Recycled Toasters

[RobertScorpio]

Brent Spiner kept making the point that he didn't want to play Data because he was getting older...I think Brent missed a golden opportunity here. They could easily have made an episode/movie sequence where his father tells him, in a memory, that by chosing to infuse the Emotion Chip he also activated an aging program which would now only allow him to live the lifespan of a human being...

Seeing Data, who had thought he could live for thousands of years, now have to deal with his mortality was, I think, an untapped actor's gold mine.....

Rob
Scorpio

 

[Too Much Fun]

It's a shame Brent Spiner and Patrick Stewart were given some influence over the story of Nemesis. It's been proven time and time again (although Leonard Nimoy is an exception) that the people who will handle the material best are people who respect it, but don't have all the baggage that comes with being a huge fan or an actor in the series. I think a big reason Nemesis was so bad was because the guy who wrote it was a fan who was just doing whatever he wanted as a fan instead of trying to come up with the story that works best dramatically (as a non-fan might) and because he allowed Spiner's wanting to stop playing Data to influence the poor story arc he wrote for that character.

I agree it would have been much better for them to have come up with an unconventional way to deal with Data looking older. For example, the white streak in his hair in "All Good Things..." was a fun idea. Another problem, though, was his weight, and I don't know if there was any way they could explain that. Data was incredibly slender in the early seasons, but it's a shame how bloated he is (in the face) in Nemesis. I had a friend who could not stop laughing about that. It's sad, but true.

 

[RobertScorpio]

They could have gotten around that...the could have had Data nearly destroyed in some attack..and because there are no other Soong androids hanging around, he had to spend the rest of his life in one of those chairs that Pike use to be in....yeah, its a stretch. But I think Brent Spiner could have done what Shatner did...bloat up between movies, then drop 40lbs for fliming then..let loose agiain....

Rob

 

[SeerSGB]

I'm thinking didn't they mention that Data had an aging program in of the Season 6 or 7 episodes; the one with his "mother" who was also a Soong type android. So the whole "getting to old to play the role" really doesn't fit.

 

[RobertScorpio]

I'm thinking didn't they mention that Data had an aging program in of the Season 6 or 7 episodes; the one with his "mother" who was also a Soong type android. So the whole "getting to old to play the role" really doesn't fit.

Wow...seer...I NEVER thought of that. She was pretty old. Unless he built her like that, old. But I doubt it...

And I love that actress..Follonna Flannagan..oh what ever... she is on LOST now and played AUNT MOLLY on my favorite western/tv show..the McCahans....

Rob
Scorpio

 

[Praetorian]

Aye, in "Inheritance" Geordi mentions that both Data and its "mother" having an aging program...

 

[RobertScorpio]

Aye, in "Inheritance" Geordi mentions that both Data and its "mother" having an aging program...

So then it all comes down to Spiner's weight? Gee, at least Shatner isn't alone now...

Rob
Scorpio

 

[greenmystik]

Seems a bit selfish on his part. I'm sure he could have a hired a trainer to get him shape for the movie, then once it was finished could have gone back to his old self.

 

[Too Much Fun]

I just watched the featurette on Brent Spiner and Data from the season 6 DVD set and after seeing it, I get the impression that he was never really as passionate about his character as the other actors were. He says that from the start he was really reluctant to play it and only did it for money, and was pretty sure Star Trek wouldn't last more than one season, so he was happy with the idea of playing it for one season, making a lot of money, and then moving on. He goes on to say that when the character and the show became successful, the best thing about it for him was that he didn't have to worry about paying his rent anymore. He does also say it was fun because it allowed him to play different characters (i.e. Lore, Dr. Soong, holodeck villains, evil characters when Data is possessed) too, but the overall feeling that I got from his interviews was that he was always more about the money than genuine love for his character.

I've seen a lot of interviews with people like Marina Sirtis and Jonathan Frakes who obviously adore their characters and would be so very happy to play them again, but these Brent Spiner interviews really opened my eyes to how much less interested he is. It also probably explains why he wanted Data to be killed off and why he didn't and wouldn't bother to put the effort necessary to slim down for playing the character in later years. In contrast, a guy like Christian Bale will go through hell to get into shape to play a character. Before "Batman Begins", he played a horribly malnourished man in "The Machinist" by losing an unbelievable amount of weight, then worked out and ate right to bulk up so he'd be in 'Batman shape'. Then he had to do the same thing for "The Dark Knight" because right before starring in that he played a prisoner of war in "Rescue Dawn". I don't think Brent Spiner has the passion for the character to put forth that kind of effort anymore. To be fair, he's a lot older than Bale, but even Arnold Schwarzenegger was disciplined enough to make sure he looked convincing for his iconic "Termintor 3" role.

 

[Alrik]

They could have gotten around that...the could have had Data nearly destroyed in some attack..and because there are no other Soong androids hanging around, he had to spend the rest of his life in one of those chairs that Pike use to be in....yeah, its a stretch. But I think Brent Spiner could have done what Shatner did...bloat up between movies, then drop 40lbs for fliming then..let loose agiain....

Rob

Wouldn't even have to go that far. Spiner wanted out of the part? Fine. Say that the Romulans find Data parts after the battle (or even just his head...hey there is precident there) and present them to Riker as a show of good will. The Titan meets up with the E-E and it is decided that they will put the disfigured Data head on the B-4 body. After some tinkering and physical repairs by Geordi, Data is re-activated. He looks and sounds a little different due to the damage from the explosion, but underneath he's the same old Data (just a different actor).

Or better yet, say a new TNG movie does get made and Spiner wants his payday too, just pull a Dallas. Start the movie with Worf stirring from a Romulan Ale induced nightmare (Nemesis...hey it fits) with his head still on the table after the Riker/Troi reception. He could look right into the camera and say "Never again." Just like that Nemesis is gone and they can go on to make a worthwhile TNG movie.

 

[Gary7]

I wonder if Spiner has any contractual obligations to continue playing Data.

Truth be told, I found his performance in Nemesis to be very flat. If he's not interested in the role anymore, there's any easy way to handle this... an accident.

Data gets caught in some terrific explosion. It blows his face off and ruptures his voice circuits. He is repaired, but now looks different. The actor succeeding his role would have to incorporate a lot of the mannerisms that Brent established... but it could be pulled off. An android is an andriod...

 

[BolianAuthor]

^

Dude... all these graphic ways to kill of Data... lol.

I actually admire Brent for at least just being honest, in his desire not to want to continue on as Data. And I don't think less of him for wanting the role for the money... I mean, he's an actor, and wants work. Simple as that.

I can understand Brent's desire maybe, not to be typecast, but unfortunately, most of his other non-Trek roles have been "crazed scientist" types, like in ID4, or oddballs, or "background men", like his role in "The Aviator". I would love for him to be given a role that REALLY lets him unleash all his talent, and makes him shine, like how Nana Visitor did, in BSG. Her one performance in that BSG episode totally opened my eyes to how much of her talent was wasted on Trek. I think Brent just needed a good role, and he found Data to be a bit too limiting. He did a GREAT job with Data, but I can understand how he might have felt that both the role and the character were getting stale.

 

[RobertScorpio]

^

Dude... all these graphic ways to kill of Data... lol.

I actually admire Brent for at least just being honest, in his desire not to want to continue on as Data. And I don't think less of him for wanting the role for the money... I mean, he's an actor, and wants work. Simple as that.

I can understand Brent's desire maybe, not to be typecast, but unfortunately, most of his other non-Trek roles have been "crazed scientist" types, like in ID4, or oddballs, or "background men", like his role in "The Aviator". I would love for him to be given a role that REALLY lets him unleash all his talent, and makes him shine, like how Nana Visitor did, in BSG. Her one performance in that BSG episode totally opened my eyes to how much of her talent was wasted on Trek. I think Brent just needed a good role, and he found Data to be a bit too limiting. He did a GREAT job with Data, but I can understand how he might have felt that both the role and the character were getting stale.

Perhaps...but Nimoy went through this phase. Why do I feel as if, years from now, Brent will do a 180 degree turn and revise his views...wouldn't be the first time a TREK actor hated his role and then loved it..and then hated it...and then loved it again...

(shhhhhh...would be interesting to see if TREK XI bombs and they decide to do another TNG movie how fast Brent changes his mind)...

Rob

 

[Too Much Fun]

(shhhhhh...would be interesting to see if TREK XI bombs and they decide to do another TNG movie how fast Brent changes his mind)...

Or if it doesn't bomb a "TNG babies" movie where Brent Spiner goes back in time to give young Data a warning about Shinzon so he doesn't actually die trying to stop the guy.