Best/Worst/Most underrated Trek XI casting decision
- Thread starter steveman
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I might point out that, in Australia, Eric Bana is a huge comedy actor and mimic who used to specialize in ocker Aussies, in much the style of Paul Hogan or Steve Irwin - and it caught us all by surprise when he started headlining in dramatic stuff such as "Black Hawk Down", "Hulk" and "Troy".
Quite. But Eric Bana internationally is known for his serious turns in Black Hawk Down, Hulk, Troy, and Munich. Pegg is known internationally for, I believe, Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. Maybe Pegg can be serious, like I said, I neither know nor care - but I don't think that's why he was cast.
Echoing my original sentiments, I don't think that's why he was cast, either. People are taking it as some great offense that Pegg would be cast in a comedic role. Really? Unless I'm mistaken, that's what he does best. And I'm not discounting what he's done in previous films; he can pull off a serious performance. I'll give him that. "Shaun" and "Hot Fuzz" had those moments.
But let's be honest, they cast Pegg for a reason; he's a genuinely funny guy. And that he's playing a character who has been played for comedy quite often in the past (Scotty in "Tribbles", TFF, etc.) doesn't help lend much credence in my eyes to the fact that Pegg may have been hired to play a more dramatic role. Sorry, but I just don't see that.
All that said, I did list Pegg as my most underrated casting choice. I'm looking forward to seeing what he does.
Agreed on Pine. As Kirk, Pine could end up delivering the best performance in the film and I wouldn't be surprised. Not only does he have good-looks on or around the same level as a young William Shatner (who, during TOS, may have been the best-looking male lead Trek's ever had) but I also think he's well-aware of the opportunity before him. It's simple: Do a great job and become legitimately famous; fail, and fall back into obscurity, playing Amanda Bynes/Lindsay Lohan/Hilary Duff's boyfriend for the rest of your life.
In terms of his career, I think there's too much at stake for Pine to not absolutely nail this role.
Yup. Great moment. Scotty is really one of the funniest characters Trek has ever had. And though comedy sometime felt forced/over-the-top at times with characters like Data, Worf, Quark, Nog, Neelix, and Phlox, there always seemed to be a pretty good balance with Scotty. Another reason why Pegg was probably a good choice for this role.
I'm very curious about Pine. He's got the hardest job by far and nobody seems to know much about him, acting-wise. If he can pull off the role, it would probably be the single most important factor in its success.
Best: Quinto as Spock. I've been thinking he'd make a great young Spock since he played a CTU agent in season 3 of 24.
Worst: Karl Urban as Bones. I'm just not seeing this burly, handsome Kiwi as the slim, craggy Southern doctor. But then again, I didn't see his audition, so here's hoping he surprises me.
Underrated: Greenwood as Pike. Decent, solid and underrated actor bearing a passing resemblance to the late Jeff Hunter and with the authority to make a convincing JFK (13 Days). Why aren't people loving this choice?
Worst: Karl Urban as Bones. I'm just not seeing this burly, handsome Kiwi as the slim, craggy Southern doctor. But then again, I didn't see his audition, so here's hoping he surprises me.
Underrated: Greenwood as Pike. Decent, solid and underrated actor bearing a passing resemblance to the late Jeff Hunter and with the authority to make a convincing JFK (13 Days). Why aren't people loving this choice?
Hah, me too!
First time he was on screen, I thought, "What the hell, they hired some guy who looks exactly like Spock to work at CTU? Weird."Course, being a Trekkie causes you to view reality through filtered lenses.
Yes. I've never heard of him, and his past film work looks pretty much exactly like the kind of movies I avoid... which accurately surmises much of Bill Shatner's career as well, so that's not a knock. This is a real chance for Chris Pine to become a bigger name, and I'm sure he recognises that - didn't he turn down a role in a George Clooney film for this project?
I'm interested to see his take on Kirk. For the first time in over a decade, Captain Kirk is returning to the big screen.
Best: Quinto. I've heard that people find Sylar too one dimensional and are therefore not enthused by what they know of Quinto so far. If there are problems with Sylar's depth it's because of how he's written. Quinto's acting makes that character fascinating to watch. I think he's got the chops to really do something cool with Spock.
Most underrated: Urban. People aren't sure about him for some reason. I think he'll be great. Can't really say why, but I see more in his previous performances than just the tough guy. There's a dark sense of humour in the performances I've seen (which is a big part of McCoy.) Those performances being Eomer in LOTR and as the best part by FAR of Doom.
Worst: I don't really hate any of the choices but I'll say Bruce Greenwood as I've never seen him in anything where he really stood out. He's a real 'that guy' in most films I've seen him in.
Most underrated: Urban. People aren't sure about him for some reason. I think he'll be great. Can't really say why, but I see more in his previous performances than just the tough guy. There's a dark sense of humour in the performances I've seen (which is a big part of McCoy.) Those performances being Eomer in LOTR and as the best part by FAR of Doom.
Worst: I don't really hate any of the choices but I'll say Bruce Greenwood as I've never seen him in anything where he really stood out. He's a real 'that guy' in most films I've seen him in.
Worst: Simon Pegg as Scotty. I like Simon Pegg. But he's English, not Scottish. He's friends with J.J. Abrams and likes scifi. I've watched Spaced. I've watched Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. No. A world of no. I'll see Tim Bisley doing a Scotty impression, lord help me.
Karl Urban might be good. But Joshua Jackson should have been McCoy. He must've said no.
Winnona Ryder is Spock's mom? *Really*?
Sometimes you just have to shake your head and pay the ten dollars.
Karl Urban might be good. But Joshua Jackson should have been McCoy. He must've said no.
Winnona Ryder is Spock's mom? *Really*?
Sometimes you just have to shake your head and pay the ten dollars.
And as Ashley Judd's evil husband in Double Jeopardy.
I do not get the Greenwood hate. He's one of my favorite actors. He oozes authority. He'll make a great starship captain.
I think Chris Pine might be underrated. I can't count the Lindsay Lohan movie because everybody's terrible in it but he's pretty good as a skinhead in Smokin' Aces. He shows a lot of range.
As for Cho, he doesn't fit my image of a Sulu, but he's a good actor too. He got serious in Better Luck Tomorrow and he's pretty good. Better than in comedies, as a matter of fact.
The one that's most confusing is Karl Urban as Bones. I can't imagine what kind of performance he gave for that role. He just seems pretty one note, based on LOTR, Chronicles of Riddick and Bourne Supremacy. I can't see him do earthy, southern-fried country doctor from the future. But that's why it's called acting.
People,
Have some faith in our new Trek benefactors. They know what's best for us. It'll all work out in the end.
Have some faith in our new Trek benefactors. They know what's best for us. It'll all work out in the end.
Best: Quinto
Worst: Kirk's dad. The actor is a gorramn SOAPIE star here in Australia. What's more, he's actually several years YOUNGER than Pine, who is playing his son. What's up with that? He might surprise us, though, so who knows?
Underrated: Urban or Bana. I think Karl Urban will do a good job as Bones, and having an award winning actor like Bana certainly won't hurt this film one bit.
Worst: Kirk's dad. The actor is a gorramn SOAPIE star here in Australia. What's more, he's actually several years YOUNGER than Pine, who is playing his son. What's up with that? He might surprise us, though, so who knows?
Underrated: Urban or Bana. I think Karl Urban will do a good job as Bones, and having an award winning actor like Bana certainly won't hurt this film one bit.