In a new radio interview with NPR, the original Mr. Spock, Leonard Nimoy, says that he feels that he done the job he was required to do for this year’s Star Trek movie, and he doesn’t expect to return for the sequel. We have the full audio and text excerpts from that interview below, plus a recent comment from Damon Lindelof, who is working of the story for the Star Trek sequel with Bob and Alex.
Nimoy: no need for me in Trek –
The inclusion of Leonard Nimoy’s Spock in this year’s Star Trek was a clever way to tie the ‘prime timeline’ of Star Trek history to the new ‘JJ-verse’, but the actor was also an excellent endorser of the new team and film. However, Nimoy seems to now feel that his work is done for the new era of Trek, telling NPR:
I know why they wanted me in this last film, which was to create a bridge between the original cast and the new, but that’s been done. So I would suspect that there’s no need for my presence again.
Nimoy says that he would read a Trek script if they sent him one, but he doesn’t expect it. Although he will not say that he is finished with Trek, Nimoy has handed the baton to the new Spock Zachary Quinto, noting:
I’m proud of what he did in the film. I think it’s very good work. I think the character is in very good hands
Although he seems to be re-retiring from Star Trek, the actor is still popping out of retirement for JJ Abrams and his FOX show Fringe. He talks about that and his latest photography projects in the full audio interview below. (via NPR) .
Lindelof: Cool ideas for next Star Trek
Speaking of the next Star Trek movie, Damon Lindelof, who is working on the story with Bob Orci and Alex Kurtzman, gave a brief update a week ago to the website SciFiCrush, saying:
It’s in the preliminary stages. We’ve thrown around some cool ideas, but that’s it.
This comment is in line with recent comments from Abrams and Orci (here and here), making it appear that work on the screenplay for the Star Trek sequel wont begin until they finish with the story, and that is just starting to be discussed. According to early reports, the script for the second Star Trek was due around the end of the year. Since then Abrams and Paramount have also put Mission: Impossible: IV into development, with a script for that due also due around the end of the year. Both films have been reported to be in line for 2011 releases, but Paramount have yet to set dates for either.
First?
Leonard Nimoy is right. The baton is passed on to another next generation and everything else would seem forced (including, unfortunately, a walk-on by the Shat)…
The Moor has done his duty, the Moor can go…
Hm…
Ala-Star Trek VII (GEN), then?
Then again, I agree with #1. Depending on what story they could come up with, a prime-timeline character might seem forced.
…And the GEN cameos did seem forced.
I enjoyed Nimoy in ST2009, but I too agree it would seem forced when Quinto has the job well in hand, and has a lot of ground to cover as younger Spock.
Having Leonard Nimoy in the last film was playing it safe, although it made sense on paper to feature him. While it was great seeing his return, it turns out the film would have been fine without him, as the new cast was excellent and the film looked great!
It was lovely to see him on screen for Trek 09.
As a fan of Trek since the 70s, it was like spending time with a dear old friend who I’d not seen for many years. As much as I’d love him to be in the sequel, I think he’s had a good send off here – and I’d only want him in it if he was an integral part of the story.
I’m not expecting any more prime timeline characters to pop up in the new “JJverse” timeline, but if one happens to have a cameo of some sort, I will be pleasantly surprised. But either way, I have high hopes for this sequel!
hopefully he will be in the sequel, where spock can restore the timeline and free kirk from the nexus!
I loved the new movie and I’m excited about the infinite possibilities of the new JJ Verse, but I was kind of disappointed by Nimoy’s Spock in ST09. I felt it was disjointed and not too confident.
I would have liked to have seen some next gen crew passing the baton in the film also.
Like if they started in the future with Nero destroying the enterprise and the next gen crew before chasing nero into the black hole. Even if that scene had been a part of Spocks mind meld.
It would have cranked up Nero’s status as a bad guy and given the next gen guys a send off consistent with all the dignity afforded the Shat only fans would have enjoyed watching it.
Nimoy was great.
Spock Prime was one of the grandiose moments in the new movie.
He is now part of the new time line and I see no problem whatsoever with him coming back in any future movie. Young Spock may turn to him for guidance.
Star Trek 2009 is a masterpiece. I love it.
Nimoy is in no way, shape or form NEEDED for the next movie. I would not, however, be opposed to his returning.
Even a small cameo would be nice.
But either way would be okay.
Well there goes most of the reason I saw 11. Not that I don’t like Zachary Quinto, (or Karl Urban or Bruce Greenwood) it’s just the rest of the movie.
If none of the real Crew is in 12 I doubt i’ll see it.
My answer to the poll is
Star Trek Sequel should have:
G- Shatner.
Hmm The first one? I thought that everyone thought was too slow, you know V’ger and so forth.
Boo-hoo!!! I would have loved to see him in the sequel. If he’s going to stop playing Spock, then I’d like to at least see him portray a story role that will explain why elder Spock isn’t around–instead of his just dropping off of the story line like a rock off of a cliff. Quinto is a GREAT Spock. I love the way he has taken hold of that role. Still the same, Nimoy’s Spock just dropping out of the story line that way, well that is like the Scooby Doo Mysteries with Scrappy in place of Scooby. People would be wondering why Scooby’s not there.
Well there goes most of the reason I saw 11. Not that I don’t like Zachary Quinto, (or Karl Urban or Bruce Greenwood) it’s just the rest of the movie.
If none of the real Crew is in 12 I doubt i’ll see it.
My answer to the poll is
Star Trek Sequel should have:
Shatner.
Hmm The first one? I thought that everyone thought was too slow, you know V’ger and so forth.
I agree with Leonard, and I’ll repeat this til I die: Enjoying the new crew takes nothing away from loving the characters and actors in the Trek I grew up with.
There’s so much going on with Bill and Leonard. I truly wish for just a fraction of the “fun” they’re having in their 70’s… and wish them all the best.
Spock in STM:11 was just like Kirk in STM:7, passes the baton from one stream of actors to the new stream. Was Kirk in any of the TNG based films but the first, the same will go with Spock. They both will get talked about.
Spock being in a a new film would be like a movie being made on the history of America from the peple Nina, Mina, and Santa Maria until now and George Washington giving a State of the Union speech Congress as 2010 begins.
They are wanted to build the foundation that the future is built on, but all that is really needed is the frame work they gave. You do not need to see the cement foundation the house sits on to build the roof or even frame the front door.
Kirk would be a attraction in STM:12 but if you are going to build your own new home to live in Shatner does not need to be the one that instals or test the door bell at the front door. But The Shat being in the next movie only verifies one thing, that is a ego needs to be re-energized before it is crystalized into history. If it was any thing but an ego, bill would have seen the movie many times and be giving examples of how he would have improved the eleventh movie if he was in it.
I’m not hating Kirk or demoting him, The Shat needs to fight his own battles and win them, and by the way I’m only the mute squinting mouse in the corner and bill is the 800lbs gorilla on the main stage.
JJ has the talent to make the correct and proper selections for what ever becomes STM:12
I’m sure this has been brought up by someone at some point in time, but technically old Captain Kirk could be alive and well in the new timeline. So they can now bring back William Shatner without having to deal with that whole “being dead” thing.
However, it would be lazy storytelling to go back to the well again with a time travel story. Time travel stories in Star Trek are generally cool, but only when used on rare occasion.
Although it would be kind of interesting to see William Shatner as alternate timeline old Kirk somehow trying to restore the timeline to its original course. With young Kirk and crew trying to stop him.
I hope the steer clear of trendy light blinding bumpy camera work. It would also be cool if the movie wasn’t rushed! All and all it was a good movie.
Did we ever find out what the function of the barcode scanners were?
Big difference is that Shatner and Nimoy play the same characters that the movie features.
Nimoy only added to the movie, and he’s the last survivor of the prime universe. Or is he? Could that be a movie in and of itself?
Of course, if they would use him and just kill him off, then they should just leave it be. Unlike Generations, Spock Prime’s fate is open and he’s looking to continue on to his next chapter. Much different then just throwing him against a mountain with no funeral or eulogy.
Sure beats some plot where they whine about health care or whatever issue they choose to shove down our throats rather than just make a fun movie.
Maybe they can pass the baton to a serious writers…
I think they should film a scene with Shatner and Nimoy for a future Trek film soon, and then add it to a Trek film 6 or 7 years down the road or so. That would just mess with everyones minds! These guys ain’t getting any younger, so why not do it? Just get these two in front a green screen, and add the rest in years later.
I’m good either way.
If they decide to explore the rebuilding of Vulcan at all, or include Spock in a kind of mentor role (like Pike) it would be wonderful to have Leonard in the next one. If they decide to just have the crew soldier on and only concentrate on this ship and its adventures “out there… thattaway” then I don’t think he needs to be in it.
More Leonard is always good, but like I said, I’m good either way. :)
22—that would arguably be one of the most ingenious and brilliant moves ever.
Just because Nimoy isn’t “in” the sequel, doesn’t mean that Spock Prime can’t still be in the sequel in other ways.
Name dropping for example. Throwaway lines that add context… “My other self is rather busy leading the new Vulcan Council on P’Jem. I doubt he would be available.” (By the way, major bonus points for Orci if the writers have the Vulcans resettle on P’Jem.)
Furthermore, with age makeup applied, Quinto could portray Spock Prime also if the *character* is needed briefly.
The baton keeps getting passed and they keep stumbling and dropping it. There is a letter writing campaign to get Shatner as Kirk Prime in the next movie. If I can think of a way to bring him back surely professional writers can think of an even better way.
No more baton-passing, please.
Let this qualified new team have their own stories.
Nimoy did great for his part now its Shatner turn now JJ
oh let this trek sequel focus on all the characters for now on.
Bring Back Vulcan.
That would be my biggest nit to pick with the new movie. I didn’t like it as a plot point and I never will.
Any Star Trek project would be better with Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner included in it.
I’m sorry, but I do not like where this is heading. When I saw Leonard Nimoy as Spock telling Zachary Quinto’s Spock to put aside logic for emotion, something in me kind of died.
It was like Leonard was saying “Spock never needed logic. He works better without logic. Let him be like everyone else.”
Ya, because the primary of characters are all so alien to us that having Spock act like a logical being would definitely make this NuTrek look too Alien for movie audiences. Just throw away one of Spock’s most unique features he brought to the series and reduce him to an emotional spaz.
30 – word!
I wish they could include both Nimoy and Shatner in the new movies as long as they are willing and able, it could only be better with them – as legitimately old guys who still got it – man, just look at them at the last two conventions!
And it doesn’t have to be baton passing. With Unification to Countdown to Romulus/Vulcan destruction, Spock!Prime has the juiciest and most meaningful storyline which is far from closure and which would be a shame to drop.
Nimoy and Spock Prime served their function in establishing the new reality. No reason for either of them to reappear. No need to even mention Spock Prime unless it is somehow relevant to the new story. No need to mention Vulcan settlers on new planets, we can assume that the survivors are living somewhere. Unless refugee Vulcans are somehow important point in your plot, who needs the distraction. And leave Shatner out too. Time for this new crew to stand on their own.
No time tavel in the next movie please!!!!!
Concentrate on the KIRK-SPOCK-MCCOY relationship.
No Shatner, no Nimoy, no time travel and NO Khan for ST12. Please.
I liked the way they passed the baton in ST09. (And least they didn’t throw a bridge on Nimoy). Let’s move on with the new crew now.
And btw, they didn’t totally close the door for Spock Prime’s return: he can always do a cameo in the style Kate Mulgrew did in “Nemesis” – giving info from a screen (which shouldn’t be too taxing a shoot for an actor his age), or maybe sitting at a table with Pine and/or Quinto.
But while I would be delighted to see him again, it has to be necessary to the story.
As for Bill and the others: o.k. if the writers can come up with a logical explanation for them turning up in one of next movies. Unfortunately, I can’t think of any.
I think remuniating on rebuilding of vulcan limits the scope of star trek. I would prefer they expand the scope of their universe with a story that has no tie whatsoever to the events of the 1st film. That means no Vulcan settlers, no Spock prime, no Nero, preferably no Romulans, no mention of Nero’s time in Klingon hands, no time travel. This is important to establish the new franchise, I feel. You should be able to see the 2nd movie without having seen the 1st and be very comfortable with the world they present.
My opinion: enough of this “passing the baton” stuff. It doesn’t have to be done. We all know what came before…we don’t need a forced scene (like McCoy in “Encounter at Farpoint”) just to remind us that “that was old, this is new.” We KNOW!
Agree with #35: No Shatner, No Nimoy, no time travel and NO KHAN in the next movie. Let the new crew, who did a fantastic job, STAND ON THEIR OWN!
Damon Lindelof: “It’s in the preliminary stages. We’ve thrown around some cool ideas, but that’s it.”
Somebody gag Damon before he gives away the whole plot.
Looking at the headline picture of Nimsy… his outline, especially the shoulder pads… he looks a lot like Future Guy’s from Enterprise. :)
I’d like to see Shat and Nimoy in the next one.. just another guys opinion..
I’m still counting on Nimoy in MI4 as Paris!…I agree with Mr Nimoy…there is very little reason for him to be in TREK 12…other than it is just so much fun to see him in the role….and wouldn’t that chap SHAT’S A… if he were!
I love Shat…realize all he has done for TREK in the last 43 years…respect him and all…pandering or not …there is no place for him in the future of TREK as JT Kirk….It seems to me that he has made his intentions clear by claiming he hasn’t even seen it yet…I don’t see why he would deserve to be there anymore than Walter, Nichelle, or George…even Grace Lee Whitney or John Winston(he still alive?)….
Don’t care if they have Khan, Cyrano Jones, Decker, or whomever…it’s time to move on without the older generation….
As much as I originally wanted to see The Shat in the new one, the deal has been settled. The whole concept of trying to shoe-horn him into a plot is a little past it’s sell-by date now, IMO. We got Nimoy, which was perfectly fine by me – I think the writers actually pulled off that crossover in a clever way. But to queue up Shatner for the next one would seem too contrived, like they’re using the remaining bullpen of veterans solely for the sake of filling seats. That would give the impression that – rightly or wrongly – the writers and/or studio didn’t feel they wrote a script strong enough to stand on its own merits.
It’s time to put The Shat out to pasture, unless he could be brought back as a pudgy old Borg. Hell, I’d buy a ticket to see that.
“You. Will be…….assimilated!” LOL :-)
I agree it’s not necessary to have Nimoy in next movie but it could be an interesting side story to have young Spock dealing with having his older self in the same time. But a TV show would have time to explore that along with the plight of the Vulcan people. A 2 hour movie needs to move on to other things, adventures.
It seems like a lack of Nimoy means no Vulcan stuff. The last film implied Spock Prime would have a big hand in the Colony.
Let me guess: every time the Enterprise stops by, Spock Prime is just out the door.
“Ah, you just missed him. He had to go to earth for some random reason.”
Seems to me he’s not ruling it out, he’s just saying ‘I don’t think they need me’.
this really is the worst time to be a trek fan… we’re still months away from the DVD… the script isn’t formed so we can’t flame the writers about the nacelles or some junk… we don’t even have DAC for the PC!
…this really is the off season…
I would prefer a new adventure. Nimoy could do a cameo in which young Spock calls Spock prime to wish him a happy birthday. ;-)
I think Spock should be in a background of of a scene, just to show he’s still there checking up on the crew. Maybe Kirk could call him in a scene, or Scotty.