Quinto: My Spock Is Not In Control of His Balance July 28, 2008
by TrekMovie.com Staff , Filed under: ST09 Cast , trackback
Star Trek’s new Spock, Zachary Quinto, was at Comic Con last weekend, primarily to attend the Heroes panel. MTV ran into the actor and he discusses Heroes, his new Star Trek poster and of course the new Star Trek movie, including insights into the other actor’s portrayals and how his Spock deals with his human and Vulcan sides.
Excerpts from the MTV interview
MTV: When I first unrolled my copy of the poster, I thought for a few seconds that it was Leonard Nimoy. Do you take that as a compliment?
Quinto: Good, that’s an enormous compliment. That’s what we were going for. It’s the character; he’s so well-defined, and so clear. It’s such an iconic character because of Leonard, and I think we’d be silly if we didn’t welcome parallels between what we’re doing and what came before.
MTV: You all had to walk a fine line between tribute and re-invention. Which of your co-stars found that balance best?
Quinto: If I’m going to attribute the capturing of the right tone to anybody, it would have to be to J.J. [Abrams], because he hired the best people for every role. Chris Pine’s performance is incredible — John Cho’s performance, Simon Pegg, Anton [Yelchin], Zoe [Saldana], Karl [Urban], it’s the whole gang. It was like we’d already done a movie together. … I know it’s just the beginning.
MTV: When I think Spock, I can’t help but recall the heartbreaking brilliance at the end of "Wrath of Khan." Is there a Spock moment in this film that even approaches that?
Quinto: Oh, yeah. That’s what this movie is about, exploring the humanity of these people. And with humanity invariably comes challenge, and comes pain. We don’t shy away from that at all. My character’s story, in particular, is firmly rooted in an exploration of what that is. For somebody who’s working so hard to stay so clearly separate, it’s a collision course with himself in many ways.
MTV: How so?
Quinto: We visit [Spock] at a time when he’s not as in control of his balance, and there’s a lot of heartbreak in that.
Much more from this excellent interview at MTV.com
Quinto at the EW/SciFi channel event (WireImage)
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Comments»
im getting more and more excited for this movie. His spock is already sounding perfect
So we will see Spock yelling on the bridge again…
Fascinating. I think that Spock is the element I’m most looking forward to in this film!
He will be a great Spock?
Anyone know what happened to the Yelchin article from yesterday?
I torrented the first 2 seasons of the Heroes based on everyone’s advice from this site. I had never seen it. After having burned both seasons onto dvds and watched (most) of them. I can say very well recommended. Looking forward to Heroes Villians this fall. Love Quinto. good stuff.
Anyone wonder if that last lecturer guy got to see a rough cut of the film before he died? I was wondering that. and if so, did he take the secret to his grave? If not, then please revisit my old argument to Paramount that people are literally dying to see this movie. Lettuce get it released, aiiiight?
BEST!!
=h=
That sounds intriguing. It will be interesting to see if they can give us a Spock who’s less firmly in control without making him maudlin or weakening his mystique.
#2
“Acting FULL intensity!”
I have a great feeling about the future of the new Trek team. These guys should be taking heavy notes for the inevitable books that can be written about the experience. As it is, I’d buy a “Trek Memories” type book about the making of the current film up to now. Sounds quite exciting and unique.
“THE WOMEN!!!!!” -Spock in “The Cage”
Cato #9 — You just sole my line!!!!! or
“FULL EMERGENCY — REVERSE POWER” – Spock in “The Squire of Gothos”
i hope by the end of the movie we will see the more polished balanced spock we all know and love. i wasnt a big fa of spock in the early days facinating tho it was.
greg UK
Oh yeah, getting better and better! I can’t wait for this!
Considering that JJ said that the movie would essentially be ready by December, I’m going to stangle the suits that are making us wait until May 2009 to see this.
well, when someone takes your women – I dont care if you’re a vulcan or not – that is something to raise your voice over fer sure.
one time i was just sittin’ round, funnin. and they took all my women, poof! they was gone.
i just went and got some more women, though.
=h=
wow….MTV is relevant again. lol
arrrrr…
oh- sure it be good news ta’ hear more an’ more little leaks comin’ oot like dis…
Alternate titles fur this softer, gentler, more emotionally divested film known as Star Trek 11:
Spockies’ Choice
Treks of Endearment
Tri-Tanium Magnolias
speakin’ o’ little leaks…
… I’m not in control of me bowels.
Arrrrrr…
#10 Don’t forget his line about activating the ROCKETS in The Cage. :P
Actually, though I sound like I’m spoofing it . . . I bring it all up because I’m glad to see something come up that makes Spock’s old yelling and reactions make sense. :)
Does Zach get to play out Pon Farr?
In any case, interesting.
Kolchak the night stalker called, and he wants that stupid hat back, Zachary.
So we will see Spock smiling at alien Daisies with Capt. Pike?
I really, really , really….like the sound of this. Spock is my favorite character in Star Trek. His portrayal is so important. I think Quinto’s grasp of the inner conflict in the character, along with Nimoy’s on-the-spot influence, is very assuring.
#18—Not likely. In “Amok Time”, Spock indicates that it is his first experience with Pon Farr.
“I had hoped I would be spared this.”–Spock
That quote, along with the fact that his marriage to T’Pring was both incomplete and unconsumated, pretty much assures us that Spock has not experienced the “burning of his Vulcan blood” up to that point.
Since he is half-human, I’m not sure this means he is without sexual experience. We see in “The Enterprise Incident”, that Spock is quite capable of sexual relations outside of the Pon Farr experience.
His encounter (under very different circumstances) with Saavik on the Genesis planet is his only Pon Farr-related sexual experience onscreen, so I wonder who satified “his urges” before then, since the events of “Amok Time” are approximately 15 years in the past. Perhaps his human DNA tends to disrupt what is normally a 7 year cycle for Vulcans.
“Fascinating”…
“We visit [Spock] at a time when he’s not as in control of his balance, and there’s a lot of heartbreak in that.”
This sentence only makes me wanna see this movie even more badly than before… I have always loved seeing Spock trying to reconcile his Vulcan side and his human side. IMO, some of the best Spock moments came when he was overwhelmed by emotions and was starting to lose control over them. Great stuff!
In my life I’ve never looked forward to a movie as much as this.
Nimoy has always said that the biggest problem actors have with playing Vulcans is the fact that Vulcans aren’t robots – they’re emotional beings who have decided to suppress their emotions for the good of their society. Nimoy has lamented at what he saw as actors playing Vulcans as a sort of automaton, so it’s sounds encouraging, and appropriate, that Quinto’s Spock has conflicts. That would be very much in character.
I like the “not in control of his balance” approach. Nimoy really didn’t have his balance in those early episodes or the early pilots. He yelled orders on the bridge when those he was yelling them to were feet away from him He smiled uncharacteristically. I think Nimoy cites “Naked Time” as the episode where he figured out who Spock was but I’ve always felt the character came to full fruition in “Return of the Archons”. I’ve always felt the whole show hit it’s stride on that one.
19. DOUG
Kolchak the night stalker called, and he wants that stupid hat back, Zachary.
Ah Daren McGavin. Did anyone know he was married to the chick who was accelerated and wanted to turn the Enterprise into a big deep freeze?
Doug, I like to give credit where credit’s due. (Not enough of that in this world) That’s a good line. And Kolchak the Night Stalker was a good example of a good old style theme song. Back when TV shows had good themes; with that cool cello ostinato, or I guess, basso continuo that started things out. Another example of a show that roped in viewers by the opening credits.
We get to see a Spock that smiles and laughs like in the pilot for TOS? And acts like he did under the influence of those spores in “This Side of Paradise”? Awesome! It’ll show his battle with his emotions, it’s the best Spock story!
#22—Wholeheartedly agreed!
The anticipation grows…
Hitch,
I think we need to check your meds again… especially over the “dying” post.
FYI, The pills in the PEZ dispenser, while fun, don’t help. ;-)
Yes continue to seed little bits like this to the Trek fans to lure them in and make them have an unstoppable urge to go see the movie. I half wonder if JJ has a calender somewhere that he gave to all the cast and crew that says exactly when you should release these little nuggets of gold to the press… It’s all timed out just right so as to create a groundswell of support for the new film. You’ll see next thing you know we will start to see pictures (wink wink) leaked… 1st a coridoor… then the bridge or some other room… At the same time as your getting actors saying just what you want to here about your most beloved characters… I estimate that sometime in the future Pine will drop in an interview that his Kirk is also quite the casanova with ladies from multiple universes… and everyone will cheer because that is exactly what we expect of our young Kirk…
Its all timed out I say… All timed out and scheduled to keep your mouth in a state of constant watering until May 8…
#4
Wondering that myself. Showed up in my google reader, but sent me to a ‘Doh’ page.
“Oh, this is the worst-looking hat I ever saw. What, when you buy a hat like this I bet you get a free bowl of soup, huh? . . .
Oh, it looks good on you though . . .”
here… uggg yes I see it too…
29.
Perhaps my man Hitch is starting to become unrehabiltated? : ) But that’s the way I like him!
#30—The interview was done by MTV. It was not a Trek promotion move. Quinto was simply answering questions. The full interview was as much about Heroes as about STXI. I suppose we are fortunate that Quinto is involved in other projects.
#20. John from Cincinnati – July 28, 2008
So we will see Spock smiling at alien Daisies with Capt. Pike?
That one scene alone has spawned (pardon the pun) a mess of Pike/Spock stories. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I just don’t see it.
However, it *might* explain his hijacking Pike and the Enterprise to take him back to Talos Iv….
“DAMAGE report, ALL stay-SHUNS!!!”
That shot of him on the poster could have been better from a hair and make-up standpoint.
Only two weeks until I get to see the latest Vulcan stud again. Vegas here we come.
“SWITCH TO ROCKETS! WE’RE BLASTING OUT!”
…Or, better still, Zach has Spock playing the Vulcan Lyre as if he were Pete Townsend:
“Ooch! Mr. Spock! It’s gonna take me a week t’fix th’damage ye inflicted upon ye quarters!”
“That wasn’t me. Mr. Scott. That was Lt. Moon.”
OK, I might get some rocks thrown at me for saying this, but realistically shouldn’t we consider “The Cage” not a part of the canon?
What I mean is, I don’t think Spock’s character was supposed to be unemotional in that one, Number One was supposed to be the logical one.
Hence, the Spock character in The Cage is not the same Spock in TOS and thereafter. Sure, he was played by the same guy and he had the same name, but he’s not the same Spock.
Yeah, I know that they used footage of The Cage for the two-parter in the first season.
But I’m just sayin’.
Nice hat.
And kudos to the Kolchak fans up the thread. Darren McGavin rules and so does the two dollar hat.
“Tell me something, Tony, what don’t you like about this hat?”
“What’s under it.”
Bah-zing!
#2 – STAND BY TO PHOTOGRAPH!
#19, 25 – If Zach is as good a Spock as he looks, he could take the hat and reboot another new franchise there. He’d probably get down with the seersucker suit, but then there’s that learning to walk bow-legged thing….LOL
#2 (no yelling, but not much in character…)
“If we start buzzing about down there, we’re liable to find their mental power is so great, they could reach out and swat this ship as though it were a fly.”
THE WOMEN!!!
What did happen to the Yelchin article from yesterday? BTW, I think he is gonna rock as Spock!!!
#47 – I think it was posted in error. I’m not entirely sure, but I think it was a previously published interview with the young actor. Too bad it was yanked…I actually had what I consider one of my most insightful posts with it…lol
I hope Spock doesn’t have a lot of head injuries.
9
When I saw The Menagerie on the big screen last November the entire audience burst out laughing and wouldn’t stop when he said that. Possibly my favorite Star Trek line ever.
Y’know, even if I knew for sure that every single other element of the movie was going to suck eggs, I’d still pay my $9.50 to see Quinto’s Spock.
I’ve said it before – there could have been no better preparation for playing SPock than playing Sylar.
BTW Hitch – now that you’re caught up on Heroes, you can watch full newer episodes for free at nbc. com.
Nice interview.
He needs to stop wearing those dopey hats though.
I hope ZQ is good as Spock, as it sounds like he will be. That said, I don’t have any reference point for him. Heroes has completely passed me by, as has Lost, and I honestly don’t have any interest in playing catch-up. I’ve only done that for Doctor Who.
Don’t be upset that HE can get away with wearing those hats and most of you wish you could.
GO ZACH!!!
#54
All due respect, but nobody got away with nuthin’. He’ll be a great Spock methinks.
#48
Hopefully it was an old interview. Turbines and whatnot ! LOL!
Maybe we see Spock get hot and sweaty with Keila Kalomi!
woops Leila Kalomi
Who cares about what kind of hat he wears?!?! Its something he really seems to be into now. The things people decide to nit pic on, I mean really!
That’s good to know, it couldn’t be Spock without that struggle.
Spock’s all about the dichotomy, man. The dispockomy. A
Maybe this Spock will rescue Kirk from the depredations of the infamous Finnigan.
#40- To me The Cage=canon. So kill me.
#39- Rockets?! LOL! I had forgotten about that one!
I want to see a kick ass trailer for this film.
Who cares about people who care about what kind of hat he wears?!?!
Seriously, he’s a 30 year old guy wearing 1950s Bing Crosby golf playing hats. He’s being weird for the sake of being weird so people will talk about it. So don’t freak out when people react to it. That’s what he’s going for. “Look at me, everybody! I have dark, off-beat good looks which I like to augment with ugly black frame glasses and Big Crosby hats! I’m DEEP! But in a way that’s charming to the mainstream and the 18-34 demographic!”
I wonder if we may see the beginning of Spock’s 18-year estrangement from Sarek?
The Star Trek remasters omit the Spock smile in ‘The Menagerie’.
“Deflector Shelds to Full Intensity!”
That’s almost as good as “Set your Shields to Double Front”
and
“Accelerate to Attack Speed”
#65. Good point Steve.
#68. If the Constellation would have set their deflector shields to full intensity and double front, then maybe the doomsday machine wouldn’t have torn it a new hangar deck. :P
It’s amazing that a highly sophisticated starship can’t figure out to turn shields by itself.
#67
I didn’t think the remastered episodes edited anything out. Unless you are referring to how they edit broadcast versions for time. Wouldn’t the ’smile’ be on the dvd?
#66—Quite possibly, but I think it is important to remember that this is only going to be a two hour movie. It is unlikely that all of the origin information we could imagine being a part of the story can be covered. It seems that there are posters in every thread concerning STXI who have an idea about what “has” to be covered in this film—Gary Mitchell, Carol Marcus, Finnegan, Ben Finney, etc., etc.
With that said, since Ben Cross has been cast as Sarek, and at least some of the story is pre-Academy Spock (although it is unclear as to whether Sarek’s role is limited to Spock’s birth), some attention being paid to that subject is a distinct possibility. I’m sure that Spock’s estrangement toward his father over his decision to join Starfleet will be at least mentioned in the film. However, it has been covered adequately before, IMO, particularly in TOS–”Journey To Babel” (one of my favorites).
No. The remastered episodes are just that remastered for great picture, and new visuals. That’s it. It’s when you watch them on Sci Fi or Spike, they are chopped to hell. The Menagerie is still the same.
Of course “accelerate to Ludicrous Speed” is a bit over the top.
Sounds effing cool!
Ahhh! Now I’m ITCHING to see this movie.
The more I read about this movie, the more I get the impression that this is going to be really, really good. I can’t wait for the trailer, or even for Abrams/Paramount to release more teasers, advertisements, etc for the project. Very exciting!!!
#74 – WE’VE GONE TO PLAID!
I expect nothing less than The Dark Knight greatness from Star Trek.
It should happen. They’re professionals.
I hope that heartbreak is not all we see for Spock but I hope we see some good times and joy too.
yo underpants monster,
free at nbc.com? see… that’s good. because how i got started was that comcast added nbc programming to on demand. like when I am watching cbs on demand with the swingtown™ and whatnot. So but anyway, I got all stoked but there were 2 catches – the nbc on demand only had heros and 30 rock, and the high def eps were $2 a piece. which of course won’t break a gangsta like me but still, cbs gives their on demand away for free.
so i started looking for the torrent, and there it was for season 1,2. all in most bestest hi def. me loves that hi def.
THE WOMEN!!
=h=
Arrrrr…
I may be in tha’ enviable position of not knowin’ who many o’ these gents are. Yeah- yeah- Quinto is from Heroes- a show I ne’er seen and likely ne’er will… but I hear its got cheerleaders in it- and Pine I couldn’t pick outta a line-up if he mugged me fur me shiny gold pants.
Urban? (Urbane?) Nope- no idea. Zoe- nothin’ thar’ either. I know Pegg-leg, however and probably that’s bad fur me in me tiny mind as I will half expect him ta’ start commentin’ on lighted-sabering tha’ undead whilst handlin’ a warpcore breach…
No pre-conceptions… so keep on reportin’ even tho ta’ me Quinto could start sayin’ “My Spock’s milkshake is better than yours” and I’d think he just used a Strasbergian acting technique ta’ pin down tha’ Vulcan…
BND – Urban played Eomer in the second and third Lord of the Rings movies. But word on the street is he’s NOT playing Bones with long blond tresses and a horse. Too bad! ;-)
“Dammit, Jim, I’m a doctor, not a Rider of Rohan!”
Thanke, I see… a pity there… JJ could have thrown ina twist then and shown us that his Bones and his Nurse Chapel are tha’ same person!!!!! AAAAAAA!
Not quite sure how tha’ horse figured in thar’…
sorry
Arrrrrrrr…
Why the long face?
ahhhh… now ye’ have trotted out a mystery ta’ solve…
how ta’ connect tha’ horsey wit’ McCoy…
Yes Quinto looks like Spock but does he SOUND like him too? I’ve never seen or heard Quinto act. For me, the voice makes the character. The problem with most young actors today is they all sound “girlish”. I hope Chris Pine has got a pair. I know Urban exudes manliness so I’m not worried there. I’m kind of worried about John Cho and Simon Pegg, but I’m witholding judgment til I hear them in the movie. What about that Anton Yelchin character?
What has how an actor sounds got ta’ do wit’ horses, mate?
#22. I totally agree with you.
88 – if you saech youtube clips for “Sylar” and listen to Quinto speak, I think you’ll agree with me that his voice is as perfect for Spock as his looks.
#89 – Does it have something to do with horses? Neigh, say I.
Well, it can be hard ta’ say yer Spockie lines if ye’ be horse…
Where’s the Vulcanista? I want to know what she thinks about this.
Me, I say it’s a great idea to see Spock working on his balance, but let it be subtle, ’cause Vulcans age more slowly and Spock had already gotten plenty of experience by the time he joined the crew of the Enterprise.
I recall, however, that in “The Cage”/”The Menagerie” he was more of a hothead, though….