Shatner talks Trek XI on CNN.com

[Brutal Strudel]

Kegek`s Corpse said:
People love downplaying Ron Moore's involvement in Generations... despite the fact he co-wrote the script. With Berman producing, Moore and Braga co-writing, the only difference on the creative end between GEN and FC were the directors, David Carson and Jonathan Frakes. But nobody talks of FC as a solely B&B effort, do they?

Moore is as culpable as Berman and Braga. Shatner's as culpable too because, although it wasn't his idea, he went along with it. Anyway, it's moot: Kirk's been dead for a decade. He's not likely to come back. Or rather he will - as Chris Pine. Let's hope this new guy's good.

Indded. And Moore made a big deal about killing his childhood hero. And Shatner could have turned down the part or forced them keep him alive. He didn't (dying seemed a good idea at the time until he actually died--sounds like Nimoy 1982 all over again ). Still, I do kinda feel bad for him.

 

[Ward Fowler]

I agree with those who say that Shatner agreed to kill Kirk, so he should have to live with the repercussions. However, it would go a long way with some of us old timers if we could see the original Kirk and Spock on screen one more time, even if just briefly. It just seems like its the right thing to do. I'll be really disappointed if I find out that Abrams wanted to make it happen but it was Shatner's greed that prevented it, or vice-versa.

 

[Captain59]

JBElliott said:
This is perfect example of what I've been saying all along. Shatner is in it, but they're not telling anyone. This very interview gives more publicity to the movie because of this "controversy." The longer it goes, the more free publicity the movie gets. Then when it hits a fever pitch, or a lull, they'll announce Shatner will be in the movie and get even more free publicity.

So don't worry. Shatner will be in the movie. You heard it here first.

I agree 100%. This is all a ruse to create a stir...and this thread is a perfect example.

 

[CoveTom]

I tend to think that this is legit, rather than being a ruse for publicity. But regardless of which it is, Shatner is coming off looking bad here.

Not because he wants to be in the film, but because he's starting to make these comments about what a bad business decision it is not to have him in there. It may very well be a bad business decision, I don't know. Shatner certainly is popular among Star Trek fans, and he's gained newfound popularity with the public through Boston Legal. But for him to be the one to make that argument makes him come off as very egotistical, an image he used to have but which he had managed to break from in recent years.

Regardless of what happens, I still think he's hurting his image with these comments.

 

[Jonesy]

CaptainDonovin said:
Actually he didn't kill Kirk, I think it was B&B, but unless Abrams had/has a good way of bringing him back to life that wouldn't make the Trek community scream I say leave him off.

Actually it was Moore, Braga, and Berman that decided to kill off Kirk. As a matter of fact, Moore almost seemed to take sole credit for the original idea to kill off Kirk in the Generations commentary. The thing is, Shatner agreed to do it - and not only agreed to do it but agreed to do it as presented in the final film. (and original "death scene")

 

[Jonesy]

CoveTom said:
I tend to think that this is legit, rather than being a ruse for publicity. But regardless of which it is, Shatner is coming off looking bad here.

Not because he wants to be in the film, but because he's starting to make these comments about what a bad business decision it is not to have him in there. It may very well be a bad business decision, I don't know. Shatner certainly is popular among Star Trek fans, and he's gained newfound popularity with the public through Boston Legal. But for him to be the one to make that argument makes him come off as very egotistical, an image he used to have but which he had managed to break from in recent years.

Regardless of what happens, I still think he's hurting his image with these comments.

I think that this quotation is particularly pompous:

"I thought, what a decision to make, since it obviously is a decision not to make use of the popularity I have to ensure the movie has good box office."

I have a lot of varying thoughts and gut reactions to this statement. I personally think that Paramount is going to promote the hell out of this movie. I don't think that Shatner's involvement would matter a lot, and I also don't think that Nimoy's really will either - despite the fact that he's in it. Shatner's involvement will just pump up the films budget and I just get ill whenver I think of the kind of creative demands and involvement he would likely demand on the script. I can just imagine him making demands and shoehorning in some contrived crap and weaking what might end up being a relatively decent film.

Once again, I am glad that this movie is largely being taken away from the control of the actors and is being put into the control of the writers/producers. Shatner is bitter but I thought at his age that he would retain some degree of class and dignity and not make some egotistical comment at the production relating to his so-called bankability.

 

[DarthPipes]

I don't think Star Trek's box office performance will be any different with or without the involvement of William Shatner. The real question is whether this Star Trek film will be able to gross over $100 million in the United States when only one has been able to do it so far.

I agree that it's sour grapes at this point. He agreed to come back to a film where his character was going to be killed off. Deal with it.

Considering how well his career has gone these past few years (2 Emmys and a Golden Globe on a Peabody Award-winning drama), I don't see what he's so desperate to play Kirk again.

Now, I'll be honest...I'd like to see him in Star Trek XI. But it doesn't matter to me one way or another.

 

[Tralah]

The more I read about this, the more I'm really hoping that the movie is a great success WITHOUT Shatner, just to prove his egotistical claims wrong.

 

[Trekster]

The CNN article says "Chris Pines" is playing young Kirk. They cant even get his name right lol. I guess thats what happens when you cast unknown actors.

 

[A beaker full of death]

jon1701 said:
I love you Shat, but its time to give it a rest.

I know this must hurt, but you killed Kirk years ago. This is making you look old and bitter.

Hardly. He's absolutely right. The film would do better with him than without him.

 

[Supervisor 194]

Shatner's persona goes a long way toward keeping any of his statements from coming off as 'bitter' or 'old'. If this is simply a way of generating publicity for the movie, then so be it.

 

[Jack Bauer]

I'm getting tired of Shatner's whining. Grow some nads, man.

 

[anti-matter]

Just as a general comment I agree with the others that see Bills attention whoring as a all around good thing for the film. Maybe he's getting a stipend as a publicity agent?

 

[Jon1701]

A beaker full of death said:

jon1701 said:
I love you Shat, but its time to give it a rest.

I know this must hurt, but you killed Kirk years ago. This is making you look old and bitter.

Hardly. He's absolutely right. The film would do better with him than without him.

Better what? Box office?

Wont make that much of a difference. Trek fans are going to watch this movie either way, out of morbid curiousty if nothing else. This film is being produced with a mass market in mind.

Whilst Trek fans are important, they wont make or break this movie. The only question is :

"Is the movie any good?"

 

[Samuel T. Cogley]

Guys, doesn't it sound to you like he's protesting just a little too much?

The number of times he has made these comments, he might as well be on a press junket promoting the movie.

I suspect this is an effort to cover up a surprise ending in a day and age when secrets are almost impossible to keep. If I'm right, he is unfortunately taking some "hits" to his character in order to protect the secret.

Assuming arguendo that I'm correct, I am interested to see how his appearance at the end of the movie will be received by fans who are gradually getting fed up by what they perceive to be his "whining" on this issue. Will his attempts to cover up the surprise backfire and sour his appearance?

RE: Shatner's decision to let Kirk die in Generations:

I'm guessing that Shatner looked at what a boon Spock's death was to Nimoy's career (and the character of Spock), and figured he might have some of that same luck.

Plus, I wouldn't be surprised if any initial hesitation on Shatner's part was met by reassurances from TPTB: "Don't worry, Bill. This is Star Trek. We can bring you back at any time. Look at how it all worked out for Leonard."

I'm guessing that Shatner hoped for a fan reaction/upswelling that never came. Never came in large enough numbers to matter, anyway.

I don't blame the man for taking a risk. Every actor takes a risk with any part, never knowing how it will be perceived by the audience until it is far too late to do anything about it.

And I don't fault him for feeling left out of the movie.

But his "protests" seem too immature, even for Shatner, which just adds to the many reasons that I believe he will be in the next film.

 

[Tralah]

I think those of you who are convinced that this is some great conspiracy in order to cover up a surprise ending are grasping at straws. The publicity of Shatner being IN the movie, would be much more positive than whatever fun having a "surprise" ending would be. I put "surprise" in quotes, because I sincerely doubt that they would manage to keep it a surprise, and even if they did, ONLY the first audiences to see the movie would be surprised. After that ANYONE who comes near the Internet would know, because I don't think people would be cautious enough about spoilers to keep something that big a secret for long.

 

[Plum]

... everyone gets Shatner is doing this; "they should have me in the movie", thing is a marketing stunt... right?

And it's working! Man, Shatner is on CNN to promote Star Trek XI, that's the point. Now millions of solumnist Americans are aware there's going to be a remake of Star Trek.

 

[Stone_Cold_Sisko]

As far as the debate over who is responsible for Kirk's death...

It's Rick Berman.

Brannon Braga and Ron Moore are also responsible, but both less so since they took their marching orders from Berman, who told them that kirk had to die.

The lame nature of their death can probably be attributed more to Braga/Moore.

 

[I Grok Spock]

Zuni Fetish Doll said:
Guys, doesn't it sound to you like he's protesting just a little too much?

The number of times he has made these comments, he might as well be on a press junket promoting the movie.

As amusing as I find your "SCBLSE" I think you're straying into wishful thinking territory. I originally thought Shat's loud and frequent complaints were a negotiating tactic to get the fans to lobby for his return and stroke a bigger cheque out of the 'Mount. Now, I think he knows he's not getting in and he's just milking the publicity. After all, I'd wager he'll get nearly as much face time with the media whether he's in the movie or not.

 

[Captain Craig]

The only arrogant assumption IMO, is this.

"I thought, what a decision to make, since it obviously is a decision not to make use of the popularity I have to ensure the movie has good box office. It didn't seem to be a wise business decision."

This movie is not about Nimoy/Spock.
Its not similar to when TNG debuted with Generations.
This movie is about a new cast in old roles.
Actually not having Shatner in the movie may be what they need if they are wanting to move beyond the "old" guard, Nimoy withstanding.