I wonder if the secondary cast will have a bigger role?

[VOODOOXI]

In the original TOS the series really focused on the big three. In the later series the extended cast had more of a major role and the cast was far more of an ensemble.

I wonder if the writers are looking at this the same way tos was written. Or if they will given the secondary characters more depth?

My gut tells me that the secondary characters will play more or less the same roles they did in the original.

A potential hint was when they hired a comedian to play Scotty. Can't you just see Scotty being used for comic relief (played by a comedian)as he calls the bridge with lines like "I canna change the laws of physics captain"

Anyway, does anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

[Arlo]

I think it's rather certain that the "small 4" will remain as supporting characters, if a tad more fleshed out than they were in TOS. At least I hope so-- I'm of the opinion that the "ensemble" nature of the movies TNG+ made for an overall weakening of stories, where narrative was sacrificed so each person got "their moment".

 

[Michael]

^ Do you really think so? I think some of the ensemble actors were barely visible in the TNG movies. Take Nemesis, is Beverly Crusher even in there? The films were first and foremost about Data and Picard. And that's what always bothered me, because the series never was like that. Maybe that's why the movies felt so much different than the series.

As for the new movie, I think they will play bigger parts, yes. But the legendary troika of Kirk, Spock and McCoy will be the main focus.

 

[The Wormhole]

Belar said:
is Beverly Crusher even in there?

Was she even in any of them?

 

[Kegek]

No.

I could see Uhura, Chekov, Scotty and Sulu getting bigger roles... if this were a TV series. (Though it's still possible on TV they would be shunted to the sidelines.)

But it's a movie, around two hours in length. At most they'll have subplots, character beats, and doubtlessly in Scotty's case, provide comic relief.

 

[FabiusMaximus]

That's a good question. The cast seems so large at this point anyhow, I don't know how they could possibly have more screen time. It was one of the reasons that I wish JJ had just focused on Kirk and Spock's early story -- bring the rest of the crew in slowly with the sequels.

 

[Allyn Gibson]

I feel like Scotty might be more important here than in previous Trek films; Simon Pegg is easily the biggest name in the Enterprise cast. Would an actor of Pegg's stature involve himself for a glorified cameo? I doubt it.

 

[Number One]

Agreed, I suspect they will focus mainly on Spock's characters and then Kirk's, even McCoy might not have enough screen time with all the supporting cast they hired.

This is the first movie and as such they will want to introduce their line of thinking and whatever changes they brought to the franchise mostly. Later movies will be different, possibly depending on the audience reaction to each character(and maybe their performance too)

 

[EyalM]

Allyn Gibson said:
I feel like Scotty might be more important here than in previous Trek films; Simon Pegg is easily the biggest name in the Enterprise cast. Would an actor of Pegg's stature involve himself for a glorified cameo? I doubt it.

His reole in Abrams' MI:III was not much bigger then a cameo.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

I'm sure that the supporting characters will each get a memorable moment or two in this one...it wouldn't be surprising if they were all better served than (for the most part) in the previous TOS-based movies.

 

[VOODOOXI]

I agree with Dennis.

I think they will be used more than in the original films, but still not be major players.

 

[seigezunt]

I ditto Dennis. They can't help but have bigger roles, if only for the lack of the black hole of the Shat's screen time.

 

[Samuel T. Cogley]

I'm going to disagree, somewhat. It's not so much that Chekov, Uhura, Scotty, and Sulu didn't have much screentime in the movies (they did); it's just that they were increasingly portrayed as buffoons and simpletons for comic relief.

I want Star Trek XI to return them to their (mostly) competent and professional roots.

 

[KennyB]

Agreed Sam none of the following type actions:

Getting lost in the woods

Nude fan dancing

Running into bulkheads and knocking yourself out

Falling off ships

and esp no "boob" jokes

 

[Holytomato]

I want Star Trek to grow but Chekov, Uhura, Scotty, and Sulu need to suck eggs!!!!