Shatner still could be in the film

[Saul]

http://trekmovie.com/2007/08/14/producer-paramount-trying-to-convince-shatner/

Stratton Leopold was going to be the unit production manager and one of the executive producers for the new Star Trek we have not heard anything from him. He did join the usual Abrams mafia (Orci, Kurtzman, Burke, and Lindelof) on stage at Comic-Con, but he didn’t say a word. Leopold is more of a behind the scenes kind of guy keeping the trains running on time, but he did give his local paper the (The Savannah Morning News) an interview where he dropped an interesting tidbit about Shatner:

Leonard Nimoy will be back as Spock, said Leopold, and studio executives still hope to convince William Shatner to suit up as Captain Kirk one more time.

Which doesn't surprise me. If Nimoy is in the film I'm sure they'd want to get Shatner in there too. Could be future Spock bringing Kirk back to life again in the movie. Nimoy has a meaty role he said, what could Spock be doing in this film?

 

[Franklin]

As Nimoy reminds folks, Shatner was in GEN without him. Of course, Nimoy was offered a chance to be Spock in GEN, but turned it down because the part had no substance.

We're not going to know what's really going on here for quite a while. Shatner apparently priced himself out of an ENT episode, but this is different. This could be a big deal. Call me naive, but I just can't believe the sticking point would be money. Especially at this point in Shatner's life/career.

I could see Shatner's ego getting in the way of believing old Kirk has to do something other than just come back to life and smile, or whatever. That Kirk needs something important to do, too.
Maybe as Nimoy felt about Spock's role in GEN, Shatner believes there isn't enough substance in the part for him. The story goes well whether he's in it or not. That would make the sticking point trying to beef up the part for Shatner without greatly affecting the story they are trying to tell.
That would seem to fit with Abrams and everyone seeming to wish Shatner could be in the movie. It's just can he be worked in to everyone's satisfaction?

 

[Vektor]

I still wonder if Shatner isn’t already in the film and all of this talk about trying to find a way to include him is just an elaborate disinformation campaign. I just find it hard to believe that Shatner would be as far out of the loop as he professes to be, waiting by the phone for J.J. to call and not knowing if he ever will, etc. It really wouldn’t surprise me if both he and Nimoy have been onboard for months and agreed to keep this running shtick going as long as possible to prolong the anticipation, generate more buzz and heighten the surprise when they finally announce it or word leaks out.

Then again, maybe Shatner knows full well that he won’t be in it and he’s just milking it for all its worth. As long as Abrams and company keep saying they’re trying to work him in and Shatner keeps playing along, everybody wins.

Who knows…

 

[Dr. Chandra]

Here's the link to the Savannah Morning News article.

 

[number6]

I still don't really understand why he should be in the film.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

I really am disinclined to think that this is deliberate disinformation from the production. I think that they're a lot smarter than that, and the cliche "any publicity is good publicity" has limited application at this point in the process.

 

[Sharr Khan]

Vektor said:
I still wonder if Shatner isn’t already in the film and all of this talk about trying to find a way to include him is just an elaborate disinformation campaign. I just find it hard to believe that Shatner would be as far out of the loop as he professes to be, waiting by the phone for J.J. to call and not knowing if he ever will, etc. It really wouldn’t surprise me if both he and Nimoy have been onboard for months and agreed to keep this running shtick going as long as possible to prolong the anticipation, generate more buzz and heighten the surprise when they finally announce it or word leaks out.

Then again, maybe Shatner knows full well that he won’t be in it and he’s just milking it for all its worth. As long as Abrams and company keep saying they’re trying to work him in and Shatner keeps playing along, everybody wins.

Who knows…

It does feel like a disinformation campaign, just listening to the whole act Shatner and Nimoy have going on makes me think it is.

Sharr

 

[Jackson_Roykirk]

I don't know...

Shatner is starting to get bad press about this -- people on message boards are bemoaning the allegations that he is holding out for more money. I don't think this would be deliberate disinformation, because from my impressions of Shatner, he would not want any fan to harbor ill feelings towards him for even 1 second. Maybe I'm wrong, but I just don't see Shatner "playing up the wanting more money" in this casting drama. He seems to crave nothing but love from his fans.

I think it is more feasible to believe that Shatner really is in negotiations and really is asking for more money than Paramount wants to give him. Leopold's leak could be a deliberate attempt to shame Shatner into accepting Paramount's offer.

Maybe (if he actually has a role in this film) his role is smaller than Nimoy's, so Paramount is offering him less money -- and that doesn't sit well with Shatner. Maybe he want's more money to go along with a bigger role.

 

[fudgefase]

I have figured it out. Shatner/Kirk comes into the mess hall and orders a rak from the replicator. He trips and his head goes into the replicator just as it's doing it's thing and he comes out with a new, rejuvenated face - played by ??????
The new young Kirk tells everyone (cameos for all)about this fab discovery, they all rush the replicators and the new, young crew take off for anew 5 year mission etc etc.
Tarrrarra!
(Takes a bow!)