I have never take the LA Times all that seriously anyways,how can you its pure Hollywood. Pegg is class all the way ,I just would like to see them not repeat the same old questions over again. We all know that he’s is going to be a fine Mr Scott, maybe not the original but he will honor the original and thats the whole point.

40. I Love My Moogie - March 29, 2008

#35: “I want a publicity bliz bigger than what we saw for TMP”

There’s no way to top TMP’s promotion of a Klingon pitching in Klingonese ‘Star Trek Meals’ at McDonalds!

41. Spock with a Crowbar - March 29, 2008

Also,
I don’t want to know plot points!!! I doubt many here do. I want a few pictures, though, as a concession for the release delay.

Just a few pics, that’s all! Enterprise, a uniform, a tricorder, etc. Even some pics of those toys would be enough. Then, I’ll stop whining until autumn. Promise.

42. That One Guy - March 29, 2008

Here’s to ya’ lad! Everytime I see one of these interviews, I get more and more excited about this movie. That’s saying a lot considering that I sobbed with joy (I literally played Handel’s “Messiah” in the background) when it was first announced.

As for #’s 35 and 40, I think that we as trekkies need to publisize the CRAP out of this movie.

43. Lousy Canadian - March 29, 2008

“It’s only 9:30″ ?!!

pwn!!!!!112

44. Garovorkin - March 29, 2008

#40 I remember that McDonalds add Moogie , I still makes me laugh every time i think of it. I hope that Taco bell or one of the other restaurant chain ends up with trek does their homage to That classic Ad.

45. AJ - March 29, 2008

Roberto: I have spent half my life with NY Yankees and Giants fans riding in cabs in NY where the radio is on, and the guys are, with Queens accents, debating some foul call from 1996, or why Georgetown’s basketball legacy disappeared after 1983.

These guys are nerds, too. Even more psycho than we are. Sports fans make Trekkers look like life-focused individuals.

46. AJ - March 29, 2008

Anthony: Please get Simon Pegg on.

He sounds great, and he has turned lots of fan skepticism around. I get the impression it’s not a huge role. But if he is doin’ Doohan as Scotty, the tech manuals will have to wait.

47. COMPASSIONATE GOD - March 29, 2008

Re: 29. fred – March 29, 2008

“Ok. We need to get the LA Times covering why Tom Cruise is ’still’ annoying.”

Not enough paper or web space for that one.

Pegg: I’m glad he’s not going the “Saturday Night Live” route in his take on Scotty. How he fits in wth the rest of the production remains to be seen in terms of believability.

48. [The] TOS Purist aka The Purolator - March 29, 2008

So these are the FINAL interviews with Simon Pegg? Thank gods…

49. The Vulcanista - March 29, 2008

#30

Bob, we’ve *always* been we’re cool! It’s the rest of the world that’s always been out of step and needs to catch up to the coolness of Trek.

Peace. Live long and prosper.
The Vulcanista }:-|

50. Kev-1 - March 29, 2008

Trek gets much positive press and accolades; but some entertainment reporters are looking for juicy stuff that sells. And some of them are probably tired of hearing how fantastic every movie and upcoming performance is going to be( in any movie); Pegg certainly did well– Postmodernism? Have to check the Oxford on that. As for the movie I’ll wait to see what people think of it. STTMP was reviewed in TIME in 1979 with the review title “Warp speed to nowhere” (They got over 500 letters commenting on what some considered an unfair review– according to the magazine’s note to those who wrote in) and years later Shatner and Stewart are on Time’s cover.

51. The Vulcanista - March 29, 2008

Damn! #49 should read: We’ve always been cool.

I hate it when I don’t delete all the extra words after I rewrite something. That, however, does *not* negate my coolness in any way, shape, or form.

And if Trek geeks ever become cool to the rest of the world, can I be the Queen?

Peace. Live long and prosper.
The Vulcanista }:-|

52. Lord Garth, Formerly of Izar - March 29, 2008

Love the Pegg !!! Hot Fuzz is pure Genius

53. Warptek - March 29, 2008

This LA Times sounds a lot like the NY Times. Snobbish, nose in the air bores. If they are anything alike then I suspect they are losing readership just like the NY Times is and good for them too if they are.

54. NTH - March 29, 2008

Its great to hear Simon Pegg speak in such a respectful way towards James Doohan.He was great in “Run Fatboy run”.

55. Commodore Lurker - March 29, 2008

Decloaking . . .

# 30 Mr. Orci,
“. . . so we have to give the press a new story, judo like, so that it becomes the their new thread . . .”

Bob, the story line implications of that statement are absolutely the most exciting thing I’ve seen about your new Trek film.
For the very first time, I’ve gotten goose bumps about this project!

Thank you very much indeed. I’d love to hear you expound on that point a little. Maybe in your TrekMovie.com “Wrap” interview. (hint-hint Bob & Anthony)

oh yea, Recloaking. (almost forgot)

56. cd - March 29, 2008

#21, #30 – I am not surprised by this anti-Star Trek reaction among some of the press. IMO, it is an extension or variation of the anti-science, anti-smart people attitude that pops up now and again in the press. Something to do with science might trigger a talking head to react by saying “I don’t even understand that” or some other stupid comment basically indicating that science is not cool. Of course, if it is part of their lives, if it affects their Blackberrys or their wireless phones, then they feel it is worthy of their understanding. As more and more things in our world require an understanding, or at least a respect for, science, some of these people are starting to wise up. But there are still a fair amount of these “Helsinki Sweden” (Die Hard reference) nimrods out there, and if they can’t make comments about science, they feel safe in making them about science fiction, especially Star Trek. So, it is like Revenge of the Nerds, and the anti-science, anti-intellectual, anti-Star Trek idiots in the press are the dumb jocks.
And unfortunately, if you look around at the world, it looks like the idiots are winning.
So, yeah, Mr. Orci, if you and your associates could make Star Trek cool again, that would be great. >;>}

57. Trekboi - March 29, 2008

That’ll do Pegg, That’ll do.

58. TrekSucksHard - March 29, 2008

LOL- I love the remark about the Bond franchise going through a “Roger Moore” period- that is exactly what the Berman and Braga era was.

59. LoyalStarTrekFan - March 29, 2008

It seems the press is biased about this like they are about other things (i.e. politics). It really doesn’t surprise me as the press has it’s own agenda that noone outside the press can truly understand. It just goes to show that the press NEVER gives you the full story despite what they and their dozens of slogans claim.

60. LoyalStarTrekFan - March 29, 2008

58, I couldn’t disagree more. Although I will point out that most of the Roger Moore films had some of the best plots that more than made up for his overly playful acting. DS9, VOY, and ENT were all excellent additions to the Star Trek universe. Some of TNG’s best plots “Unification,” “Chain of Command,” etc. were in TNG’s later seasons.

61. LoyalStarTrekFan - March 29, 2008

58, then again your name says it all. If you don’t like Trek, why are you here?

62. TrekSucksHard - March 29, 2008

I like TOS Trek- my name is for the TNG and ENT stuff- which you like regardless of how stupid it is…

63. Garovorkin - March 29, 2008

#59 which is why I tend to ignore the press.

64. The Vulcanista - March 29, 2008

#62

In your humble opinion, of course.

Peace. Live long and prosper.
The Vulcanista }:-|

65. LoyalStarTrekFan - March 29, 2008

62

TOS had more stupid episodes than any other Star Trek series ever made. I can’t think of any for DS9 or VOY (the only TNG episode I didn’t like was “Sub Rosa”) However, TOS had several episodes with corny plots, pathetic acting, and horrible dialogue. Some examples would be “Miri,” “The Paradise Syndrome,” “And the Children Shall Lead,” “Carlie X,” etc. That’s not to say that TOS had many great episodes, “The Enterprise Incident,” “Balance of Terror,” “The Cage,” “Galileo Seven,” “Amok Time,” “Journey to Babel,” etc. that could stand up against any episode of Trek. I will also remind you that TNG was created by Gene Roddenberry and he definatly liked the show. I will grant you that TNG’s second season was it’s weakest but it was a great show as was DS9, VOY, and ENT. I’m sorry you don’t like them but calling them stupid is just inaccurate as I have clearly described above. The above reasons is why TOS is my LEAST favorite Star Trek series. It’s still a great series (for many reasons: the fact that it launched the Star Trek franchise, the first six films, the many great episodes and moments (some of which are mentioned above) that could stand up against anything on TV today but it just isn’t my favorite. My favorite Star Trek series is TNG, followed very closly by DS9, which added some more realisim to Star Trek, and then by VOY.

Now, this is my opinion and many people point to TOS as the best just like I know many people would argue that DS9 is the best or VOY is the best or ENT is the best. I respect your opinion about TOS just like I would hope you respect mine about the rest of Trek.

66. Iowagirl - March 30, 2008

I never considered Geek or Nerd offensive – c’mon, there have been more insulting “name-callings” on this board, folks. I don’t mind being called geek or nerd or whatever term there is to describe “Trekness“. But then, I don’t need anyone to define my coolness, whatever *that * may be.

67. Q - March 30, 2008

Doohan is Scotty Shatner is Kirk Nimoy is Spock, etc. It is a big mistake to recast historical roles that the same people played for 25-40 years (depending on the actor) And don’t give me the Bond argument when Connery was replaced after 10 years and 6 movies, Moore after 12 years and 7 movies. Not after 79 episodes and 6-7 movies (depending on the actor) this is a different situation. When will people stop kidding themselves, the original cast WERE those roles, they made those roles,. And this nerdfest B.S. that these dummies keep saying is very insulting us ‘nerds’ who have made this franchise what it has been and they would not have their fat paychecks w/o us! Perhaps J.J and the crew would be smarter to, instead of being concerned about ’spoilers’ maybe they should be concerned with their actors insulting the base!

68. Boborci - March 30, 2008

AJ – March 29, 2008
Roberto: I have spent half my life with NY Yankees and Giants fans riding in cabs in NY where the radio is on, and the guys are, with Queens accents, debating some foul call from 1996, or why Georgetown’s basketball legacy disappeared after 1983.

These guys are nerds, too. Even more psycho than we are. Sports fans make Trekkers look like life-focused individuals.

A: I hear ya!

69. Boborci - March 30, 2008

Trekboi – March 29, 2008
That’ll do Pegg, That’ll do.

A: LOL

70. trekee - March 30, 2008

I’d think the self parody phase of trek really had to be films IV and V, even VI started to take itself seriously again.

While I think the humour in IV was near perfect, in V his Shatnerness probably took about 8 films worth of eyebrow wrigging and compressed it into one jail scene.

If, as Simon Pegg says, you have got to go through it, be grateful we really only had to have one film’s worth of lampooning and japes.

71. Commander K, USS Sovereign - March 30, 2008

I’ve met Mr Pegg on a number of occasions. Really nice bloke, however, he didn’t forward my acting CV on when Star Trek was casting, so i’m a bit gutted wit that!

72. Garovorkin - March 30, 2008

#62 while i like TOS, Saying its the best of the series to me is problematic. the first to seasons with some exceptions were quite good, Sean there which had a few good episodes to me was for the most part, a joke, even the bet of seaon 3 episdoes have some series issues in production in both writing,editing . The next gen had superior productionof course, better writing but the this show suffers from what I call The Everything Resets to Zero Syndrome as the series before it had. The was really no signifcant character growth in either of these two series. DS9 was far and away the best show. Voyager had maybe 25 or so good episodes and that it, Enteprise had huge possibilities which the show squandered, but it was fairly well written at least.

73. Mr. Bob Dobalina - March 30, 2008

Pegg IS of the body.

We definitely reach.

74. Mr. Bob Dobalina - March 30, 2008

I have to agree with 62 – It’s all about TOS with me…Star Trek…or nothing. That other stuff was just an annoyance that had little, if any, connection to the styles and sensibilites of the legend that started it all. And after years of cranking out the same old tired “Trek”, they finally ran it into the ground so far, all they had to do to finish it for good, was fill it with dirt and toss a tombstone on top. Star Trek- TOS style, done JJ’s way, can and hopefully will be cool again. But it won’t be with any help from TNG, Ds9., Voyager or Enterprise.

75. Daoud - March 30, 2008

Seems like Pegg is the Nimoy of this group… skilled not just in acting, but good PR, and production, and direction… Long term, would Bad Robot have Pegg direct a later sequel when JJ chooses not to direct them?

I have a strong sense that this casting of Pegg was superb in countless ways… I’m still floored by his bringing in Linlithgow… (Of course if we can get him to know it’s not in the Northwest, but West Loth…

76. steveed - March 30, 2008

The LAT interviewer was asking a valid question from a fear of a misfire for the series, which would not bode well for the future. The irritating bit about “nerdfest” is a curious cliche though, especially in this world where everyone is basically a nerd. Geek and nerd are anachronistic in these times when everyone is a master of some computer program or other obsession. Please media, ditch these eye rolling terms and live with us…you know…in the future?

77. AJ - March 30, 2008

I have spent weekends with guys who will watch 5 college basketball games on Saturday, and 3 football games on Sunday.

We’ll chuck back gallons of Bud Light as they expound on the records of all these players, and some announcer reminisces about a dunk made by Willis Reed in 1973.

We are all obsessive to some extent. Remember the announcement when they fired the ST.COM team? It referenced the current success of CBSSPORTS.COM, or some such.

The sports nerds are huge. And they are everywhere.

78. The Vulcanista - March 30, 2008

77: “The sports nerds are huge.”

After watching some of the NCAA playoffs and looking at the crowd shots, the above statement is true literally as well as figuratively. :-)

Peace. Live long and prosper.
The Vulcanista }:-|

79. Captain Otter - March 30, 2008

#57- Best. Post. Ever.

80. LoyalStarTrekFan - March 30, 2008

Good point 77 CBS did say that.

72, my brother would agree with you on DS9. DS9 is my second favorite Star Trek show. In my opinion TNG beats it for various reasons and I think that there was some excellent character development. With that said DS9 did character development like no other Trek. Even non-regulars (Kai Winn, Gul Dukat, Legate Damar, Weyoun, Female Founder, Garak, Nog, Rom, I could go on but I won’t) had huge amounts of character development. No other Trek show even came close to this, not even my beloved TNG. ENT did some significant character development with Shran and Soval and some with Forrest but it still didn’t come close to DS9 in terms of character development. So, if you’re just looking at a show based solely on character development then DS9 is by far the best. I simply believe that TNG was better overall. It some some great character development, mostly on the main cast but not entirely (Lwaxana Troi, for example), it was one great episode followed by another, and, of course, Q. Most of the Q episodes were TNG. There were some notable appearances on VOY (”Q and the Grey,”) however. I think all the Star Trek series were excellent and I don’t think that any series is “annoying” or “stupid.” Yes there were some weak episodes but that’s the case with any TV series. Anyway, I love Trek and am looking forward to the new film which will hopefully breath new life into this franchise I love so much. So, let’s all look forward to May 2009!

81. LorienTheYounger - March 30, 2008

“Are you going to get roasted for destroying sacred characters?” Could that question be any more loaded? Kudos to Simon Pegg for coming out on top.

82. steveed - March 30, 2008

Even if they botch this like the acetylcholine test they can’t destroy what is already on film. It really is an idiotic question.

83. Cervantes (Born under a Scottish sky) - March 31, 2008

He’s becoming more and more my new honourary Scotsman… :)

Oh well, back to worring about this Chris Pine fella as ‘Kirk’ then.

84. Cervantes - March 31, 2008

He’s becoming an honourary Scotsman more and more…

Oh well, back to worrying about this Chris Pine fella who’s been cast as ‘Kirk’ then.

85. Cervantes (Born under a Scottish sky) - March 31, 2008

Sorry about the double post folks.

86. Jamie - March 31, 2008

All hail Pegg! :D

My only worry is that I hope Scotty isn’t better acted than Kirk!

87. COMMANDER KEEN - March 31, 2008

Just goes to show what a bunch of morons work for the LA Times. Way to Simon. I would say congratulations for outsmarting the Times reporter but I think that is probably not hard to do.

I like his approach to Scotty as well. Simon Pegg was a great choice for this role, IMHO

88. Koros - March 31, 2008

Who cares….

It’s just a movie

89. Pat Payne - March 31, 2008

“I think we’re past postmodernism! The idea of sending up the past is a bit boring now.”

THANK YOU, SIMON! I’m glad someone finally said it! I’ve been officially sick for years now of beloved franchises falling to the “everything you know is false” “wink-and-nod the hero was actually the VILLAIN” “we demolish your childhood/adolescence memories and pass the savings on to YOU!” school of storytelling that’s predominated since the ’90s.

Oh, and Commander Keen — From what I’ve seen of the Times of late, they could be outsmarted by Mortimer Snerd. They’ve been putting their foot constantly in their collective mouth since at least the Great Recall of ‘Ought-Three, when they should have just run “We Want Schwarzenegger to LOSE” as their banner front-page headline daily for the entirety of the election.

90. I Am Morg Not Eymorg - March 31, 2008

73. Mr. Bob Dobalina: He definitely ain’t no Herbert. :)

Rock on Pegg!

91. Captain_Neill - March 31, 2008

at least he is honouring Doohan by saying Doohan will own the role

I still think its wrong that our beloved characters have been recast. I can accept they might play them well but they will never be the characters. I am still lookin forward to the film

I just hope he’s right about JJ. from the pics and reports I’ve seen I feel JJ will ruin Star Trek.

Only Shatner is Kirk, Only Nimoy is Spock. Only Doohan is Scotty. etc!

92. JSanders - March 31, 2008

This movie is what I’ve been waiting for since after “All Good Things…” A smart, classy, pop-culture savvy version of Trek.

This will be the best thing that’s ever happened to Trek!


TrekMovie.com is represented by Gorilla Nation. Please contact Gorilla Nation for ad rates, packages and general advertising information.