Shatner & Nimoy Talk Star Trek Movie & More At DragonCon – VIDEO September 4, 2009
by TrekMovie.com Staff , Filed under: Celebrity, Nimoy, Shatner, Star Trek (2009 film) , trackback
This morning DragonCon kicked off in Altanta, and the first event in the impressive Star Trek schedule was an appearance by the original Kirk and Spock, William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. Reports are coming in apparently the new Star Trek movie was the focus for the pair speaking to a crowd of over 2000. We have a summary and some video below.
Shatner still hasn’t seen the movie – Nimoy doesn’t expect more Trek for him
According to reports, the pair seemed to pick up right where they left off with their appearance at the Star Trek Las Vegas convention a month ago, with joking about the new Star Trek movie. Here is the opening exchange as reported by the Atlanta Journal Constitution:
“Have you seen any good movies lately?” Nimoy asked early on, eliciting laughs and applause from the crowd.
The reference, of course, was to the rebooted version of “Star Trek” that came out earlier this year which included Nimoy — but not Shatner.
“You’re in the movie,” Shatner said dryly. “I’m not.”
Nimoy: “I wasn’t referring to any particular movie.”
Shatner: “I heard it’s a very good thing I’m not in the movie.” (boos)
Nimoy: “Send that to J.J. Abrams!” [the director]
Then Shatner made numerous laments along the lines of “Why wasn’t I in the movie?”
And it kept coming up, CNN reports:
No matter how many times Nimoy tried to change the subject, Shatner kept asking, “Why wasn’t I in the movie?” Finally Nimoy, who had a major role in it, gave his best guess, which was that Captain Kirk was killed in the movie “Star Trek Generations.”
Shatner admitted that he has yet to see the movie, though he said its director, J.J. Abrams, had offered to screen it for him. Adding that he also hadn’t watched “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” he blamed his busy schedule and the fact that he would inevitably be asked “Why weren’t you in the movie?” by others seeing it with him at a theater.
Nimoy even ribbed Shatner for not watching Star Trek on the Delta Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Atlanta, as can be seen on the video below.
For his part, Nimoy said that he didn’t expect he would be in any future Star Trek movies, leaving Spock "in good hands with Zachary Quinto."
Shatner & Nimoy at DragonCon
(Photo: Tara-Lynne Pixley: CreativeLoafing)
FULL VIDEO
Here is video of Shatner and Nimoy DragonCon (courtesy of WhatJaneSays)
NOTE: first five parts (of seven) uploaded to YouTube (we will update later)
Shatner & Nimoy audio interviews
Both William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy gave interviews before DragonCon to Atlanta’s WMLB Voice of the Arts radio station. You can listen to those at the Creative Loafing Blog: CLICK FOR SHATNER, CLICK FOR NIMOY.
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Comments»
Let it go Bill. Let it go.
these guys are LEGENDS. The originals and still the best.
Great stuff
Greg
UK
Man, Shat has to get over it, already…
Heh. He kinda needs to let it go. His “cameo” would’ve been contrived, from how it sounded. :)
He has nothing to let go of. He’s just being Bill!
He should have taken the cameo video deal that was described elsewhere. I doubt he’ll have a chance to be in another star trek movie.
Wait a sec, wait a sec, wait a sec!
Shatner wasn’t in the new movie?
Why wasn’t I in the movie too?
Shatner is so ridiculous…i am losing any respect for him. Stil hasn´t seen the movie? WTF?? Imo clearly on purpose. His whining gets on my nerves. what a great decision it was to exclude fat Kirk from the movie.
I just think he’s doing it for the entertainment value. Shatner is an entertainer and people like me eat that tihs up.
He doesn’t have to see the movie if he doesn’t want to. After all, he was the one whose name was used and whose fans were given a false hope.
His choice. Just like it was Abrams’ choice to exclude him.
I wonder if they feel like a weight has been lifted…
Oh-oh, according to the poll I’m in the company of only 16% of the visitors here who have seen the film 6 times or more. Yikes! I must really be a geek! OK, Zoe, I meet your qualifications! : D
Why do they have to put name plates in front of these two? It’s not like fans wouldn’t know who they are!
I’ll watch the videos when I get home, but I’m sure it was merely Shatner-banter with Nimoy for entertainment value.
William Shatner is the biggest egocentric jerk on this entire planet. No, make that the entire alpha quadrant.
That was hilarious!!! ;)
good point *11 he real dose not have to watch it and if he never watchers it fair play just please stop going on about the film and get a life lol
Shat is hysterical and they both are so sharp. We are blessed that these two icons have aged so well and are still entertaining us.
One last ride for these two men on the silver screen. Please!
Give Bill a break, guys. I kinda wish I hadn’t seen the new movie either! :-)
Scott B. out.
Hilarious guys! It always turns into a comedy routine with them!
Funny how in the 6th vid, Shatner says “….Bullsh*t.” Exact same tone as Chris Pine did in the movie. I get the feeling Shatner has seen it but just doesn’t want to admit it – just likes messing with everyone. *lol*
@5: Well said. These guys are actors. I’ll bet this is just part of his public “shtick.”
@7: I’m still laughing. Good one!
What #5 said. Lighten up, guys; it’s just Bill joking around. Shat’s making a living out of parodying Shat.
I think Shatner and Nimoy should do something together, but it doesn’t have to be Star Trek. They’re both sharp, intelligent, creative guys and could surely come up with something memorable.
I also think Shatner is just playing around when he asks, “Why wasn’t I in the movie?” I don’t think there is any real self-pity behind the words, I think he is just being his usual silly self. People who think he’s a jerk are taking him (and themselves) a bit too seriously.
On another note, I’m nearly finished reading Nick Meyer’s new book, and I’ve enjoyed it thoroughly. I can’t say I’ve learned anything earth-shattering, but it all sounds wonderful coming from the horse’s mouth…
I never get tired of seeing those two together.
Somehow it adds a little extra resonance to watch TOS and know that those actors are still gonna be close friends 40 years later.
Nimoy is the shizz……
Did Shatner say he also hadn’t watched Star Trek: The Next Generation? Does that mean he’s NEVER seen an episode. Geez, you’d think even if you were trying to avoid it you would have seen at least a few episodes on tv. Maybe I misunderstood…
Mr. Nimoy and Mr. Bill are so entertaining together. Glad to see that they are still friends!
NO ONE is going to ask him why he isn’t in the movie, but EVERYONE is currently asking him why he hasn’t seen it.
Yes, Shatman is an egomaniac. Of course he is. And he’s a great showman, too. He is a chameleon having redefined himself several times. Star Trek, TJ Hooker, Rescue 911, Star Trek, Priceline, Boston Legal, Raw Nerve, etc. He’s amazing. I have to say that the idea that the writers of STXI threw out about him doing a voice over at the end sounded way cooler than I ever thought having him in it could be.
There is nothing for Shatner to “let go” of. lol The man is playing many of you like a fiddle, and the funny thing is, you don’t even realise it!
Bill. um, you’re a kick ass dude, but they asked you to be in the movie, right? Right?
It’s his schtick right now. Look how everyone laps it up–fans and media alike. It’s all for fun and bucks.
There’s one simple reason why Shatner hasn’t seen the movie. I love the Shat, but this is a naturally fearful and insecure man. Many self-centered people are. He uses humor to draw attention away from it, but he has a fear of being overshadowed and a fear of dying… the man thinks he can escape death by just keeping busy!
I bow to Shatner’s comedic genius.
The guy is a legend, it doesn’t matter if he has seen the new movie or not. What is important is that this is the man who made the role of Kirk.
To me Shatner and Nimoy wil always be Kirk and Spock tome. Pine and Quinto did great and played the characters brilliantly but Shatner and Nimoy made those characters and are still the best.
My God,
Even out of character these two have incredible chemistry! That was very entertaining. Gotta love these guys!
I don’t know how anybody can dislike Shatner when he and Nimoy are having so much fun up there.
People should let go about Bill needing to let go. He’s an entertainer, he’s having fun, he’s enjoying yanking your chains. I say the guy’s entitled to whatever floats his boat!
Now I know why Roddenberry didn’t show the bloopers back in 1977
Great chemistry between these two legends; and friends. Plenty of funny banter.
What’s Shatner’s excuse going to be for his not seeing the new Trek film when it comes to DVD/Blu-ray? None of his excuses will work then. He clearly doesn’t want to see it: he feels too attached to ‘his’ Star Trek. (Which, incidentally, is very much respected in the new film.) I think Bill’s missing out in not seeing Trek 11…
I look forward to seeing pts. 6 and 7 when they’re uploaded.
I just saw Star Trek for the 10th time but I probably won’t see the next one unless they get Spock Prime and Kirk Prime together for it. Just as a subplot. The writers must be lame if they can’t find a way to do it. I’m writing my version now.
When Kirk was killed in Generations it was a slap in the face to all the Kirk/Shatner fans who deserved better.
Wow, they look great. Wish I’d gone to the con now. And as for the usual Shat critics — sheesh, haven’t you figured out it’s just his shtick? He never saw TNG or the other Treks either. So what? Heck, he’s gone on record that he doesn’t watch himself unless he’s forced to.
Wow, loved this! So, why isn’t Bill in the movie again? XD hehehe.
Also loved it when Leonard took his glasses off! He looks younger!!
It would be nice if they did something together, non-ST.
JJ try to revieve bill’s kirk but JJ havent figure how shatner’s kirk goin to play in the new movie but bill wants to share nimorys role instead
To: TK
Thts all i kno
But its glad to see them again
YES!!! Shatner is the man!!!! I’m so glad someone isn’t sucombing to the “WE MUST LIKE STAR TREK 11 OR ALL WILL BE LOST” mantra.
On the poll I wanted to put.
E. I think it’s great. Hooray for Shatner.
Finally got home and saw the video. Boy, those two are so naturally funny together — better than a lot of famed comedy duos.
And Krikzil is right. I was going to post the same thing until I saw her comment. They’re playing it for laughs, folks. And they’re having the time of their lives. And they’ve both earned it. God bless them both!
God this is old. I do think its messed up that Shatner wasnt in the movie, the scene they described I think would have been awesome, but he wasn’t, move on, see the movie, and just move on from the whole thing.
Unless some of you haven’t noticed, William Shatner’s career is now based on playing “The Shat”. It has been for many, many years. Since Generations, at least. William Shatner as “the Shat” as the Negotiator. William Shatner as “the Shat” as Denny Crane. William Shatner as “the Shat’ as William Shatner. A brilliant carreer move that has made him millions. But he has very actively and very willingly become a parody of himself to pad his bank account, which is his right. A serious actor that actually cared about the characters he created might not act the same way. Perhaps the joke is on you, as “the Shat” laughs all the way to the bank……… Maybe that’s why JJ and the team said uh, oh, not so much, no thanks…….Shatner effectively killed off Kirk twice. Once for an easy paycheck, and a second time for not being willing to let go of “the Shat”.
49 – Or, maybe he’s just being himself, and he has a sense of humor that a lot of posters could learn from.
Poster on this site, that is.
these two are great!!!!!!!!!!! nimoy is such a fasinating man. would love to be able to sit and talk with him.
PosterS … sh*t!
33 – Other Brett: “the man thinks he can escape death by just keeping busy!”
Umm … no. He’s acknowledged many times that he is aware of his own mortality.
Perhaps he’s just seizing life by the balls while he can. Go and do likewise.
Still got it, both of them. No one can touch them, really. What a team. I feel lucky to be in the same lifetime.
William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy would be a good pairing in a comedy. Just like Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau were in “Out to Sea”. They had Brent Spiner in that too!
Y’ALL, I just love to see Leonard and William “cut-up,” I think this is one of the most funniest videos of them being candid and having fun I have ever seen!
You can definitely tell these two are friends and have a “unique” understanding with one another. Great to watch! I am glad Bill and Leonard get better with age!
Bill, keep on being yourself, even if no-one realizes it and thinks you have multiple agendas and are an ego-maniac. Conversely, I think you are just being yourself and doing what you choose to do WHEN you choose to do it.
No doubt, this much is true, would we expect any less from the man who INVENTED Capt. Kirk’s very notable character and breathed life into it.
I always knew Bill Shatner was Romulan!
This is as well rehearsed as an Abbott and Costello routine.
There are a bunch of things going on here.
a) Shatner has a big ego and was upset he wasn’t in the film and continues to make excuses up over not seeing it.
b) Shatner was truly hurt that he isn’t in the film.
c) Shatner is pissed he didn’t get a big paycheck for the movie.
d) Shatner is treating the fans like they are stupid.
All that said I hope they can find a role for him in ST II.
I was at the ST convention in New Jersey in last month with Leonard Nimoy. He was a joy. While funny and charming, he expressed a real understanding for why he and others love the character of Spock. Mr. Nimoy conveyed a real understanding of what Spock has meant to people.
I know I will be attacked for this,(no sense of humor, no life, etc.) but that’s the cost of expressing an opinion on this board sometimes…
I think, regardless of what the Shat is really doing- whether it’s a complete act, or whether he truly doesn’t care enough to discuss Star Trek in any meaningful way (let alone see the movie when it’s right in front of him on the plane), he conveys a disrespect for the very show he helped create.
Captain Kirk is great. William Shatner, not so much.
Shatner is having fun. They’ve got a routine they play for the fans. It’s a bit. He’s an actor. An entertainer. It’s obvious they’re making it up as they go along, and building on things they’ve done at whatever the last convention was. Flaws and all I love him. Still do.
On another note…watching old Boston Legals lately reminds me that I really like his business like hair do on there. Made him look younger. Kind of wish he’d stay with that styling as opposed to the thing he’s doing now.
@ 59 – Had this been back in May or earlier, I might subscribe to your interpretation, but geniunely it seems as if Bill and Leonard are true friends, the might not see eye-to-eye, but then again, since they are “polar opposites,” no one would expect them to.
As for being left-out of the movie, I could see why Bill would or could feel this way. No one knows what kind of “behind-the-scenes” conversations were discussed which we are not privy to. The fans let their feelings known in support of Bill Shatner when it was known he wouldn’t be in the movie, that speaks for itself.
The movie business has so many levels and “pencil-ing someone in,” is not as easy as one might think, but perhaps one can wish for Bill’s inclusion in succeeding projects. There are always possibilities, and I don’t believe in the “no-win” scenario.
As for egos, everyone has one, and the next guy’s ego is bigger than yours or mine, which is a moot point when you look at it from a larger-than-human perspective. As for rehearsed, it seemed too “off-the-cuff” and I will view their performances or routine as being very “impromptu.”
Shatner and Nimoy excel at what they do best, which I will leave it to the reader to fill in the blank, at what “they do best” could be. A, B, C, D, E, or All of the above.
I enjoyed it none-the-less.
I just watched the whole video of Shatner and Nimoy, and that had a ton of laughs. They are fantastic together. I definitely concur that they could do a really funny movie together, like Mathau and Lemmon did. I doubt Leonard would do it, but Bill probably would.
@ 63 OH MY….they WOULD be great as an “ODD COUPLE!”
But WHO would be WHOM? It would be VERY entertaining, to say the least!
Quick! Someone write a script for the PILOT!!!
Great to have these two wonderful, witty, sharp guys who gave us Kirk and Spock, and have provided us with so much fun, laughter, and Trek history making moments over the years, still around, alive and kickin’. They make all the brilliant, promising, young hotties look….old. :)
Shat WAS in the movie until they cut-out the scene where Nero names his price for a flight from (the former) Romulus to Vulcan. Shat even called Nero a “mamby pamby” not lowballing his offer for a first class ticket on Narada Spacelines. Look for it in the special features section of the Blu Ray.
Just watched the entire video of Shatner and Nimoy.
We all love the character of Kirk. Shatner, on the other hand, comes across as a self-absorbed ass!
I agree to #9 post. I love Bill as Kirk, but in in all honestly, I think he’s conceited. I know he’s busy, but he doesn’t have two lousy hours to watch a movie? No, seriously, he’s not watching it out of spite. Remember folks, as much as we love the Shat for the role he played, there’s a reason the cast didn’t like him.
#30 kind of has hit Shatners plot. He is using the line to milk the public for more attention.
This is because if he can find time to sleep he can make 2 hours of free time. And in the worst case he could place a LCD in the John and his bathroom visits are less than 30 seconds each he could see parts of TNG, And with all the shows he has starred in he should know by now how to milk the public for a healthy fill of milk that turns green in his hands, So Shatner is a Alpha male, Nimoy is a Beta male, and the public is all Gamma males.
Alpha is dominate
Beta is intelligent but not commanding.
Gamma is subservient
I’d be willing to make an ALPHA-BET that Shatner is simply deeply insecure.
Love the chemistry here, great to see they are friends after all these years.
Live Long and Prosper!
They need a nightclub.
Can’t wait to get to DragonCon later this (Saturday) morning. Missed Shatner (cause I’m not rich and can only afford one day) but looking forward to seeing Nimoy speak… and to seeing the big parade.
My god, the boys are in GREAT form there. Wonderful.
@ 30. jonboc:
Spot on.
Hey Shat. Im a Capt of the Terran Empire. Why was I not in the movie. Oh Wait. Wrong Universe. Sorry!!!!.
Shatner was and remains the best reason to attend Star Trek conventions. He is hysterical on his own and always playing off Nimoy.
I didn’t see the movie either and don’t plan to. I had all the Star Trek I ever wanted t have in a life time. From now on, just stuff like this – thanks for posting this amazing video.
The fact that Shatner has not seen the movie means that he does not care about Star Trek, only his own ego, and this is nothing new, just another disappointment. Its bullshit that he “does not have the time” or “has not go around to seeing it” he is upset he was not in the movie, that’s why he is not seeing it, which is too bad because its such a great movie. So many other Star Trek actors from other series have seen the movie, they aren’t in it, but they care about Star Trek and its legacy. Patrick Stewart was not in the movie I bet he is immensely proud of the movie because it is another chapter in something that means so much to so many people.
Shatner your a douche and you never deserved to be Captain Kirk, you don’t really matter anymore, Nimoy is the man and the face and voice of classic trek as far as I am concerned. Shatner you have no idea what you are missing, the movie is awesome, it has action, character, and heart, and you would be proud. But fine you don’t want to see the movie, that’s your loss., and trust me it’s a big one. I went into the movie a little cynical and disapproved but walked out of the theatre in love with Star Trek in a whole new way. Your ignorance and arrogance truly outweighs any empathy or humility you might have.
Mr. Shatner once again you are a disappointment to this Canadian fan.
PS……Picard is the better captain.
Shatner would have given muppet baby star trek some needed gravitas. His ego doesn’t bother me. I don’t have to live with him. He deserved to be in the movie somehow. Orci could have found at least as plausible way to resurrect him as was the plot point that one star’s nova (among millions and millions of stars) threatened to destroy the entire galaxy. Please.
SHATNER HAS SEEN THE MOVIE:
Come on, my friends. See it with a smile!
Shatner has seen the movie! Take a look at part 6 of the video beginning with the 7th minute where he answers Nimoys monolog with “bullshit” just like in the movie on Delta Vega and fast adds that he hasn’t seen the movie. :-)))))
I really like Shatner & Nimoy and after beeing also frustrated that he didn’t “have seen the movie” and doesn’t coment on it I am begining to understand why: he doesn’t want to have 1000 people and media reporters ask him only “How do you like the movie?”/”What did you think of that scene?”. I am sure he like it (see the “bullshit line” but he can’t really refelect on the movie in the public: if he says he likes the actors and the storyline but not the optical style he will be critized. Same vice versa.
And yes, he is deeply disappointed of not beeing in the movie. He love Star Trek. He loves playning James T. Kirk. Take a look at his list of Star Trek books, appearences as Kirk in comupter games and so on. No other Star Trek actor was so active in accepting a chance to play his Star Trek role. And don’t tell me Bill Shatner needs the money. I think he has loads of money on his bank accounts and hadn’t to do anything Trek for 2 decades. But he did. On every chance. I think he misses playing Kirk. And so do I.
But I want to point out that I love the new movie very much (its the best) and have seen it 8 times in cinema. The new crew is as good as the old. But no human can be replaced identical with another, thankfully. Everyone plays their roles diffrent. And I like it.
By the way: why dosn’t Paramount finally launch a new TV show!?! I am getting really depressed that there is still no announcement.
And don’t tell me it hurts the businness case when you have a movie with the Classic crew and a TV show with diffrent characters (in the same timeline?) simoultanesly.
I’m sorry but Shatners behavior adds nothing to Star Treks past or future. If anything it just makes him look even more irrelevant.. and I find it insulting to Nimoy.
If I didn’t know any better I would think hes on the level emotionally consistent with a 10 year old or younger…What a shame.
of course he’s seen the movie
he’s only saying he hasn’t for entertainment!!!
Long live Bill and Leonard
I agree… I think like steve says hes seen the movie, and who really thinks he hasnt…seriously?
But after the first.” Why wasn’t I in the movie” it goes from funny to just uncomfortable
Actually… the original Kirk was in the movie. Recall Nero’s line: “Captain Kirk was a great man, but that was another life…”
So see, Shatner was indirectly in the movie. Someone better tell him, and they owe him fifty cents for the reference.
I think a NEW Trek tv series would tank. Give it a few years to build in hunger first. You’d also have to find a network(not Scifi/Spike!).
When Trek was on the tv front it was the ONLY game in town…then it had to compete and lost. Burnout. Same plot, same reset, same alien forhead appliance of the week variation. Vague or undefined characters that weren’t as strongly ingrained as TOS clan.
Same writers, same themes/plots. For Trek to succeed on tv again weekly, it would have to be fresh, new, and cgi driven. The costs to produce it would have to be far less than the million plus Paramount spent from TNG-Enterprise. But do you ant an artificial/cgi/bluescreen smae ol’ same ol’ every dang week? It’d be as realistic as an Xbox game.
They’d need a subtle blend of real actors, real sets and added cgi that wasn’t fake or obvious. Let’s face it…trying to to do GREAT scifi on a tv budget is too cost prohibive. Unless they do CHARACTER driven shows like TOS, and fx, sets etc…are secondary. Let’s face it the MTV generation is TOO spolied to watch what they did back in 1960-90’s. Their attention span is less than the time it takes to wolf down a Big Mac and fries.
Re: 64. Shat would be Oscar, of course.
Once again I amazed at the number of posters on this site who must know Shatner personally, and all the internal workings of psyche, and how all this masks deep-seated insecurity and other dime-store Freudianisms, and why he makes the decisions that he does, and that he has seen the movie but chooses to say he hasn’t, and so on and on and on …
Sheesh!
Shatner has admitted to deep-seated feeling of insecurity and depression. It’s no wonder that in his early years, when given the lead role in a weekly series, he was probably focused and driven and a general pain in the ass. At his age now, he’s not the same person and he’s clearly having fun saying whatever it takes to make the audience laugh or gasp or grumble under their breath. It’s all theater.
I like the part when Nimoy jokingly reaches out to pull at Shatner’s fake hair, the Shat responds by pretending to reach over and extract Nimoy’s false teeth!
Anybody else catch that?
All 7 parts are unwatchable..my HIGH SPEED CABLE MODEM is reloading every 3-4 secs! I’ll wait till early am when people are OFF the net!
87 – Very interesting about his admitting insecurity and depression early in his career. I’m sure that holds true for a lot of struggling actors and artists. Where did you learn that about Shatner? Is it in one of his books?
88 – Hi Harry. No, I didn’t catch that. I thought they were just doing some Three Stooges type of silliness. I’ll watch it again when I get a chance.
It’s great to see that Shatner and Nimoy have passed through whatever ambivalent feelings they may have had about the Star Trek franchise and arrived at the other side, accepting their legacy in popular culture.
They’re clearly comfortable with it and having fun with their lives, and their rapport is awesome to watch.
My gosh! The video of Mr. Shatner and Mr. Nimoy was hilarious – classic comedy in the vein of Abbot and Costello. The “Why am I not in the movie’ equivalent to ‘Who’s on first’.
They are a national (or international) treasure.
Regards.
86. Brett
Yes, I’ve watched Mr. Shatner since 1966 (when I was 9 years old) so that means I know him personally, and have a deep understanding of his mind and his characteristics, and, therefore, can tell everyone exactly what he is all about… ? “sheesh” is right… it amazes me as well…
The man has had a career that most people would die for, spanning decades, making tv, co-writing books, winning a few awards, he’s loved by (probably) millions of people all over the world. Yeh, he’s such a difficult man to understand… And at this stage of his life, I highly doubt he is insecure about anything… why should he be? He’s accomplished it all!
94 – P Technobabble
I also have watched him since the original NBC run. Trek debuted when I was six. My father then informed that “Lost in Space” was no longer our favorite show and this new one was because it was much, much better.
He’s been dead for over thirty years now, but his influence on me about this lives on to this day.
I admire your tongue-in-cheek glibness in your first paragraph. And I am in full agreement with you on the second. I think most Shatner-hate boils down to envy and nothing else. He’s William Shatner and we’re not! XD
Sorry, Brett, I respectfully disagree. Rather than envy, it’s more like a feeling of disheartenment. We grew up admiring the character of Jim Kirk only to see the actor who portrayed him turn into a clownish parody of his former self. I, like others here, feel that Shatner’s antics almost diminish what we enjoyed in the first place. Disappointing to say the least.
Um, I hate to say it, but most actors I’ve encountered are a little bit insecure, and they always say they hate to watch their stuff.
#79
Well said, I too am sure Shatner saw Star Trek 2009. It is a running joke that he hasn’t seen it and he’s the original Captain Kirk, but in reality he has seen it and love it also.
I think the reason why Paramount has not launched another Star Trek TV series is fear of over saturation/over milking the cow and the most recent past rating failure of Enterprise/luke warm TNG movies.
I have a feeling they will either have a Kelvin crew of some kind after the next film or the final 3rd film. I suppose timing/scheduling is a issue, once Fringe/Lost is done with, JJ has the choice to helm the next TV Star Trek series in the style of Star Trek 2009, ie. different ship or idea or new 5 year mission with this new time line.
#96
You should enjoy William Shatner for what he is, he’s great and full of life. It will be a sad day when he is no longer around, bigger than other celebrities who have passed. Knock on wood he keeps smiling, laughing all the way past 100.
It would be nice to see Shatner in the next film either as a future flash forward scene or contracts some advance aging disease where Bones has to figure out how to treat him. Knowing how crafty Elder Spock is, he prolly gave Chris Pine a disc of alternate Kirk wishing Elder Spock happy birthday, before the live long and prosper salute.
96 – Hey, Harry — perfectly fine to agree to disagree. We see fairly eye-to-eye on a number of things, it seems, but we probably never will on Shatner. It’s all good.
I still think many of his haters envy his success, but that’s just MHO, not proven fact.
I find it curious, however, that you don’t care for some of his antics, as you usually often have such an awesome sense of humor. Oh well, personal tastes.
As for folks feeling disheartened, I think it’s important to remember that William Shatner is an actor and was never a starship captain. But he sure was believable as one, wasn’t he? That only goes to show how well he played the role, since so many people seem to have trouble distinguishing him from the character of James Kirk.
One last thing that I will say about him is that I believe in his autumn years he has truly become grateful for the fans who love him as Kirk and for his whole association with Star Trek. But I can also see why he has wanted to move on to new roles and projects and not hold on solely to a character that he first helped create forty-three years ago.
In any case, Harry, I hope that you are well and that you are having a terrific Labor Day weekend.
Best,
Brett
Wow, some folks here are pretty angry about Shatner’s shtick.
Personally, I’d be happy with a steady stream of good Trek movies every few years, but no new series….. unless it was incredibly well done, maybe a miniseries or something on HBO, with a little skin. No more Voyagers please. I’ve heard enough “prepare a Tachyon pulse and/or shift the phase variance”s for a lifetime.
I think most fans take Shatner, and his foibles and utterances, way, way too seriously. When he went off on “y’all” I could have, as a Southerner, taken offense at that, but I choose to laugh along with Bill. He’s a quirky, mercurial guy, not really at all like James Kirk. I like him for who he is.
I don’t think he’s seen the new movie. I don’t think he watches a lot of movies or TV. He doesn’t have the time. He’s too busy living life, and trying to stay one step ahead of the Reaper. He’s a great deal of fun, and one day, when he’s gone, I’ll miss seeing the guy. I’m enjoying him while I can.
I just encountered the best, most-balanced explanation of Shatner that I’ve ever read. In Nicholas Meyer’s memoir, “The View from the Bridge,” on pp. 97-98, he explains what he realized about Shatner after he told him that he hated one of the early drafts of Meyer’s script for “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.” I quote the following:
“As part of my ongoing cinematic education, I was now learning how to write for a star. As a man, William Shatner is refreshingly free of ego. He is polite, attentive, unassuming, interested in other people and what they do. But as a leading actor, he is very protective, particularly of Kirk, his screen persona. Once I understood the paradoxial duality-no ego, but enormous vanity-of his character, it became easier to understand and address his concerns. Put simply (perhaps too simply), he wanted to be the first man through the door. If the messenger delivered the message, he didn’t want the messenger to tower over him. He didn’t mind the film dealt with a man growing old; he just didn’t want to specify that man’s exact age. (Not unreasonable if you think about it. What actor wishes to find himself rejected for the role of a fifty-year-old because he’s already played a character who owns to sixty-two?)
“Later, rereading the above, it occurs to me that Shatner and I may not be all that different. I’ve been called egotistical but I think this is a misinterpretation. My narcissism has its own bespoke shape. I am passionate, enthusiastic, but not, I would argue, egotistical.
“But vain….yes, I’ll grant you vain.”
Incidentally, Shatner was nothing but effusive over Meyer’s final product.
I think Meyer’s take on Shatner explains many of the hotly debated aspects of his persona that are often discussed on this board. He does care for Kirk; he’s protective and possessive of him, so naturally, being excluded from a project that involves passing the torch onto a young, pretty-boy Kirk has to at least slightly rankle him (it would rankle us, too!); and he isn’t as egotistical as Takei and his cohorts accuse him of being. He’s also a human being…which is sometimes hard for those of us on the other side of the screen to grasp.
And you can’t deny…his rifts on not being included in the movie are extremely funny and entertaining. When I’m slighted or dislike how something played out, I tend to handle it, not by getting angry, but by relentlessly joking about it…making it a running gag, if you will. It helps me deal with whatever pain or neglect I feel without lashing out.
103 – Mr. Fernbaugh. Excellent post. Thank you for sharing it.
#77 “PS……Picard is the better captain.”
Is that why the new movie is about Kirk?
shatner is an ass for not seeing the film, plain and simple. Iv lost a lot of affection and respect for him over the last year
#103
Thanks for your post – very informative and insightful.
- But as a leading actor, he is very protective, particularly of Kirk, his screen persona. -
So much for “Shatner doesn’t care about ST and Kirk”…:)
wow – shatner needs to get over himself really bad
Eh, Shatner is a busy man. I’m not a huge fan of his, but I don’t see why it matters if he sees the movie or not. I’m also sure Shatner was just kidding and playing his “Why wasn’t I in it?” laments for a laugh. I might very well wish it, but he’s done so much and accomplished so many things in life, I don’t he’s actually dwelling and as bitter as some think he is. At least that’s my hunch anyway.
Sorry that should read “He might very well with it…”
Ack, shouldn’t post when I’m tired. “He might very well wish it…” LOL
103. Thanks for that. It all makes sense now.
106 & 108 – Get over yourselves already.
The people who are crying about Bill not having seen the movie make me laugh. I wish my emotions were as easily manipulated! Ok, not really. Seriously, who cares?
#98 Thank you for your interesting post. I also was oversaturated with Star Trek and lost the interest in it for years. I fully got back with the new movie. Started again buying and reading the books (and love them), watched and deeply enjoyed the often bashed Enterprise-series (look it again – it is pretty good, especially the fourth season and don’t look Nemesis its worser than you remember ;-)) and wanting more Trek. My wife have become a Star Trk Fan as well. So, if I am hungry again for Trek there must be others as well. So I think it is time for a new TV series. I would buy it on DVD right away (Paramount did you hear that? ;-) ).
I am living in Germany and there was an online poll regardig the new movie by Paramount here were I participated. Very interesting questions from the like/dislike of new actors, the love-realtionship between Spock/Uhura, the reapperance of Nimoy, the alternate timeline, which ist the best Trekseries and Captain and finally a very intriguing question: “its more than four years since the last scence on a Star Trek TV series was shot. Would you like to see a new TV series?”.
So, paramount is in my opinion already thinking of a news TV Series this would also explain the questions regarding “which ist your favourite Captain (of all series)?”, “under which captain would you like to serve?” and which is your favorite ST TV show. I think these are question to shape a new captain and a new series and aren’t connected to the movie at all.
By the way: I took a look at the results (they were available) and If I am remembering correctly abou 80% wanted a new TV series. And I think Nemesis was rated worst at the movies. :-))) And yes, most people really liked the new movie!
P.S.: Thank you to the trekmovie team for posting these were funny dragon con videos and mainting such a good Star Trek page! I really appreciate your work!
#115 Sorry, I have used the wron word: it was a survey not just a poll. You also had the oppurtunity to write down comments in a field on many pages which I used. They even wanted to know if I like the new look of the romulans and so on.
84-They’d need a subtle blend of real actors, real sets and added cgi that wasn’t fake or obvious. Let’s face it…trying to to do GREAT scifi on a tv budget is too cost prohibive. Unless they do CHARACTER driven shows like TOS, and fx, sets etc…are secondary. Let’s face it the MTV generation is TOO spolied to watch what they did back in 1960-90’s. Their attention span is less than the time it takes to wolf down a Big Mac and fries.
Been done..Star Trek Phase II
for NO BUDGET….
all Paramount has to do is licsence and distribute
Really, why wasn’t Bill in the movie? I wish he and Nimoy would be in the next movie together. The ‘original’ Kirk and Spock deserve a beautiful end for their story. To go into sunset together, or something like this.
It’s sad, but it may be the last chance to do it.
Hey guys lighten upthe Shat put one over on you! Great act. BBimoy& shatner who’s on 1st? It was all in fun. I bet not only did shat see the movie, he saw all of TNG too! Have fun waith it! He is!
Way to go Mr. Shatner! No I don’t blame you for not going to see the movie because I haven’t seen it either. I’ll probably watch it when it comes out on cable later on, but I’m just not interested in it. I’ll be glad when Hollywood gets over this remake/reboot craze and starts making new, interesting, and original movies. Flashing special effects do not make up for a poorly written and directed movie. The whole reason for this reboot is so they can go back and replay all of the old storylines. In a few years they’ll decide to reboot Star Trek again and again and again. Boring!!!!
A lot of you are idiots… can’t you tell William Shatner was joking…..
for god sakes they were laughing about it…
those who think he was acting like a jerk,, need to do one thing
GET A SODDING LIFE……..
#100
Brett, thanks for the compliment about my sense of humour! Much appreciated!
You’re right about you and I agreeing on most things (wouldn’t it be ironic if I disagreed with you on THAT point?). As to our diametrically opposed viewpoints on the current-day Shatner, hey, that’s what makes life interesting, no?
Hope you are having a fantabulous weekend as well! :>)
Shat is great. He is just taking this as far as we allow him too. Lets face it. we all want to hear him decry “Why wasn’t I in the movie?” He is an actor, you know, faking it! Enjoy the ride!
103. nice.
hey guys……CNN has a bit of Patrick Stewart’s Dragon Con appearance.
here’s the link
http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2009/09/06/stewart-may-return-to-x-men-closes-door-on-star-trek/
Interesting stuff….and he even comments on the two we’re discussing here as well as other stuff…………..
I haven’t seen the movie, nor do I have any intention of seeing it either.
I see………………………the movie over and over and I LOVE it!
So Shatner was in Generations, yet he didn’t see that either (”never seen Patrick Stewart as Captain”)? I call bulls**t — for effect/shtik-value, maybe (and maybe he just didn’t watch the TV show).
The Meyer bit is interesting though. There’s a Trek movie marathon on and I caught the last bit of Trek V, and Shat’s self-directed Kirk was pretty humble, and not falsely so, despite the rock-climbing/horse wrangling.
And yes, although neither I nor my best friend of 40-odd years are in it, I’ve seen Star Trek a few times too. I have to admit, though, the more I think about it, the more I agree with Roger Ebert’s take on it… just my opinion.
129
What did Ebert say?
122 – Thanks, Harry. take it easy. Brett
The chemistry between the two is so great, it would be a wasted opportunity to not have them both in another Star Trek movie!
I recently read Nick Meyer’s book as well, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I love reading about a director’s early career, first film, etc.
I found his take on Star Trek, in general, to be quite interesting. And, while his comments about Mr. Shatner were not really breaking news, I always found it interesting how he said, “Shatner got better as he got bored.”
It must’ve been so cool being involved in the making of a Star Trek movie with those characters. I should have tried harder to convince my parents to move to Hollywood….
I know it’s Labor Day weekend but it’s been a slow news week last few days.
130- “…I understand the Star Trek science has never been intended as plausible. I understand this is not science fiction but a [Raiders of the Lost Ark] movie using a starship. I understand that the character types are as familiar as your favorite slippers. But the franchise has become much of a muchness. The new movie essentially intends to reboot the franchise with younger characters and carry on as before. The movie deals with narrative housekeeping. Perhaps the next one will engage these characters in a more challenging and devious story, one more about testing their personalities than re-establishing them. In the meantime, you want space opera, you got it.”
Bill Shatner…. Get over yourself!!!!! You werent in the movie… and no one cares!!!! Maybe you will be invited to guest star in one of the next 2 Trek movies….
136 – Shatner wasn’t in the movie, and a lot of people care. Please don’t presume to speak for everyone.
Re: #136/#137 –
Yeah, Brett, exactly. I can’t believe what a bunch of hateful jackasses frequent this board.
Don’t speak for me, DS9.
…and don’t cry for me, Argentina!
#136 … You don’t speak for me either. I thought the new movie was terrific, but I would have enjoyed it even more if The Shat had been in it.
I wish I could talk to Bill directly and tell him he’s better off he wasn’t in the movie. My feeling is that Nimoy’s appearance was not that great, he was fine, but the part was just an TOS nod. The supernova/Nero/Spock backstory was one of the lousiest in a Trek movie, and old Spock was really almost pointless. It came off more as Nimoy playing Nimoy than Nimoy playing Spock. Didn’t seem right. The proper move would have been to have Shatner and Nimoy side by side, in the flesh, as their characters. To split them up has never come off well to me.
PS: I think I heard Shatner say recently that he himself didn’t see how they could fit his character into the movie. A Freudian slip? Perhaps he has seen the movie? Mostly I think Bill just wanted to be included on this, and felt led on by the production that he was going to be. At this point he’s just using it as a punchline.
PS 2: If you have the ST IV: The Voyage Home DVD, Nimoy and Shatner (in 2002 I think) spend several minutes lamenting about how they each wanted to return to Star Trek, but the studio (BERMAN) never bothered to call. They also agreed that the audience had so much invested in their characters that the studio should have found a way to return to them. They also agree they would not return as an “ancestor” or anything like that, but you definitely got the sense that they hoped to return. I do recall almost the entire TOS cast being somewhat upset that the DS9 episode “Trials and Tribbleations” was done without them at all, using old stock. I remember reading TV Guide and both Shatner and Nimoy were not happy their old footage was used, both without their “consent” though none was needed, and without offering them a chance to return for the 30th anniversary.
What a comedy GEM these clips are – these guys work so well together I could watch them forever!
BIG FAVOUR!!!! – To anyone seeing these guys at a convention who manages to get a question in, PLEASE ask them WHY they don’t make some comedy film/series together? I think it would be great to see them together doing something other that Star Trek, and comedy seems obvious. Sort of like a modern update of The Odd Couple or something? They’re both so sharp and can obviously ad-lib to great comedic effect which would be perfect for an off the wall type of comedy.
Just a thought ;)
Bless ‘em both!
still wouldn’t mind seeing shatner some how in the next one. definitely nimoy. would like to see george and shatner put differences aside and work together on positive things. life is too short.
139 – Harry, you are a certified kook! ;-)
Best!
Brett
#144
Brett, I would agree with that assessment! :>)
@142 – I don’t think Nimoy could keep a straight face around Shat long enough to film a movie that allows Shat to really play it up. Watching him in all of the things they’ve done over the last couple decades, anytime Shat starts rocking, Nimoy starts laughing.
It reminds me a bit of Tim Conway and Harvey Korman. Korman could never keep a straight face around Tim Conway.
These two are great.
Abbott and Costello got nothin’ on’em.
I remember an interview that i saw on a show called Midday where Valerie Pringle asked Shatner how many more movies were they going to do.. I do believe this is when he had done number 5 or 6 i can’t remember.
He said he loved doing them…and she said but eventually they’re gonna have to replace you..how do you feel about that. HE said…”I’ll fight them tooth and nail” was his answer..i do believe deep down he regrets number 7 killed his character off. He personified the character because we the fans made him believe that he was Kirk..so now we’re telling him we don’t need you now….go away..it must hurt…
So i get him…it’s too bad he wasn’t in the movie…but there is always a chance for number 12…i believe the fans deserve a fitting ending for Kirk Prime and Spock Prime…they should go away together and explore the galaxy..just the two of them.
Hey they may never get another chance..what a sight to see both of them together as they were meant to be…Edith saying and i quote: You at his side as if you’ve always been there and always will.”
I saw the new movie it is ok. It wont replace the original.
It might be a way to reintroduce Star trek. A new time line, new stories.
Something the original trek had that was lost in the newer shows.
The movie was good at trying to put in those things; there was something about those actors and the way they interacted in the Original Star Trek
that you can’t duplicate. The original was special. My Daughter age 11 loves Star Trek, Her Favorites are The original Show and Voyager. Her FAVORITE Character is James Kirk [ William Shatner]
I saw Nemoy on Shatners Raw Nerve it is ovious They are good Freinds.
I would love to see the original cast do ONE MORE. It is sad two are now
gone. In Shatners book Kirk comes back so they could come up with something.