Professor with cancer to cameo in Star Trek XI very cool JJ!

[Jack Bauer]

AICN

When this was first sent to me, I didn’t know who Randy Pausch was, so I went to do a little reading up on him.

I ended up spending a good chunk of the afternoon getting to know more about this remarkable teacher, an MIT professor currently struggling with pancreatic cancer. In addition to writing about it with clarity and strength, he also delivered a “Last Lecture” to his students that has become a bit of a media sensation.


This is from Randy Pausch (the professor who gave his dying speech) talking about his working with JJ Abrams on Star Trek.

Check out the blog for the photo of the check: blog

-BulldogFan

”This is, by far, the coolest thing (okay, #2 behind the palliative chemo working). JJ Abrams (Hollywood producer/director who did the TV series "Lost," the movie "Mission Impossible III" and a bunch of other stuff) emailed me, out of the blue:

Hi there -- I'm JJ Abrams, director of the new Star Trek movie.

I read about you and your condition, and ALSO your affinity for things Trek.

So, I just wanted to put the invitation out there -- that if you had any desire to be in the film (can't promise you role as CAPTAIN, but... we could do SOMETHING!), it would be my honor and pleasure.

The last thing I want to do is intrude, so feel free not to reply -- but I wanted to make sure you knew that, if you are willing and able, the door is wide open.

I hope that your treatments are going well and that we get to meet one day.

Best,
JJ

Naturally, I presumed this was one of my friends, playing a prank. But after a little sleuthing, it was clear it was for real. Jai & I hopped a plane to LA, where I got a custom-made Star Trek uniform and my own station on the bridge, where I had lots of buttons and controls. I even got a LINE!!!!

In addition to publicly thanking JJ Abrams, I just wanted to say what an incredibly egoless and cool guy he was. We chatted a little bit between takes, and he is so tech-savvy (and I'm not saying that *just* because he knew all about Alice!). Anyway, it was a truly magical experience. Speaking of Magic, I got to fulfill a long-standing wish of taking Jai to the Magic Castle on that trip, courtesy of Peter Farquar. MK Haley, who is herself quite magical, joined Peter and his wife and Jai & me for an incredible evening.

The "Star Trek" movie will be in theaters December 2008. Don't blink or you'll miss me, but at some point a guy walked across the bridge and says "Captain, we have visual!"

I'd *love* to show you my costume (which they let me keep), but I promised JJ Abrams "no photos". They're trying to keep things a secret; in fact, even on the Paramount lot, you have to walk around in a trenchcoat if you're in a Star Trek costume. It's kind of like being at a flasher's convention!

Oh, and if you think I'm making this up, here's a copy of my check from Paramount (they had to pay me due to some union rules or some such... I'll obviously be donating this to charity).”

 

[Samuel T. Cogley]

I'm willing to catch leprosy if it will get me in the chair right next to Zoe Saldana.

 

[archeryguy1701]

Now that is awesome! Great find, and thanks for putting this up here, Bauer!

 

[StarMan]

Re: Professor with cancer to cameo in Star Trek XI very cool

Great story.

We also have our first confirmed line!

 

[Samuel T. Cogley]

Re: Professor with cancer to cameo in Star Trek XI very cool

StarMan said:
We also have our first confirmed line!

I tried to tell all you people that this movie was going to have a visual and a Captain in it, but no one believed me.

This movie is going to bomb!

 

[Kokomo]

Re: Professor with cancer to cameo in Star Trek XI very cool

This is really, really cool of Abrams! What an awesome gesture!

 

[Valar]

If you look at his blog, the guy also mentions how William Shatner sent him a personalized autographed picture which gave him hope during his darkest time- when he was told of the cancer reoccuring- on it the Shat wrote "we don't believe in the no-win scenario". All these guys have class when it counts.

 

[martin]

Re: Professor with cancer to cameo in Star Trek XI very cool

I wonder, if it was Bill Shatner terminally ill, would that get him a part in the film...

Well done J.J, a generous offer to an obviously generous man...

 

[Kegek]

Re: Professor with cancer to cameo in Star Trek XI very cool

For once, I have absolutely no criticism of J.J. Abrams at all. That was a thoughtful gesture.

 

[Roshi]

Re: Professor with cancer to cameo in Star Trek XI very cool

Très cool!

 

[Dane_Whitman]

Re: Professor with cancer to cameo in Star Trek XI very cool

What a great gesture.

 

[cardinal biggles]

Re: Professor with cancer to cameo in Star Trek XI very cool

A very cool gesture on Abrams' part. I'm very impressed.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Re: Professor with cancer to cameo in Star Trek XI very cool

Wow, that was an awesome gesture by Abrams.

 

[God Magnus]

Re: Professor with cancer to cameo in Star Trek XI very cool

Definitely will keep an eye out for that scene in the film. Very cool.

 

[Capt.April]

Re: Professor with cancer to cameo in Star Trek XI very cool

Very kind gesture, if he didn't blog it then we wouldn't know about it so I'm guessing I can rule out a cynical (very..very..cynical) publicity stunt.

J J Abrams has definatly gone up many notches in my book from hollywood guy to decent human being!

 

[ancient]

Re: Professor with cancer to cameo in Star Trek XI very cool

I think it always helps to be a good person. Very awesome of him.

 

[egonbeeblebrox]

Re: Professor with cancer to cameo in Star Trek XI very cool

That's great. I'm sure he's proud to be in the flick.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

Re: Professor with cancer to cameo in Star Trek XI very cool

That's pretty cool! Make a Wish for adults! :thumbsup:

 

[Samuel T. Cogley]

Re: Professor with cancer to cameo in Star Trek XI very cool

Too bad he wasn't a "Battlestar Galactica" fan. Ronald Moore could have sent him a little human/Cylon hybrid blood. It's a better deal, really.

 

[VOODOOXI]

Re: Professor with cancer to cameo in Star Trek XI very cool

That is a very thoughtful gesture.