Paul Wesley's incarnation of James T. Kirk

[Allyn Gibson]

I know you're of the opinion ST:TMP takes place 2 years after TAS - circa 2273/4; but yeah, for myself it takes place in 2279, 10 years after TOS ended (IE Captain Dekker after taking command from Captain Kirk got a 3 to 5 year mission before returningto see the 1701 get its refit.)

Diane Duane's early Star Trek novels (The Wounded Sky, My Enemy My Ally) were written with the idea that Kirk commanded two five year missions before the refit, and her books are set in the second five year mission. Honestly, that's not an unattractive idea.

Both he and Ethan are at the perfect age to portray Kirk and Spock post TMP that's for sure if they ever did a series detailing Kirk's second five-year mission.

Maybe Wesley's age -- he's 41 now, to Peck's 38 -- was a factor in his casting for that reason. They both playing characters now about fifteen years younger than they actually are, but if the producers wanted to jump ahead in time, over the TOS era, then they're more age appropriate for the roles.

Hell, I was thinking just recently about a movie featuring Peck playing Spock when he's in command of the Surak from DC's Star Trek comics set between the third and fourth films. I'd write that!

 

[Mudd]

Think that's George Kirk in the middle.

 

[mattman8907]

Think that's George Kirk in the middle.

View attachment 35825

3/5th of the Kirk boys (just missing Chris Pine and Hemworth)

 

[cooleddie74]

Two Jims and a Sam.

The hot new family trio that's lighting up Nashville!

 

[mattman8907]

Two Jims and a Sam.

The hot new family trio that's lighting up Nashville!

I'll say this Shatner is finally starting to look every bit of 92 years old in that pic.

 

[cooleddie74]

It was bound to catch up to him sooner or later. The fact it took until about 92 to LOOK his age speaks volumes, though, for the man's genes.

 

[Richard S. Ta]

I think Wesley looks... 30-40. People age differently. I know 20 year olds who look like they are 35 years old and 50 year olds who look like they are 35.

 

[comsol]

I'll say this Shatner is finally starting to look every bit of 92 years old in that pic.

Maybe, but he still looks pretty damn good for 92.

 

[cooleddie74]

I won't look that good at 72.

 

[Noname Given]

Two Jims and a Sam.

The hot new family trio that's lighting up Nashville!

Wonder if Shatner's upset that two more actors took roles he played on TOS?

 

[cooleddie74]

Probably not. He's fond of Chris Pine and goes out of his way to say good things about him.

 

[Noname Given]

Probably not. He's fond of Chris Pine and goes out of his way to say good things about him.

It was a joke. I've read he likes Paul Weasley too.

 

[Richard S. Ta]

I'll say this Shatner is finally starting to look every bit of 92 years old in that pic.

He's standing on his own two legs. I think he looks to be in his late 70s. If I look that good at 92, I'll be happy.

If I even survive to 92, I'll be happy.

Or maybe not.

 

[DarrenTR1970]

I think Wesley looks... 30-40. People age differently. I know 20 year olds who look like they are 35 years old and 50 year olds who look like they are 35.

Heck, I just turned 53 and people compliment me on how young I look. Like someone in their late thirties. Personally, I think it's finally starting to catch up with me.
I have a coworker who is a couple of years younger than me, yet looks a decade older. It doesn't help that he's gone prematurely grey.
I have another coworker who is 28, married with six kids, yet still gets carded and could pass for someone in their late teens.

 

[Ovation]

Just had to renew passport and other ID photos. These documents require updating every 8-10 years, depending on the document. According to others, including my kids who wouldn’t spare my feelings on such things, the old and photos look identical in terms of age. I’ll be 56 in a month. Those who think they’re being kind tell me I look younger than my age. My kids say I’ve finally caught up to my looks (the brats ). I’m of the view that I will look pretty much the same for another 7-10 years (when I’m sure my kids will tell me I’ve looked 65 longer than anyone else in history. ) So I’ll have looked 55 for 17-20 years (sadly starting 10 years early). Not the worst outcome.

 

[DarrenTR1970]

Diane Duane's early Star Trek novels (The Wounded Sky, My Enemy My Ally) were written with the idea that Kirk commanded two five year missions before the refit, and her books are set in the second five year mission. Honestly, that's not an unattractive idea.

I don't know where the idea came from for a second five-year mission before TMP, because Gene Roddenberry's novelization lays out a pretty clear timeline of Kirk's career on the Enterprise prior to TMP in the opening chapters even without explicitly giving any years.

Nine Years Ago - Kirk takes command of the Enterprise from Captain Pike.
Eight Years Ago - Enterprise leaves Earth's solar system and begins its five-year mission.
Three Years Ago - Enterprise completes its five-year mission and returns to Earth.
Two Point Eight Years Ago - Spock begins studying Kolinahr.
Two And A Half Years Ago - Kirk was promoted to Admiral.
Eighteen Months Ago - Enterprise enters Drydock to begin refit.

 

[KirkusOveractus]

I don't know where the idea came from for a second five-year mission before TMP, because Gene Roddenberry's novelization lays out a pretty clear timeline of Kirk's career on the Enterprise prior to TMP in the opening chapters even without explicitly giving any years.

Nine Years Ago - Kirk takes command of the Enterprise from Captain Pike.
Eight Years Ago - Enterprise leaves Earth's solar system and begins its five-year mission.
Three Years Ago - Enterprise completes its five-year mission and returns to Earth.
Two Point Eight Years Ago - Spock begins studying Kolinahr.
Two And A Half Years Ago - Kirk was promoted to Admiral.
Eighteen Months Ago - Enterprise enters Drydock to begin refit.

I've always thought the Duane books would have fit in as a five-year mission after the V'Ger incident, then the ship returning to Earth to eventually become a training vessel, taking into account the general (non canon) assumption that TWOK takes place about 10 years after TMP.

 

[cooleddie74]

In canon it's 12 years after TMP.

 

[Racefuel]

I'll say this Shatner is finally starting to look every bit of 92 years old in that pic.

Shatner had the advantage of a long, long "aging hiatus" from around 1990 until around 2015.

The man has earned his age and deserves his golden years despite the character assassination that George Takei has campaigned for the last two decades or more

 

[TRON JA307020]

I think Wesley looks... 30-40. People age differently. I know 20 year olds who look like they are 35 years old and 50 year olds who look like they are 35.

He looks pretty old. Older than Shatner when he played Kirk especially the way Shatner looked in the first season. In 6 years he won't be able to play a 32 year old Kirk taking command of the enterprise.