Shatner: Star Trek Movie “Wonderful” + Talks Star Trek Sequel December 10, 2009
by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: Abrams, Celebrity, Star Trek (2009 film), Star Trek sequel (2012) , trackback
Last night Bill Shatner was on Jimmy Kimmel Live, promoting his show Raw Nerve, but things swung around to discussion of Star Trek. Bill said he thought the Star Trek movie was "wonderful", implying he finally saw it, and revealed he and JJ Abrams recently had lunch. However, he said he didn’t know if he would be in the sequel. See video below.
Shatner talks Trek sequel on Kimmel
Last night Bill Shatner appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live (video below). Bill talked about flying, Jimmy’s appearance on Raw Nerve, and his wax figure at Madame Tussauds, and then ended talking about the Star Trek sequel. Jimmy asked Bill about reading that he and JJ Abrams were going to meet to talk about the Star Trek sequel. Bill said they did meet for lunch, here is the exchange.
Kimmel: What is going on with Star Trek?
Shatner: I don’t know, will you call JJ for me?
Kimmel: I will call him
Shatner: Please, call him and ask him, in a slightly plaintive note, what are you doing?
Kimmel: Just say I am the captain and it is time for the captain to take charge.
Shatner: I said that, but this maître d’ came over and said "I am the captain."
Kimmel: You didn’t really give me an answer
Shatner: I literally don’t know. Star Trek is a wonderful show. They did a wonderful movie. JJ I think of as a buddy, he is a great director. I am sure when the right time comes, he will make the right decision.
Here is the video in two parts (part 2 has the exchange on Star Trek)
This is how rumors get started
By watching the video above it is clear that Bill and JJ had a courtesy lunch, something JJ said was going to happen at his press conference in October. At that event JJ said that he was "open" to Shatner in the sequel and Bill recently said he was open to being in the sequel. However, WENN (the same group who floated fake Tome Cruise in Star Trek story in 2006) turned the above exchange into the headline "SHATNER IN TALKS FOR ABRAMS’ STAR TREK SEQUEL". Of course there can be no "talks" because there isn’t even a story yet for the film, let alone a script with a part in it. It is possible Bill will end up in the sequel, but right now it is only conjecture. Clearly he is interested, but there are no "talks", at least in the traditional Hollywood sense of "negotiations".
Did Bill see Star Trek?
There is one other question, has Bill seen Star Trek? As of a month ago he had not. But it is now on home video, so maybe he really saw it.
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Comments»
He saw it months ago, he was just milking teh dramaz.
ill b dissapointe d if he likes it
more salt to the wound that in nimoy
This is Hollywood. Everyone say good things about each other. Wait 30 years for the autobiography to know the truth.
P.S. Do you really think Shatner is going to bad mouth the movie after he deliberately begged to be in the sequel?
So…does that mean he saw the movie? If so, I have tons of questions.
Here’s the best way (I think) to get Shatner (and Nimoy) in the next movie…. A flash back scene.
Spock (Quinto) goes to see Spock prime because he doesn’t understand the relationship he’s supposed to have with Kirk (call it a personality conflict). Spock prime tells him a story (therein lies the flashback) about the day they bring in the Enterprise to be decommishioned. Spock and Kirk on the bridge alone as they talk about their friendship through the years and what it meant to both of them. Spock tells of his plan to make peace with the Romulans and how this would be the last time they might see each other for a while, which it would be the last. Kirk then makes a joke saying while they are on the bridge they should just start up the ship and he’d give Spock a lift to Romulus.
Well, that’s just a round about idea (in case B.Orci is reading ;-)).
Shatner: … he is a great director. I am sure when the right time comes, he will make the right decision.
Translation: Cast me in your damn movie already.
“They did a wonderful movie” does not imply that he saw it, IMHO. He knows the tremendous success of it, but I fear that his own ego is too great for him to sit down and watch someone else playing the iconic role he will always be known for.
Let me write it, I have a great Star Trek story based on Picard’s time, just have to revise the characters.
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I certainly hope that he has seen it by now. I love “Raw Nerve” by the way. Bill does a great job of interviewing in my opinion.
I really do wish we can get past this whole “will Shatner be in the next Star Trek?” thing. I really don’t care if he is or isn’t. I just want the next movie to be really good regardless of who is in it. (And without Khan)
@DaveK69 But if we see a scene from Spock Prime’s past, is that a flash-back, a flash-forward, or a flash-sideways?
If Shatner does end up in the sequel, we sure wont be told of it. That’s the kind of cat that JJ likes to keep in a bag to surprise everyone when they least expect it.
I read somewhere that Leonard Nimoy was going to sit down with Shatner and watch the movie on dvd. Wonder if they did?
Well I’m glad that it at least looks like he finally watched it. I hope they find a way to somehow work that scene for old Kirk into the next movie, I still think it could be great.
We need video of Bill watching the movie…
Hollywood makes no sense to me. Ah well. I just hope the sequel is solid… and doesn’t have a cliffhanger for a part III.
We have got to get him in the movie…………..
I really hope Shatner isn’t in the sequel. It’s time for the new cast to do this on their own.
Gosh.. I don’t know anymore, especially after , “when the right time comes, he will make the right decision.” But, you really need to see the video clip to get the full context of that statament. At least the sarcasm was pretty evident in the clip. *smirk*
I couldn’t resist…
http://kirkprime.wordpress.com/
So…the Shat saw it. Now lets obsess over whether Stewart saw it and/or gives a damn.
I’ve said this a hundred times, but it’s always true:
Gotta love the Shat.
In the sequel the crew get marooned on a desert island that moves back and forth through time and lo and behold there are people on the island. And a monster. And an SOS to Starfleet….left by…..the Shat.
lemme say…for the record….i dont want shatner in the sequel.
having said that…they could probably shoot a (revised) version of the scene we’ve already read about and incorporate it into the beginning sequences of the new movie.
Shatner for a Harry Mudd cameo! I can just see him hamming it up behind a huge droopy mustache.
I’d love to see new Kirk and old kirk (as Mudd) in a fun scene.
Even if Bill Shatner never appears in another Star Trek theatrical feature again, they should still have him appear in Trek in some capacity — maybe a TV special or something. The man is too big not to maintain a Trek connection. (No pun intended.)
Trek would not be Trek had it not been for the Shat Man.
I seriously think Shatner should be in the next movie.
After all he/Kirk IS alive after Generations in his novels anyway . . . . . .
Well its pretty well established that their are alternate universes…what if one of them is exactly the same as prime but where it was Spock that was on the B and sucked in the Nexus. . THAT Kirk chases down the Nexus to recover that Spock not knowing that that Spock was Killed and teh Nexus deposits him in the new universe where he reunites with prime Spock and then…GROUP HUG!
#26 Chris Dawson
His echo is also still in the Nexus. So maybe that will act as a bridge to the parallel universe. LOL.
Shatner saying :”They did a wonderful movie.” doesn’t necessarily mean he seen the movie.
He only refers to what he has heard about the movie.This is not the first time he did that.
I’d rather seeing Archer than Kirk Prime!
Scott Bakula rocks and he really saw the movie!
The man has no shame, does he?
First he rants and raves about he was not talked to about being in the movie, then goes on to say he doesn’t do cameos, then says he hasn’t seen the movie and doesn’t really want to, and now this. And he has the gall to wonder why people don’t like him.
Anybody who doesn’t see through this man needs help.
For me… I want him in the next one….
#5 Love the idea… could picture tht scene in my head as read it… hope sone one else can also!
#31… Oh do calm down… lol!
It is good to see William Shatner embrace the new movie. Star Trek has been such a big part of his life and I am sure it is bittersweet to see new characters take over his part and his part in the franchise end. He has taken good care of Kirk over the years and you have to admire that.
Shatner is a legend and to me he will always be the true Kirk
I would love to see Shatner appear in the next movie but only if those writers can make it work. I a
The scene they had written for him in XI would not have worked because it was very contrived.
I must admit the comments on this site that hurt are the ones who criticise everything about Trek except this new movie.
I love the new movie but please remember there is much more to Trek than this movie.
he hasnt seen it, clearly
Maybe they should make a deal: Shatner loses that gut and he can be in the next movie.
I think Shatner is merely trying to not insult his friends Nimoy and Abrams by saying he doesn’t want to see the movie/doesn’t like it.
re: 38
I agree… love the shat, but seriously? He’s too tubby… Nimoy looked dignified (apart from his wierdly perfect teeth)…
They could do it as a hologram or something….
Not sure about this one. I think it detracts from the new crew – they’ve gotta get out from under the TOS crews shadow…
I personally don’t want Shatner in the next movie. We have a new cast, the new movie setup the change in history, and passed the flame onto them.
I want them to stand on their own feet.
I don’t want to wait for 6 movies before this cast can be left alone and not propped up by TOS cast members taking yet another ‘final bow’. Jeeez. Can’t anyone do anything with a little grace these days? Star Trek 6…oh, that’s our goodbye….Generations…oh another goodbye….Star Trek 2009, yet another tear filled, over wrought, sentiment laden goodbye. ENOUGH!
Get on with making NEW stories, and NEW adventures.
The TOS crew didn’t have an old Kirk and an old Spock leading them around by the nose. They ‘boldy went’. At this rate, the so called fan base is only interested in watching this new cast ‘boldly whimper’ into another black hole of boredom and regurgitation.
Having Nimoy in the new move, with time travel no less, was borderline for me on whether or not I would have anything to do with the film. Trek 2009 was the chance to have Shatner in film, it had context, but if they have to try and shoehorn in just one more excuse to get Shatner in. I’m walking away.
This nonsense isn’t Star Trek, it should be renamed Sentimental Journey.
The SS Shatner has already set sail. The chance to put him in the movie has come and gone.
Time to move on. Thanks for the memories Bill but its time to warp off into the sunset.
OMG, did I just write that??!?!?!?
The issue of Shatner’s prospective appearance in the movie is secondary to the fact that we don’t even have a rough timeline – mid 2012? – for a movie.
That, to me, should be of much greater concern for this supposedly revived “flagship” property of Paramount. If they really believed that, we wouldn’t be waiting three years for the next installment.
I mention to folks who were fans of the movie and “casual” Trek fans in general that there won’t be another movie until 2012, and the consistent response is “Why are they waiting so long?”
Wish I had a good answer.
All this Shatner business is tinfoil in the deflector screens.
I think the Shat has finaly seen the movie and now he wants to be in the next Movie. I say. Yes. A Flash back Scene or the scene that was written for im from the last movie but played i the next one.
The Horatio Hornblower sounds the charge…With so much talk about the greatness that TREK has become..even best picture talk?…Shat would be a fool not to push hard for it now…He has to know that at a rate of 3 years between films, unfortunate as it is to think about, he may not be around for TREK 3 or 13 …..But to just stick Shat in there for eye candy…unless it increases the plot..is a slap in the face to the fan…it did not work in Generations, and would do nothing for “me” here.
Again I say, have him play Tiberius…Jim’s grandfather.. he’s still playing a Kirk…
#25 “Even if Bill Shatner never appears in another Star Trek theatrical feature again, they should still have him appear in Trek in some capacity — maybe a TV special or something.”
I agree! Nimoy is acting on tv again, so why not? It would be a dream come true for me and many other fans if Bill and Leonard were reunited in a Star Trek movie, even if it was a tv movie. If Bad Robot produced it, I don’t see how it could fail. Ratings would be huge and DVD sales would be strong!
If shatner is in next movie dont blow it star trek overkill , the new crew is a fresh look & I hate to say it was needed. write the new film good or you just kill the whole franchise again?!!!
More on the subject of a Star Trek tv movie/miniseries with Shatner & Nimoy … such a project could be brilliantly cross-promoted with Star Trek XII. Just imagine how awesome it would be to see the Shatner/Nimoy movie during February sweeps in 2012 (it would be a ratings giant for sure), with a special sneak peek at ST XII airing during the broadcast. They could even use Zachary as young Spock during any flashbacks in the tv movie. Ah, a fan can dream. :)
#45 “Again I say, have him play Tiberius…Jim’s grandfather.. he’s still playing a Kirk…”
I’ve said that too. ST 09 made a point of mentioning Kirk’s grandfather Tiberius. Seems like the set up for a perfect opportunity. The audience would be giddy if Tiberius had to advise Jim during a tough situation and told him, “You’re a Kirk. And Kirks don’t like to lose.” :)
Shatner could appear in the next Trek flick as Tiberius from the mirror Universe. Or he could play a Klingon. I think it’d be interesting for him to appear in the next one as the main antagonist. My apologies if somone said this before (didnt read all the posts).
I don’t think they could put him in the movie, it would make it such a parody – i mean Spock had a purpose within the story but Kirk died in Generations and trying to resurrect him would just be a bit of a joke really.
He’s a wonderful guy, great talent and will be forever known as THE Captain James T. Kirk but i think it’s time for this new crew to have it’s moment as with what’s happened with all the spin-off crews from the original. “Star Trek” was about the passing of the torch and the launching of the legend and the introducing of all the characters now lets see what they can do on their own within their own universe.
With what 48 said; i think thats a great idea. Perhaps a mini-series based on Countdown and then have the end read something like “catch Star Trek in theatres etc…”
I think now that you have had the first movie provide (without contrivance) a reasonable explanation for Kirk to be alive post Generations, it shouldn’t be hard to fit him organically into the movie. I would like for it to be something that doesn’t involve time travel, though. Perhaps something that allows the new crew to stay in their time and Shatner and Nimoy to play older Kirk and Spock 40 years later?
If they can write Shatner in the next movie, I think they will. And I am all for it, as long as it makes sence. I kinda like Kirks Grandfather idea.
20.
He did. It was mentioned an earlier article. He liked it.
There you go… Kirk and Airwolf! What a movie that would make! :)
What can I say! The Shat saw the movie. Told you so! Months ago
They have to just move on and ONLY have the new crew in the next movie. They can’t keep re-using the original cast, they have to stand on their own feet cause it was the new, young crew that made the new Star Trek such a friggen amazing movie.
OP: “Bill said he thought the Star Trek movie was “wonderful”, implying he finally saw it, and revealed he and JJ Abrams recently had lunch.”
Bill said he thought the Star Trek movie was “wonderful,” implying he and JJ Abrams recently had lunch.
Seeing as how Bill has ambitions of being in the next Star Trek film, it stands to reason he would have taken the time to watch the new film prior to his lunch with J.J. Abrams.
@56 – Steve, your point of view is an interesting if flawed one, but I would have to disagree. I don’t believe the younger cast is the reason the new film is good. If that were true then wouldn’t all remakes/reimaginings/new versions/etc be “friggen amazing” movies? They did a super job of capturing the essence of those classic characters, to be sure, but there are many factors that made it as good as it is not the least of which is the script. You don’t have a good script, you don’t have a good movie.
You can throw all the money and effects at a film crew, but unless there’s a superb screenplay and somebody behind the camera who knows what they’re doing, it’s not going to work. J.J. surrounded himself with some great talent and it’s their hard work that shows on the screen brought to life by a group of near perfectly cast actors.
All I have to say is:
Shatner + Sequel = End of Star Trek franchise for quite some time.
Let’s not ruin a good thing people. Nuff’ said.
Im Ok with the shat being Tiberius..that would be a great funny cameo…maybe make him look older like they did for Mccoy in the first TNG episode…but he should not be playing Kirk….Hes not kirk anymore….
I kinda agree with those that say the shat DID NOT say he saw the movie, he only said it was wonderful….wouldnt surprise me if he has not seen it yet…Kimmel shoulda asked him point blank if he watched it and who did he watch it with, NIMOY i hope….
IF HE DID heheh
Oh Yeah does anyone know what UNI is??? Shat was mentioning he got JJ to eat Uni???
13# i would think they watch it on blu-ray,not dvd.
New movie all the way huh?
Tell me something did you all hate what came before?
# 62 JIm
Unless I miss my guess, the great (original) Cpt Kirk got JJ to eat Sushi. Specfically speaking, Sea Urchin.
I see this stuff at Teru Sushi at the LV Hilton when we go there to eat and if does not look that appealing. Although I hear it is quite good despite its soft, yellowish texture.
How about Kirk Prime from the Mirror Universe being involved in the next movie with William Shatner being the bad guy?
Just thinking of the exposition that would be necessary to explain how the Kirk from the Mirror Universe of the Prime Universe in the future gets to the Alternate Universe in the past makes my head spin. Even my description needs a diagram! Of course this story would require the presence of Spock Prime because he’d be the only one who knows who the hell Mirror Kirk is! I think they’d have to show flashbacks from “Mirror, Mirror” to give the audience a prayer of following this plot.
Hey.. to the folks that think Kirk’s echo in the Nexus can interact with the alternate reality.. I wonder if the Nexus can even cross into it..
reguardless if The Shat liked the movie or not, it’s still a great film!
I say remake “The Deadly Years” and let Shatner play Old Kirk!
Does it make any difference whether Shatner liked the film or not? Nope. I won’t like the film any better even if Shatner tells me it was the greatest film since the beginning of film history…:) All I care for is Prime Kirk’s fate, so I sincerely hope Shatner will be in the sequel as Prime Kirk post Generarations. Period.
OK… this is how it should go down….
By some freakish twist, All permutations of the Enterprise and its
crews are somehow transfered thru time to a chance rendezvous
in a section of the universe known as “Alpha Point”. You’ll have all
the Captains and crews of every series, movie, animated series,
and all of their episode antagonists. Hell…. Every damn thing that
was Star Trek will be there. Then the fun begins… A strange entity
known only as “Morbid Bacchus” creates and provides a substance,
that when taken, causes strange and violent behavior. The entire
“Star Trek” population drink this bizarre potion and all kill eachother.
The battle sequences last 3 hrs. As the movie ends it slowly zooms
to the last living character. Its Mr. Spock (from the early original series),
crawling on all fours, mortally wounded…. He has a tribble crammed up his ass and all he’s saying is….” Not logical, not logical, not…”
If Shatner REALLY wants to be in JJ’s next Trek….MAKE him go to Nutrisystem and seriously workout.
Or how about America’s Biggest Loser! Do you REALLY want to see Capt. Kirk(Denny Crane) in a tight SF spandex uniform? The horror! He was pushing it and his gut out, NOT hidden by the vest in Generations.
Hey, maybe they’ll do time travel in the sequel and Old Kirk comes back to help them find new Spock’s brain. Yeah. That works.
#73 Maybe he can appear in the next movie just as he is? I don’t think it is very nice to say someone shouldn’t do a movie based on his weight. I don’t think weight matters to most Trekkies and nor should it. William Shatner may not be what he used to be, but NOBODY stays the same their entire lives. A lot of people including myself, have the upmost admiration for a guy who looks as good as he does at age 79 while a lot of people his age are on their last legs or on their deathbed. We should be so lucky to have his energy at his age. Making an issue out of someone’s weight shows immaturity and a lack of class. I don’t think you would like it if someone said something as derogatory as you said about a great man to you. I doubt J.J Abrams would even consider your suggestion. He has class. You don’t.
Might as well just debunk the rumor. William Shatner will not be in the sequel. This is the same pattern that went on last time. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. While I do believe that there could be no better story than one that manages to bring in Kirk Prime and Spock Prime, and have them help their younger selves somehow, ultimately, I simply don’t believe Abrams will ever deliver such a story.
Abrams has been dealing with questions about Shatner since he took the franchise over. He could end that by just signing him, using him and Nimoy in the movie, letting them have their happy ending, and moving on. But I don’t think he’ll do that.
I believe Abrams can make a good movie. I don’t believe he has any intention of bringing in Shatner. Show me a contract–then I’ll believe.
The only part I didn’t like about the new Star Trek was Nimoys appearance. I wanted a fresh movie with new characters and a new start. The movie was awesome. The new characters were casts perfectly. When Spock primes head first popped up on the screen I was disappointed. I don’t want Shatner in the Sequel. I want to finally retire all the old crew. And it is absolutly Ridiculous that we have to wait three years for a sequel???
Why not have Shatner play Kirk’s grandfather Tiberius in a pivotal scene. That way, he’s still playing a Kirk and can display some of that Kirk personality. Although I doubt Shatner’s ego would ever agree. The time travel trick has already been done. Let’s move on and have some fresh story ideas.
I’m telling you all , the next movie should center on the new cast fighting klingons and finding an old enemy – col green and crew who escaped like khan but greens people are also in cryo sleep get pulled into desert planet where they fight off aliens and kirk has to stop green from killing all the alien life forms that inhabit the planet title – the prime directive