I've never read the books, but my impression was that the character was an important cog in the Harry Potter story. Chekov simply isn't that important to Trek's overall story.
JJ Abrams confirms ST4 and not recasting Chekov
- Thread starter JeffinOakland
- Start date
I've never read the books, but my impression was that the character was an important cog in the Harry Potter story. Chekov simply isn't that important to Trek's overall story.
I'm not responding to your intentional obtuseness.
In the spirit of the Chekov arguments here, he could have been replaced with, say, Dumbledore's twin brother, who was the actual mastermind behind the whole "protect Harry" thing. Then they could add a throw-away line that the real Dumbledore was off on some magic soul-searching walkabout, or exploring the galaxy on the Reliant ,or something like that....
After all, people would complain if they dared to replace him. That would be disrespectful to the great Richard Harris!
We can argue about this all we want, but at the end of the day it will be Paramount that decides whether or not Chekov appears in ST4. They own the characters, not JJ. All it will take is for an exec to say "No, Chekov is alive and in the movie" (not unlike the way Uhura said "No, I'm assigned to the Enterprise." in ST'09). As with Spock, JJ and co. will really have no choice if they know where their bread is buttered.
Dumbledore could not have been replaced for the reason I gave. You are comparing apples to oranges.
So, getting back on topic......
JJ hasn't confirmed Trek 4. He was asked if he EXPECTS one, and to that he said a 100% yes and that they are figurative minutes away from talking about it.
http://trekcore.com/blog/2016/07/j-...ng-anton-yelchins-chekov-in-potential-sequel/
JJ hasn't confirmed Trek 4. He was asked if he EXPECTS one, and to that he said a 100% yes and that they are figurative minutes away from talking about it.
http://trekcore.com/blog/2016/07/j-...ng-anton-yelchins-chekov-in-potential-sequel/
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....
Dumbledore was needed for the first 6 books "in person" and his activities behind the scenes as well as his past drove most of the 7th. His brother was also part of the story of the 7th book, so yeah he was pivotal to the series.
- Or do what they did in Generations and just have another character recite Chekov's lines.
I'm not being obtuse. I'm wanting to hear your perspective.
I would be curious to see their approach, but allow me to share my perspective. Since I care very little about Harry Potter, your example, unfortunately, is not really resonating in a way that captures what is actually happening with this casting decision.
First of all, the actor is barely dead! But, hey, why not discuss the future of a franchise when a young man's life is already gone (That's me being obtuse towards the general opinion).
Secondly, to me, the only reason to keep Chekov alive is for nostalgic reasons and to maintain the status quo. That is not sufficient reason, to me, to recast the character.
And, you are right that this is little more than an intellectual exercise in futility. I just find it odd to want to recast so fast. Maybe that's just me. Maybe if Phase 2 had gone forward Xon could have just been Spock but recast.
Nimoy IS Star Trek and Spock. Has been for 50 years, and is engrained in popular culture.
I don't think he's even remotely disagreeing with you. What he's suggesting (as I read it) is just as few people would support recasting Spock while the rest of the TOS cast remains the same, it would be inappropriate to recast Chekov while the rest of the new cast remains the same. I highly doubt he was arguing Nimoy and Yelchin are of equivalent importance to Trek as a whole.
What's the big deal? Just send Chekov off to the Reliant (offscreen) and be done with it. No harm, no foul.
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.
And, in this newer generation, Yelchin is Chekov. Recasting, to me, feels very inappropriate. It lacks any sense of compassion or consideration for those affected by the loss.
Simply put, Chekov isn't that important to Star Trek. Don't get me wrong, I like Chekov, and I like what both Walter Koenig and Anton Yelchin brought to the character. But Star Trek can get by without him, it has in the past, it will again.
Besides, Batman related movies have waited eight years and a rebooted continuity before recasting the Joker after Heath Ledger.
I'd like to see a cameo from Koenig in the next one, not necessarily as Chekov. It would be a nice way of having the character acknowledged, while still respecting Yelchin.
It would be disrespectful to recast the role due to the circumstances of Anton's death. I'm sure the whole crew including Chekov will be recast somewhere down the line but now is not the time. As previously pointed out, Chekov has never been integral to the crew dynamic so Star Trek can get by without him for these movies. Just because you can do something doesn't always mean you should. RIP Anton Yelchin.
