This question is addressed to those of you who have already seen the film. I don't think this would be considered a spoiler of any type.
For the last several years the hottest and seemingly the most controversial topic that surrounded this film was the participation (or lack there of) of William Shatner as Captain Kirk. The mere mention of Shatner's return would set this board and others like it on fire.
Since the moment fandom found out that the new film was going to be a TOS story that would include Leonard Nimoy as Spock rumors were swirling that Shatner would also be returning as Kirk.
Shatner's participation in this film has become sort of a mini soap opera of it's own over the last couple of years. Before pre-production even began Shatner was going on late night shows saying that he had met with J.J. Abrams and that Abrams wanted him in the movie. Abrams and co. also hinted at Shatner's inclusion by saying "they were desperately trying to get him in the movie"
At least at one point both sides seemed to agree. Shatner wanted to be in the movie and at least on the surface the creative team wanted his involvement. It seemed like a slam dunk.
After that there were all kinds of rumors that suggested that Shatner refused to do a cameo. His mantra when asked about his involvement was "I don't do cameos"... Then Shatner would claim that he was never asked. Then there were rumors that Shatner wanted more money "I'm worth the salary" which lead me to believe that he was offered a small role at a fraction of what he thought he should be paid. Why would he bring salary into the equation if there were never any serious talks about him being in the film? He has been known to play hard ball when money is involved. If you remember he did the same thing with his rumored appearance on "Enterprise".
At various times Shatner claimed he knew nothing about the film and that the two the two sides had never spoken only to contradict himself in other interviews (that he gave within days of each other) where he gave the first plot details of the film. He apparently did meet with the creative team behind the film. This was later confirmed by Abrams, Shatner and Bob Orci.
For their part the director and writers of the film also seemed pretty vague as to what if any role Shatner would have. There were various reports that they had reached out to him and he refused because he wouldn't accept a small role as this quote from J.J. Abrams confirms "The bigger thing was that he was very vocal that he didn’t want to do a cameo. We tried desperately to put him in the movie, but he was making it very clear that he wanted the movie to focus on him significantly, which, frankly, he deserves.”
There were rumors that were later confirmed that a cameo scene was written for Shatner as Kirk... There were rumors that they never wanted him at all, and finally in the end it was decided they couldn't find a role for Shatner that fit the film.
So my questions are.
1/ After all is said and done. Could Shatner have appeared in this film as the older Kirk if he was willing to do a cameo?
2/ Would the story truly have been compromised as the creative team suggests? Or was Shatner's non participation most likely over creative or contractual differences? Chris Pine's statement this week about Shatner and the the studio "having issues" may be telling and could deserve more press than it has gotten in regards to this film.
I would love to know what really went on.
For the last several years the hottest and seemingly the most controversial topic that surrounded this film was the participation (or lack there of) of William Shatner as Captain Kirk. The mere mention of Shatner's return would set this board and others like it on fire.
Since the moment fandom found out that the new film was going to be a TOS story that would include Leonard Nimoy as Spock rumors were swirling that Shatner would also be returning as Kirk.
Shatner's participation in this film has become sort of a mini soap opera of it's own over the last couple of years. Before pre-production even began Shatner was going on late night shows saying that he had met with J.J. Abrams and that Abrams wanted him in the movie. Abrams and co. also hinted at Shatner's inclusion by saying "they were desperately trying to get him in the movie"
At least at one point both sides seemed to agree. Shatner wanted to be in the movie and at least on the surface the creative team wanted his involvement. It seemed like a slam dunk.
After that there were all kinds of rumors that suggested that Shatner refused to do a cameo. His mantra when asked about his involvement was "I don't do cameos"... Then Shatner would claim that he was never asked. Then there were rumors that Shatner wanted more money "I'm worth the salary" which lead me to believe that he was offered a small role at a fraction of what he thought he should be paid. Why would he bring salary into the equation if there were never any serious talks about him being in the film? He has been known to play hard ball when money is involved. If you remember he did the same thing with his rumored appearance on "Enterprise".
At various times Shatner claimed he knew nothing about the film and that the two the two sides had never spoken only to contradict himself in other interviews (that he gave within days of each other) where he gave the first plot details of the film. He apparently did meet with the creative team behind the film. This was later confirmed by Abrams, Shatner and Bob Orci.
For their part the director and writers of the film also seemed pretty vague as to what if any role Shatner would have. There were various reports that they had reached out to him and he refused because he wouldn't accept a small role as this quote from J.J. Abrams confirms "The bigger thing was that he was very vocal that he didn’t want to do a cameo. We tried desperately to put him in the movie, but he was making it very clear that he wanted the movie to focus on him significantly, which, frankly, he deserves.”
There were rumors that were later confirmed that a cameo scene was written for Shatner as Kirk... There were rumors that they never wanted him at all, and finally in the end it was decided they couldn't find a role for Shatner that fit the film.
So my questions are.
1/ After all is said and done. Could Shatner have appeared in this film as the older Kirk if he was willing to do a cameo?
2/ Would the story truly have been compromised as the creative team suggests? Or was Shatner's non participation most likely over creative or contractual differences? Chris Pine's statement this week about Shatner and the the studio "having issues" may be telling and could deserve more press than it has gotten in regards to this film.
I would love to know what really went on.
Last edited:
just a lil sumthin sumthin....
