One of the surprising cameos in the 2009 Star Trek movie was Tyler Perry as a Starfleet Admiral. In a new video interview, Perry talks about the notion of coming back for the Star Trek sequel, currently being scripted. More below.
Perry non-committal on returning to Star Trek
As a writer, producer, director and actor Tyler Perry has been very successful working on his own projects, including the Madea films and House of Payne TV series. But in 2009 Perry appeared in Star Trek as Admiral Richard Barnett, at the request of JJ Abrams, which was the first time he had appeared in a project that was not his own. At the junket for his upcoming film Colored Girls Access Hollywood asked Perry if he would be interested in returning to Star Trek for the sequel. He stated that he is "waiting for JJ [Abrams] to call" to find out if the Star Trek team are looking for him to reprise his role. Regarding the first time Perry tells "It was fun. It was a lot of work for five minutes." Perry seemed to qualify if he would return saying "it would depend on what the role is and what it means to the script."
Perry as Admiral Richard Barnett
Here is video interview from Access Hollywood
Never heard of him before Trek. I guess famous in America only.
Perry was fine for what he had to do, but is there anyone really clammoring for him to return?
Tyler Perry’s CAMEO. Exactly. That is what a cameo looks like. A role that could be filled by any actor and it wouldn’t change things in the story for better or worse.
I don’t want to be disrespectful he was great in “Star Trek”, but it was only a cameo, right?….. Oh God everyone wants to be in Star Trek 2012!!!….LOL!
Would add some nice consistancy between the two films, hard to believe that Kirk would still be in command of the Enterprise whilst Starfleet Command are playing musical chairs and he gets orders from a new Admiral every film…its little things like this that add consistancy and make the films more grounded and believable…
I thought the admiral was played by a normal background actor. I never heard the name Tyler Perry before and didn’t know he was famous.
Tyler Perry is like the most successful movie maker in Hollywood. No joke. His movies are corny as hell, but they make a ton of money.
I know “it depends on the script” is kind of a canned response to these questions, but what about the script does it depend upon. I’m sure his twenty second cameo won’t break too much ground on the plot
I love Tyler Perry. His life story is very sad yet inspiring and all of the movies and plays he has made are fantastic.
I’d love to see him have another cameo as Admiral Barnett. It would be strange if Kirk didn’t receive his orders from a familiar Admiral. I’d really only like to see Barnett and Pike.
1. Al – October 22, 2010
“Never heard of him before Trek. I guess famous in America only.”
Lol, um yea. I only know of him because there are so many American TV channels in Canada, sigh. Not a fan of him or what he does.
His role was so minor and its not like he is someone really famous. I will have to agree with John Trumbull comment – “Perry was fine for what he had to do, but is there anyone really clammoring for him to return?” – and give a resounding NO!
Wishing a speedy recovery to Mr. Nimoy…
Mr. Perry said at the time of the filming it was as a favor to Mr. Abrahms, nothing more. Besides, isn’t “depends on the script” Shatners line?
Being from the UK I too had never heard of Tyler Perry prior to his cameo in Star Trek. However, from what I recall reading on this site he was chosen because he has a loyal following. If his presence in the last did make a difference then what’s the harm in a similar sized cameo. Likewise, if it turns out he didn’t get any more bums on seats then his presence will hardly be missed.
“It depends on the script” LOL. If he has ar 2 Minute role, he´s in and if he has a 1 Minute role, he´s out? Sorry, that Answer is ridiculous.
He runs Starfleet Academy. There’s absolutely no reason to show or even mention the academy in the sequel. A scene or two with Greenwood as fleet admiral would work, but the way I see it, Barnett is quite low on the list of possible returning characters, just behind Robocop and his flying jet ski.
I say let Mel Gibson do it
I want him in the sequel… only if he plays Madea. ;)
nobody care if he comes back his own movie suck and make me want to shot myself in the foot i think that would be more fun then watching madea does anything
sorry but supporting cast members and extras need not apply.
Greenwood is out, unless you want him guiding kirk all through the movie.
Star Trek 2009 gripe: The enterprise under james kirk cannot be the flagship.. Need more seasoned older officers for that job. Until at least five years after kirk gets command. In the movie, It would give kirk something new to gripe about. better not to make his captains chair too comfortable.
Pike is a seasoned flag officer and kirk isn’t. period.
who’s Tyler Perry???
I thought Perry was fine. I wouldn’t mind at all having him back.
No dammit, no.
At every screening at least 3 or 4 people would recognize him and say as much. He’s a distraction.
Irrevelent, but I personally have mixed feelings about the man himself. I admire what he’s accomplished but his methods leave a bad taste in my mouth. Seriously.
The sassy fat black woman trope has to go and while we’re at it he should have given Nzinga Stewart proper support for For Colored Girls. He makes money on stereotypical black women (and employs a lot of talented and even legendary black actors who would not be working otherwise) but he
doesn’t support them behind the scenes.
No dammit, no.
At every screening at least 3 or 4 people would recognize him and say as much. He’s a distraction.
Irrevelent, but I personally have mixed feelings about the man himself. I admire what he’s accomplished but his methods leave a bad taste in my mouth. Seriously.
The sassy fat black woman trope has to go and while we’re at it he should have given Nzinga Stewart proper support for For Colored Girls. He makes money on stereotypical black women (and employs a lot of talented and even legendary black actors who would not be working otherwise) but he
doesn’t support them behind the scenes.
“Tyler Perry’s Admiral Barnett” is not needed for the sequel. On the other hand, “Bruce Greenwood’s Admiral Pike” is absolutely essential. Captain Kirk is still going to need a mentor, and Pike fills the role nicely.
Bruce Greenwood earned his role because of his talent. Tyler Perry was handed his role on a silver platter because of nepotism.
Nothing against Tyler Perry as I don’t dislike him, I just don’t find him that interesting as an actor.
Tyler Perry only makes movies because he finances them himself! You know why? Because NO studio would even dream of producing his CRAP!
It’s easy to be in the movies if you bankroll the entire production yourself!
When I heard the casting I had to Google his name to find out he’s basically a commodity in the niche ‘yo mama so fat’ joke movie market. And he wants to talk ‘meaning’ in a two minute cameo? You want a meaningful cameo from an actor of legendary stature, put Robert Duvall in it. He’ll give you a two minute cameo the rest of the movie couldn’t function without. Roberto! Got got that kinda wampum in the budget?
What he means is, it depends if he is IN the script or not!
I keeeeed Mr. Perry;)
“It depends on the script” and “protect and make sure that the integrity of Star Trek is kept alive” are two of the best jokes I heard in a while. Good stuff guys!
5. OfficialSpudUk (Formally known as PropperTrekkieUk) – October 22, 2010
” Would add some nice consistency between the two films, hard to believe that Kirk would still be in command of the Enterprise whilst Starfleet Command are playing musical chairs and he gets orders from a new Admiral every film…its little things like this that add consistency and make the films more grounded and believable…
================================================
The best and most mature answer so far.
@25
No studio dreamed of making his movies because they weren’t aware of that particular demographic’s existence or money-making potential. That is conservative black middle class church-goers. It’s my theory that they have been so starved for anything that fits their interests, as up until Perry they could only see it in traveling gospel plays, that of course they’ll pay for his films.
Also, for some odd reason a significant portion of black middle America loves soapy drama. In fact, black people are one of the biggest reasons daytime soaps still (barely) survive.
The lesson here is that Hollywood needs to make more films for everyone, films that actually fit a 21st century mentality.
As an aside big thanks to JJ, Orci, Kurtzman, and Lindeloff for continually doing their part to make this happen.
is there anything worse than those tyler perry movies
31.
No. Next question?
32
“No. Next question?”
Am I the only one who fears that J.J Abrams will try to get Tom Cruise into the sequel as a favor?
Afterall, there were rumors back in ’07 that Tom Cruise wanted to be in “Star Trek” because he had worked with J.J Abrams on “Mission Impossible III”……
33. “will try to get Tom Cruise”
Don’t worry, the Star Trek movies already have a female lead!
34
OUCH! And we definitely also DO NOT WANT A DIVA jumping on the captain’s chair!
Tyler Perry’s non commital. exactly what he should be
34. Harry Ballz – October 22, 2010
I find your lack of female leads……disturbing….
37.
I consider Zoe Saldana to be the female lead in the Trek movies.
#27 so if he’s not in the script he won’t be in the film? Wow, this Hollywood stuff is pretty complicated ain’t it!
#27 Bob – didn’t catch the full gist of that at this late hour, but I take that to mean, “Here’s your lines. Here’s the paycheck. You catching my meaning?” :-)
25. Harry Ballz – October 22, 2010
I’m not a fan (MIL is) but he has found his audience, and sci fi isn’t it. If bankrolling your own productions were the only criteria for making successful movies, then the fan films should be just as successful. Needless to say, they aren’t…
Yeah, well, if you have to BUY your way into an industry, what does that say about your talent or lack there of?
Iam not really a fan Of Tyler Perrys films, but those of you saying his movies are crap is not exactly fair, His movies allways end up making a nice return at the box office. And they have a big big fan base who make a point of seeing the films opening weekend. Cause if they really were not good or made a profit then he wouldnt be able to have continued producing them either. Everyone has different tastes and just cause you or i arent fans of his productions doesnt mean its crap.
I believe the title of the movie is “For Colored Girls” I only bring this up cause I see the poster and teaser trailer playing in the lobby at work everyday.
As for Tyler Perrys Character returning, It wouldnt have any effect on my enjoyment of the movie either way. I thought he was good in the scenes he appeared in for the last film but his is a character that wouldnt really be missed to much i dont think.
And iam sure there will be a equally(or even more ) engaging charcter (and actor) to take perrys spot.,should his charcter not be in the script.
It was a pleasant suprise to see Tyler Perry in the new film. He has accomplished much in his life and has been through many hardships to have succeeded thus far. I like to see someone succeed against the odds- He has definately done so!
For those of you who haven’t heard of him, last year he was the 6th highest paid man in Holly wood last year. His films have grossed 400 million worldwide. (referenced from Wikipedia) Though I haven’t seen but one of his films, he does have an audience who appreciates his work (as evidenced by the amount of $$ he has earned from them.)
I took his statement to mean IF he was in the script, nothing more.
I hope there is no Tyler Perry in the next Trek. I didn’t want him in the first one.
Sorry english is not good I am from france. next actor to be head of the star fleet must surely wear a kind if hat? with a badge on the hat? I think this hat must be green possibly
Who CARES!? Anybody could have done the role. It was a few lines. “It depends on the script”? This guy’s ego is way out of proportion to his talent. Why the hell would we even need him in the next film? He was as essential as a lamp. Hey, maybe if they call it “Tyler Perry’s Star Trek” he’ll lower himself to appear in the film.
Oh, and box office returns are no indication of quality or talent. Ever heard of Jackass?
#46
Didnt know Starfleet was run by Leprechauns :p
Tyler who?????
I hate to say this but most of the negative, disrespectful comments about Tyler Perry seem to be coming from white people talking out of their white privilege who think everything in the world has to revolve around their viewpoint. That egocentric focus gets really tiring.
I welcomed and enjoyed Tyler Perry being in ST; having a Blackman who is (contrary to what many of you assert) is popular, well-known and accomplished play the one of the heads of Starfleet speaks volumes about the kind of positive future that is at the core of Star Trek.
Having him return would be worthwhile and also maintains continuity.
PS – It bothers me that so many of you people posting here to see or understand this. How else do you think the future is going to arrive? It’s NOT going to happen by us watching sci-films, the positive future depicted in Star Trek is going to come about BY ALL OF US working to bring it about and choosing better ways for our world to exist.