Greenwood Talks 'Star Trek XI'

TrekToday · February 7 2009, 06:13 AM

The Star Trek franchise will regain dignity and vitality with the reboot, according to Bruce Greenwood, Star Trek XI's Captain Christopher Pike.

As reported by the Official Star Trek Magazine, Greenwood's involvement in Star Trek XI came courtesy of a phone call from Director J.J. Abrams. "Hey, I think you might be right for this," Abrams told Greenwood. "Would you like to come in and read the script?"

"I said I was in Toronto and couldn't he send me a copy of it?," said Greenwood. "He said, 'Oh no, but when you come back to L.A., we can lock you in a room with a guy standing outside the door and you can read it then.' So that's what I did. I came home a couple of weeks later and sat in a locked room and read it. I worked out a few questions for J.J., then we had a conversation and the next thing I knew, I was being fitted for a space suit!"

Part of playing Pike meant studying Jeffrey Hunter's portrayal of the Captain. "People feel so strongly about every tiny little aspect of it [Hunter's portrayal,] so regardless of what I choose to do, I thought I'd better know what other people’s frame of reference is," explained Greenwood.

Greenwood feels that the rebooted Star Trek will attract audiences. "Remember the difference in the Bond films when Daniel Craig assumed the role, suddenly the franchise was redignified and given a tremendous shot of not just truth and believability, but vitality on a deeper level. Bond seems complete and you can see his broken parts as well. Daniel Craig is a wonderful actor," said Greenwood. "The 'Star Trek' script is written to play to the strengths of an actor who has those qualities, and Chris Pine is that guy. He's a wonderful actor and a great guy to boot. That's one of the things that's really going to help move it into people's consciousness in a way that they can really embrace it."

Once Star Trek XI releases, Greenwood may try a convention. "I've never done that," he said. "I've never done the Comic Con thing. That's something I'm completely unfamiliar with. I'll definitely go and have a look and see what that’s all about."

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Axiom · February 7 2009, 06:19 AM

Excellent article.
When the casting was being formed, I was scarcely aware of who Bruce Greenwood was, much less that he'd become Captain Pike. However, seeing him in photos, and in the trailer, he sends chills down my spine. He has a great authoritative voice, and I think regardless of how well the movie does, his role will be thoroughly enjoyable.

J.

Lashmore · February 7 2009, 06:23 AM

Pike needs to be the hero in this movie...he was trek's first captain afterall.

Axiom · February 7 2009, 06:52 AM

Lashmore wrote:

Pike needs to be the hero in this movie...he was trek's first captain afterall.

Who knows, he may be. I wouldn't be a bit surprised.

J.

btflash · February 7 2009, 11:56 AM

when i first heard that greenwood was being cast as pike i was excited.theres something about him that reminds me of jeffrey hunter....

cubbie · February 7 2009, 12:36 PM

Greenwood has a certain dignified presense about him. He looks fantastic in the trailers.

ancient · February 7 2009, 04:08 PM

Sounds sweet.

T'Cal · February 7 2009, 09:52 PM

He was the star of a great, if short-lived show titled "Nowhere Man." It was the second show to air on the brand new network UPN back in 1995 with VOY being the first. He played photographer Thomas Vale who took a picture that shouldn't have been taken creating a huge conspiracy to make it and him disappear. The entire first season was aired but then it was cancelled. That was a real shame too because the final episode revealed a huge twist in the plot and set things up for the next season. I'm tempted to buy the DVDs to share with my son who was too young at the time to understand the show.

Bruce Greenwood has done many roles with one of the last big ones in National Treasure II in which he played the President. I have never been disappointed in his performances. I'm really looking forward to his try at Pike. I'm hoping he survives STXI to be in the sequels.

T'Cal · February 7 2009, 09:55 PM

ancient wrote:

Sounds sweet.

I have a mind to join a club and beat you over the head with it.
--Groucho Marx

trekkerguy · February 7 2009, 10:24 PM

Greenwood= Teh awesumness.

Centurion · February 7 2009, 10:41 PM

J. Allen wrote:

Excellent article.
When the casting was being formed, I was scarcely aware of who Bruce Greenwood was, much less that he'd become Captain Pike. However, seeing him in photos, and in the trailer, he sends chills down my spine. He has a great authoritative voice, and I think regardless of how well the movie does, his role will be thoroughly enjoyable.

J.

If you want to see Greenwood in action, check out the movie 13 Days. He plays JFK and chronicles the Cuban missile crisis of 1961. We need also to remember that Hunter's Pike was burnt out of being a starship captain and wanted out. Plus, he was closer to Roddenberry's original idea of the captain being based on Horatio Hornblower.

RandyS · February 8 2009, 01:33 AM

btflash wrote:

when i first heard that greenwood was being cast as pike i was excited.theres something about him that reminds me of jeffrey hunter....

I don't quite get THAT, but I agree, he'll be good in Star Trek.

trekkerguy · February 8 2009, 01:35 AM

RandyS wrote:

btflash wrote:

when i first heard that greenwood was being cast as pike i was excited.theres something about him that reminds me of jeffrey hunter....

I don't quite get THAT, but I agree, he'll be good in Star Trek.

Yeah he doesn't remind me much of Hunter. I just think he'll be an incredible
Pike though, better than Hunter even.

Procutus · February 8 2009, 04:30 AM

Centurion wrote:

J. Allen wrote:

Excellent article.
When the casting was being formed, I was scarcely aware of who Bruce Greenwood was, much less that he'd become Captain Pike. However, seeing him in photos, and in the trailer, he sends chills down my spine. He has a great authoritative voice, and I think regardless of how well the movie does, his role will be thoroughly enjoyable.

J.

If you want to see Greenwood in action, check out the movie 13 Days. He plays JFK and chronicles the Cuban missile crisis of 1961. We need also to remember that Hunter's Pike was burnt out of being a starship captain and wanted out. Plus, he was closer to Roddenberry's original idea of the captain being based on Horatio Hornblower.

13 Days was an awesome film, probably Greenwood's best work, IMO. He captured the essence of JFK quite nicely. I'm psyched on the notion that he's playing Pike.

Dennis · February 9 2009, 05:29 AM

Lashmore wrote:

Pike needs to be the hero in this movie...he was trek's first captain afterall.

Yep, the canonical first captain of the Enterprise.