I'm sure that's the case, but I hope it doesn't play out like that, the effort that went into setting up the original reboot film will have seemed in vain otherwise. I want it to be done right or not at all.
They can do a "cold intro" to a Deadly Years remake, with the stakes a bit higher and with "old Kirk" working out the solution with "old Spock" (rather than waiting for the serum to work on Kirk before he goes to the bridge in the original). So his body is aged, but his mind is still sound. Then, have the reversal to their youth be more touch and go than in the original, heightening the drama for a moment, giving the two (Shatner and Nimoy) a moment when they, unsure if they will survive, reveal the depth of their friendship. When the reversal is accomplished, the moment will help solidify that friendship going forward (so still meaningful) and we see something later on in the movie to demonstrate how the friendship is stronger than ever.
Gives Nimoy and Shatner more than a 2 min. cameo (the scene should be 10-15 mins long--that was enough screen time for Anthony Hopkins to earn a lead actor Oscar for Silence of the Lambs, so it ought to be enough for Shatner). If well-written enough, gives each actor the opportunity to shine in the other's presence in a serious moment one last time. Tie in the obstacle they overcome to a later development in the film (making the scene relevant to the story as a whole, not just a "moment wedged in"). Start the story with a bang (if they are to be in it, let them make a grand entrance right away--go against the conventional trend of making everyone wait for "the reveal").
I'm no screenwriter, but these are my 2 cents on the matter.
My preference would be than neither one is in the movie, but that there be a nice 50th anniversary special on TV that comes out about a month before the movie and all the original TOS cast they can gather be in it--maybe Takei and Shatner can "publicly" bury the hatchet (they can keep resenting each other in private, if indeed they do and it's not all a shtick).
I can only hope he will turn down this deal, and choose not to appear in this JJ travesty called Star Trek.
I can only hope he will turn down this deal, and choose not to appear in this JJ travesty called Star Trek.
LOL! Do you really think that after Shatner literally begged for a part in the new ST films he is going to turn down this role?
You may not enjoy the new films, but many people do. Say what you will about Abrams films, but the fact is he saved this franchise that had one foot in the grave by giving the mass audience a film they could enjoy. J.J. Abrams made Star Trek relevant again for the first time in two decades
Why would anyone take what Shatner is saying at face value?
He is being coy about his involvement in ST 3 because he already got in trouble once for admitting his role...Does anyone not remember his initial denial where he said that these rumors were created simply to get attention for the film, only to announce 48 hours later that he had indeed been in touch with J.J. Abrams about a part in the new film and that his initial denial was false? He is playing stupid (i mean this in the most polite way as possible) for the cameras.
The whole how are they going to bring me back stuff is a lot of nonsense. We already know (as does Shatner) how they are going to bring him back. He is going to be playing an older version of Chris Pine's Kirk. I met him in Providence this weekend and saw him give a speech where he even brought up the scene about playing the older version of Pine's Kirk "with Leonard" in front of 1000 people. Yes, he was somewhat vague, but he also was quite clear that he was aware of how they planned on bringing him back.
Shatner is not a dumb man by any means, he knows damn right well that they aren't going
to give him the lead role in the new film, but they may very well give him an important role similar to that of Leonard Nimoy's role in ST 09 that he will sign on for. Quite frankly I believe it's a done deal already and Shatner is simply deflecting the questions.
I am 100% convinced that William Shatner will be in the new Star Trek film and about 95% sure that the contracts have already been signed.
Denny Crane.Y'know, seeing Denny Crane in the new movie is suddenly sounding like a good idea to me.
No idea where that came from.
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Shatner should play Admiral Tiberius Kirk. The hero or the Romulan war. It's clear to everyone that he's showing early signs of Alzheimer's that everyone covers with nice euphemisms like "Mad Tribble." No one wants him involved in any strategic planning despite his best efforts to butt in, but his legendary status also means no one dare force him to retire. So instead they just stuff him away in a nice office at Starfleet HQ, where he spends most days sitting on his balcony drinking Aldebaran whisky.
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