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William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy Talk About New Star Trek Movie, Nimoy Says Movie Would be Better with Shatner Return as Kirk

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By GustavoLeao / 14:54, 13 August 2007 / Star Trek: Nemesis

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StarTrek.com posted a transcript of Star Trek stars William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy at the Las Vegas convention. Here are few excerpts from the article.

Regarding the upcoming movie, new information that came out was that Nimoy will be shooting his part starting in December - a month after principal photography begins - and is scheduled for more work in February and March of 2008. Nimoy's role as the older Spock is "not gigantic" but "it's more than a cameo." Nimoy also talked about the challenge of trying to recapture the character and trying to examine where Spock has been and how he's evolved in the intervening years since we last saw him (in TNG's "Unification").
 

"Not long ago in San Diego," Nimoy said "I guess eight or nine days ago, we were in San Diego for Comic-Con ... a hundred thousand people at Comic-Con, a hundred thousand people! And the room where we held our panel announcing "Star Trek," the room was like this, packed, wonderful reaction, people very excited - I was on the panel with J.J. Abrams and the two writers, and a young gentleman named Zachary Quinto. And he does resemble me, I think he's believable as me, younger - but equally important if not even more so, he's a very talented actor, and I'm honored to have him take over the role of Spock after I'm done. So please give him a welcome when he comes on the screen, okay? He's a talented actor and he's a gentleman - he was at my house for dinner a couple of nights ago, we've spent some good time together and we will spend more good time together, and I'm really grateful that they have found this very talented young man to play the young Spock. I'm looking forward to that.


"And as far as Bill Shatner goes ... I told J.J. Abrams. when he asked my opinion, I told him that I think obviously Star Trek would be better with Bill Shatner as Captain Kirk in it. Now that's up to him, I'm not making the movie, but that's what I told him. I don't know if Bill wants to be in the movie - do you think Bill wants to be in the movie?" Saying that tongue-in-cheek, the audience laughed and cheered. "Yeaaaah."

"I am not in the movie, okay?" Shatner said "I am not in the [grumble] movie. Doesn't bother me! I'm okay about this! Bothers you?" The crowd yelled "Yeah!"


"Write J.J. Tell him how you feel. I don't understand it! I'm up for an Emmy for Boston Legal. I don't know whether any of you saw this "Roast" on Comedy Central - that's up for an Emmy! I'm up for two Emmys!! I'm not in the movie!!! Is he nuts? Yes, he's nuts!" Someone in the audience said "Mad cow." "He has mad cow, exactly. Pure J.J.: wonderful director, wonderful writer - he's got mad cow."
 
At one point, Nimoy put is hand to his ear as if he had a Secret Service earpiece: "What? ... No, I'm just gonna tell a few plot points ... No, just a little bit, J.J. ... But there's a lot of people here who want to know! Bill wants to know! ... Yes, I told them about Timmy, yes..."


"Is that J.J.?" Shatner interjected. "Give him my best, will ya? Tell him I love him. He's the best director, best writer I've ever seen. And a stupid sh** for not having me in the film."
 

Nimoy continued, "I don't even know the story very well and I have to find out where Spock is and has been for all these years. I'm not really sure exactly where we are going to pinpoint or plug into Spock's, sort of, character arc. Spock brings a certain character arc, as we all did on Star Trek over a 30 or 40-year period, and he was different in "Star Trek IV" or "V" or "VI" than he was in 1966 in the series. He had to evolve in certain ways. And I have to try to examine where he is now, where he exists now, what are his thought processes - is he more logical than he ever was, or less logical than he ever was? Is he more precise, is he calmer, is he more mellow, has he gotten cranky and crusty?"

"Are the writers aware of your thought process?" Shatner asked.

"Well, I think so, I think so. I really must say this, and I mean this sincerely, I think the writers really have done a great deal of homework and really understand the characters, and the essence of what Star Trek is, which I think is refreshing and very promising. So I have a high hope that they'll do a good job finding these elements for us. But as you know, you look at the printed page and then it's your job to try to bring something from home, bring something to that stage ..."


Nimoy said, "I don't even know the story very well and I have to find out where Spock is and has been for all these years. I'm not really sure exactly where we are going to pinpoint or plug into Spock's, sort of, character arc. Spock brings a certain character arc, as we all did on Star Trek over a 30 or 40-year period, and he was different in "Star Trek IV" or "V" or "VI" than he was in 1966 in the series. He had to evolve in certain ways. And I have to try to examine where he is now, where he exists now, what are his thought processes - is he more logical than he ever was, or less logical than he ever was? Is he more precise, is he calmer, is he more mellow, has he gotten cranky and crusty?"


"Are the writers aware of your thought process?" Shatner asked.


"Well, I think so, I think so. I really must say this, and I mean this sincerely, I think the writers really have done a great deal of homework and really understand the characters, and the essence of what Star Trek is, which I think is refreshing and very promising. So I have a high hope that they'll do a good job finding these elements for us. But as you know, you look at the printed page and then it's your job to try to bring something from home, bring something to that stage ..."

Shatner said, "They don't need Captain Kirk!" The crowd went, "Awwww!"


"I told J.J. Star Trek would be better with you than without you, and I also remind you that you died in 'Star Trek 7' ["Generations"] and I was not in it. If I had been in it, I would not have allowed you to die! I told you that!"


The full report can be found here.



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Nothing else to talk about | Report this post to moderator
By: cdydatzigs (Odo's file, contact) @ 07:33:18 on Aug 16, 2007

Quote:
Has anyone noticed that Shatner's return as Kirk is the only topic that Star Trek fans seem to care about these days?

That tells you two things.

(a) We are happy to be talking about a new Star Trek movie period.

(b) Refreshingly, nothing else has been leaked and therefore we have nothing else to talk about! Until we get a "yay" or "nay" about Shatner, or something else better casting wise to munch on? This is all we're gonna be b*tching about for a while.

--------

-- Steve
"If a sixth Star Trek television series is ever realized, it will be set in the new universe." -- cdydatzigs, June 15, 2009.


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Shatner as Kirk is the only topic people care about | Report this post to moderator
By: NEXUS (Odo's file, contact) @ 17:41:42 on Aug 15, 2007

Has anyone noticed that Shatner's return as Kirk is the only topic that Star Trek fans seem to care about these days?

It has become an obsession on this site and others like it.

Doesn't that say something to the people who are making this film?

The people are saying to they want their hero back in action.

At this point if he is not in the film there may be blood(not literally so don't anyone go nuts) in the streets.

So many fans would be let down at this point if he is not in the movie.

Just get it done at this point.


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Shatner looks just fine | Report this post to moderator
By: Glassman Cometh (Odo's file, contact) @ 21:00:11 on Aug 14, 2007

For those of you bashing how he looks in this picture, you should be ashamed of yourself...this picture is of two old farts with out make up on, in a picture taken by a crappy camera....

He looks JUST fine on BOSTON LEGAL..is he the young and buff Shatner from a show we remember 40 years old? Come on....get a grip...

As I have said from day one..this is all a big PR play...Shatner WILL BE in this next movie...and that is a plus, not a minus.....

Your master has spoken..again...now just bow and kiss my hand, and swear your eternal loyalty to zod...

Chaotic


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  • RE: Shatner looks just fine | Report this post to moderator
    By: NEXUS (Odo's file, contact) @ 17:34:10 on Aug 15, 2007

    He looks great.


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    • RE: Shatner looks just fine | Report this post to moderator
      By: GustavoLeao (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 17:38:37 on Aug 15, 2007

      Agree. Shatner looks great for a 75-year old. He still can play James Tiberius Kirk with charm, passion and bravado.

      Gustavo

      --------

      TrekWeb.com Supervising Editor

      gl2000@uol.com.br


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      • RE: Shatner looks just fine | Report this post to moderator
        By: Glassman Cometh (Odo's file, contact) @ 21:05:07 on Aug 15, 2007

        I saw Shatner at a convention in 1992 or early 93...I can't remember exactly when...but it was inbetween THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY and GENERATIONS...and I thought then, man..he looks terrible...

        And then he shows up in Generations and looked just fine...you nailed it though. He is 75 years old and I think looks more healthier than Nimoy who has always looked to skeletal to me...

        I think Shatner is not over exposed as some have stated. Far from it, he is in demand. I mean he is everywhere..conventions...Boston Legal press junkets...country music Videos...he pops up on Howard Stern un-announced...he has a talk show in the works...and a whole new season of BOSTON LEGAL just around the corner....and all this for an 'over the hill out of shape 75 year old geezer"....not to shabby if you ask me..

        He is the best PR machine Star Trek has BECAUSE of his visibility...Paramount is well aware of this...so is JJ...and if they don't get him in this movie it is just plain stupidity...

        Chaotic


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Great Fictional Icons of the Last 120 Years | Report this post to moderator
By: Gallifrey1983 (Odo's file, contact) @ 18:16:00 on Aug 14, 2007

Like Superman and Sherlock Holmes, Kirk is one of the great fictional icons of the past century or so. Every time some one posts that picture from Generations, it underscores the fact that he deserves a better end than he got. They killed off and brought back Superman and Holmes (and Spock), would love to see the same for Kirk, and to see Shatner in that role one last time for a few meaningful scenes.


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fuck it all | Report this post to moderator
By: IamNotBORG (Odo's file, contact) @ 17:06:18 on Aug 14, 2007

jesus christ why do we even care if Shartner is in it or not. I guess it is not important that should it is be well written but rather will Shartner be in it or not. I for once have gotten over the fact that Trek died when Gene Roddenberry died. DS9 was the only great follow up to TOS. Period.


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  • RE: fuck it all | Report this post to moderator
    By: Yesterday's Lemmiwinks (Odo's file, contact) @ 14:20:00 on Aug 15, 2007 | Edit History (1)

    Interesting. The only TOS follow-up series that Gene actually had a hand in wasn't "great." And the only "great" follow-up to TOS was the series that Gene would have never made.

    Not trying to be a pest, but that is quite the paradoxical statement you've got there.

    --------

    "A billion robot lives are about to be extinguished! Oh, the Jedis are going to feel this one..."
    -Hubert Farnsworth (Futurama: Crimes of the Hot)
    ----
    "The Andorian Mining Consortium runs from no one!"
    -Shran (ENT: Proving Ground)


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Illogical, but potentially fascinating | Report this post to moderator
By: Yorik (Odo's file, contact) @ 16:24:48 on Aug 14, 2007

Mr Nimoy is being illogical in trying to determine how Spock has evolved and where he would be, physically and emotionally (so to speak) since we last saw the character. Unless the re-booted Spock charts a very similar course in the re-booted adventures – five year mission with Kirk, failed Kohlinar, death and resurrection on Genesis, the betrayal of Valeris, “logic is the beginning of wisdom, not the end”, death of Kirk, Romulan/Vulcan reunification quest – then the character could be anywhere the writer’s determine with perfect legitimacy. Outside of the scenario above, we know nothing about what has happened to Spock any more. Like the outstanding Battlestar Galactica re-boot, the basic framework seems to have been taken up but then all bets are off - as it should be.

Mr Nimoy is a fine actor, I have no doubt he is up to the challenge, but it has to be a more complex process this time because he is no longer coming to the same character. Mr Quinto is not playing his character; he is playing Mr Quinto’s. It could be a fascinating experiment (if you’ll pardon the pun) – the roles have the same antecedents – indeed, they start off as the same person, but how do different and perhaps contrary experiences shape them?

Thanks for reading.


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  • RE: Illogical, but potentially fascinating | Report this post to moderator
    By: Yesterday's Lemmiwinks (Odo's file, contact) @ 14:16:27 on Aug 15, 2007

    except, we don't know for sure how this story fits into established canon... For all we know, all those things that make Nimoy's Spock who he is still do take place.

    --------

    "A billion robot lives are about to be extinguished! Oh, the Jedis are going to feel this one..."
    -Hubert Farnsworth (Futurama: Crimes of the Hot)
    ----
    "The Andorian Mining Consortium runs from no one!"
    -Shran (ENT: Proving Ground)


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if he *does* end up in the film, | Report this post to moderator
By: Yesterday's Lemmiwinks (Odo's file, contact) @ 10:23:02 on Aug 14, 2007

I could see Abrams keeping it completely under wraps until release day. Perhaps a brief appearance at the end of the film. Perhaps a cut that they keep out of critic screenings. Then, all of the sudden, there's Bill Shatner. Nothing more than a little cameo with a few lines, but the word-of-mouth promotion would be viral and fast. Could you imagine the surprise in the theater?

I do know that I don't want to see a movie with Shatner puttering around the whole film trying to be something he no longer is. I love the guy, but all this talk I keep hearing about how Shatner needs to be the one (and only) playing Kirk is just madness. Use him as a surprise... a treat to the fans... (or even a "valentine" if you're an idiot).

I will say that with the right CGI, they could make him look reasonably younger than he is now, ala Stewart in X3. However, with Nimoy playing an "older" Spock, that mightn't be a necessity.

--------

"A billion robot lives are about to be extinguished! Oh, the Jedis are going to feel this one..."
-Hubert Farnsworth (Futurama: Crimes of the Hot)
----
"The Andorian Mining Consortium runs from no one!"
-Shran (ENT: Proving Ground)


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  • RE: if he *does* end up in the film, | Report this post to moderator
    By: Kirk Archer (Odo's file, contact) @ 11:46:09 on Aug 14, 2007

    I couldn't agree with you more. I've felt all along that Shatner would be a small part of this movie, and that it's been planned for awhile. All this grumbling about "is he or isn't he" is exactly what the producers have hoped for. Lots of buzz, lots of word of mouth. The fact remains that Shatner had not one but two face-to-face meetings with Abrams, and they weren't there to discuss Weight Watchers.

    But like you, I want it to be a minor role. As much of a Kirk fan that I am, this is more Nimoy's film. I'm betting it'll come down just like you said- a one day shoot somewhere with minimal crew on set to keep the leaks to a minimum, then on the day of release- BAMM! Hit us with it! Kind of like ST:TNG did with an appearance from Admiral "Bones" McCoy.


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Catch the comment. | Report this post to moderator
By: Beamer (Odo's file, contact) @ 09:12:22 on Aug 14, 2007

In a couple of different places, Nimoy let's a very large confirmation out of the bag. He states that he needs to figure out where Spock is after all these years (more mellow, cranky, etc...).

That's a confirmation of the "Spock in last days" plot point, folks. It may also be further confirmation of an "end of life" reflection/action script.

Interesting.

--------

I don't care what "they" say..... "THERE...ARE....FOUR....LIGHTS!"


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Agreed. | Report this post to moderator
By: cdydatzigs (Odo's file, contact) @ 07:51:29 on Aug 14, 2007

Quote:
But let's face it folks, it's 2007 and it's just not 1994 anymore. The Great Shatner is 76 years old and looking every minute of it. Do you see that picture above? Holy crap, it looks like The Great One has really been hitting the sauce.

EXACTLY. Look, I want to remember Kirk as being remotely heroic and believable looking. Aside from his current appearance, I am also a fan of TNG! I don't want that era of Trek deligitimized by having Generations wiped away, just to throw Shatner into a cameo role.

Remember... Spock reflecting back on their early years will be great, but it can be even more poignant if his old friend is no longer alive. Think about it.

Image


--------

-- Steve
"If a sixth Star Trek television series is ever realized, it will be set in the new universe." -- cdydatzigs, June 15, 2009.


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  • RE: Agreed. | Report this post to moderator
    By: Scorpius (Odo's file, contact) @ 08:32:34 on Aug 14, 2007

    Thought about it... Don't want it.

    I want Shatner back as Kirk. Bringing him back won't decanonise Generations in any way. Not that I would lose sleep if that happened anyway.

    Kirk died in an alternative timeline which means that there's a timeline out there where he didn't die in which the TNG crew all died on Veridian 3.

    Put the TNG crew together and they don't even equal Kirk's ankle in the greater scheme of things.

    --------

    "Men don't use sex to get what they want. Sex IS what they want" - Frasier


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The Great Shatner | Report this post to moderator
By: Dingo's Kidneys (Odo's file, contact) @ 07:13:40 on Aug 14, 2007 | Edit History (1)

I would love to see The Great Shatner in this movie. I really and truly would. I'd also like to see DeForest Kelly and James Doohan in this movie. There's nothing more that I'd like to see.

But let's face it folks, it's 2007 and it's just not 1994 anymore. The Great Shatner is 76 years old and looking every minute of it. Do you see that picture above? Holy crap, it looks like The Great One has really been hitting the sauce.

At least Nimoy still looks like an older, skinnier version of his old self. Like they said about The Great Shatner on "In Living Color" -- "He's not fat, he's bloated."

My big regret is that Paramount squandered the 70s when the fans were clamoring for more Trek, and the movie franchise was lame to adequate at best. But time marches on, and even if they could find a plausible way to bring back Kirk, Father Time has caught up with the good captain.

--------

Image

GET A LIFE,
will you people? I mean, for crying out loud, it's just a TV show!.... You've turned an enjoyable little job, that I did as a lark for a few years, into a COLOSSAL WASTE OF TIME! -- William Shatner on Saturday Night Live (1986)


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Editing | Report this post to moderator
By: Hanabi (Odo's file, contact) @ 04:33:54 on Aug 14, 2007

It looks like some of the article got copied and pasted. I was getting deja-vu reading the latter part of the article. :P


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Nimoy Rocks | Report this post to moderator
By: captainkoloth (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 00:28:45 on Aug 14, 2007

Oh Nimoy....I could just hug you. hehe. And Shatner too. lol. Personally, I think the fictional side of ST somehow parallels the reality in that Nimoy is the logical one, and Shatner is the emotional one, and Bones (we all love Deforest Kelly) was the voice of reason. God bless them all...(and to all a merry xmas?).

Seriously though, if Nimoy is in it to win it, which I think he is, then I say, "Warp factor 6 Mr. Sulu". Nimoy knows his character. He has hated Spock and has come to love him. Nimoy knows what is best for the character....Generations anyone???



--------

There once was a man named Scorned,
whose posts were more offensive than porn.
He posted one too many,
got kicked out on his fanny,
and all the while he had been warned.


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  • RE: Nimoy Rocks | Report this post to moderator
    By: El Dude T (Odo's file, contact) @ 18:24:48 on Aug 15, 2007

    You know what? Shatner is in this movie. The more and more that we see these two togeather discussing it, the more and more convinced I am that they are just trying to drop the hint that this is all just a rouse, and Kirk appears in the film.

    I'm not trying to be delusional or anything, just pitching in my two cents.


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  • RE: Nimoy Rocks | Report this post to moderator
    By: GustavoLeao (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 08:26:06 on Aug 14, 2007

    I could be wrong but after reading this article, I think Shatner has actually been asked to be in Star Trek XI, but has been told to play it up like he hasn’t. Let's wait and see.

    Gustavo

    --------

    TrekWeb.com Supervising Editor

    gl2000@uol.com.br


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    • RE: Nimoy Rocks | Report this post to moderator
      By: steveleenow (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 20:55:27 on Aug 14, 2007

      I agree.

      In the end, I'll be fine if he is or is not in the movie, but look at how much discussion was generated earlier this year when Starbuck was "killed."

      Having this question mark over the film seems to be doing just that times ten thousand.



      --------

      - Steve Lee
      http://www.steveleenow.net/


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    • RE: Nimoy Rocks | Report this post to moderator
      By: Capricorn Two (Odo's file, contact) @ 09:18:48 on Aug 14, 2007

      Quote:
      I could be wrong but after reading this article, I think Shatner has actually been asked to be in Star Trek XI, but has been told to play it up like he hasn’t. Let's wait and see.

      Well, we are talking about Abrams & Co. - a creative team who likes to keep people off-balance and jokesters like Nimoy and Shatner playing along. Perhaps Shatner is a surprise in the film, emerging from the shadows and Nimoy's Spock, raising an eyebrow, asking, "Aren't you dead?"


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