Shatner: Nobody Offered Me A Role September 18, 2008
by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: Abrams, Shatner, Star Trek (2009 film) , trackback
Recently JJ Abrams kicked off a lot of buzz when he revealed that there was a scene in the new Star Trek movie written for Shatner, but said it didn’t meet with Shatner’s ‘no cameo’ requirements. Today William Shatner launched his new ‘Shatner Project’ video blog and one of the first videos is a direct reply to the latest from Star Trek’s director.
Shatner’s new message for JJ
For the video-challenged Shatner made it clear that he was not offered a role, but still wont take a cameo. Speaking directly to Abrams Shatner stated:
JJ, nobody every came to me and said ‘we have a cameo.’ Maybe you wrote it, but it never presented itself to me. But the truth is I wouldn’t have wanted to do a cameo, because that you would have clipped that out. It doesn’t fit. You said in your statement you were having trouble fitting it in anyway. But nobody every asked me and I am just sorry that I am not in your wonderful movie and I would have loved to have been in it.
But he isn’t giving up…he is now talking about the sequel. Shatner went on…
If you make another one maybe you can think of ways of bringing Captain Kirk back to life. I brought him back to life in one of my books, very easily. You know the machine where you suck in air with the molecules where Captain Kirk hovers and you reassemble from the molecular…and then you throw the switch on the right and then you throw the one on the left and out comes Captain Kirk reassembled. We’ve got DNA of 160 million years old and we’re trying to right now with our primitive — we’re are not talking about 2300 now, we are talking about 2008. We are trying to assemble the DNA of a 160 million year old being. And I think we can do it. You don’t think you can get Captain Kirk back to life?
Anyone still think this is all some kind of publicity stunt?
More Shatner Project Video
In addition to the comment to Abrams, The Shatner Project also put up a new Welcome video
There should be more Shatner video coming soon. Keep track of all of Shatner’s videos at the new Shatner Project channel at YouTube.
Comments»
This has become exhausting. If it IS a PR stunt, it’s a darn effective one. :-)
Does Shatner own this site?
It would be a riot if this all really was a hoax… and at the end… he walks out.
I’ll admit. . . . I WANT Shatner’s Kirk, even in a cameo, in the new movie! There’s 1 vote for bringing him in. . . .
I believe Shatner. I think they wanted Spock becoause of the Heroes dud(e). Frankly I don,t like any of JJ’s work. Maybe if they bring a new series to TV/syndication he would appear in a role(Kirk?).
Hehe, yes, I love those videos. More coming soon…stay tuned! ;-)
I like his description of the Transporter.
Yawn. I really wish there could be a moritorium put on all Shatner articles on this site! Or at least anything relating to his non-involvement in the movie! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
He needs to give it up. He’s old, washed up. Don’t listen to him JJ! Bring on the new cast!
Bring back Shat in the ST XII
#4 - Make that TWO votes. It would make what will hopefully a great movie even better! So the debate rages on. And we who want him in won’t ever give up the ship!
And I, for one, don’t really care to see Shatner as Kirk again. The whole process has become so tiresome and overblown, not unlike…
… well, you get the idea.
Let’s focus on the present — what we HAVE, not what we don’t. Just sayin’.
Shatner you’re my hero and all, and you always will be… But please, for give it rest. Stop bitching about the fact that you’re not in the new movie.
its totally gotta be some viral something or other. JJ and Shatner probably sat down and said “hey, lets pretend your not in this”
And bring back Manny Coto as new Star Trek producer.
For god’s sake, give it up already. Shatner needs to get a life.
starting to sound like a broken record
10 and 11.
Yeah, an 80 year old Capt. Kirk would be awesome!!!
NOT.
He’s in it. It’s all a hoax. Don’t be fooled. DENNY CRANE.
“… the machine where you suck air in…”
Wasn’t that in STV?
This really seems to be getting bitter and sad. Shatner needs to let this all go, and JJ needs to quit giving this story life by saying new things like “we had a scene written for him”.
Shatner won’t be in the next Trek. Move on, people.
It doesn’t matter how old he is, if he feels and looks like younger than he really is.
Shatner’s got that never say die kind of arrogant swagger and that makes him the captain now innit?
Beautiful.
THE WOMEN!!
=h=
Shat is the shizz. yo.. JJ, Orci, Kurtz… you know what to do.. save Star Trek.. save Fandom.. save the Future.. BRING BACK KIRK!
Remember this well–there shall be no peace as long as Kirk’s dead.
Shanter needs his own series.
Oh my god. This man can’t be serious anymore. Maybe he should not ask himself the question “How can you bring back Kirk?” but instead “Why should they?”. We don’t know shit about the story of the movie, just that it centers around the two Spocks and Romulans. That’s it. If the story does not require him, then he’s not in it. Did you ever hear Koenig or Takei or Nichols complain that they are not in?
Cripes… More red meat for the fans
Kirk should be the villain in the next one,
I BELIEVE SHATNER.
‘Nuff said.
I don’t know who said it but i am going to say it again. AS much as I would want to see Shatner in Star Trek again… and I really would… it’s really not worth pursuing. And what they said was that they compared it to bringing back your dead grandfather just so that he could live a few more years and then die again. Whats the value in that? Could you build an entire movie around it? If so, who would want to?
We can’t, and shouldn’t, ignore Generations. This is starting to get as lame as the Brett Farve “retirement”. It’s supposed to be a somewhat permanent thing, the death of a character. It’s been almost 15 years since Generations. It was fun. Oh, my.
THE WOMEN!!
=h=
Will Shatner just SHUT UP and go away! I am so sick of reading about this. Star Trek can survive WITHOUT him just fine.
I am so sick of reading about this.
Alec
You’re dead Jim!
He’s in! He’s out! No, he’s in again! He’s out! IN! Out!!!
Um, is this reminding anyone of Adam West circa 1988/1989 while Tim Burton’s BATMAN was being filmed?
It’s so sad to see hwom many Abrams worshipers and Shat bashers we have on the TrekMovie. For me, thes people aren’t Star Trek fans, they only TOS nerd fans.
It’s sad, to me. I’d say, without seeing the film that Spock fits better. If I saw Kirk (Shatner) it would feel contrived.
Maybe they can work him in in a viable way for the next one.
For now, I just think the entire thing is…sad.
Once again, William Shatner confuses the novel and movie “Jurassic Park” with what scientists are doing in the real world.
Jesus Christ, Anthony, I really wish you could place a moratorium on these “Shatner in the new Star Trek movie” things. I know why you can’t, but you do realize that every single time you post an article about this shit, you end up with a 600-post blog entry filled with fans screaming at each other. It’s reached the point where it’s so far beyond ridiculous that you need the Hubble to find it.
Disagree, #38 - free speech and all, and this is Star Trek news.
#38
What about disableing comments ond this pseudo message board, and make a real message board, like every other decent site.
#39
I know that Anthony will delete my post, but I anway going to say: There is no free speech on this site, beacuse he deleting posts which don’t fit in the divine vision of mr. Abrams.
38 - Martin
It’s not just the Shatner stuff that puts everyone at odds. It’s everything! You have two camps.. people thatt like stuff and people that don’t. I find it frustrating too. It’s getting to the point where I may just stop reading what people are saying and just leave it at reading the articles. But.. then I miss things that Bob Orci or Chris Doohan might say in a post.
The issue of whether or not Mr. Shatner has a place in this new movie or not aside, I have a real problem with the disrespect so many ‘fans’ here show him. The man has made immeasurable contributions to this 40 year old franchise - give him the respect he deserves. You ‘bashers’ sound like a bunch a whiners.
While I don’t see how they can really make it possible for him to return as Kirk. Bill’s always been endlessly entertaining. I hope he continues for years to come. He doesn’t need Star trek anymore.
And hasn’t for some time now,
So keep on chugging Bill keep on Chugging.
And yes I can not wait for the movie.
you guys shouldnt bash AP like that. He runs a good site. YES, some things get deleted. You know what though, its his site. And he will invite valid criticism, just not mean spirited slander. You guys should be thanking AP, not bashing him.
did i just write that?
THE WOMEN!!
=h=
#43 These aren’t truly fans, these Lost&Alias fanboys, which accidently get int the Star Trek world.
I now expect “delete work”. ;)
#45
And what about deleting Shat bashers posts?
#43
He played a character in a 40 year old sci fi franchise, he didn’t find a cure for cancer. Can we keep things in perspective? I made my living as a professional actor for 10 years myself…they’re just people…flawed human beings. If only everyone fought for the well being of the less fortunate and the rights of the oppressed as valiantly as they will fight for a rich man who has had a fulfilling life already.
Life is change.
That video response is 100% the end of this subject and Shatner’s Kirk. He refuses the cameo regardless.
I’m someone who wanted him in the movie badly but even I can admit that Shatner was being very rude & patronising to JJ so I could not imagine any cirumstance whereby the 2 could ever work together now.
Sequel talk is just ridiculous. No big budget movie will ever focus on an 80 year old former leading man.
Nimoy is only involved as they needed someone to help with marketing for the ST relaunch.
Badly handled by both parties and the fans lose out on seeing the original Kirk one last time.
Hope the movie is incredible otherwise forget seeing anymore Star Trek for at least a decade.
I believe Shatner . But it sounds like he wanted a film which resurrected Kirk as the plot. If I were a stockholdein Paramount - I’d vote against that.
For those who want Shatner to reprise his role why don’t you pool your financial resources and make your own fan-made movie featuring Shatner as Kirk? Paramount will sell you the rights to his character if the price is right. Put your own money at stake here. You can take the risks Paramount shied away from. It’s only YOUR money at risk. Put a 77 yo Shatner into a movie about resurrecting elderly Kirk who has been dead to the public for 14 years and is unknown to the next generation. It’ll be a sure hit and the return on your money is guaranteed!! Better yet, Shatner has some decent resources - maybe he can put up the cash for that sure thing blockbuster movie. Go for it!!
OK. I gotta say it.
I will not see this film without an appeance by Mr. Shatner.
Who, by the way, looks great..
The Women!!!
Oh man.
A Freudian typo?
tread well my friends.. for the water is murkey and there be strange things a-dwellin..
Shatner is definitly in the movie.. I can prove it.
When time travel is discovered in the future it will be by a Trekkie.. This individual futurely known as the Trek Collective.. will go back in time to prevent the non-inclusion of Shatner as James T. Kirk in Star Trek (2009).. knowing how ridiculiously awsome JJ et al remade Trek, the Trek Collective cannot stop the on-screen death of Kirk as preventing that death would prevent the reboot from occuring.. therefore instead of preventing Kirk’s death, the Trek Collective ensures his return in Star Trek (2009)..
QED
why else do you think JJ knew that Shat woudln’t do a cameo.. Trek Collective yo..
I have stayed away from the recent Shatner threads, because there is nothing new to discuss. The storytellers can only offer Shatner a cameo; and Shatner is only interested in a substantial part. Fine. If both of these facts remain true, there is no way Shatner can be in the movie. End of Story.
Shatner’s idea for his character’s resurrection is asinine: a terribly ad hoc fan-boy solution to a problem of his own making. I cannot imagine that many people, even those who, like me, are fans of Shatner, would be at all happy with this ‘solution’. It is the stuff of a bad episode, not a feature film. Clearly, Shatner’s resurrection would detract too much from the essence of this film. Nimoy bridges the gap between old and new. Anything more would shift focus away from the ‘new’ crew.
If you want something done right, you’ve got to do yourself, Mr. Shatner.
For god sake rather than put the reels of this movie into a vault somewhere can we not do this with Shatner.
He was the one that signed that contract in 1994, he was the one that took that pay cheque and he was the one that filmed 2 ways of his charecter to die. Yes Spock died and he came back but that was because he is a unique charecter and had the abilitty to “save his soul”.
JJ et al wasn’t doing the “bring back Kirk story”.
For god sake let it drop. If he’s in it after all this then that would be awsome, but if he’s not then let it be.
In Shatners own words
“Get a life”
#47
Anyone should be free to bash the shat there buddy, especially when he’s whining like a 5 year old.
After JJ’s film is released to DVD, Shatner ought to ‘be creative’ and edit himself back in and see if it really does work.
Perhaps he could even say the imortal words: ‘Space, the final frontier…’
I would be very interested in a 3 story type thing,,about saving Kirk,,(Shatner)
Like the “Search for Spock” type of story line,It would be an instant hit movie.
Im looking forward to this new Trek movie,but Im very shocked Mr Shatner didnt hear from JJ,
I wonder how JJ will address this ??
First of all, why would they want to bring back Captain Kirk when he is already there in the form of Chris Pine? This is a different timeline. It wouldn’t make any sense to bring back Kirk as an old man, because in this new film series he’s only about 30 years old. William Shatner was a great Captain Kirk. But isn’t it important for the new film to embrace the new actors, and for the audience to accept them as legitimate TOS characters? I think that Mr. Shatner should politely stop talking about the film for a while . I hope they will have an honored place for him at the premiere. It’s just too bad we have to wait until May for it to come out. That will just delay further the making of a sequel, which I certainly hope they’re able to do.
One more thing - I hate to say it, but Shatner’s lack of respect for Star Trek shines no brighter when he talks about how “easy” it would be to resurrect him using the Jurassic Park method. That’s the cheasiest idea - worse than Borg Nano iPods - that has ever been mentioned.
Let me get this straight - The greatest captain in starfleet is either a walking zombie OR an entirely new person cloned from the DNA of the zombie? That’s the movie you want to make? Oh it’s no big deal. It’s science fiction, as he waves off. Just get him back and not for a cameo either.
What disrespect and insult to those of us who your character really mattered. The fact that he still can’t see the importance… it’s not just bringing back a character that he non-chalantly killed off for 30 pieces of silver. It would be VERY important to us HOW that was done, and that we could be reassured - like with Spock - that we are getting back our captain INTACT.
But this isn’t 1994 anymore either so who even cares. Just as James T. Kirk refused Sybok to take away his pain. We must keep the pain of the loss of James T. Kirk so senselessly so long ago. It’s what makes us who we ARE. We need this pain.
THE WOMEN!!
=h=
I do not believe Shatner in this video. I now believe he is in the film.
Let’s examine the science fiction of bringing Kirk back. Yes, DNA can be extracted and a physical being that looks and talk like Kirk can be recreated, but it won’t be James T. Kirk. All of Kirk’s memories and experiences can not be reproduce. Spock left his Katra in McCoy, his essence, so it could be returned later. I just don’t see how this solution could be viable.
The only viable way to get Kirk back would be through Time travel or alternate reality.
I do like the Shat but wouldn’t be that bothered if he was in this film or not? He knew what he was doing when he made Generations so tough SHIT on him if this isn’t a hoax?!
To clarify my statement above….Shatner says he was never offered a role or cameo but says he met with JJ several times….for what coffee?
This is a bunch of bulls— to hide the fact that he is in the film.
I need Beer.
I have no interest in reading any more of this tiresome crap about Shatner.
You conspiracy dudes that think that Shatner is somehow in this and it’s all lies are going to be very disappointed.
In my estimation, Sir JJ and the team have been more than gracious and respectful in addressing the situation. I personally would have told Shatner to go F himself. And I would have done it very publically with the way he’s speaking to them.
I can’t BILLieve that after being so disrespectful that he has the audacity to suggest keeping a sequel open for him. The man’s arrogance knows no limits. And to me of course, its all rather cute and what I expect from our captain. But if I were Sir JJ… and I was serious about what I did for a living and my art, my reputation, all that… I would never work with Shatner, I would go out of my way not to work with him on Star Trek simply for the disrespect.
Pull yours out Bill, let it fly, it doesnt matter because I am Sir JJ and MINE IS BIGGER. (talking macintosh computers, of course). That would be MY response. SO Sir JJ has been most gracious I think.
THE WOMEN!!
=h=
Dear Bill,
DROP IT!
DROP IT!
DROP IT!
DROP IT!
DROP IT!
DROP IT!
DROP IT!
DROP IT!
DROP IT!
DROP IT!
Have I made myself clear?
I used to be a huge fan of yours until this whole mess started and I am now seeing you in a much different light.
Shatner’s refusal to accept a cameo role is tantamount to declaring that any future Trek movies should center on him as long as he is alive. That’s both silly and arrogant.
If we are to believe him.
That said, making all this noise about Shanter not being in the movie, and then having him appear on screen when the film opens would generate a hell of a lot of publicity.
THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A PUBLICITY STUNT:
Because SOMEBODY is outright LYING. Either JJ Abrams, or Shatner. I’d like to think either of them is better than that. Unless it’s an elaborate hoax all in the name of fun. I hope.
After seeing William Shatner’s “rebuttal video,” I’m having second thoughts on whether or not it was a good idea to work Leonard Nimoy into STXI. Am I the only one? Could a lot of this online “drama” been avoided if there were no original cast members in the new movie?
Here’s my point: Any time you contrive a story to work an actor back into a part they have aged or grown out of, it’s a mistake. I’m now hoping that the story line for STXI is sensible enough to include Nimoy’s Spock in such a way that it doesn’t seem to be too obvious a salute to the die-hard fans.
Such an appearance would smack of hocum, and this franchise has had far too much of that.
Shatner had nothing but nice things to say about JJ. The bottom line was he wasn’t approached, which most of us suspected all along.
No conspiracies. No surprise endings. Just zero negotiation.
I love Shatner and his Kirk.. but he wanted a death like Nimoy had. He was fully aware of what he did when he accepted the part in Generations. That, and the fact that he was quite vocal about NOT wanting a cameo, that JJ and gang didn’t give him the cameo or SMALL part in the movie.
By doing both those things.. he talked HIMSELF out of the movie. He should have never accepted the role in Generations.
I love ya Bill.. you are a fellow Montrealer.. but you dug your own grave. pardon the pun.
Captain Kirk died in Generations, period. William Shatner should accept the fact that he accepted the role in Generations, knowing it would mark the death of his character. He is most likely also aware that the beginning of this movie takes place post-Nemesis, meaning Kirk has been dead for a few years by this point in the Star Trek timeline. Besides, bring Kirk back from the dead would in a way diminish Generations, IMHO.
76. Orb of the Emissary
The general audience does not care or know about the ST timeline or Human vs. Vulcan lifespans.
Not an issue for me.
You know, I’m starting to think that this is all part of some kind of viral ad campaign for the movie. Abrams says one thing, Shatner says another all to mask the fact that Shatner will actually be in the movie in a cameo role. I’m starting to feel just a bit manipulated….
My God Bill
Give it frieking UP
You are really becoming a characature of yourself in a negative way
just something to add… I did love his novels in which Kirk was brought back. I think it was a pretty good idea and i did love that series of novels. But… that was a book and this is the current movie. What’s done is done.
He’s only reacting to the claims he was offered a part. He says he was not. I don’t see why that isn’t true. His transporter idea isn’t that bad. Any movie that has Old Spock talking to young Spock in person could accommodate Shatner’s idea without raising an eyebrow.
Rumor:
Emperor Nero Information:
Nero is half Romulan and Half Vulcan who cut off his pointed ears, out of hate for all Vulcans and specially his father Spock.
Ok. Shat. You are the greatest and the best Kirk. But. Enough already. We all love you as the Kirk. But it’s time to move on and let another bodly go where you have gone before.
#82
So he goes back in time to kill off his own father before his own conception? Nero can’t be too bright IMO.
I am a big fan of William Shatner and he will always be Captain Kirk to me. With that said, for Star Trek to continue and prosper it must be with a fresh start. It is time that William Shatner let it go and be happy with the fact that because of him and what he has done that Capt Kirk will live on for a long long time
HURRAY FOR KIRK!!!
Aaahhh …. I don’t care I’d still want to see Kirk in the new movie!
If they can have Sam Jackson called back for a scene that fans demanded in the movie SNAKES ON THE PLANE, Juuuuust to say “THERE ARE SNAKES ON THE MU£&%ING PLANE!!!”
I’m sure fans cane bring Shatner back too…
;)
I don’t get tired of Shatner. I do get tired of Shatner-bashing. The Shatner articles on this site are clearly headlined and generally segregated from other information. Nobody is forced to click on them!
I’m curious how much money it would take to get Shatner on Phase II nee New Voyages. Shatner said he wouldn’t do fan films but that probably only means he wouldn’t do one for free or just scale. Phase II can obviously outdo a DirecTV commercial on artistic and entertainment merit, it’s should be just a question of being able to write as big of a check! Online donations perhaps?
#84
How do you know 2262 Nero’s conception is before or that Nero is trying to kill Spock or if Nero is the bad guy who goes to the past . Eric Bana has said his role in the film is like a cameo.
#43 I agree. Shatner bashing is always rampant on this site and Shatner fans are often shouted down or just vanish..
Bill is RESPONDING to JJ’s coment about the cameo. Doesn’t Bill have the right to get his side of things out there or is only JJ alowed to speak on this issue?
Wow, William Shatner really wants to be in another Star Trek movie. I knew he’d bring up the dinosaur thing again when he started talking about how he brought back Kirk.
#89 - I agree.. Shatner is only responding to what’s asked. Just as J.J. was. Though personally I wish they could actually speak in person though and see if anything is very fruitful instead of going back and forth online.
Having said that, I think the “molecule” thing sounds a little forced but WHY would they be doing it in regards to the movie? In that case, they should be using it to bring everyone back in the movies.
86: “Aaahhh …. I don’t care I’d still want to see Kirk in the new movie!”
Kirk IS in the new movie.
I wonder if anyone on James Bond fansites, when talking about Quantum of Solace, says: “I can’t believe Bond isn’t going to be in this movie!”
#24—-”BRING BACK KIRK!”
They are. It’s William Shatner being left out….not James Kirk.
#35—”It’s so sad to see hwom many Abrams worshipers and Shat bashers we have on the TrekMovie. For me, thes people aren’t Star Trek fans, they only TOS nerd fans.”
I like most of Abrams work, and I liked the first 20 years of Shatner as James T. Kirk. I don’t care to see a 2008-2009 portrayal of Jim Kirk as William Shatner. I’d rather see JJ Abrams bring my favorite Star Trek characters to life again for a new generation, and in their youth.
Does that make ‘me only TOS nerd fan’?
#81—”He’s only reacting to the claims he was offered a part. He says he was not. I don’t see why that isn’t true.”
I’m sure it is true. Abrams NEVER said he was “offered” a part. That was simply something that ’some fans’ assumed when he said that a part had been “written” for him by Bob Orci and Alex Kurtzman.
#84—Who says that assasination is his goal? There are other avenues of revenge than murder, particularly with time travel in his arsenal. There is certainly the potential for high drama in that scenario, as I have said all along.
Personally, as much as I would love to see “TEI” referenced in such a significant way in STXI, I think that such a plot twist might be rather difficult for the average moviegoer to follow, and therefore unlikely as a back story for STXI.
It’s more likely, IMO, that Nero is a member of a disenchanted faction of the Romulan military that is pro-actively unsupportive of the changing political climate on Romulus. Spock has been very active in facilitating that change, and they would not likely be too fond of him.
My guess is, Nero and his cohorts have some “changes” of their own in mind, and it has something to do with a young Spock.
Bill, head back to the Nexxus.
Please.
No such thing as bad publicity. As long as Shabter keeps talking about the movie, it’ll be on everybody’s radar.
But of course nobody went to him with the cameo idea, because they already knew he wasn’t interedted in cameos.
#89—”Bill is RESPONDING to JJ’s coment about the cameo. Doesn’t Bill have the right to get his side of things out there or is only JJ alowed to speak on this issue?”
He is allowed to speak, obviously. However, he should have read the article himelf instead of apparently relying on second hand information (and I’m assuming that is the case, as opposed to Bill lacking basic reading comprehension skills).
Abrams NEVER claimed that Shatner was offered a part and refused…
He said that Orci and Kurtzman had written a part for him…
When he said that the part did not meet Bill’s standards of significance, he was referring to the fact that it was a “cameo”, which Bill made very clear he was not interested in.
And what’s with everyone who thinks Shatner is wrong for a 2009 Star Trek film being labeled a “Shat Basher”? IMO, that’s every bit as inappropriate as insulting Bill for his weight or whatever else.
Nothing will ever change my feelings about watching a young William Shatner portray JTK. But that has nothing to do with STXI. You can be a fan of the man’s work, and still feel that his appearance in this film is unwarranted.
Shatner calls out JJ Abrams’ lie about writing a scene for him.
Why would JJ Abrams and his writers start writing a scene for Shatner, without asking him if he would be up for it?
Do you think they wrote Nimoy’s part before asking him if he would be up for it?
Shatner would never call JJ Abrams a lier, but I will!
JJ Abrams is lying!
They never wrote a scene for Shatner.
They never wanted him in the movie from day one.
All that we are trying to find a way to fit him in was all bull!
Now the Question is: What else is JJ Abrams and crew lying about?
I love the Shat, but quite frankly, having grown up with TOS, I think he forgot how to portray Kirk a long time ago (must be that mad cow thing again - Denny Crane!). During every single one of the films, even TWOK, I found myself asking, “When did he forget how to portray Kirk?” Looking back at the 7 films he was in, in my view his performance in TMP came closest, followed by TWOK, but it quickly turned into a tongue-in-cheek cliche from there. Granted, a lot of bad writing is equally to blame in the films. Ultimately it just wasn’t the same Kirk on the big screen most of the time.
Bill’s video message seemed to be a very honest appraisal of the situation, sprinkled with a bit of Bill humor. Good job and thanks for clarifying your role.
98 - trans
And you have proof of this how? Why would you even say such a thing? Of course a pitch and some rough copy of the script was written before Nimoy was asked.
In Generations… the lines that were written for Doohan and Koenig were written for Kelley and Nimoy but both tuned it down so it was rewritten slightly to be Chekov and Scotty.
Calling JJ a liar is very slanderous without proof. I suggest you chill buddy.
Two days ago on the “Shatner Makes Comic Books” thread I predicted the following:
“64. Izbot - September 16, 2008
I’m gonna predict it now:
Next May the new film will be huge. The franchise will be invigorated. Longtime Trek fans will be pleased. New fans will join us. All will be harmonious on earth.
Fastforward a few weeks after the release. We’ll get news that Shatner has agreed to — nay, requested — a cameo in the sequel.
I’m sayin’ it now. Mark your calendar, you have been warned.”
Wow, that was fast.
I say NO to an “old & puffy” Kirk… James T. would never have let himself go…. damn it. Its over. This is nothing more than a stunt to promote his website.
How about a CG TOS era Kirk? I’m sure it could be done
Dear Shatner-Bashers,
Shatner has been apart of and a icon of Star Trek for 42 years.
No one has seen Abrams/Orci/Kurtzman’s Star Trek.
why stand up for Abrams/Orci/Kurtzman and bash Shatner.
You guys (not all) act like Abrams and Orci and Kurtzman are gods in Star Trek.
You stand up for Abrams/Orci/Kurtzman so much to the point that you will rip on Classic Trek.
Trek-Fans attacking all other Trek?
How about much money does Abrams and Orci and Kurtzman pay you guys to write on this site?
Shat is 100% definately in the movie. This is a PR stunt.
Re: #9 - “He’s old, washed up.”
Shatner’s won, what, 3 or 4 Emmys on a hit show in the last 5 years or so? If that’s “washed up” evetry actor in Hollywood would like to be washed up.
Wishing don’t make it so, kid.
So just to be clear, the ‘Shat’-lation on this is: “Hey guys, I totally wouldn’t have accepted the part you wrote for me, because I don’t do cameos. You knew that, because I go around everywhere telling everyone I don’t do cameos. A lot. But I wanted you to come to my house, sit down for some coffee, and ask me to do something you knew I wouldn’t do because I told everyone I wouldn’t do it. Then I’d tell you I wouldn’t do it, because I wouldn’t. I mean, how does that not make sense to you?”
I got an idea. I am a big trekkie and love canon like the rest, but I saw on youtube once someone recreate the ending that would be just like paramount editing the ending to where shatner doesn’t die and that youtube video look flawless. Problem solved and now you got Kirk alive in the future. Plus as shatner and others have said, its sci fi so one can come back to life many times.
#98
One of the writers (Orci) posts on this site and said he had written a scene for Shatner. He also said he will post that scene on this site after the movie premiers. Please don’t call the writer a liar. I’d retreat and call it a misunderstanding rather than call either party a liar.
No one offered me a roll! Waaaaaa
This is so old and tiring!
The Shat is tha MAN!!!!
Not sure if he should back in Trek…I just think there’s too much water under the bridge (no pun intended). Let’s just move on with the new cast…
The movie is dedicated to Shatner
I’m not reading a single post here yet.
I will say that I love that Bill is still stirring it up.
I also think that we don’t have to get Kirk’s DNA or whatever. We can just go back in time and pretend that movie didn’t happen.
*sigh*
#98—-You have no basis for that whatoever. What you are saying is libelous, and you will only do so under cover of internet anonymity.
#101—He has no proof. He’s probably a troll we would otherwise recognize, posting under a different name.
#105—You are completely irrational. Not wanting to see Shatner in this film is NOT “Shatner-bashing”. People like me can love what he did as Kirk for decades, yet believe his time in that role is over. Liking the “original” Kirk and wanting to see him in STXI are two different things.
And of course Bill’s comments are going to incite such coments as “let it go” and what not. He was responding to something that wasn’t there.
Abrams said that Orci and Kurtzman wrote a scene for him. Orci confirmed that. JJ also made it clear that the scene was a “cameo”, something which at the time, Bill had made equally clear he was not interested in.
Later, Shatner implied (on The View) that he would have been open to such a part.
Now he has stated definitively that he would not.
Shatner has every right to answer these questions any way he chooses, but when he chooses to continue to complain, he (and those who label everyone else a “Shat-Basher”) must accept that some people will tire of it. That’s the way it is. He has a choice. He doesn’t have to respond that way. He could, instead, choose to handle it with grace. That’s not Shatner, and that’s fine. His personality is what alot of people like about him. But he is a big boy. I doubt that anyone on the internet is hurting his feelings.
Stop labeling people who disagree with you. It’s immature, and just as inappropriate as the comments which personally insult BIll Shatner.
I wish Deforest Kelley were still with us so he could look William Shatner in the eyes and say: “You’re deas Jim!”
As much as I would have loved to have seen William Shatner in the new Star Trek Movie the reality is that Captain James T. Kirk died in Star Trek: Generations and that is not something that can be undone!
I remember shedding a tear as Captain Kirk died and William Shatner uttered that final sentence: “Oh my!”
It was a sad and yet ineviatable end to the Characters life. I take solace in the knowledge that part of Captain Kirk will live on forever in the Nexus. A place where he could achieve something he never really got out of life. HAPPINESS!
sands/bashthebash/trans/etc
you are welcome to your own opinions, but not your own facts. And posting under multiple names repeatedly is a violation. Plus it appear you are a previously banned troll, so goodbye…again
114
“We can just go back in time and pretend that movie didn’t happen.”
Which is what I already do. Also….I know Shatner is heavy but he also looks like he’s been pumping iron too.
#108 - ROFL! That’s how I would have put it if I had a better sense of humor.
Mr. Shatner you need to make your books into movies .
98. trans -
“Now the Question is: What else is JJ Abrams and crew lying about?”
It’s all a conspiracy!! JJ Abrams really hated Star Trek as a kid and his goal in life was to become successful enough in Hollywood to take over the franchise — just so he can destroy it!! Here’s some of the other lies he’s told us:
1.) He will respect canon.
LIES!! He plans on contradicting things we all *know* are canon! In the new movie James T. Kirk is a Klingon! From the planet Alderaan!! It’s supposed to take place in the year 400 Billion AD! Eddie Murphy co-stars — as Pluto Nash!
2.) He will avoid camp and cheesiness.
LIES!! He’s directing it like an Ed Wood movie! The Enterprise (which he deliberately misspells “Interprize” because he hates us!) model is made of balsa wood and scotch tape and hangs from very visable strings! They’re re-using the music from the old Batman TV show as the film score!
3.) He’s making the film something both longtime fans and non-Trekfans can enjoy.
LIES!! He wants to trick everyone on earth into coming to see his movie opening weekend to make a public mockery of all us Star Trek fans!! He plans on filming “the weirdos in the audience” (his words!) and putting them up on the screen with insulting captions underneath!! THEY’RE ALL GONNA LAUGH AT US!!
–Yeesh! Get *over* your paranoia!
#114
But when anyone even remotely suggests “Reboot” or “Altered Timeline”, which would enable them to bring back the character as a young man and redo Kirk’s life, many on this board go nuts.
Getting Kirk’s DNA sounds similar to cloning Picard in Nemesis - which bombed. Too outlandish of an idea for your mainstream audience. Trek is supposed to be science fiction not pure fantasy. I though rebooting with an altered timeline was pushing the limits enough. I wouldn’t go too far away from science and a plot the audience will buy.
I’m waiting for the night Shat comes home ‘wasted’ from some Hollywood party clicks on the camera-do-hickey and says what he REALLY feels.
I think Paramount has hired Harvey Mudd to run its publicity department.
We already know that Nero’s revenge against Kirk creates alternate timelines. It’s no leap to assume that these different lines include Kirks that died young and Kirks lived beyond GENERATIONS. So the “we’re not smart enough to solve this thing” is malarkey.
I’m not saying Shatner’s a gold digger, but he definitely aint no broke actor.
So why would appear this desperate, unless there’s something in it for him?
Amazing#124- Oooh… THAT would be a fun thread…
It is more important to discuss whether Shatner’s daughter is HOT or NOT.
I’d say HOT!!
#125—”We already know that Nero’s revenge against Kirk creates alternate timelines.”
We do?
Who said that Nero is out for revenge against Kirk?
What did Kirk do to piss off late 24th Century Romulans?
That wasn’t even a well thought-out rumor!
It is much more likely that the “revenge” Nero seeks is directed at Spock, who is presumably still on Romulus helping to facilitate the changing political climate in the RSE.
There is also the possibility that Nero has some connection to the Romulan Commander that Spock seduced and later betrayed in “The Enterprise Incident”, enabling the Enterprise to slip away from a group of Romulan vessels with a stolen cloaking device.
If Nero has any ideas about revenge against a former officer aboard the NCC-1701, it would make much more sense for that officer to be Spock.
Don’t you think?
Shatner is a master. He should do more one man show tours.
29. Shatner_Fan_2000 - September 18, 2008
“I BELIEVE SHATNER.
‘Nuff said.”
Of course you believe Shatner…look at your name.
41. Earl - September 18, 2008
#39
“I know that Anthony will delete my post, but I anway going to say: There is no free speech on this site, beacuse he deleting posts which don’t fit in the divine vision of mr. Abrams.”
If that was the case, Shatner’s comments would’ve been deleted. Be real.
The pocket books that Shatner wrote(or co-wrote) were terrific for me, and no movie would do them justice. They were epic, fun, they had the cast of all Trek series, they were a slugfest . It was the ultimate fan-fiction and I´m satisfied by it.
You see, i can get used to the concept with this new movie If I imagine as a imaginary fan fiction as well. But as Alan Moore would say, aren´t ALL the stories imaginary?
46. Earl - September 18, 2008
“#43 These aren’t truly fans, these Lost&Alias fanboys, which accidently get int the Star Trek world.
I now expect “delete work”. ;)”
You don’t get to determine who is a Trek fan and who’s not. Got something real to say, or you just here to troll?
51. TrekMadeMeWonder - September 18, 2008
“OK. I gotta say it.
I will not see this film without an appeance by Mr. Shatner.”
Who’s going to monitor you?…You’ll see it.
#123—”But when anyone even remotely suggests “Reboot” or “Altered Timeline”, which would enable them to bring back the character as a young man and redo Kirk’s life, many on this board go nuts.”
Exactly. Someone is going to be upset either way, so why not just leave it alone. The question to me is not whether Kirk can (within the ST Universe, anyway) be resurrected and once agan be depicted by William Shatner, but whether that is the best course for a creative team that is trying to attract new fans to the franchise.
One of the ways Abrams is trying to dispel some of the preconceived notions about Trek within the mainstream movie-going audience is to show that ‘this’ incarnation of Star Trek is different.
Please, no cornball gimmicks– like reconstructing James Kirk’s DNA (Shatner is out of his mind!), or attempting to justify a “correction” of Kirk’s death in Generations. What could possibly be the reason for that in the story?
This is not a mediocre budget fanboy film (like TSFS). This is Paramount’s $168 million Summer Movie.
Sure, you could have Shatner’s Kirk simply appear at the end of the film (assuming the film ends as it begins–post Nemesis), and just pretend that something was altered in the past which resulted in Kirk somehow escaping the Nexus. But why? For what purpose? Personally, I don’t care to see something so blatantly gratuitous.
#134—He’ll be there opening weekend…just like the rest of us who take the time to post on this site.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.
Do a CGI animated direct-to-DVD version of Shatner’s “The Return” and the issue of how to bring him back is done.
Why CGI? The story takes place almost immediately after “Generations”, around ten years and, in Shatner’s case, forty pounds ago. So, if you go the Beowulf route (if they can turn chubby, balding Ray Winstone into Sean Bean’s stunt double, they can do anything) , you can make Shatner, and the rest of the cast of characters, look like they did back in the day, and even have McCoy show up as told in the novel (just need someone who can sound like De Kelley).
Earl
Final warning for trolling
it is not for you to determine who is and is not a fan
# 125: Exactly. It’s obviously about money in some sense…
And sorry #98, but Orci & Kurtzman explained that they indeed wrote the script AHEAD of offering it to Nimoy, WITH his character in it already, in the hope that he would indeed read it and accept the part. They took a chance.
So it’s not so inconceivable that they at least attempted to write a small scene for Shatner as well — which Orci and Abrams have essentially confirmed. We also know that either JJ or both of the writers met with Shatner at least once, if not a few times, before pre-production began — this is confirmed by Shatner as well.
The only thing that is now in dispute is whether or not the part was actually formally *offered* to Shatner, and whether further discussions about said part were had…Abrams seems to indicate that this is so…unless he’s speaking of his outer/industry knowledge of Shatner’s “demands”, rather than from personal experience… but if so, it certainly isn’t made clear…
its a hoax. Kirk (Shatner) will be in the film. And I, as will many other grown men, cry when we see him alive again.
Sounds like they are negotiating in public now. Team Abrams can make the cameo work. Put it in Shatner”s contract that the scene won’t be deleted. What do you think Bob Orci? With all the time left who knows?
#98. There’s no lie. They tried to write a scene but it didn’t work, so they couldn’t offer him a role which did not exist. If you read JJ’s statement, there’s nowhere that he claims they actually offered Shatner a role in any official way. There’s no contradiction (A point Shatner himself seems to miss himself, curiously).
Honestly, Shat seems to be doing some deadpan comedy in this video. Just look at her face. She’s trying not to laugh. I’d take most of what he said as a joke.
I know these Shatner threads are tedious and all, but it keeps coming back up over and over again. What can this site do other than keep reporting it. Its beyond our control and we have to live with it. ;)
Xai…
Of course I’ll see it.
Because, I know Shats’ gonna’ be in it!
Closettrekker…
“Sure, you could have Shatner’s Kirk simply appear at the end of the film (assuming the film ends as it begins–post Nemesis), and just pretend that something was altered in the past which resulted in Kirk somehow escaping the Nexus. But why?”
You have to have a pretty conventional story arc that the sudience can wrap thier heads around. Nimoy, Time Travel, Romulans, a new ship, a new crew, there is alot going on in this flick, I am sure. Remember, this is a movie is targeted at the Next Generational audience.
Some plot holes like character ages will be forgiven if this movie delivers (as it should).
Don’t worry Xai! I’ll be first in line at the movies next May!
Yes. FIRST!!!
The Women!!!
I don’t see why William Shatner felt the need to address JJ’s quote. Did it hit a raw nerve? Another poster responded to me on a different thread, and they stated “Who knows what was said between the two men?” Shatner initially said he never talked to Abrams, and I believe in this and other interviews he said he did, so apparently something took place.
I dislike labels and agree with Closettrekker. Because someone states that they’d prefer to not have William Shatner in this movie, does not make him or her a hater or basher. And those that accuse others of lying owe some apologies. This site is read by more than just fans. Debate need not get personal.
Me thinks he doth protest too much!!!
There has got to be something cooking on all fronts, a conspiracy by JJ Shat and the bean counters at Paramount, not to mention marketing… that has been stoked for years now by all of us running these threads for miles speculating at debating …
Paramount must love this!
Consider that the franchise was pretty well milked dry by Nemesis, it sputtered to a halt with Enterprise, and now Star Trek has become exciting again! Remember it was the studio that has put this film in suspended animation till May, the last Star Trek summer release was STV, nearly 20 years ago.
They want JJ to do some further work, and they have 6 months to do it.
“There are always possibilities.”
I kind of resisted believing it, but I’m starting to come around to the idea that this whole Shatner/JJ thing might be an elaborate put-on. Why else would Shatner keep bringing it up? What good could it possibly be to continue talking it up, especially if the movie is almost “locked”? What if this is JJ’s preliminary hype machine?
Whatever it is, something awfully fishy is going on.
143. TrekMadeMeWonder - September 18, 2008
Xai…
“Of course I’ll see it.
Because, I know Shats’ gonna’ be in it!”
_I wasn’t worried about anything but your meds.
Much as I would love to believe that this is a publicity stunt, I don’t think it is. I just don’t think JJ and crew would want to get tangled up in the negotiation and personality nightmare that might come from trying to involve Shatner. Abrams is trying to accomplish too much in this movie to risk compromising it over Shatner’s star demands and script suggestions.
That said, we all love you Bill, and hope that the next one is ALL ABOUT YOU. Start negotiating. Get in shape. We all want a “Bring Back Kirk” film. Kirk’s death cursed the franchise. There is a limited time window where this can be fixed!
Nobody tops Shat in TOS, nobody. I’m a real TOS die-hard, but I don’t see any point in bringing him back as the old Kirk.
#139—Abrams never claimed that a role was offered to Shatner.
He only said that Orci and Kurtzman had written a scene for him, and implied that it was a “cameo”, which we all know Bill had no interest in (since he has repeatedly said so).
Orci said that Shatner “required a role larger than the movie could sustain”.
He went on to say that he was referring to Shatner’s “I don’t do cameos” statement when he said that, and nothing else.
Abrams comments are in line with that. It’s that simple.
It isn’t complicated at all, except that Shatner is responding to something that Abrams did not say. He probably got Abrams’ “imaginary inference” about an “offer” that never happened from the person who asked the question. Second hand paraphrasing often stirs up unnecessary stuff like this. It’s very absurd, really.
#148—”We all want a “Bring Back Kirk” film. Kirk’s death cursed the franchise.”
No “we” don’t…unless you mean one in which Kirk has been recast (along with the rest of Star Trek’s A-Team) in his (and their) youth.
William Shatner was never actually Captain of the Enterprise…James Kirk was.
This film may be great as is, BUT it would be better with Shatner in it.
152. VOODOO - September 18, 2008
“This film may be great as is, BUT it would be better with Shatner in it.”
That’s yet to be seen.
146. Thomas - September 18, 2008
“Whatever it is, something awfully fishy is going on.”
Ahh, he’s just doing it for the halibut.
#152—Given the concensus “against” ‘Generations’ (and in particular, Kirk’s death scene), wouldn’t that movie have been “better” WITHOUT Bill Shatner?
It seems to me that Shatner’s inclusion in ‘Generations’ is exactly what has most fans up in arms about the “need” to “correct” what that film did to begin with…I seriously doubt that Berman and co. would have gone through with the plan to kill James Kirk if he had not signed on to do it in the first place. Killing him “in absentia”? I doubt it. It would most likely have been a completely different movie.
I think Shatner wasn’t describing the transporter at all. It sounded like he was describing some alien artifact from one of the episodes.
Anyway, if u wanted to brink back Kirk it would only have been natural to do another ‘Search For” movie instead this time it would be Spock putting it all on the line to bring back his friend. Things coming 360 degree full circle. From a character point of view Spock would’ve definitely have done it. He did it for Pike, why not Kirk? The challenge in this scenario would be to include the new cast in that story somehow. Of course all this is moot with the film practically in the can.
Please, people. This is such a scam. Shat is sooooo already in this film. Can you not see this????
#156
It was supposed to come out this Christmas,
It’s being held till May!
We should’ve been talking about the DVD by then.
125
“So why would appear this desperate, unless there’s something in it for him?”
Points…a back end.
123
You misunderstand me. I’m not thinking sensible, commercial marketing ideas. I’m thinking totally selfish beliefs. I don’t believe that movie happened. Kirk’s still alive as far as I’m concerned.
Funny how a specific Google search for “trekmademewonder,”
has been beamed off the internet.
B-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-l-l-l-l-l-l-z-z-z- z - z .
; )
157. D Rob the Knowledgable - September 18, 2008
“Please, people. This is such a scam. Shat is sooooo already in this film. Can you not see this????”
I’ll wait here for the evidence..ready?
160. TrekMadeMeWonder - September 18, 2008
Funny how a specific Google search for “trekmademewonder,”
has been beamed off the internet.
B-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-l-l-l-l-l-l-z-z-z- z - z .”
15 seconds of fame ended already?
LOL!!!
The Women!!!
#156—”From a character point of view Spock would’ve definitely have done it. He did it for Pike, why not Kirk?”
Spock put his career at risk for Captain Pike (as Kirk did for Spock). Asking me to buy that Spock would put billions at risk by intentionally altering the past (assuming that he would even get word on Romulus that his friend did not actually die aboard the Enterprise-B) is something entirely different. Spock would never put one man (even JTK) above the timeline he knows. That wouldn’t be Spock. That would be some irresponsible criminal we do not know.
And (if he were to “correct” what happened to his friend)why wait until the late 24th Century to do it? For all Spock knows, Kirk died nearly a century before.
ENOUGH ALREADY!!! about Sh#tnerd either being or not being in this movie!!!
I only read the article, not the more than 150 comments under it, so excuse me if someone else in fandom has already said what I just said.
I’ll see the movie in May….if he’s in it, fine. If he’s not, fine.
But I’m getting sick to death with having to listen to Tubby’s egotistical BS. I mean, this guy thinks he’s God’s Gift to movies. WRONG.
He seems to think “Star Trek” needs him. WRONG.
A big-time, old-school leading man type. WRONG.
Get over yourself Billy-Boy. PLEASE.
His ego spills out in just about every word he speaks.
I’m sure that there are people on this board who have read and seen just about every interview this guy has given in the last 42 years.
Have you seen the ones in the documentaries that accompany TOS dvd releases and the Special/Collector/Director Editions of the movies on dvd? Every damn word he says is BORING. His whole demeanor is BORING. Ever see the dismal on-set interview he gave during the filming of “Star Trek IV?” He acted so aloof and disconnected that I’m sure he was having some serious gas pains that day. He acted like he couldn’t have been any LESS interested in being stuck playing Kirk again.
I recently watched “Mind Meld” again after a couple of years of it collecting dust in a box. He added NOTHING to the conversation he had with Nimoy. The thing that strikes me the most about the guy is he can’t recall plots of hardly any of the episodes or anything that happened off-camera while making the series. That’s stuff I can somewhat forgive him for. But he can’t even remember episode names without flubbing them. For someone who cleary (and admittedly) has a shoddy memory about this stuff I think it’s pretty ironic that he “wrote” 2 books of “Star Trek Memories.” Thank God for fan-boy ghost writers to help you along, huh Bill???
He’s been busy for atleast 30 adding NOTHING to the franchise, except a great dramatic performance in “Star Trek II.” I’ll give him his due on that. But no doubt he could be a first-class pain to his co-stars and has denigrated “ST” fans in the past. His ego won’t allow him to admit he was a bitch to his fellow cast-mates or even acknowledge or remember what their gripes are or were. But, hey, atleast the franchise has provided some great post-series paychecks to the man.
Now he’s busy crying cuz JJ won’t let him in.
WS: Get A Life. Ride Your Horses. Enjoy Yourself. “Star Trek” will get along fine without you.
164. Closettrekker
Old age brings on Vulcan madness. Terrible thing.
Nice post!
#155
Here is my conspiracy theory.
According to Shatner in an interview with Howard Stern he said that they were going to kill off his character to advance the TNG films no matter what. I hate to agree with Shatner but I think this could be true. TNG just never caught on like TOS did. Berman had to have known this so in an effort to generate more interest in TNG he hoped that killing off Kirk in Generations would cause some to transfer their interest from TOS to TNG. Trying to strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
Here is the interview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7WFEmtrIrI
Bob Orci
.. where are you?
.. are you going to weigh in on this?
We are all waiting.
I have repeatedly stated I think people should forget Shatner being in this movie, and recommended just judging the movie on it’s on merits when it comes out, but I s**t you not the more I see Shatner publicly wishing he was in the movie and JJ and Orci saying there wasn’t anything they could do, the more I’m thinking this really is all a ruse just to surprise us with one hell of a cameo at the end of the film. This latest post is the one that really got me thinking. I hate to lean that way because I have been a staunch believer in Abrams and Orci’s past statements, but if it were true, it would only have to be stated once by each party and that would be it.
Example: Seymour Philip Hoffman was rumored to be the Penguin in the third Batman movie, however, he publicly denied it. Never heard another word about it. Shatner and Abrams have been saying the same things over and over and now I’m wondering if they simply have been overacting. Shatner’s been known to do that :)
He’s probably lurking, reading every post and thinking of new ideas that would have been even cooler.
U n b e l i e v a b l e.
Give it up, dude.
William who?
You know, I really wish everyone would let this go. If JJ hadn’t brought this up again out of the blue, Shatner wouldn’t have to address it again. We know he’s not in it, they know he’s not in it, most people have moved on already. Shatner himself has moved on–or would have except for the fact that people keep asking him about it.
Look, we all are tired of hearing it, so why does it keep coming up? It almost felt to me like JJ brought it up to keep people thinking about the movie–”if I keep saying Shatner’s name, people won’t forgrt this movie’s coming out next year…” If that’s the case, then he’s using Shatner very poorly.
I dunno… it just seems odd to me.
174. sherlockfreak,
It’s stuff like this that’s started turning me onto the idea that this might be an elaborate plan on the part of JJ and Shatner.
Bored now.
Bill, Please give it up. Kirk is dead. It would cheesy to bring him back. Let the legend of Kirk remain untouched.
JJ you made the right choice.
He looks good for a 77 year old, but it IS time to move on….fresh blood and all that!
I was never offered a role in the film…. not even a cameo…. WHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#101: I agree…
the world of TREK does not, should not, revolve around Mr. Shatner, a man I very much respect.
As to an earlier post suggesting a role would not be written without consulting an artist… that is so wrong. I don’t write things, nor do I suspect do Abrams, Orci and Kurtzman, with the thought that an external force is going to control the outcome.
I seem to recall Mr.Shatner saying in many posts “I don’t do cameos.” So if he is in the movie, great… if not, well, life goes on.
Realizing we all have our own opinions about what TREK is, or should be, it saddens me to see so many folks up in arms… practically poking one another in the eye just so they can be right…. as someone said…. chill!!!
43. danpaine - September 18, 2008
“…You ‘bashers’ sound like a bunch a whiners.”
**And so does Shat!
Just think…if Shat followed Nimoy’s lead with Generations, we wouldn’t be having this discussion…!
151. Closettrekker - September 18, 2008
” William Shatner was never actually Captain of the Enterprise…James Kirk was.”
**The best insight on this thread!
I’m picturing Shat in the Genesis Cave screaming into his communicator: “Jaaaay Jaaaaaaay!!!!!!!!” [echos and fades-out as the camera pans across the island in “Lost”
Oy.
Get over yourself, Bill.
The horse is dead, Jim. Quit beating the poor thing.
You can’t have all the movies in the saga about the old cast coming back as their old characters.
It would be ridiculous.
Also using the resurrection of Kirk as the plot of a movie doen’t convince me at all. The closest thing to a full part that I can think off without feeling it is too silly would be Kirk comunicating from the future with the main cast from a moment in time when he isn’t dead yet or an adventure in the Nexus itself.
How about a Shatner cameo like Nick Fury’s
You know, after the credits for a few seconds.
We track Older Spock going back to where ever he goes back to and Shatner steps out of the shadows so to speak.
The thing is, nobody has to explain how/why Kirk is alive. That’s the damn fun part. How was he resurrected? Was it like the Shatner books? Who knows? It’s just for the fans. It won’t ruin the flow of the movie that way.
Plus of course they get repeat viewers for those who left too soon.
185. tk421
Other have posted similar ideas on previous threads, but that’s still the best idea I’ve heard yet.
Here’s a hypothetical:
Let’s assume the movie, as rumored, involves a probable tampering with the timeline.
Let’s say that in the beginning Shatner was approached for a part in the movie which involves the return of Kirk at the end - the big surprise of the film. For the sake of the argument, let’s assume Shatner accepted the part. Now, from this point, J.J. and co. have 3 options:
Option 1) Announce that Shatner and Nimoy are returning to Star Trek. Problem: People go into the theater expecting an adventure that involves old Kirk and Spock, but for the majority of the film only see Spock. Kirk returns at the end. Audiences are let down because it’s only a cameo - not what they were led to believe. Plus the surprise ending is ruined because they were expecting Kirk to show up the whole time.
Option 2) Announce that Shatner’s involvment involves only a brief cameo. Again, the surprise is ruined because audiences will be expecting him to show up at some point in the movie.
Option 3) Lauch a publicity campaign of denials and half truths, simultaneously disguising Shatner’s involvment in the film while keeping everyone talking about it, thus building hype for the film and preserving the surprise.
Regardless, I can’t wait until this is all over just so we can know the truth of what went really happened - assuming we’ll ever know for certain.
OK guys, I am all against the secret conspiracy theory but… this could be the most effective viral campaign by Abrams and co. ;)
Every time when there is slow news about the new Star Trek movie, the issue of Shatner not being in it is brought back up and then BAM the interest in this movie is there again - strange.
JJ and Shatner are only talking via the internet on Shatner/Star Trek-websites? Strange, too.
Even if this ist not a ruse, it is great marketing!
And yes, Shatner should be in the sequel! Together with Leonard Nimoy! But I doubt that JJ will consider him. He will come up with some strange arguments about not putting him in the next time as well…
But the story could only be great, there would be some many possibilites of doing it and doing it right. Think about young Kirk having to rescue his older self without causing a paradoxon that would destroy the universe or some such.
Still, I don’t understand the decision of not putting William Shatner into Star Trek 11…
At this point, all I can see is that some people think Shatner is in the film and some don’t. And once again the posting goes on ad infinitum, ad nauseum…
I don’t care if he is or is not in. Just let’s shut up with all the bashing and name calling etc., it’s getting tired now.
Wait until May 2009 and then everybody can go either “See, Told you he was in it!” or vice versa. Until then what’s the point in going on like this?
J.J.’s a liar, just like Palin and Mc Cain…..oops I mean Mc Cain and Palin.
“J.J.’s a liar, just like Palin and Mc Cain…..oops I mean Mc Cain and Palin.”
You have good humor Rog! Except how has any member of that group you have mentioned lied?
ps. Shatner is in the movie…
I will drop 5 tickets for 2 if Shatners in the movie. It would be worth it.
Rog,
warning for trolling and attempted political hijacking (which ends right now)
And let me clear something up around here. Neither Shatner nor Abrams are lying. Their statements do not actually contradict each other.
I’m just glad His Shatness didn’t have a hand in the screenplay…!
Shatner is in the movie. This is the first part of the viral campaign.
Anthony, BobOrci, whomever:
Can we get shirts made up that say: “SHATNER IS NOT IN THE MOVIE.” ??
It would be a great souvenir no matter what happens!!
This may be a great hoax ——- lets see it play out . If the Shat dude is in the movie then Abrams and him pulled off an excellent publicity stunt ———-if he isn’t then the Shat dude better get over it !
Truthfully I really dont care about william shatner in boston legal, TJ Hooker or hell even Kingdom of the Spider movie.
I do CARE that he was the orginal Captain James T. Kirk. Not Chris “Princess Diaries 2″ Pine.
It is disrespectful if J.J. is lieing this whole time, wouldnt surprise me though.
No worries this film will be leaked on aintitcoolnews or some other movie site before May easily and will finally put the rumors to rest if this is a “viral” ad like Cloverfield or really isnt in the movie at all.
I have to also agree that he will be in that last scene when spock is pulled out of the coma or whatever he is rumored to be and will probably mention something like “arent you dead?” Wouldnt surprise me either if they put in a CGI Deforest Kelly.
Chris Pike#195- “His Shatness” - good one!
I see the Shatnerphobes are out in full force. lol Why all the fear? Why are you all so afraid that the man who played Kirk for 4 decades just might appear with the man who played Spock for 4 decades? Just the very thought of the idea send you all into a tizzy. Amazing.
Personally, I have no fear of the man and should he grace the screen this may, alongside Leonard Nimoy, as Jim Kirk, I, along with millions more will simply smile and be delighted …all the time not wasting one thought on the ever dreadful nexus.
This just in - William Shatner is IN the movie!
He plays the role of Commander T. J. Hooker IV, head of Starfleet Security.
152. VOODOO
“This film may be great as is, BUT it would be better with Shatner in it.”
153. Xai
“That’s yet to be seen.”
No, if you love William Shatner’s portrayal of James T. Kirk, as many fans do, it’s already decided. I support the movie and hope it’s great even Shat-free - but, c’mon, Shatner + Nimoy would’ve ruled all.
202. star trackie
“Personally, I have no fear of the man and should he grace the screen this may, alongside Leonard Nimoy, as Jim Kirk, I, along with millions more will simply smile and be delighted …all the time not wasting one thought on the ever dreadful nexus.”
Right on, brother. JJ & co. dropped the ball on this issue.
You know what Big Bill is speaking so much truth he is making JJ and his crew look like bafoons!!! I mean they couldn’t come up with the transporter idea! It’s like they aren’t even trying!
JJ is HUGE on secrets, as has been proven time and time again. If Mr. Shatner has a bit part in the film, then he would be in on it. This is viral marketing at it’s best/worst.
THEY know we are listening. THEY keep bringing this up. Anthony keeps posting stories about this. It’s been going on too long.
Now that I think of it, they figure we need something as rabid fans to tide us over until the long-awaited trailer. Otherwise we wouldn’t visit the site as often and we’d lose interest.
Give em hell Bill.. never give up.. never surren oh wait..
Seriously though The Shat is a tour de force.. he’s riding high.. he’s not exactly a spring chicken anymore but you wouldn’t know it from how busy the guy has been.. he’s charging boldly into the future and I doubt any of you nay-sayers will effect him one lick..
Here’s to you Mr. Shatner: Cheers!
oh and about that whole jurassic dna thing.. don’t be narrow.. he’s just saying that it should be easy enough to find a way to do it if they really wanted to..
is it effect or affect? can’t ever seem to get those right…
204. Shatner_Fan_2000 - September 19, 2008
152. VOODOO
“This film may be great as is, BUT it would be better with Shatner in it.”
153. Xai
“That’s yet to be seen.”
No, if you love William Shatner’s portrayal of James T. Kirk, as many fans do, it’s already decided. I support the movie and hope it’s great even Shat-free - but, c’mon, Shatner + Nimoy would’ve ruled all.”
I respectfully disagree, VOO. You can’t judge something before it’s seen. This is a discussion for May10.
.
204. Shatner_Fan_2000 -
“I support the movie and hope it’s great even Shat-free - but, c’mon, Shatner + Nimoy would’ve ruled all.”
I am really perplexed over this “bringing Shatner and Nimoy back would totally rule” stuff since Paramount brought Shatner and Nimoy back for STs I-VI already — and it did not always “rule” when they did. Again, a Shatner and Nimoy-centric film would appeal to longtime fans only. And not even to all longtime fans as we are seeing from opinions here. I certainly wouldn’t be excited about another movie with Shatner and Nimoy in top billing. They’re in their seventies, for chrissakes. Anyone see that horrible Eastwood film “Space Cowboys”? I didn’t think so.
If it is one of JJ’s patented surprises and a big viral campaign (which seems a little far-fetched but who knows?) and Shatner does have a cameo then that would be a great surprise. But not neccessary.
But we have been told there will be some surprise cameos in the film. ‘Big name’ actors in various small roles. I’ve always thought David Bowie would make a great Vulcan. And Harvey Kietel would be an awesome Klingon. And Willem DeFoe would be perfect as a Cardassian. Jack Black as a Tellarite…
All this Shatnet talk is nice for this flick.
But I really think this should definatley be the last voyage for any of the older generation actors. Shatner, Nimoy, Stewart, Spiner, All of them.
Let’s give the new crew a free play going forward after this one.
They’re the real future of the franchise.
If this film bombs lets say what options would be left for the franchise.
1. Combination of all captains in one last big movie
2. Maybe make a tv show based on the enterprise B crew or C crew
3. Start a film series with the crew of the Enterprise F
4. Maybe go really deep in the future and have something with the Enterprise K
5. What about a show called Star Trek: Klingon and do a klingon take on the series
6. Go back to Zephran Cochran and make a film based on that era.
Closettrekker, You were all over this board last night.
I stand by my statements in 125. Of course this is about eliminating Kirk from the timeline, that’s why Spock is saving the day. If someone interrupted Spock’s timeline, he certainly wouldn’t be around the save himself in a timeship.
There have been several statements concerning alternate battleship dressings of the Enterprise and it’s just elementary that a time travel plot involves alternative timelines.
If KO really are trying to make this a Khan-like revenge story, then Nemo could be related to the Commander from “The Enterprise Incident” and Spock. Who knows?
But this clearly about someone trying to undo Kirk’s effect on the Universe.
Considering the viral nature of the advertising for Cloverfield, I would not put it past Abrams (and Shatner), that this is some kind of double bluff, and we will in fact see Shatner in the new film. The publicity is just too good. Even if it’s not true… it works to the new film’s advantage.
To clarify the above, I’m suggesting that even if Nero has unresolved rage at Spock, he’s targeting Kirk. Stealing the cloaking device was pretty much the worst thing that happened to the Romulans in the 23rd Century–and that was Kirk’s mission.
Spock’s communion with the unnamed Commander in “The Enterprise Incident,” resulting in her disgrace/exile/whatever, was probably Spock’s biggest personal foul in the original series… making it the most logical basis for a Khan-like plot.
And the original point was: alternate timelines = easy path to a living Kirk/scene for Shatner.
Closettrekker, I know you can’t leave this unanswered. Or have you been Kobayashi Marooned by my superior logic?
I think JJ and Shatner protest too much. I am beginning to think maybe he is in the film after all.
“Shatner had nothing but nice things to say about JJ. The bottom line was he wasn’t approached, which most of us suspected all along. No conspiracies. No surprise endings. Just zero negotiation.”
Yup. It seems like it all ended before it began back in those original pitches in 2006.
However, I am glad Shatner addressed the notion that he had been offered something in the interim. As I’ve said in several posts, I didn’t see JJ’s comments as implying some recent offer of a cameo but it seems like a lot of posters saw it that way.
As much as I love Nimoy, I have to agree with the poster above who stated that it might have been better if no original actors appeared. I think it would have been easier to accept something totally new and different without anything from the past intruding. Of course, we don’t have anything really to discuss about the movie so the Shatner debate does kill the time….
This is a viral scheme.
They dropped to many blatant hint at the start of it.
Shatner went to JJs for dinner, left and did not why he ever went there? C’mon.
“I am really perplexed over this “bringing Shatner and Nimoy back would totally rule” stuff since Paramount brought Shatner and Nimoy back for STs I-VI already — and it did not always “rule” when they did. ”
I don’t think anyone means that they expected the 2 to be the stars in this new movie, just that it would have been cool for them to be together, if only for a scene, one last time. That’s how I feel. And actually, the original cast films all made money. It’s the last 2 TNGs that lost money in the end:
http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/series/StarTrek.php
218. krikzil -
“I don’t think anyone means that they expected the 2 to be the stars in this new movie, just that it would have been cool for them to be together, if only for a scene, one last time.”
Actually there have been some very vocal people (who I was addressing) who seems to think the *only* way this film will succeed is with Shatner & Nimoy in the leads and no re-casting to younger actors. That perplexes me.
Here I am again, as some one said “troll”. It’s sadly that anyone who thinks different and support Shat is troll. Really sad.
I just only say to mr. Abrams and his crew this: You should bring back Saht into ST XII.
grrr. Shat.
Why can’t you get it…
Kirk and Spock could be hanging out before the Ent-B incident. They could have a flashback then.
Grr.
Or JJ,
same with you mang.
I could’ve done it.
rofl,
ya’ll
“JJ, nobody ever came to me and said ‘we have a cameo”
If this is true, and I doubt Mr. Shatner would lie about it, then its clear to me that Bill Shatner got dissed by the studio and by J.J. Abrams by their action of never even “offering” him any sort of presence or role in the film. For that I’ll always carry a bad feeling about Paramount and Abrams as a result where the end product of Star Trek is concerned regardless of the story. Yeah, yeah I know it, just another Shatner fan speaking his nonsense. Well, so be it.
# 219 Izbot … Well, you quoted me in your “perplexed” post, even though my quote you were replying to clearly said I support the movie!
I’ve never said “the *only* way this film will succeed is with Shatner & Nimoy in the leads and no re-casting to younger actors.” In fact, I think anyone logical could not expect the franchise to go on with 2 nearly 80 year old men in the leads. I agree with krikzil … just a bit of Shatner/Nimoy along WITH the new cast would’ve made the film something more. Leonard is nice … Leonard + Bill would’ve been something truly special.
“Actually there have been some very vocal people (who I was addressing) who seems to think the *only* way this film will succeed is with Shatner & Nimoy in the leads and no re-casting to younger actors. That perplexes me.”
I get the whole recasting anxiety. I have mixed feelings about it but I’ve come to feel much better about it once I’ve seen the choices. But no matter how good this new group is, no one is gonna replace Shatner & Nimoy for me. However, I do hope to enjoy it and pray it keeps Trek alive. As for them being leads, sadly even a diehard like me knows it just isn’t viable for a lot of reasons but I can’t begrudge those who still want to see the boys in something new. Damn economics and the aging process!! ;)
As much as I want Nimoy AND Shatner in this movie, I hope they are wise enough to keep their combined screen time under 25 minutes. This will let the new crew have thier own time to shine.
And make it a LONG movie too, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
20 32 34 nothing needed to be said after your posts
A sweet oder like honey. Ha Ha!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LAA9SK2sM4
He could play an old guy.
Signed:
TrekMadeMeWonder’s youngest daughter.
If this is a ruse and a publicity stunt, it backfired in my case. I used to adore William Shatner. Now I can’t stand watching him in anything (cute commercials notwithstanding). I feel sick for him and his wife. It’s clear that some think it’s a gimmick but the problem is, he’s losing some of his fans because of it.
It has occurred to me that he is doing all of this media hogging because he said he was terrified at the thought of dying (something to that effect) in “Mindmeld”. Maybe he thinks if he keeps busy he won’t die (or at least he’ll be too busy to think about it). Either way, I feel quite sorry for the man.
# 229 … It’s posts like yours that perplex me. Shatner gets asked these questions by the media 9 times out of 10. What should he do - turn and silently walk away?
As far as the video above, I think it’s great that he addressed JJ’s latest quote. Many fans want to know why he isn’t in the movie. I daresay that’s been the biggest/most covered issue related to this film thus far. And Bill is providing a bit of info. And it’s clear that he has no true animosity towards anyone. He has quite a life of his own to live. He is no longer dependent upon Star Trek.
Has it been brought up here that Shatner is bringing this subject up without being prompted by some reporter’s question? I think he had the choice to just ignore Abrams’ comments ( which never said Shatner was offered a part), but he didn’t. I think it’s becoming more and more clear that William Shatner is stirring the pot. In a way, he is flaming youtube with this particular video.
William Shatner was a child hood hero to me because of Star Trek and captain Kirk, but I really don’t care if he is in this new movie. I enjoyed TNG without him, and it was a mistake to have him in the first TNG movie. I will be fine without having Shatner play Kirk in this flick.
I’m telling you it’s stuff like this that makes me not believe the claims that Shatner and others do not have brief cameos.
Because J.J. Abrams said he wants to shock the audience. He said in interviews, back when Cloverfield came out, how he wants audience members to