menuBarBack
Beam Up News | Join | Your Account
Home
Advanced Search
boxBottom
News Tribblets
boxBottom
Stardates Calendar
News Story

Features

Berman: Shatner Would Play 'Kirk', Plus: ENT Wedding Bells? and Frakes to Direct TREK XI? (SPOILERS)

Features

By Steve Krutzler / 14:27, 21 July 2004 / Enterprise

The rumor mill shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. Producer Rick Berman let more fly at the UPN fall press preview in Los Angeles yesterday. According to Sci-Fi Wire, the STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE and feature franchise head honcho offered no shortage of spoilers on a range of subjects. On the topic of a much-discussed William Shatner guest appearance on the series, Berman revealed that the actor would most certainly play 'James T. Kirk':

"He had a terrific episode [idea], and we had a nice long lunch meeting with him a couple of weeks ago," Berman says. "And there's a lot of things that need to get ironed out in terms of scheduling, in terms of money. ... But he would play an incarnation of a' Kirk', yes. He would not be playing another character."

Berman also layed out a map for the first few episodes of the season.

"The first two episodes ["Storm Front"] are going to be a small arc," he says. "And then there's going to be a single episode. And then there's going to be a three-episode arc. And there's going to be some levity, and there's also going to be some heavy subjects dealt with."

The second arc he speaks of has been confirmed as a story involving a guest appearance of Brent Spiner ('Data') as the great-great-grandfather of 'Dr. Noonien Soong' who opposes the development of artificial intelligence.

The exec also revealed two more upcoming guest stars: THE SOPRANOS Steve Schirripa will appear in the season premiere; and GIRLFRIENDS' Golden Brooks will do a stint. The former may play one of the NYC mobsters-turned-freedom-fighters that teams up with 'Archer' and 'Alicia Silvers', an African American resistance figher likely played by Brooks.

Joining Berman in the spoiler-filled press conference was Jolene Blalock, who dropped the bomb that her character 'T'Pol' "may" be getting married in episode three. Berman added that the entire Temporal Cold War will be wrapped up by the end of episode two, and that despite contradictory remarks of late, co-creator and co-executive producer Brannon Braga will take on a "more executive role" as Manny Coto is the new "show runner."

On the feature side of things, Berman added more intrigue to the reports of a prequel (possibly STARFLEET ACADEMY, story) film being in the early stages of development. He revealed that he's having a meeting with STAR TREK: FIRST CONTACT and INSURRECTION and THUNDERBIRDS helmer Jonathan Frakes ('Riker') about the project soon. Sci-Fi Wire says Berman has had "talks" with Frakes ahead of the meeting.

"I spoke to Jonathan about a half an hour ago," Berman said "There are very, very early conversations going on about a film project. But they're so early that it's really kind of silly to talk about it now."

He again emphasized that the project has absolutely no relation to any existing STAR TREK characters.

"It would be an entirely new setting and an entirely new set of characters, and it would take place prior to any of the series, including ENTERPRISE."

For the original reports, visit this page and this page.

In related news, Mediaweek reports that CBS and UPN chief Leslie Moonves told journalists that ENTERPRISE was almost cancelled: "If STAR TREK had cost the license fee that it cost a year ago, a different decision may have been made."



More Top StoriesComments
Nov 24Cover and Info for Star Trek Movie Adaptation Comic Book1
Nov 24Scott Bakula on Why He Played the Role of Captain Archer in Enterprise4
Nov 24Leonard Nimoy Talks About Star Trek XII and (Not) Watching New Movie with Shatner0
Nov 23J.J. Abrams and Chris Pine Talk How Gratifying That Star Trek was Well Received, Working with Leonard Nimoy and Star Trek XII2
Nov 23Chuck returns to NBC with a special two-hour show on Sunday, Jan 10, 2010, before returning to its regular time slot, Mondays at 8pm on the following night. It's return to prime time television can be attributed to a successful fan renewnal campaign last year. CHUCK is a one-hour, action-comedy series that follows Chuck Bartowski (Zachary Levi, "Less Than Perfect") -- a computer geek who is catapulted into a new career as the government's most vital secret agent. This upcoming season will include some special guest stars, including Brandon Routh of "Superman Returns" who will play CIA agent Daniel Shaw in an episode, and the addition of SUBWAY restaurant as a major advertiser to the show. Chuck averaged a 4.0/6 rating last season, about eight percent better than the recently cancelled "Trauma". Ratings-challenged Heroes moves back an hour when Chuck returns on Monday nights. STAR TREK VOYAGER's Robert Duncan McNeill serves Chuck as a supervising producer and director.0
Story Archives...Browse:   
ENTERPRISE Mission Schedule | Logs by Season: 1 2 3 4
Episode Number Title Airdate

Talkback

69 comments Post New | Help
View:

RE: Is there no end to the stupidity? | Report this post to moderator
By: StillKirok (Odo's file, contact) @ 09:58:25 on Jul 24, 2004

It's always funny how people say that they are Shatner fans and then blast his weight.

Who do you really think you're fooling?

Captain Kirk needs a happy ending. You want ratings? That's how you get them. And why is everyone agreed that this will bring in ratings? BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT PEOPLE WANT TO SEE!

The whole reason for doing this is to get people to actually watch your show.

Star Trek is one universe, and Kirk is a VERY important part of that universe. His death was absolutely unacceptable. No one is asking Shatner to do the flying dropkick or doublefisted punch. But the Kirk of TWOK--the best damn captain ever, still can be given his due.

And his due is not some asinine comment like, "let him rest." I hate when people say that, as if anyone would actually prefer to rot on a planet or that a fictional character is better off dead.

Let Kirk live. Let Kirk continue to have his adventures. Aging doesn't mean you're better off dead.

And for the love of God, Shatner isn't THAT fat. YOU should keep up with him NOW, let alone at 73.

John Glenn was shot up into space FOR REAL at 76. Enough of the too old garbage.



Reply
Reply
Quote
Quote
Parent
Parent
Talkback Top
Top
Promenade










TrekWeb Merchants
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.ca
Amazon.de
Barnes & Noble

Get Firefox!
Privacy Policy | About Us | Legal Notice | Contact Us | | Get Firefox!
© 1996-2009 TrekWeb.com and Steve Krutzler. All rights reserved.