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Chris Pine Says New Movie Will Not Please Everyone, Zachary Quinto on Spock

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By GustavoLeao / 05:10, 5 January 2009 / Feature Films

The Wall Street Journal posted a new interview with Star Trek movie stars Chris Pine (Kirk) and Zachary Quinto (Spock) and here are a few excerpts of the article.

Chris Pine

WSJ: J.J. Abrams has said he's making the movie for future fans, not necessarily veterans. What's he doing to freshen the story that might rattle Trek fans?

Mr. Pine: I'm not well-versed in the Trek canon, but we're venturing into territory that's only been covered in these paperback novels they sell. It's definitely not going to please everyone. There's a scene where my character is in a bar and he's definitely inebriated and under the influence of his own arrogance. It's him becoming the Kirk everyone knows. In my book that makes the journey a little more interesting. If he's a clear-cut leader from the beginning, you don't have anywhere to go.

Why has this character become so mythic?

Kirk is still a little elusive to me. But what I think is so unique about this story is that, unlike other genre movies, "Star Trek" has always represented an incredible amount of optimism. In the late '60s, in a time of unrest, it represented this utopian world. As opposed to "The Dark Knight," which I enjoyed, but was so bleak and didn't speak kindly of humanity. Kirk is so iconic because he's the head of this fantastical utopian team. They aren't superheroes, they're men and women trying to achieve something good.

A lot has been made of the differences you bring to the Kirk character, but what aspects of the original did you keep?

There's a lot of humor, arrogance and decisiveness. I tried to bring in these qualities, but with this new element of a young man coming into his own -- he's a leader who doesn't know he's a leader yet. But the speech pattern? Absolutely not. In that territory it becomes an impersonation. I can only do my version of it.

Zachary Quinto

What things did Leonard Nimoy tell you about Spock to help you understand him?

Mr Quinto: It's been such an indelible mark on his life and he's metabolized it so gracefully. We spent some time watching episodes but it was an all encompassing experience. We'd go to his house. We'd meet sometimes at Paramount. I'm seeing him before the holidays. He's an advanced mind and heart and I want to hang out with him as much as possible.

A lot has been made of the differences you bring to the Spock character, but what aspects of the original did you keep?

Especially with Spock, more so than Kirk, there are characteristic movements. It's established in the mythology, this stillness and economy of movement. There are ways one holds oneself, such as the hands behind the back.

Why has this character become so mythic?

In this archetypal way, people respond to someone who's able to contain himself. He operates from a place of logic, but always with the betterment of others in mind. He's able to endure things and experience things from a place of balance.

More from Pine and Quinto on Star Trek can be found at the full interview.



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It's good that it won't please everyone... | Report this post to moderator
By: The TREKMAN!!!!! (Odo's file, contact) @ 14:58:48 on Jan 05, 2009

I'm glad that the movie will not please everyone. That's what Nemesis was trying to do and look what happened to that...

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"Take a Romulan chill pill and have some faith!"

-Erik Jendresen, writer of Star Trek: The Beginning



"No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country."

-General George S. Patton Jr.



"I am NOT Scorned."

-Scorned as Gage/Gage_2


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RE: It's good that it won't please everyone... by jimbtnp @ 16:54:39 on Jan 05
    RE: It's good that it won't please everyone... by The TREKMAN!!!!! @ 02:42:19 on Jan 06
    RE: It's good that it won't please everyone... by prometheus 59650 @ 17:46:18 on Jan 05
       RE: It's good that it won't please everyone... by jimbtnp @ 18:12:59 on Jan 05
          RE: It's good that it won't please everyone... by prometheus 59650 @ 18:14:27 on Jan 05
    RE: It's good that it won't please everyone... by Kamen Rider Blade @ 17:26:35 on Jan 05

Hear hear, Chris Pine! | Report this post to moderator
By: SirTrekker (Odo's file, contact) @ 14:51:18 on Jan 05, 2009

I always get a big smile on my face when any of the new movie's cast or crew say something like Chris Pine did in this interview. I don't want them to feel an obligation to cater to every element of Star Trek fandom. We're too fickle a fanbase for that to be even remotely feasible. The best we can hope for is that they've taken the elements that work and do the best to emulate them. After all, it's reasonable to expect a certain degree of similarity, but if you're looking for a carbon copy of what's already been done, you've got a long and unfulfilling wait on your hands. I don't want Abrams and Co. to apologize for the things they decided to tweak or change to make their story relevant and entertaining. The writers and producers and directors of Treks past did their jobs ably and gave us works of visual art we can enjoy for a long time, but their time has passed. It's time to let someone else take the reins for a while and have at least a modicum of patience and understanding, and give them a chance to win our hearts all over again.


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Pissed off | Report this post to moderator
By: Ralphis (Odo's file, contact) @ 12:35:21 on Jan 05, 2009

I'm getting more and more pissed off over the fact that originally would could have seen this movie already! Twice! But no! We have to wait until May!

And to think... there's an alternate universe somewhere where the release date didn't get moved to May... and those mirror universe Trekkies have already seen the movie! Twice!


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RE: Pissed off by The TREKMAN!!!!! @ 14:55:00 on Jan 05
    RE: Pissed off by Ralphis @ 21:43:01 on Jan 05

I think Chris gets it.... | Report this post to moderator
By: OV-101 (Odo's file, contact) @ 08:11:11 on Jan 05, 2009

I was very impressed with Chris' comments. I think he really understands Kirk and what he represents. Even in TOS, there were rough edges to Kirk and he was an elusive character to a point. He was arrogent in TOS as well but it was tempered, or seasoned (sorry older men). I am so looking forward to seeing Pine's interpretation of Kirk. If we are all honest I think we will very much appreciate his work and will enjoy it.

--------

"Life's tough. It's tougher if you're stupid."

-- John Wayne



"In the counsels of Government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the Military Industrial Complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists, and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals so that security and liberty may prosper together."

--Dwight D. Eisenhower Farewell Address, 1961



"I'm a politician, which means I am a cheat and a liar, and when I am not kissing babies I am stealing their lollipops."

-- Jeffrey Pelt, The Hunt for Red October



"Liberals, Intellectuals, Peacemongers, IDIOTS!!!!"

- General Decker, Mars Attacks


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RE: I think Chris gets it.... by Terry212 @ 08:57:16 on Jan 05
    RE: I think Chris gets it.... by OV-101 @ 11:47:55 on Jan 05
       RE: I think Chris gets it.... by Terry212 @ 12:00:50 on Jan 05
          RE: I think Chris gets it.... by Sam Cogley @ 05:55:23 on Jan 06
          RE: I think Chris gets it.... by OV-101 @ 16:06:35 on Jan 05
    RE: I think Chris gets it.... by sid @ 09:28:33 on Jan 05

Dark Knight didn't speak kindly of humanity? | Report this post to moderator
By: David-Seattle (Odo's file, contact) @ 07:13:54 on Jan 05, 2009

On the contrary, I think it did demonstrate the goodness of humanity. Despite the corruption and terrorism, the people of Gotham are worth saving.

The horrific situation on the ferries articulated that.

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None of us is as good as ALL of us.


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RE: Dark Knight didn't speak kindly of humanity? by LCARS @ 13:04:09 on Jan 05

Pine & Co | Report this post to moderator
By: Captain's Blog (Odo's file, contact) @ 06:51:45 on Jan 05, 2009

Glad the new cast aren't doing impressions of the original actors - that would've made it seem like a parody.

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"I grew up on Star Trek. I believe in the final frontier" - Barack Obama



"I would be happy for Star Trek to come along decades later with a new group of minds. I'd love someone to say, 'Besides this one, Gene Roddenberry's was nothing!'" - Gene Roddenberry



"...I think it would be wonderful years from now to see Star Trek come back with an equally talented new cast playing Spock and Kirk and Bones and Scotty and all the rest, as they say tomorrow's things to tomorrow's generations..." - Gene Roddenberry


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Finally! | Report this post to moderator
By: Vash_066 (Odo's file, contact) @ 06:39:07 on Jan 05, 2009

I'm glad to hear someone finally say it. Can't please everyone, and trying to do so will more then likely end up with a steamy pile of poo.

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"I'd write my senator/congressman about this....but I can't find my checkbook."


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RE: Finally! by Gothampunk @ 07:05:59 on Jan 05
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