William Shatner: Proud Of Work On Star Trek – Doesn’t Expect To Appear In 2012 Sequel February 26, 2011
by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: Celebrity, Shatner, Star Trek sequel (2013) , trackback
In a new interview promoting some upcoming events in Australia, Star Trek’s original Kirk William Shatner looks back and says he is "proud" of his work on Star Trek, and looks forward saying that even though he would like to be in the 2012 Star Trek sequel, he thinks we are "beyond that" happening.
Shatner – proud of his time on Star Trek doesn’t expect to be in 2012 sequel
In a new interview with the Australian Courier Mail, William Shatner pondered his career, including his past as Captain of the Star Trek franchise, saying:
The level of Star Trek is both earnest and ironic. I think of Star Trek at its best as being really good and when I was at my best I was good in it. There were some – if not many – missteps but at its best it was really terrific. So I am both proud of it and at the same time I am aware that some people think it was a soap opera and the sets were cheap and the effects – I can’t even call them computer effects – were awful by today’s standards.
And of course there was also talk about appearing in the 2012 Star Trek sequel. Although he continues to express an interest, the actor seems resigned to not be part of Star Trek’s future:
I would be so interested in doing it, especially with that wonderful director J.J. Abrams, but I don’t see how it’s possible and maybe we all have gone beyond that.
But Bill did say that he has some more in store for Trek fans, talking up his upcoming documentary The Captains, noting:
I have shot a wonderful documentary where I talk to all the captains of Star Trek and try to find a common denominator and in the meantime have some fun talking to them about them and their lives.
William Shatner and wife Elizabeth picking up goodies yesterday at GBK Oscar Globes Gift Lounge in Hollywood – Bill thinks doesn’t think he’s getting into the Star Trek sequel
SHATNER IN OZ
William Shatner’s interview was to promote two upcoming events in Australia.
April 2nd Sydney/April 3rd Melbroune: "Hub Productions: Star Trek 2011" at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre – Tickets cost $150 (AUS$). Described as:
William Shatner, Scott Bakula, JG Hertzler, Robert O’Reilly and Suzie Plakson will be appearing on Saturday 2nd April 2011 in Sydney from 9:00am to 6:00pm and Sunday the 3rd April 2011 in Melbourne from 9.00am to 6.00pm.
The event features the guests live on stage for a few stories, anecdotes as well as Question and Answers. There will also be a variety of events throughout the day, such as auctions, raffles and trivia. There will also be merchandise as well as rare collectables available to purchase from the dealers. You will also have the chance to meet the guests and acquire autographs and professional photographs.
April 11th -Brisbane: "Kirk, Crane and Beyond: William Shatner Live" at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre – Tickets cost $149 (AUS$). Described as:
Join the man himself for one, mad, glorious evening, packed with anecdotes, lessons learned and pearls of wisdom. With his wry sense of humour, this Actor, Producer, Director, Musician and Celebrity Pitchman will take you on an outrageously entertaining journey.
POLL: Shatner in the sequel?
Once again we must ask the age old question, do you want more Bill?
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Comments»
Would be cool to have him involved with Trek 12, but then we’d have to resolve the eye color issue, wouldn’t we?
Cmon… a tip of the hat to the Shat wouldn’t hurt.
What with the documentary “The Captains”? Did he interview Avery Brooks?
Could William Shatner play Kirk’s grandfather? Anyway the man doesn’t need work. He’s everywhere! And if any of you Trekker Aussies know this, let us know. “How poplular is Star Trek in Austrailia?”
A cameo would be nice.
I don’t see how you could work him into the movie as essential though, why is that option there?
I have always said it is important to get him in the movie ASAP and not with some goofy gimmick either. He should play James T Kirk, the one we all know and love.
Maybe now isn’t the best time. Maybe by the next film or the one after they would be ready for that. But he’s 80 years old. Do it now. While you still can
How hard is it to have him in a scene randomly? Star Trek used to reuse their actors all of the time. Make him some Elder of a pre-warp planet named Kirok, or something.
Heck, just have him walking on the Enterprise randomly in a Command track uniform and have him say “Good morning, Captain.”
That isn’t hard at all.
To be true to the current (alternate) time line, have Chris Pine experiening a dream while asleep in the the captain’s cabin onboard the new Enterprise. He see himself may years from “now” retired from Starfleet. He is sitting on a dock fishing, next to a lake with his grandchildren, telling them tall tales of tale ships . . . .
Oops typos…damn lag … “he sees himself may years from now…”
I think what Bob Orci wrote for him in Trek 09 where Spock Prime played a Hologram of Shats Kirk for Pines Kirk would still be the best way to go for Trek 12. It would be moving and touching and give us all that one last sendoff of Kirk and Spock Prime and or a Flash back of Prime Kirk and Spock before Kirk went on the Enterprise B.
That would have been good if it had happened. But unfortunately,
all of 09 scenes, made up creatures, sandwiches and other lovely “character developments” were incredibly relevant and just had to be there so they had no place for that.
I foresee the same screen time management problem in the sequel.
He’s dead there is no reason to bring him back. The new cast rocks and doesn’t even need nemoy’s help at this point. Getting some decent sets for the engine room, and getting rid of the horrible lens flares would help the movie though. I’m not sure I want JJ in on it after he felt the need to shove a flash light up the cameras in EVERY FREKING shot.
As a Hard Core Trek fan. I want one more send off of Kirk and Spock Prime.
How about a time travel movie?!? Wow, that would be original. Hasn’t Star Trek moved beyond that by now??? Need a new story line.
i love you shatner but new star trek new universe new kirk leave them alone to have there story good look on your new project
Oh man, I hope this Shatner issue does not drag on for the next film.
There was a point where I felt, yea I would enjoy seeing him in any of the new movies, but if he is not, I wont protest.
Now….I just don’t care at all. Let’s movie on and continue with this fresh young cast.
#14
Hasn’t moved beyond it yet. Time travel was used in the last movie.
I hate to say it, but let’s leave William Shatner out of the new movie.
Leonard Nimoy did a great job linking the old with the new Trek. With that accomplished, let’s focus on the new crew and their new adventures.
It still wouldnt bother me to have him in the sequel. The guy was one of my childhood heroes (The character that is). So in that asspect I have respect for him big time. Off the top of my head I dont know how the guys can get him in there without it seeming forced. But they know what their doing and might come up with something out of the blue and pull it off with ease. Either way my hats off to you Mr Shatner! :]
I had to vote no as Kirk. I love William Shatner and have watched everything he has been in including TJ Hooker and Rescue 911 bu with the weight he has gained and his age it wouldn’t work. Maybe as a relative of Kirk’s or a starfleet admiral or he could be a alien. A klingon adversary?
Given that 80 year old Larry Hagman and the rest of the original cast are coming back in a new Dallas, with younger leads, wouldn’t it be a surefire to re-jig the timelines a bit again, revive the Shat Kirk and have him and all other interested survivors of TOS in the sometimes mooted Starfleet Academy show, or perhaps a TV movie every year?
Sorry, but the need to have the Shat on Star Trek 12 would make the movie look too much like bad fan fiction. It’s time for them to stand on their own, knowing that they can succeed the original cast of the intrepid crew of the USS Enterprise.
I agree that the cameo written for Shat or the last film would have been ideal. I can tell you, I know many people who would have been in tears.
I dont care about time travel, alternate universes etc. Good storytelling is good storytelling regardless of the plot device.
And yes, I want Shat as Kirk and I’d love for Nimoy to cameo once again so Kirk and Spock can have their final send off in a big budget, uber popular Trek flick.
Yes, you were great in Star Trek. I don’t care what anyone says. And you know,….people like Kevin Pollack think so too…even though he doesn’t exactly say so in his stand up act. No one does an impression that well of someone that don’t admire. Long live Shatner.
I would still enjoy seeing William Shatner as James Tiberius Kirk one more time in a CAMEO. Anything longer than a few minutes might distract us from and overshadow the new cast, Chris Pine in particular.
On the other hand, as each day passes by, I won’t be losing any sleep over the fact that the moment for Shatner’s return as Kirk might have gone by.
Maybe its because Chris Pine is a worthy successor, even though he can never outdo the Shat.
Nonetheless, I will always appreciate William Shatner’s contribution to “Star Trek”. And I always have the options of watching TOS episodes and the movies to enjoy Shatner’s Kirk. :-)
#25
Well said! My thoughts exactly.
#3 yes Avery Brooks is in The Captains. I really can’t wait to see it.
Shat had never met Bak till he interviewed him for the Captains–remember the uproar over what it might mean when they were spotted in a restaurant together in the Valley?–but now they’re everywhere together. Monday Bak’s on Shatner’s Raw Nerve; they’ll be onstate together in Australia.
And I’m afraid Abrams will pick up the phone to ask Shat to be in the next film, ONLY to find out he’s too darn busy! Shatner’s EVERYwhere! Well, more power to him. People apparently still want it that way.
shat was even on an episode of American Pickers….and he was awesome in it, LOl
I agree with Cmdre Mike.
It would be nice if ABRAMS actually made a comment on it. Obviously, no one expects it, but Abrams did open the door when the last movie came out.
I really want to see Kirk Prime and Spock Prime together, riding off into the sunset, Generations forgotten, and back to the prime universe, which is established to still exist.
But what sucks is the silence from Abrams. Shatner is the man. They can’t keep him down, even if Paramount and Trek turned their respective backs on him.
I’m totally against a cameo of Shatner’s Kirk in the new film. There isn’t even a plausible way to do it: we would not witness Kirk Prime, but the older Kirk from the alternate timeline, a different Kirk. And we’ve had too much time travel stuff anyway. No Spock Prime either. Let the new crew shine on their own. Spock Prime is there in the new universe, right, but he shouldn’t return immediately.
If any cameo at all, they should rather put in Bakula’s Archer, as an old admiral or something, with a T’Pol at his side as a Vulcan attaché, still looking young and gorgeous of course (being Vulcan and everything). :) And Scotty would hide from Archer, maybe in the pattern buffer—as a slight nod to TNG. ;)
This must’ve just been posted. Any quatloo wagering for 300 comments? 400? 500?
I do not want to see him the new film, full stop. It would be unoriginal after Spock Prime was in the reboot, and it’s too bad if he’s changed his mind about killing Kirk but he wasn’t very gracious about the last film until it became a hit.
I *would* like to see Nichelle Nichols, as the only original cast member who has not appeared in TNG, Voyager, Generations or ST 2009. She could be Uhura’s mother, an admiral, or even the new computer voice now that Majel Barrett is gone.
Why doesn’t Trekmovie start talking this up instead of rehashing the very stale Shatner discussion?
@33 (Soran): I’m not sure about Nichols as another character than Uhura. It’s always okay for actors who had minor roles at first like Tim Russ or Robert Duncan McNeill to step up and play prominent and major recurring characters, but once that is established (as in Nichols’ case with Uhura), once an actor’s face is tied to a specific iconic role, then it might not be such a good idea to leave that role behind and play a different character. I think it simply wouldn’t feel right. (But maybe that’s just me.)
@4
Trek isn’t *particularly* big in Aus, but likely just as popular as it is with every country outside the U.S. There are countless casual Sci-Fi fans who quite enjoy it, but I’d say it’s rather rare to run into a true Trekkie here. I’ve only every really met two or three who were encyclopedic.
Got me a ticket to the ‘Kirk, Crane and Beyond’ show when it hits Sydney. Can’t wait!!
@ 35 That said, ST09 was a huge hit here.
A Shatner appearance would only work if he appeared for just a few minutes. Any longer and it wouldn’t fit with the new direction of the movies. There is no plausible way to have him appear as James T. Kirk. Not to mention his ham-fisted corny acting style would pull the audience out of the movie. Also, his ego is so big he’d be pushing for a much larger role while filming his part. He’d be a huge headache to everyone concerned. So why would the producers want to pay the Shat millions of dollars for a brief appearance when it wouldn’t fit in with the “flavour” of the next movie AND cause them numerous problems? The answer is they wouldn’t! He won’t be in the next film.
My wishlist for Trek 12 again:
NO Shatner Kirk
NO Khan
NO time travel
Its that simple
38 You just named three of the elements that have made the biggest contributions to Trek’s success in the past 45 years. I understand your point, something fresh, of course, but I think we have to give some credit to those who made Trek great, and credit to boborci and the new court who have made modern Trek great.
Spock prime in ST09 was one of the best moments of the film.
Kirk in any form, would also have that effect.
and its now or never
don’t screw this up boborci
if Shatner doesnt even have a tiny cameo, and I can tell everyone now that many fans won’t accept excuses like:
“it was not organic”
“he died in another movie”
“we wanted to move on”
bla bla blaaa
Just do it. Pine is the focus, but Shatner is the prime Kirk and a) he deserves it and b) we want to see him
#3 yes he did and apparently Avery scored the music used in the programme.
How about filming a scene with Shatner and Nimoy together on the original time line prior to Star Trek Generations. Using the technology of Tron Legacy show the actors as they were in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country and have that be the last installment of the new JJ Alternative universe series be it movie 3, 4 , 5 or 6 when the time-line is once again restored to that of the original movie series.
I hate to say this because I love the Shat, but I think that he put the kibosh on appearing in the Trek sequel with all the stink he made about not being in the first one. Even if it was all said in alleged jest or half-jest, who wants to deal with that kind of a pain-in-the-ass if they don’t have to? I’m guessing not JJ Abrams, but who knows—maybe he didn’t mind it.
If you were going to say that the parallel timelines are why Kirk is alive in the nuFuture, you would need Nimoy for expository reasons. Only he knows that JTK is dead.
I have contradictory impulses on this issue. I want Shatner back as Kirk, not some other character, but I think time travel is a bit played out. UNLESS there are logical after effects of the time shift events of the first movie, things that play out organically in the sequel, that simultaneously allow for a Shatner cameo.
Having said that, I would like to see him in the sequel do a cameo of the sort that was written for him in ST09. It would be a good way to wrap up that character and redeem the travesty of Generations. And then everyone would be happy, the pro-Shatner camp as well as the Shat, himself. A Shatner cameo would be a fitting way to end the sequel, though he’d have to put aside his “no cameos” policy and take one for the team.
37
Harry
I’m sure the writers could come up with something that would allow William Shatner to appear in a cameo that would have an impact yet not overshadow the new cast at the same time. I’m pretty sure that it wouldn’t necessarily entail paying Shatner millions for just a couple of minutes. Sure, he’d want to be paid, and deservedly so, I just don’t think money is the issue. The writers wrote a scene for him, but J.J Abrams decided against it without talking to Shatner. I think he was a bit miffed. And yes, his acting style has changed, but I’m sure he’d be able to get back into character for a couple of minutes of screen time.
But from this article, it seems to me at least, that Shatner has realized that his time as Kirk has likely passed and that he’s comfortable with his legacy. He also seems to be letting go of the past and focusing on his other things that he’s got going on now.
I really doubt we’ll see William Shatner demanding to be in the next movie.
He understands show business.
I do think, though, that he regrets agreeing to killing off his character in “Generations” but has probably come to the realization that bringing him back would be incredibly difficult.
Ryan, as to salary, how much do you think Shatner would demand to reprise playing Kirk for just a few minutes in the next film one more time?
I would bet at least 3 million.
48
I think it would probably be about 1 million. Even if it was more, he’d probably donate a large portion to charity. But I bet he’d take a bit of a pay cut. He certainly doesn’t need anymore, since he’s gotten so many other sources of revenue.
Oh, Ryan, you sweet naive lad. Shatner would keep every dime he gets his hands on.
that was meant for #49
DAMN TYPOS!!!
Gee, Harry, you make him out to be a Ferengi!
Lets face it, Bill wouldn’t be content with some bit part cameo. He wasn’t last time and he wouldn’t be this time.
I love Bill for the great work he has done but he’s just not needed now.
And I can’t believe i’m saying that because I quite militantly wanted him back before!. Now I realise it wasn’t Bill that I wanted back, it was Kirk.
No Shatner = GOOD
I’m no Jeanne Dixon, but I’m predicting that this will still be an issue four movies from now.
ps. How come nobody’s trying to get Takei in this thing. What happened to all those Excelsior people? A man can’t live on Sharp commercials and ff-ing alone.
How the hell can an (almost) eighty year old man expect to hold an audience for 2-3 hours and get away with charging A$150+ ?
No bloody idea, but it’s William Shatner and I’ve already bought my ticket for Brisbane.
Bringing back Shatner would be the easiest thing in the world.
Pike’s Kirk could have memory flashbacks from his mind meld with Prime Spock.
Prime Kirk could serve as an Obi Wan Device, having knowledge of things to come.
This would work with every old cast member, of course.
Please dont plug Shatner into the sequel.
He won’t (can’t?) take a back seat in any production.
It will possibly overshadow the new casts talents and would be the worst case of stunt casting ever in Trek.
Pine Quinto and Co have the bridge now.
Mr Shatner you have been relieved.
@54 Well said.
I’ll go to either the Sydney or Melbourne gig. How cool.
As for Kirk in the movie. It really needs Kirk and Spock and McCoy to really work and that’s not possible.
Shatner was at his best when bouncing off those two.
I think the planned scene for Trek09 would have worked. Would Shatner have done it? Who knows. It really seems like they tried harder to get him in the first movie. Mybe there will be a surprise and they will offer him something. I think it will bring a nice buzz to the film as it seems to be one of the most passionate subjects since the Trek rebirth
36 – agreed
Having said that… I just saw “Kingdom of the Spiders” and am confident that ST2012 with or without Shat will be a better movie. Great Shat line, though: “She swings a nice ass, eh?” Stay classy, Bill.
Honestly, the boat’s sailed for a Shat cameo. He’d kinda have to be future Kirk looking back … and that wrecks any suspense during scenes where Pine-Kirk’s life is in jeopardy. Ghose of Kirk might be fun. That would have to be a voice over only, “Ah those were the days. Sucks I’m dead, but C’est la vie!”
Having Shatner in the cast would only be a hinderance to the new cast.
This forthcoming movie is THEIR time to shine.
I certainly appreciate Shatner’s Kirk (been a TOS ST fan as long as I can remember), but I’m also equally curious to see what Pine’s Kirk can do without the training wheels….
Thank god, he’s not going to be in any Star Trek movies.
He’s bloody old and he needs to just sit down and take it. LOL
If it worked then I’d be for the cameo.
Leonard Nimoy’s appearance in Star Trek XI worked as it was important to story and worked well to bridge the two universes together, even though the sequence did rely on a really heavy contrivance to get the plot to that point.
The scene they had written for Shatner was a bit lousy to me and was a little contrived and a unnecessary to the film. To be honest I thought it was pretty lame.
BOB dont ruin 12 with some half harted attempt at adding Shatner PLEASE!
Either way Shatner gave us Captain Kirk already and did a fine job. The alt-trek, “rebel without a cause”, 90-hour wonder Kirk universe wouldn’t fit his character anyway.
He must be the last man in the world (other than a few Shat-fanatics here)to get the clue that he won’t be in the sequel.
BRING BACK THE SHAT!
I would like to see Shatner back but how can that be possible :)
@ 72
Science Fiction my dear!
It would take a stroke of genius to pull it off.. *sigh*
love the shat but had to vote no
The ship has sailed. Should have been in this past movie. Lame excuses why he wasn’t. That script was not very complicated, Shatner easily could have been given a role similar to Nimoy, and people would have applauded.
NO
I’d love to see Scott Bakula get an elderly Admiral Archer cameo, so I’m in no position to criticise.
Maybe some sort of post-mind meld dream? Nu Kirk saw a little of his other life thanks to Spock, and is still haunted by it. You would have to de-age Shatner close to his Generations look…
Of course, not unless it’s in any important to the story being told.
*Curses* I’m too used to editing my thoughts at least twice…
77. Of course, not unless it’s in any WAY important to the story being told.
How is nu Kirk haunted by his other life :/
79. Having supposed to have known his father for a couple of decades. nu Kirk asks Spock if he lived to see him become a Captain.
@ 79
From memory-alpha (mind meld)
http://memory-alpha.org/wiki/Vulcan_mind_meld
“At the conclusion of the meld, each mind retained some knowledge of the other.”
nu Kirk could have visions of his “other life” via Spock’s mind meld..
So if your reason for the Enterprise crew getting together that quickly, because time is trying to repair itself, the mind meld from Spock leaves Kirk with the ability to look around and realise how much of this reality, isn’t right. You know, like Guinan in “Yesterday’s Enterprise”.
He’ll be in the third & last one. I thought it was obvious? Call it The Reset.
Okay, maybe this will work:
Spock Prime is on his deathbed (Don’t even have to see him, maybe just some gnarled hand reaching up to a glowing light out of which steps Kirk Prime:
“Hello, old friend. It’s time to go.”
Kirk reaches toward the figure on the bed and, as he draws his hands back, he holds a glowing ball of light in his hands which solidifies into a baby. (Anybody old enough to remember the movie “2001″?)
No reason that we couldn’t hear narration via something akin to a Captain’s Log… read by William Shatner in the very beginning setting up the transition. Heck, it was used in the series Wonder Years just fine, and strangely in How I Met Your Mother.
How I Met Your Mitchell, if you will. Shatner reading:
“After Nero, I found myself in a rather unexpected position: breveted captain of Enterprise by Admiral Pike. After 4 years in the marines, a year of chaos, and 4 Academy years — challenging, compliments of Mr Spock –a few years charting anomalies was much less… chaotic. But, the course of events that led to my full captaincy started one fine day in 2263 during a chess match with Spock when one Cmdr Gary Mitchell arrived… just as I was about to checkmate Spock for the first time….”
Easy to bring Shatner in via a number of good devices… story devices, not time travel.
GAWD, YOU SHATFANS ARE REACHING!!!
Would it be great to see Shat in the new movie? Of course, his presence would only serve to make a good thing only better and couldn’t possibly hurt the film in any shape , form or fashion. To think otherwise is just not realistic and more a personal preference by the Shat bashers who always say this, and they will never change their mind.
But also realistic, is the fact that the golden opportunity has passed. It was utter and epic fail on JJs part to not include the masterfully written inclusion of Shat in the first movie. Now it would be so very very difficult to work him in…not that it couldn’t be done. After reading Bob Orci’s original plan to work Shatner’s Kirk into the film, If anyone could do it, make it organic within the confines of the story and pack it with emotional substance, it would be Bob Orci and friends. But I don’t see it happening.
69. Kev-1
“Either way Shatner gave us Captain Kirk already and did a fine job. The alt-trek, “rebel without a cause”, 90-hour wonder Kirk universe wouldn’t fit his character anyway.”
Did you ever read Shatner’s book “Collision Course”? His iteration of a pre-Starfleet kirk was an undisciplined, rebellious genius. Only instead of being “The only genius-level repeat offender in the Midwest”, he was living in San Francisco.
I didn’t read the book, but that interpretation wasn’t really seen in the TOS series or movies. Nor did the Borg bring Kirk back.
I think the idea of William Shatner playing Pine/Kirk’s grandfather is a good one. It would also solve the eye colour problem. The scene does not have to be that long. Of course, the question might arise as to where Jim Kirk’s grandfather was after George Kirk’s death. Presumably Shatner would play a Kirk. It is not essential that William Shatner be in the sequel, but if they can do it, it would be great.
Bill – Just do a good cameo for us trekkies. Please – it is quality that is more honoured and remembered, not just quantity. You are an actor. You do not have to be James T Kirk here, but you could give this new Pine/James T Kirk a good send off.
They should have made more movies with the TOS cast when they had the chance. There is still a way though and that can hardly be the new film.
I think they should also produce films with TNG and Voyager storylines before it is too late.
I was totally against The Shat being in NuTrek. Vehemently, in fact, but I must be getting all sentimental and mellow with age. As long as it’s done in a natural and essential way, I believe I’d get all warm and fuzzy. And he’s got to be James T. Kirk. Not an ancestor.
I have to admit it: He is the Captain Kirk I grew up with. Chris Pine did a fine job, but The Shat will always be James Tiberius Kirk to me.
THIS IS TOTAL B.S. Get Shatner in the damned film!!!! He’s KIRK for GOD’S SAKE. He’s going to croak any day now. Why is this an issue???? There are a million ways to work him in, as KIRK, even if in a small part that’s more than a cameo but less than a significant role. Don’t give me that “he died in Generations” nonsense. PLEASE.
#31 “And Scotty would hide from Archer, maybe in the pattern buffer—as a slight nod to TNG. ;) ” — Hah! WAY clever. :)
Bringing Shatner in would be stunt casting just as bringing the TNG characters back for the final Enterprise ep.
It was cut and paste storytelling at its worst.
I admire Mr Shatner and his career very greatly.
But his time on Trek has passed.
@92 I don’t think its getting Kirk prime back- its Mr Shatner that would be the problem.
I don’t think he would be able to stand being the “old” Kirk
I mean really think about it. Here is a multimillion dollar budgeted film and the studio is dealing with an 80 year old actor and his demands?
Unless Shatner keeps his head down and says “Yes Mr Abrams, I’ll do another take sir” it will never happen.
Its show business with too much at stake.
I love Bill, but the torch is passed.
Hmm…I envision a different project. I see a TV series starring William Shatner as a blunt and cranky old captain in charge of a young crew. It will be called “$#@* My Cap Says”.
Shatner and Nimoy should be involved. Both Kirk and Spock prime deserve better endings than they received.
Any Star Trek project is better with these two legends involved. My gut tells me we will SE them in part 3.
I don’t know how William Shatner will be able to play James T Kirk without it seeming forced and contrived.
What is wrong with the actor playing an elderly Kirk relative, grandfather or uncle. Is not William Shatner himself a grandfather?
Therefore, I shall repeat what I have already posted. Who knows – maybe Mr Shatner may read this:
Bill – Just do a good cameo for us trekkies. Please – it is quality that is more honoured and remembered, not just quantity. You are an actor. You do not have to be James T Kirk here, but you could give this new Pine/James T Kirk a good send off.
Focus on being the actor (which means not a director/writer/producer).
Thank you.
Please, no Shat. Maybe his hair can play a tribble, but we don’t need bill in the next film.
Oh, fer cryin’ out loud, people: either way, Shat or No Shat, this is NOT THE END OF THE WORLD. It will not effect the overall success of the movie. I’m serious. Ye All Must Relax.
If the Orci Krew can fit ‘em in briefly in a fun little cameo, great. If they can’t, they can’t.
This is what they shouldn’t do: de-age the man, Tron-style. (Sorry, #44.) That looked freakin’ weird on Jeff Bridges, and it would look even freakin’ weirder on Shatner. I have no desire to see our very own Captain Kirk rendered unnaturally waxen and embalmed, no matter what the fancy-schmancy technology allows them to do.
Put him in as an creaky old alterna-Kirk in an outer-space nursing home orbiting the Planet Metamucile, or something. Or don’t. Leave him out entirely. But please, Orci Krew, PLEASE don’t Tronicize him.
#102 – Sorry, no “e” at the end of “Metamucil.” Like it matters.
NO SHAT! I didn’t GROW UP watching TOS, but I did watch and the original cast movies recently (mad awesome writing for this show). I see Bill as “the Original” captain of the Enterprise, and I bow to that. But TS09 is MY generation Star Trek. I and the world know where the characters come from and I don’t think anyone’s trying to take that away or contest it. I think that Spock meeting Spock was the best thing ever. NO need to make it awkward by upstaging the new guys!!! I like this Kirk too, not to mention he’s easy on the eyes!
TYPO: “but I did watch and the original cast movies”
CORRECTION: “but I did watch it AND the original cast movies recently”
I doubt that he will be in it. They simply don’t want him.
I think that it is a missed opportunity. He ist still in good health, he is motivated and I think many fans would really love to see him as James Kirk once again.
He together with Leonard Nimoy for one last adventure… this would be great. But I doubt that this will ever happen. Paramount simply doesn’t want it to happen, for whatever reason.
“The level of Star Trek is both earnest and ironic.”
Yes, it used to be that way.
OMG William Shatner will be here in Melbourne on my Birthday and providing I can get tickets i’ll get to meet him!!!! :-)
95. …and that was one of original ideas, before settling on Riker, for an ancestor of Kirk’s to have been the Enterprise NX-01’s unseen chef.
Shat in the next: together with Nimoy. It would be awesome. Remember they are both great actors-just put them together and show us what a 50 year friendship looks like. Also Chris Pine deserves it-his “initiation” from boy to hero/ man. Plus they could ride of into the Sunset in best “Wagon Train “style.
Shatner should be (and I’m sure he is) proud of his entire, amazing career… not just Star Trek.
As much as I am a fan of Shatner, it is not essential that he be written into the Star Trek sequel. I think it would come off that way — that he was just being written in.
Ironically, by them deciding not to have the Shat “just being written in”, TPTB have just written him OFF!
Back when the first film was being made, I remember some fan posting that he should have a cameo playing an Orion slave master! Two scantily clad green ladies on each arm. Worth suffering a few hours in make-up for I’m sure…
…and he should be proud. VERY. What a career.
I’d love to see him in the next one, if the appearance was relevant to the story.
As much as I love Shatner and the Kirk character and as much as I loathed his pointless death in Generations its time for all of us (and him) to realize that as far as theatrical movies go, the ship has set sail.
Now, if Trek reboots to television someday and the Shat is still alive, what a great way to bring him back in some capacity for a premiere episode (and great ratings).
But then, i’m just a cranky old fanboy.
The boat has definately been missed by the makers of this rebooted ‘TOS’-movie franchise…because the FIRST movie could have ideally been used to resolve BRINGING BACK ‘Prime’ Kirk alongside ‘Prime’ Spock in some way or other…BEFORE going on to resume with an ‘alternative timeline’ Kirk and Spock afterwards.
There were certainly plenty of satisfying-enough ideas on how to bring Shatner’s Kirk back at the time…so it was certainly possible – if the will had been there with all involved. Which it wasn’t, unfortunately.
Sadly, the chance of seeing a last reunion onscreen of ‘Prime’ Shatner and ‘Prime’ Nimoy was lost forever. A real pity, as I reckon the reboot would have been even better received, and given a substantial ‘farewell’ to two of the most memorable sci-fi characters ever for a lot of fans…if ‘Prime’ Kirk’s unnecessary ‘Generations’ death had been undone in some way. (’unnecessary’ in the sense that the ‘Generations’ storyline could have been written with and upbeat ending instead of killing ol’ Kirk off in the first place, that is. Damn writers! ;) )
SHAT, please come back, Shat…… :-(
I have to agree the boat was clearly missed last time. That Hologram Scene was classy, well-written, and would have added much gravity to Trek 09′.
What does TPTB mean?
118. See, and I think it would have stopped the film in its treks, er, tracks.
Alas, opinions are like wormholes…
RE: 118
I agree. That scene would have been great and an exlamation point of this rebooted alternate timeline. I have still astounded JJ didn’t run with it.
119. keachick
The Powers That Be
I still want to see Bill Shatner come back as Captain Kirk.
Why not just remake that TOS episode “The Deadly Years,” only this time it’s FOR REAL!
I love looking back at that episode to see how the original actors aged as compared to Mr. Phillips’s idea of how those cute little 30- somethings would look as old men. Nimoy today pretty much looks like his 1960’s counterpart, but who could have predicted the effect of the years on the powerful physique of William Shatner?
Now as life imitates art, you have the somewhat still intact Nimoy able to carry out his duties as Spock and Shatner unable to be the Captain while still insisting that he can still do the job.
It’s not quite as embarrassing as watching the senile Captain Kirk trying to remember what planet they are orbiting, but it comes close.
If there are any miracles left in Mr. Shatner’s life, though, like the show, he may come back and surprise us.
Perhaps a cameo role would be great, but in this point in time that would be enough. Mainly to honor him for all his contributions to Trek.
124.
No, because that would mean the focus of the next movie would be all about that.
The premise is much too weak to bet the box office take of the sequel on.
@126 Sorry if I wasn’t clear. I’m just kidding. “The Deadly Years” is a metaphor for what’s happening in the real lives of Mr. Shatner and Mr. Nimoy!
Watch it again if you don’t believe me.
Oh, I believe you! :>)
I’d say both Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner aged a little bit better than their characters did in “The Deadly Years”.
@118
The question is would William Shatner have been that interested in doing just a basic cameo appearance or would he have been interested in a prominant role in which his character became a catalyst for the storyline. Then offcourse there would have been the paycheck issue for the actor’s services.
The new approach in the last movie to temporal mechanics and the resulting creation of a new potential timeline as a result of every travel taken incorporating any changes made is the elephant in the room regarding the return of Prime Kirk.Prime Spock is in a past whose future is not the one he has come from and his actions can likewise influence the future and perhaps be in contradiction of the prime directive.He has a cunundrum on his hands.However there is a possible solution within his grasp.In the last movie he was able to use the transporter to transport Kirk and company over a large distance to an object travelling faster than the speed of light.His ticket home to his own future and timeline could be through ths Nexus.He could use a transporter to beam into it and be reunited with Prime Kirk within it.The new theory on timetravel suggests that an infinte amount of copies of people can be created to populate each new alternative universe,each one being an echo of the other but with circumstances being altered somewhat.Likewise why wouldn’t the same apply to the Nexus in which we know that these “Echos” exist. Spock Prime and Kirk Prime could be reunited and simply leave the Nexus,which transcends time and space,and return the future that Spock Prime has come from and whatever it holds.All it would take is a cameo appearance by both of them .The new crew can simply continue on in it adventures boldly going where they have never gone before.That’s my twopence ha’penny worth.
@ 129 Mentally or physically?
@ 130 I believe Mr. Shatner (in his own words) was after a more significant role than a mere cameo. What that means, I don’t know, but at his age and girth, added to the fact that he’s already dead, would be a somewhat delusional expectation.
I would hate to consider that the only thing motivating him was mere money, but I wouldn’t be shocked if it was.
I think the most likely explanation is that he wanted a role bigger than Nimoy’s. According to Harlan Ellison (in his prolix introduction to “City on the Edge of Forever”) SHATNER COUNTS LINES. On the show, he would literally go through a script counting lines and if he didn’t get more than anyone else he would cajole, browbeat or demand that the other person’s lines be changed to accommodate him. You can see this starting in the second season. Spock often gets lines that are pretty stereotypical and terse, while the Captain gets to utter Science Officer stuff and look brilliant.
According to Mr. Nimoy’s memoirs, this used to piss him off, and so he wrote his famous MEMO pleading that Spock maintain some semblance of intelligence.
Well, maybe this is some kind of cosmic “payback” for all those lines Shatner stole.
How about Old Spock does a mind-meld with Pine-Kirk so that the latter can “view” some of Old Spock and Old Kirk’s experiences? Then you put in a scene from one of the movies, maybe an outtake that no one’s ever seen before, and voila, you got Shatner in the movie and it’s the 1980s Shatner so the weight thing is not an issue. They could pay him something for the use of his likeness like they did for “Trials and Tribble-ations.”
On a slightly related note, I still like this story. There were rumors when Voyager was on that Shatner was going to appear in it as Kirk. I frequented the Voyager Usenet newsgroup at the time and the prevailing opinion was there was no way a Kirk appearance could be made plausible and not seem totally gratuitous. I said, “Suppose Janeway has a problem she doesn’t know how to solve so she goes to the holodeck and summons up a re-creation of Kirk to tell her how he dealt with a similar problem?” One poster replied, “Yeah, that could work. But how would they explain that it’s the old, fat, bald Shatner — instead of the young, fat, bald Shatner?”
@133
I heard the rumour about William Shatner was supposed to make an appearance in the final season of Enterprise as acknowledged by Rick Berman. What I read at the time was Mr Shatner made sure within his work schedule he would have ample time to shoot the proposed episode, the problem was over a dispute about money between his agent and the people at Paramount. Then the idea was dropped of utilising Shatner.
134. Here’s a clipping from SFX magazine about the Shatner on ENT proposals
http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv330/Christopher_Pike/UnmadeENT.jpg
(and actually a bit about the idea John Logan had about a film after Nemesis)
See my comments #65-66 over here:
http://trekmovie.com/2011/03/01/scott-bakula-tells-william-shatner-why-he-didnt-sing-on-star-trek-enterprise/#comments
133 “the prevailing opinion was there was no way a Kirk appearance could be made plausible and not seem totally gratuitous.”
They were wise way back then.