Today we post transcript of the third (and final) Star Trek Into Darkness interview transcript from the Japan press event, this time with Chris Pine talking about how he has personally changed since the last film and how Kirk has changed as well. The actor also gives some more details on Benedict Cumberbatch’s villain John Harrison and more.
Pine Talks Kirk’s Journey and Being Tested By Cumberbatch’s Harrison
Speaking to GyaO! at the Tokyo Star Trek Into Darkness press event a couple of weeks back, Chris Pine talked about how a long time passed between production on the last Star Trek movie and Into Darkness and how he has applied that to the work in the film, saying…
Chris Pine: I’m different because I am five years older and hopefully a bit more mature and I have had many more experiences since the first film and you can only help that experiences to bear on the character you are portraying at the time. So Kirk is definitely different this time around.
Pine was also asked what was the most difficult thing about the film and ended up revealing a bit more about his character of Kirk in Into Darkness…
Pine: The most difficult aspect of this film was firstly the fact that it was a very physical film so the action sequences are very hard and very long. And then I think too, the journey that my character goes through is a very difficult one and very painful to let myself go through those experiences that Kirk goes through during the course of the film
Pine says Kirk’s journey is ‘very painful’ in Into Darkness
Chris also talked about how the scale of the film was also reflected in the characters as well…
Pine: With the 3D involved it just makes it that much grander and bigger. And the story I think gives these characters a lot more room to expand and grow and explore. So the size of the action and the size of the characters and what they go through is a lot bigger.
Chris also contrasted Cumberbatch’s John Harrison with Eric Bana’s Nero from the last Star Trek film…
Pine: Benedict is a great actor and portraying a really complex and layered bad guy in this film. And I think that is what really sets him apart, especially from [2009’s Star Trek] where Eric Bana did a great job playing our bad guy Nero. His kind of selling point was he was a really mean, brutal, physical bad guy and Benedict plays a guy who is just as physical and just as strong but who is real weapon is the fact that he is a master manipulator and is able to use the weaknesses of the crew to his advantage and against them. A psychological force to be reckoned with.
Cumberbatch’s Harrison isn’t just a tough guy – he messes with your head according to Pine
More Tokyo Star Trek Into Darkness interviews:
Thanks again to TrekMovie’s Japan correspondent Tatsumi Nageta for providing the Tokyo interview content from GyaO!
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Fascinating.
How different? Isn’t it only a year later in this movie?
Has anybody else noted that there is very little space action in the trailer? Star fleet operate in space right (2009), now it’s underwater and In volcanos (2013). Maybe next trailer will reveal more? Hope so anyway. Sea trek doesn’t do it for me…
Could the “hands on the glass” scene be Harrison manipulating Spock in some way to let him out of the brig? That would be an interesting twist on that.
Master manipulator? Any ideas who could it be?
“Can anyone remember when we used to be explorers?”
Is it possible they’re not only referring to intelligence but to some kind of psychic ability in Harrison?
@3
I noticed and thought the same thing.
But for me, I’ve already had many movies, episodes, and years of seeing Starfleet operating for the most part, in space. I’m looking forward to the new environments.
I especially like the shot of the Big E rising from the ocean in the first trailer.
Maybe Harrison is really Sybok?
Meh.
I agree, there is one sequence in the trailer that looks as if JH is morphing, That would be a seriously good twist on the theme of manipulating the crew.
#7 John W
That’s what I was thinking as well. I keep hearing references to ‘mental powers.’
Chris Pine is a much more mature actor (and man) now, and it will reflect upon his character. I have high hopes for this film.
A million thanks to Trekmovie for getting us as much info as possible. Good work, Mr. Pascale. Congratulations.
10. RP – December 23, 2012 “I agree, there is one sequence in the trailer that looks as if JH is morphing, That would be a seriously good twist on the theme of manipulating the crew.”
Really? Cool. I hadn’t noticed that. Where?
Quote by g-
“A million thanks to Trekmovie for getting us as much info as possible. Good work, Mr. Pascale. Congratulations.”
Seconded.
thanks for the thanks, but it is a team effort. For example could not have done Japan articles without Tatsumi
Morphing?
Lord Garth…..
So, I’ll correct myself: A million thanks to Trekmovie for getting us as much info as possible. Good work, Mr. Pascale, and Great work, Trekmovie’s crew and contributors. Thanks, Tatsumi!!! Congratulations.
@17 Garth Faction,
Doubtful since Paramount hasn’t shut down the fan made Garth movie.
At least we know Harrison is not Khan thanks to Gilberto spilling the beans that Khan will be in the movie as a CGI effect.
“Pine:Benedict plays a guy who is just as physical and just as strong but who is real weapon is the fact that he is a master manipulator and is able to use the weaknesses of the crew to his advantage and against them. A psychological force to be reckoned with.”
I’m liking this so much. We need a smart manipulative villain, not just a “bad guy” like Nero who was, IMO, a boring, one dimensional character.
I will join the others & thank Anthony for the Japan reports. Also
Arigatou gozaimasu ありがとうございます。 Tatsumi
great thanks to Tatsumi
Well, Anthony, thanks to everyone involved in Trekmovie, including yourself. :P
19. Curious Cadet
I think that guy, Gilberto, was yanking our chains. Even IF he was the IDW Gilberto, he wouldn’t know about what was happening in the movies, only the comics.
I don’t think the writers would have Khan as a CGI cameo.
Nero improved on subsequent viewings for me when I realized (or at least decided) not only was he crazy but he’d managed to turn his crew of fellow miners into nigh-on worshipers in his cause and in himself. A lot of the acting from his subordinates really comes across as insinuating they’re all depraved followers of Nero, this sort of Romulan avenging angel who is allegedly going to give them the peace of mind they crave.
…But still, yes, he was pretty one-dimensional and a weaker aspect of a generally great movie. Bring on the complexity.
I feel good about the fact that John Harrison MAY just be John Harrison, and it would still be awesome, but…
Why would Garth being in a fanfilm that wasn’t shut down, contraindicate Garth being in this film? Wouldn’t the former be in the “prime” universe?
@22 Captain Archer,
Anthony has been reading these posts and has not removed Gilberto’s comment, or refuted it. He’s clearly the real deal.
@24 Fascinoma,
I doubt Paramount would allow a fan-made movie to move forward featuring the movie’s villain. It would cause all kinds of confusion. It wouldn’t be the first time they’ve shut down a fan project.
I hope master manipulator doesn’t mean mind control. I don’t like that.
I am positive Garth is not in this film. There has not been a single bit of evidence of that–that’s just a fan wish. Nothing that we’ve seen about the film would bear that out. I think it’s extremely obvious that (1) Khan is in the film, and (2) Cumberbatch is John Harrison.
25. Curious Cadet
People make comments like that all the time. We have no idea who this Gilberto is – probably just another poster. People post their theories all the time. I highly doubt that they would put a CGI Khan in the movie.
27. BulletInTheFace
I wouldn’t say “obvious” because everything is pure speculation at this point. You have not seen the movie yet so it is not obvious. It is fun to speculate about things, but until we have proof of all that you speak of, it is not an “obvious” thing. But I do appreciate your enthusiasm! The only thing we are 100% certain of is that Cumberbatch is John Harrison.
@ 28 Captain Archer,
This isn’t a “theory”. He’s making a claim as someone in the know. Anthony knows who all of us are by our e-mail and IP addresses (this is how he confirms boborci), and he would have deleted this comment if it were not real.
30. Curious Cadet
He never claimed who he was, just that he said Khan is CGI. Someone else speculated that it was the IDW comic guy. So in this case, it is just someone making a theory or someone being a sock puppet., that is all. I don’t believe at all that they would be foolish enough to do a CGI Khan as just a cameo.
@31 Captain Archer,
You mean like using a CGI Arnold Schwarzenneger in Terminator Salvation? Yeah, that was really foolish, Abrams never copies any other movies …
The guy said he spilled the beans “for those who know him” …
Seriously it’s actually quite brilliant, and totally believable. Until Anthony removes it, or invalidates it, or we get more imformation, Khan appearing as CGI is a definite possibility.
All this attempt at secrecy and hilariously, we now know more about this film than we’ve known about any other Trek film. I bet we know the entire movie by next month.
I’m so talked out when it comes to speculation that I barely even care anymore, just hurry up and show the film already.
@31
As the guy who speculated that this Gilberto is the IDW Gilberto, I have to say I agree with you. All I did was look as his statement of “fro those who know me”, and then Google “Gilberto Star Trek” and I found the Memory-Alpha page. It could EASILY just be a coincidence, I wouldn’t put a lot of stock in it, and I certainly don’t think it’s a certain connection.
I’d like to think I “broke the story” that an IDW source confirmed Khan’s cameo, but that seems a little too easy to be true.
32. Curious Cadet
I don’t know, Cadet. Terminator Salvation CGI was very bad looking and it was a joke. That is why I say it would be foolish. It would also make any future movie staring Khan with these guys impossible to do since they would have to do the entire character as CGI throughout. No, I don’t believe it one bit. But everyone is entitled to their opinion on things, right? So we will just have to disagree on this one. I actually laughed when I read that comment up above thinking it was a good joke. But you are definitely allowed to believe it. I guess we find out in May!
Anthony, just a random bit of positive rambling for ye. I’ve been enjoying this site since probably the beginning. Three, four, five times a day I drop in and read. Love the people, the debates and ideas, crockpot theories and well thought out and mostly reasonable discourse. And it’s all about Trek. Really. Really cool. Thank you for putting this thing out there. Sure sometimes you’ve gone dark on us, but that seems to correspond with what news may actually be worth the effort. Whatever, I can dig it. Right now my friend, you and your contributors are at the top of your game and I’m really enjoying the fruits of your labor. All the best to you, your staff and all the fun people keeping thus thing vibrant. Happy holidays. LLAP
Kirk, yes really
Ps hoping that Harris is a brand new entity, either way, looks awesome.
Gilberto’s comment is still on the thread. Add to that Anthony not backtracking on the original Khan report, and you have more proof Khan will be in the movie.
I’m really getting an icy chill… worrying that this flick is gonna be 99% action and 1% character, theme, memorable dialogue.
There’s an actor named Nick Tarabay in this movie with no credited character name yet. I’m thinking this COULD be the guy we see walking out of the cryo-tube room with Cumberbatch.
This guy could be Khan’s body for non frontal shots if they’re going to CGI his face. Hell…even if they’re NOT going to CGI his face this guy could be Khan!
Here’s some bing pics of the dude:
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=nick+tarabay&id=3C3696DB57BEE3F67DAC09CF75D724D7966A9EA5&FORM=IQFRBA
@39 dmduncan,
Good catch. Yes he could be Khan. IMDB says he’s 5’10.5″ so it’s close enough to match Montalban at 6′.
Unfortunately, that means if he’s playing the big guy on the left in the pods scene, with a shaved head, then the guy on the right can’t be Harrison, as Cumberbatch is 6′.
When I saw him early on, I assumed he was playing a Klingon.
@35: i agree with you that a cgi khan would be inviable, except if they use the cgi just to morph the old face into BC’s at some point in the movie. Then it would require just a few seconds and the job would be done and the cgi no longer needed for the villain.
They may not have all the actors on the imdb list. Or the guy on the right might also not be Cumberbatch. What do the Cumberfems say? They will have a better idea of what his backside looks like than I do.
@6. Very good reminder. It’s a new era for Star Trek. When you only get a two hour film every four years, there isn’t time for exploration. It has to make money and have mass appeal to keep the franchise going. If Star Trek ever returns to television, I suspect we’ll see a Trek that can go more into depth on all the other aspects of this awesome Roddenberry universe that we all love so much.
“When you only get a two hour film every four years, there isn’t time for exploration.”
True. But there wasn’t much, if any, exploration shown on TOS either, apart from “her mission, to explore strange new worlds….” during the “Space the final frontier” mission statement.
They were (almost?) always on some specific assignment. Often to a settled colony or a previously contacted civilization. And action, conflict, drama and difficult choices ensued — because it’s a TV show.
All these folks who remember 40 minutes of science, ideas, peaceful exploration and discovery every week — without gunfights, fistfights or the crew flinging back and forth across the bridge — well, they seem to have watched a different Star Trek than I did.
Hell, even that Insurrection line “remember when we used to be explorers” is just that, a line — a line in an action movie.
All the folks talking about discovery and new ideas are the same ones who’ve made up their minds on a 2+ hour movie based on a minute or two (or even that nine-minutes, which actually suggests some very interesting ideas about choices and saving).
This whole thing reeks of Talos IV…
Ha..he kinda looks like Shatner with his makeup! I don’t know the English word for the hair style in front of the ear, but it looks like alternate Starfleet has adapted it as well!!
@44 “All these folks who remember 40 minutes of science, ideas, peaceful exploration and discovery every week — without gunfights, fistfights or the crew flinging back and forth across the bridge — well, they seem to have watched a different Star Trek than I did.”
Agreed. TOS was swashbucking in space to a major extent. People are burying this under the rug and pretending the TOS was like TMP. TMP was by far and outlier/exception, folks.
@37 “Gilberto’s comment is still on the thread. Add to that Anthony not backtracking on the original Khan report, and you have more proof Khan will be in the movie.”
Exactly! And I hate to be Gilverto Lacanzo when he gets back to the office after the holidays. He’ll be lucky if he can avoid a meeting with Paramount’s lawyers. He obviously violated the IDW-Paramount Non-Disclosure agreement by releasing the info that a CGI Khan is in the new movie.
Why would Anthony remove Gilbertos comment?
He didnt claim to be the same Gilberto, he just used the cryptic”for those who know me” comment .
What comment deleted? Which article? Not me
I did not mean to imply tha you had deleted a comment Anthony .
comment#114 ,
in the new JJ Abrams thread somebody calling himself Gilberto, Claimed Khan would appear in CGI form in the new film.
Some here believe it is the same Gilberto who works for IDW.
And it was pointed out since you had not deleted the comment, it must have been the real Gilberto.
I apologize for anything that I did to contribute to the confusion.
“John Harrison” = Finnegan