Karl Urban: Being McCoy Like Winning The Lottery

In the latest issue of the official Star Trek Magazine, Karl Urban talks in more detail about being a Trekkie working on Star Trek. The Lord of the Rings actor reveals that he is a big time sci-fi fan, and cites Star Trek The Original Series, The Next Generation and Voyager as his favorite Treks. He tells the mag that after persuing and then getting the job as the new McCoy he felt like he had “won the lottery.” More below.

Urban on McCoy, Kelley and Nimoy

Urban on what interests him about McCoy…

his unwavering compassion for humanity, and the way he is able to execute that and still maintain this air of irascibility.

Throughout the interview it is clear that Urban has a deep and profound respect for Star Trek and in particular, DeForest Kelley. The actor notes what a unique opportunity it has been for Zachary Quinto to have Leonard Nimoy around and wishes he had the same chance:

…it would have been really, really lovely just to sit down and have a cup of coffee and a good chat with DeForest. I just think that he was a remarkable actor and filled with great compassion.

On being on set for Nimoy’s first day back as Spock

As a Trekker myself I got chills up my spine just hearing him deliver those Spock lines in that Spock cadence. It was really a thrilling and exciting moment to be witness to.

Urban on the cast and crew and future
Urban is effusive about the cast and crew of the new film. He notes director JJ Abrams “vision,” writers Orci & Kurtzman’s “fantastic script,” and the “100 percent right for their roles” cast as the most exciting parts of the film. Urban is also looking ahead, saying that he and his fellow cast mates are looking forward to embodying the Trek crew characters “over at least three films.”

The latest issue of Star Trek Magazine has much more from Urban as well as other good articles on the film, and much more. Pick it on newsstands now.

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Great to hear about another one of the actors with a positive attitude! I think this, again, bodes very well.

It’s great to hear how highly he thinks of Trek and how much he respects it! I think he’ll make a great Bones. :D

I’m gonna have to resubscribe.

Here’s to the remarkable talent that was DeForest Kelley.

Urban is a cool dude. He has a definite reverence for the role that’s good to hear.

De Kelley was a class act all the way. I’m glad to see Urban being so respectful of the actor and the role.

nice to hear something on McCoy

At least 3 films? heck yes!

He would have loved to meet DeForest Kelley and chat over coffee?

Well, with the deceased Mr. Kelley being a tea drinker, you could say,

“Karl Urban can’t see DeForest for the teas!”

Ba-dum-bum!! :)

9. Harry Ballz

:)

This is still the hardest casting for me to wrap my head around… I still see him in LOTR, permantely angry and scowling and yelling.

However, that he was a DeForest fan… well, that is the glimmer of hpe ;)

I still hope McCoy is the voice of the audience

well i tell you. hearing karl urban talk about deforest kelly and giveing him all the respect in the universe is just the coolest thing and i think he will make an excellent bones. i just can’t wait to see the movie and nice to know they are looking at makeing 3 of them. wow karl you like to be in big blockbusters don’t you. first the lord of the rings trilogy and now looks like startrek for 3 movies. nice going.

# 11 – I feel the same way.
That and his assassin role in the Bourne movies.

#4, Amen! Cheers, dear!

#9, {{{{{{{{{{groancringe}}}}}}}}}}}}

#12 I actually caught some of “Comanche Moon” last month, and I thought Urban had the role of Woodrow Call nailed to the wall. Now that I’ve seen pix of him clean-shaven, I can definitely get a “Bones” vibe about him.

IMHO, always.

Peace. Live long and prosper.
The Vulcanista }:-|

I hate how new actors coming into a Trek movie or TV show always feel they have to give their ‘credentials’ as a ‘fan’. Who gives two craps?

I’m pretty sure Christopher Lloyd didn’t have didley squat of any Trek before creating one of the most memorable villains in the series.

I don’t care if you’re a fan or not. Just do a good job and I’ll like you. If you’re bad, I’ll hate you – fan or not.

Poida, emobies absolutely none of the compassion, respect or sould of what Star Trek was. Bit infinite diveresity does allow for gobshites i suppose.
;o)
Live long and keep quiet……………PLEase!

wish we had more from the article…Hey he used Trekker—-the real deal my friends!!!

16…huh?

I am pleased to hear that Karl Urban is a fan , it means to me he knows what he is getting into and will do his very best to honor and respect the legacy of the big shoes he is to fill.

I just want to hear a snippet of him saying,

“Dammit Spock!”

“He’s dead Jim!”

“I’m a doctor, not a bricklayer!”

Most people (myself included) totally got the Urban casting after seeing pics of him at the Cloverfield premier…look at those and tell me you don’t see it.

Karl is a remarkable actor and he is going to be awesome as McCoy! They casted well.

scarily enough I think he’ll make a great Dr McCoy. Karl Urban is pretty decent actor all things considered.

#9 Harry – PEEEEEEE-EEEEEEWWWWW. Dude, you gotta quit farming old Henny Youngman bits for source material. ;-)

He should make a great Bones.

I wish he had been tabbed to play Anakin in the new Star Wars films. A bit too old, maybe, and I’m not sure even he could have save that god-awful Lucas script, but it would have been a lot easier to take him seriously in the role.

#16

I’ve read through your comment 27 times and yes….yes I think I’m insulted.

I think.

FOOD FIGHT! :-)

I wish STM could/would link their articles to trekmovie.

Peace. Live long and prosper.
The Vulcanista }:-|

#4 – steve623 – “Here’s to the remarkable talent that was DeForest Kelley.”

I’m with you Old Friend.

Urban really comes across as a very likable guy. I wish it was May 2009 already.

hmmm I’m guessing by some of the squabbling and the young ages that my Trekker comment didn’t mean anything. I’m sure there’s an old timer out there that understands. Kids as you grow up Remember This. Don’t be Green unless you’re a hot chick, but always, always drink the green stuff (unless there’s a Romulan in the house)

#30. I’m old enough to get the Trekker reference! The thing is, I am happy to be called a Trekkie – never mattered much to me, frankly. I never saw anything to apologize for — and therefore I never saw a reason to dignify it (or whatever) with the suffix -“er.” Although WHY that’s more dignified, I have NO idea. . .

Karl Urban is even cooler than I thought he was. I’m glad he inherited the part; he deserves it.

I never understood (and still don’t) what the “controversy” over “Trekkie” was and why I should now say “Trekker”. I’m a Trekkie…unless someone can give me a real good reason otherwise.

Are the new cast planning/expecting/hoping to play their roles at least as long as the original actors did?

If not, what would you do after only 3, 4, 5, or 6 films?

Recast the crew again?

Or move on to a recast of TNG?

#33

If they go past film #4 I expect Chris Pine to shave the top of his head and paste a dead squirrel there in it’s place as a sign of respect for those who came before him!

When each cast member responded to the question (during the livechat) concerning their favorite moment on the set so far, I remember Urban blogging about that moment he descibes – Nimoy’s first lines in the movie as Spock. At the time I thought, “Hm… that’s really cool. He didn’t even mention himself.” After reading the above, I am positive he is a true fan and honestly respects and appreciates the script and his role as our favorite space doctor. Nice to hear, because he was a very convincing not-so-nice assassin in Bourne.

Harry#34- LOL!

this makes me want to go to new zealand and take the lord of the rings trail to mordor.

Coming this fall to CBS, Blake Powers stars in “Mordor on the Orient Express”.

Good to see you around, Greg!

reading things about deforest makes me want to eat beans cooked with whiskey and roast marshmallow’s with people that take pictures of fat chicks.

It’s a shame that great people like Deforest Kelley have to die. Some times I wish I could go back in time just to see him and shake his hand.

>>Nice to hear, because he was a very convincing not-so-nice assassin in Bourne.
>>

Many of De Kelley’s roles prior to Star Trek were heavies (bad guys). It’s really wild to catch an older western, and see him as a real rotten meanie.

9

Ugghh. Harry.

I can’t help it if I love CORNY jokes!

I know, I know…that doesn’t mean I have to share them! Oooh, tough board! :)

Kelley was fantastic in that role.

Wow, everything about those Karl Urban quotes is just wonderful. I love stuff like this, it really helps calm the fears, and it’s heartwarming to hear from someone with a genuine sense of what they’re involved with, an appreciation and love for it. Good, good stuff.

Go go Karl Urban!

NOT CANON!!!! He’s far too muscular to be Bones Im sorry Im filing a complaint with the FCC & Paramount.

I’m extremely picky about how they’re going to do these roles, especially Bones. ‘Cause he’s my ultra-favourite character from any series, and I really love De Kelley. But I’m completely happy so far with Karl. The fact that he’s a Trekkie settles pretty much all of my fears. And he really does resemble a younger version of De.

Now let’s just hope that 1) he can do the accent, and 2) they give him blue contacts. (yes, I’m that picky)

Oh, here you all are!

Re: #15. Poida

Maybe they do it because they suddenly feel insecure because Star Trek has such huge history behind it and an even bigger following. Can’t remember who said it, but a few have said “I didn’t know anything about Star Trek when I auditioned…” blah blah blah. Somehow it feels a little unfair to me that they couldn’t care less about Star Trek but got this incredible opportunity and here I am, dying, envying them this fabulous gig when, to some of them it’s just another job. Well, so be it. They are actors and I agree with you somewhat, if they do a good — no — excellent job, I can overlook that they weren’t avid Trekkers before this.

And re: #25. Poida

“#16

I’ve read through your comment 27 times and yes….yes I think I’m insulted.

I think.”

Hilarious. Reminds me of an episode of TOS after Spock says something stern to Kirk and McCoy and Kirk said (to McCoy), “I’m not sure but I think we’ve just been insulted.” to which McCoy replies “I’m sure.” LOL

Regarding Eomer as McCoy, at first it took me a while because all I could see was long, blonde hair, Viking look, howling over his sister’s broken body on the battlefield. Then when I saw him without LOTR makeup, I thought it might be possible. Am looking forward to finding out.

kg

We used to have reasonably sincere and informed discussions around canon but now we only seem to get the repetition of the lame joke comments.

Some people care about canon but I don’t think anybody is expecting to see “your father’s Star Trek”. Could we give it a rest. Do you think? Please?

It is ashame De Kelley, Jimmy Doohan, Mark Lenard, et al are not around anymore to see what will be the rebirth of Star Trek. Too bad Paramount didn’t do this years ago.

Man this is going to be a long wait. I may have to stop coming here Anthony because I’m sure real spoilers are going to start flying soon.

GOF#47- I agree with you as to eye color. So many closeups were incorporated in the original series (as opposed to the movies), we saw their individual eye colors almost glowing in every episode. Just as recognizable as command gold and science/medical blue.