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JJ Abrams confirms ST4 and not recasting Chekov

Chekov is an iconic character from am major, pre-existing franchise and has been re-cast already in professional movies. I have no problems with re-casting the role.
 
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JeffinOakland said:
If Pine or Quinto had died, their character would have been replaced because you can't have this series of ST without Spock or Kirk.
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Slightly different topic, but if Shatner, Nimoy, or Kelley had died I think the TOS films would have ended right there and then. The Trek franchise revolved to a great extent around the actors and how long they had already portrayed those roles and infused themselves into pop culture through TOS reruns in the 70s. Only until you get to TNG do they begin to say it's the Trek franchise rather than the cult of personality around the major Trek actors and their iconic roles.

The difference is today in the age of reboots it seems a little more, how shall you say it, mercenary? By the numbers maybe? Roles are not as closely tied to actors. It's the abstract concept of the fictional character that is key. There are few exceptions, like RDJ as Iron Man and Jackman as Wolverine maybe, but for the most part, we're use to it being a slowly revolving door where you come in, do your stint, and get replaced, sort of like the bond films.
 
Nyotarules said:
I like the idea of a nonhuman character to reflect Starfleet diversity. The main crew are too Terrancentric, in a fictional 23rd century the main senior members of the flagship of a galactic force is made up of 100% humans????? Right....
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Except it's not actually a galactic force. It's a series made for an audience that's 100% human.
 
mos6507 said:
Slightly different topic, but if Shatner, Nimoy, or Kelley had died I think the TOS films would have ended right there and then. The Trek franchise revolved to a great extent around the actors and how long they had already portrayed those roles and infused themselves into pop culture through TOS reruns in the 70s. Only until you get to TNG do they begin to say it's the Trek franchise rather than the cult of personality around the major Trek actors and their iconic roles.

The difference is today in the age of reboots it seems a little more, how shall you say it, mercenary? By the numbers maybe? Roles are not as closely tied to actors. It's the abstract concept of the fictional character that is key. There are few exceptions, like RDJ as Iron Man and Jackman as Wolverine maybe, but for the most part, we're use to it being a slowly revolving door where you come in, do your stint, and get replaced, sort of like the bond films.
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Money, cash, lettuce, greenbacks, moolah
 
mos6507 said:
Slightly different topic, but if Shatner, Nimoy, or Kelley had died I think the TOS films would have ended right there and then. The Trek franchise revolved to a great extent around the actors and how long they had already portrayed those roles and infused themselves into pop culture through TOS reruns in the 70s. Only until you get to TNG do they begin to say it's the Trek franchise rather than the cult of personality around the major Trek actors and their iconic roles.
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I disagree. There was talk of recasting during the 1970's. If there was money to be made, Paramount would've chugged ahead with feature films.
 
I can understand not recasting out of respect to Anton Yelchin, but I wouldn't have had a problem had recast him. He did a good job, but there are plenty of younger actors out there who could do just as good of a job.
It will be interesting to see if they bring in a preexisting TOS character, or create a totally new one. This could be a good opportunity to add another woman to the main cast.
 
One of the problems with introducing a new character is you're introducing a new character. Chekov is a minor character, but he is an established character. Will fans old and new care about "Ensign Ricky" in the same way? Or will TPTP just fill the Nav station with nobodies like TNG did when Wesley left? Though preChekov TOS used that slot for prominent guest parts like Lt. Riley.
 
Sounds like a good opportunity to bring in Saavik to me. I feel recasting chekov would be disrespectful to Anton memory. After all, we went season 1 n TAS without chekov.
 
I think the problem having this discussion is that Chekov may have started out as a "minor" character. In fact, he was solely created to bring in a more youthful audience (i.e. due to Beetles-mania, etc.) as well as respond to a charge made by Russian propagandist that TOS was, itself, a Western propaganda tool (though the validity of this claim by GR is a bit murky). And it was only because of TMP that the character was elevated to ensemble cast member. So, in that vein, I think a new character should reflect the times: a Latina or Middle Eastern female who is a geek feminist, who may or may not be half-human. That, IMO, would be in keeping with the spirit of the 'Trek franchise. Otherwise, either not replace Chekov at all (and just use minor characters in that position), or just elevate an existing female character to the ensemble level (personally, I could see Gaila or Carol Marcus return). FYI.
 
dswynne1 said:
Beetles-mania, etc.
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Beatle with an "A" as in that song has a nice beat and you can dance to it. Also "Beatlemania"
John Lennon said:
"Well, I had a vision when I was twelve. And I saw a man on a flaming pie, and he said, 'You are the Beatles with an A.' And so we are."
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:cool:
dswynne1 said:
And it was only because of TMP that the character was elevated to ensemble cast member.
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He was "elevated" from the start. On the same level as Sulu and Uhura, really. Probably got better parts than them though.

dswynne1 said:
So, in that vein, I think a new character should reflect the times: a Latina or Middle Eastern female who is a geek feminist, who may or may not be half-human. That, IMO, would be in keeping with the spirit of the 'Trek franchise.
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Sounds good to me.
 
M-Red said:
I'm also glad that Chekov won't be recast. Just provide a brief reference to his off-screen promotion and go on. It doesn't mean Chekov will never be seen again.

But I disagree that Kirk and Spock are the only indispensable characters. Bones is necessary.
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Are you sure? They could always bring in Dr. Mark Piper, who did serve under Kirk, before Dr. McCoy...
 
The only truly indispensable character in TOS is Spock. Spock is the only character to be in all TOS and TAS episodes. Kirk, of course wasn't in The Cage and he was also absent in the TAS episode The Slaver Weapon. It's not TOS if there is no Spock.
 
I wonder if there is any unused footage of Anton as Chekov that they could somehow use to explain a promotion and reassignment to the Reliant? It would be more effective than someone simply mentioning it.
 
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