No Nimoy and No Other Cameo Makes Star Trek XII Something Something...

[Too Much Fun]

It just occurred to me that the next Star Trek movie may be the first one not to feature any actor or actress from a previous Star Trek TV series. Nimoy's participation was essential to the story of the last movie, but now that its plot has been wrapped up and he's supposedly retired, I don't expect him to be back.

Also, Majel Barrett can't come back to voice the computer. Unless Shatner is somehow shoehorned in since he allegedly wants to make a cameo, I can't think of how or why anyone from a past Star Trek show could be involved. What do you guys think? Would it be a good thing or a bad thing for this movie to not have anyone from a Star Trek series?

I can't help but think of all the talk (including a currently active thread, last time I checked) about how the decision to include "Star Trek" cast members in "Star Trek: Generations" was one of the things that hurt the film. I agree with those who also believed that being an all TNG cast film was one of the reasons "Star Trek: First Contact" was able to work so much better than its predecessor.

Personally I think it would be nice to see Shatner in a Star Trek movie again, just to hopefully somewhat make up for the unpleasantness of his appearance in "Star Trek: Generations", which was a shitty way to go out. On the other hand, I can't think of a way to bring him in that wouldn't be implausible to the point where it just feels like an irritatingly forced fanwank. I won't be crushed if he's excluded and I'd rather not see him in the movie if writers can't find a way to use him that's organic to the story.

 

[BillJ]

Re: No Nimoy and No Other Cameo Makes Star Trek XII Something Somethin

Time is past for this Star Trek to let go and move forward on it's own. I felt the Nimoy appearance in the last film was terribly forced. YMMV.

 

[Gojira]

Re: No Nimoy and No Other Cameo Makes Star Trek XII Something Somethin

I wouldn't be upset if a former Trek actor had a cameo in the next movie. You could have Nichelle Nichols play Uhura's grandmother or something like that. It wouldn't bother me at all.

 

[Merky]

Re: No Nimoy and No Other Cameo Makes Star Trek XII Something Somethin

DNW any of the casts to come back into this movie. This is the new Trek, these are the new actors, let them enjoy the fruits and grandeur that the previous cast was able to enjoy.

 

[lurok]

Re: No Nimoy and No Other Cameo Makes Star Trek XII Something Somethin

Wouldn't bother me if never another old Trek cameo, especially of original characters. Having said that, there are actors I wouldn't mind seeing again (a la Phillips in FC) - Auberjonois, Picardo, Alaimo, Robinson - in other small roles. And definitely Combs as an Andorian .

 

[F. King Daniel]

Re: No Nimoy and No Other Cameo Makes Star Trek XII Something Somethin

I have a feeling a familiar face or two will be snuck into STXII somewhere. Heck, JJ had Will Wheaton voice one of the Romulans just for kicks.

 

[6079SmithW]

Re: No Nimoy and No Other Cameo Makes Star Trek XII Something Somethin

No. This cast has to make nuTrek their own and their performances should define it. We don't need baggage from previous treks. Nimoy was written in as an integral part of the plot but now that this cast has been established future plots shouldn't require an appearance from any past actor.

 

[TEACAKE'S PLEATHER DOME]

Re: No Nimoy and No Other Cameo Makes Star Trek XII Something Somethin

Do you mean actors or characters? I think it would be better for the film not to have characters from other series (despite my plans for cougar Janeway to come back in time and have NuKirk infatuated with her). However ACTORS.. hell ya.

JEFFERY COMBS ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Too Much Fun]

Re: No Nimoy and No Other Cameo Makes Star Trek XII Something Somethin

Do you mean actors or characters?

JEFFERY COMBS ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeah, I thought that might cause some confusion, but I realized, I can't say there might not be "characters" from any past Star Trek series, because technically the whole main cast are characters from previous Star Trek TV shows, just played by different actors.

I was thinking of actors playing the same roles they played on a Star Trek TV series like Nimoy as Spock, Shatner as Kirk, etc. just to tie into the 'prime' universe. I don't think actors who have previously acted on a Star Trek series coming in and playing a different role is quite the same.

It would be more of a throwaway treat for fans (that people who aren't huge fans wouldn't even notice) than a Nimoy or Shatner, who just about anyone would recognize from past Star Trek productions.

I second the Combs vote. After watching some of his work as Shran recently, I've concluded he's one of the unsung heroes of Star Trek. He really deserves a chance to shine in a high-profile Star Trek movie role.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Re: No Nimoy and No Other Cameo Makes Star Trek XII Something Somethin

No. Nimoy was there to pass the torch, that's done with now.

there are actors I wouldn't mind seeing again (a la Phillips in FC) - Auberjonois, Picardo, Alaimo, Robinson

JEFFERY COMBS ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Talented actors playing other roles are always welcome, but that's a different matter. Obviously their characters can't exist in the 23rd C.

 

[lurok]

Re: No Nimoy and No Other Cameo Makes Star Trek XII Something Somethin

That's why I liked Phillips and Picardo in FC. If never seen VOY, so what. Didn't hurt film. But for VOY fans, it was: yay, made it into movie And obviously Russ already appeared...

No. Nimoy was there to pass the torch, that's done with now.

there are actors I wouldn't mind seeing again (a la Phillips in FC) - Auberjonois, Picardo, Alaimo, Robinson

Talented actors playing other roles are always welcome, but that's a different matter. Obviously their characters can't exist in the 23rd C.

Absolutely. I do think they're talented character actors and that's why would like to see in some 'smallish' role (this being the movies, doubt would have major role like a Nero). Especially as Combs, Alaimo and Robinson never got chance to be in big-screen Trek...

 

[F. King Daniel]

Re: No Nimoy and No Other Cameo Makes Star Trek XII Something Somethin

Connor Trineer and Domonic Keating auditioned for the role of Uncle Frank (whose scene was cut) in STXI, so they're definitely open to the idea of reusing past actors in new roles.

 

[BlobVanDam]

Re: No Nimoy and No Other Cameo Makes Star Trek XII Something Somethin

They've "passed the torch", so to speak, with Nimoy in XI, but for them to do in it another movie is going to come across as contrived, and show no confidence in their new cast. It would be as bad as Generations (unless they use Nimoy again, since that makes sense in world, but I would expect this to be minor if at all)
Considering the success of XI, I doubt they'll see a need to shoehorn another old cast member in there, and that's how I think it should be.

 

[Mage]

Re: No Nimoy and No Other Cameo Makes Star Trek XII Something Somethin

I voted no, but I feel that the topicstarter is not only talking about the actors, but the characters they played on Star Trek. That's a big NO to me. But, casting one of the actors in a new role, I have no issues with, as long as it's because they feel the actor is right for the new role, or a little cameo thingy (Ethan Philips as the bouncer in FC).

NuTrek needs to stand on its own feet, and not be depended of older actors reprising their roles.

 

[eepruls]

Re: No Nimoy and No Other Cameo Makes Star Trek XII Something Somethin

Yeah, I like the idea of ST actors playing new characters. Nichols as Uhura's grandmother is a great example.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

Re: No Nimoy and No Other Cameo Makes Star Trek XII Something Somethin

Also, Majel Barrett can't come back to voice the computer.

It would be possible to use Majel Barrett's voice as a computer interface, if all her lines were already recorded. To wit:

"Working!"
"Unable to comply!"
​

I think it might be a cute cameo, but only if done properly. Say, as a computer on something that will not be revisited.

 

[Merky]

Re: No Nimoy and No Other Cameo Makes Star Trek XII Something Somethin

They've "passed the torch", so to speak, with Nimoy in XI, but for them to do in it another movie is going to come across as contrived, and show no confidence in their new cast.

Agreed. Even if they gave the cast members another character to play, the connection is so strong to the one they previously played that it would completely detract from the scene.

It's like in Heroes, it took me a while to get over George Takei in the show not being Sulu but as Hiro's dad. Then with Nichelle Nichols as the grandmother, it took a moment to separate the two. So if they were to shoe in any other ST actor, it would be hard for the audience to get over the "nostalgia omg" factor.

 

[lurok]

Re: No Nimoy and No Other Cameo Makes Star Trek XII Something Somethin

Agreed. Even if they gave the cast members another character to play, the connection is so strong to the one they previously played that it would completely detract from the scene.

It's like in Heroes, it took me a while to get over George Takei in the show not being Sulu but as Hiro's dad. Then with Nichelle Nichols as the grandmother, it took a moment to separate the two. So if they were to shoe in any other ST actor, it would be hard for the audience to get over the "nostalgia omg" factor.

I share your concern. Although not a Heroes fan (got bored after first series), I did have a 'it's Sulu!' moment. But I think in such a big (literally and narratively) canvas as Trek XII, I can't see harm in a place for some of the actors we've mentioned. They're not even iconic like Takei and Nichols, who even non-Treks might recognise. Just really good character actors who DS9/ENT fans like myself might get a kick out of seeing. And with right part, might even add something

 

[Aragorn]

Re: No Nimoy and No Other Cameo Makes Star Trek XII Something Somethin

The inability to separate character from actor or character from an actor's prior character is solely the viewer's own damn fault.

This next movie should be the new cast on their own to allow them them carry it. Then maybe in the third movie they can bring in Shatner as Tiberius Kirk or something like that.

 

[Too Much Fun]

Re: No Nimoy and No Other Cameo Makes Star Trek XII Something Somethin

Oh yeah, I never thought about that! Kirk's father may be dead, but nobody said his grandfather was! Still, Shatner playing that role might be a bit too twee, as would the repeatedly suggested Nichols as Uhura's grandma casting.