Star Trek II - Sulu's cut lines about promotion

[Captain59]

When Kirk and Co. are taking the the pod to the Enterprise in the beginning of the movie, it's obvious Sulu says something else after, "I'm delighted. Any chance to go aboard the Enterprise..." because you can see him about to talk some more. Then after a scenary shot, Kirk then says, "I for one am happy to have you at the helm for the next two weeks."

My guess is Sulu said something like, "...is well worth delaying my promotion to captain for this trip."

Does anyone know what the line is that was cut, and why it wasn't part of the deleted scenes for the Director's Cut?

Thanks!

 

[ManaByte]

This was the original scene in question:

29 INT. SPACE SHUTTLE 29
A new composite. Bones, Sulu, Uhura and Kirk -- who
sits, reading. Through the windows we can see the
approach to the starship ENTERPRISE. Kirk looks up,
nods. Sulu activates a comm button.

SULU
Enterprise, this is Admiral Kirk's
party on final approach.

ENTERPRISE VOICE
(filtered)
Enterprise welcomes you. Prepare
for docking.

Kirk looks up from his book as Sulu sits next to him.

KIRK
I really must thank you.

SULU
(embarrassed)
I am delighted; any chance to go
aboard Enterprise, however briefly,
is always an excuse for nostalgia.

KIRK
I cut your new orders personally. By
the end of the month, you'll have your
first command: USS EXCELSIOR.

SULU
Thank you, sir. I've looked
forward to this for a long time.

KIRK
You've earned it. But I'm still
grateful to have you at the helm
for three weeks. I don't believe
these kids can steer.

Sulu laughs.

 

[Harvey]

I imagine it's not part of the Director's Cut because Sulu doesn't assume command of the Excelsior in the next film...or the one after that...or the one after that.

 

[ClayinCA]

Well, the way Takei always tells the story is that Shatner purposely sabotaged the take by delivering his lines so badly that there was no way they could use that scene. I've never been sure that I believe that, but make of it what you will, I guess.

 

[ManaByte]

Well, the way Takei always tells the story is that Shatner purposely sabotaged the take by delivering his lines so badly that there was no way they could use that scene. I've never been sure that I believe that, but make of it what you will, I guess.

It's a lie. Takei hates Shatner, so it's not really unblievable that he'd spread lies about him.

 

[Gorn Captain]

It wasn't Shatner. Sulu was simply in violation of Starfleet's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

 

[Praetor]

I don't know, it seems like they both hated each other. We just don't know what was true.

 

[ManaByte]

It wasn't Shatner. Sulu was simply in violation of Starfleet's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

 

[ClayinCA]

I don't know, it seems like they both hated each other. We just don't know what was true.

I've never seen any indication whatever that Shatner hates Takei. I don't think he has much of an opinion about him one way or another, to tell you the truth, or about any of his co-stars; and that attitude, possibly seen as dismissive, is probably the source of many of their ill-feelings about him.

Just my opinion, obviously.

 

[Praetor]

Well, personally I've always thought that Shatner was dismissive of the others (besides Nimoy and Kelley), which led to them hating him which led to him hating them, so by the time TWOK was made things were probably pretty frosty.

 

[Jolantru]

Well, personally I've always thought that Shatner was dismissive of the others (besides Nimoy and Kelley), which led to them hating him which led to him hating them, so by the time TWOK was made things were probably pretty frosty.

I don't think he hates them, although they probably hate him. Sure he's got an ego, but if you listen to George Takei, he's got a pretty massive ego too.

When they filmed Star Trek VI, Shatner actually advised him that Sulu should remain on the Enterprise, because George would have more screen time. Takei, said he wanted Sulu to have his own ship, to which Shatner reportedly replied "George this isn't real life."

Just from observing Takei's comments in public (and please no one take this as a shot at him being gay, because I don't intend that), he comes off as a drama queen.

 

[Kirk1980]

Shatner explained part of it in Star Trek Memories (IIRC, as always) that he'd sometimes tell the directors/writers/Roddenberry, et al that a particular scene with one of the four was unnecessary and would interrupt the flow.

He admitted that this was probably kinda mean of him but in his defense, he was usually right.

I just think that well-known intensity didn't exactly take the others' feelings into account all that often.

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

Shatner explained part of it in Star Trek Memories (IIRC, as always) that he'd sometimes tell the directors/writers/Roddenberry, et al that a particular scene with one of the four was unnecessary and would interrupt the flow.

He admitted that this was probably kinda mean of him but in his defense, he was usually right.

I just think that well-known intensity didn't exactly take the others' feelings into account all that often.

Honestly, this scene is unnecessary to the overall development of the film and is something that could easily be cut for time and pacing. Moreover, it's a nice character tidbit but does nothing to actually demonstrate character or motivation.

I think Takei fought for the wrong things -- a title and a ship for his character.

Had I been Takei, I'd have wanted a scene that showcased Sulu's talents as a helmsmen. Perhaps he could've been the one to suggest that Khan's tactics are "two-dimensional" or been the one to offer a "three-dimensional" course. Well anything, really, that made Sulu more integral to the film's development. To me that would seem more gratifying and pertinent to the movie itself than an off-handed line about a promotion.

Now how it was handled on set, I can't speak to that. I wasn't there. And there's two sides to every story. Shatner has been upfront about his singular approach to the work, much to the distress of his castmates. Hell even Koenig states that the supporting cast never spoke up for themselves. Would that have changed things? Who knows. It's too late now, something Koenig acknowledges.

 

[Kirk1980]

Yeah, last I knew, everybody except for Takei had moved on and indeed even in 1994 (circa Generations), Shatner, Doohan and Koenig had settled things and by all accounts were no longer enemies. Shatner honestly seems a little sad sometimes when he realizes how much time he wasted not getting to know his castmates outside of Nimoy and Kelley.

Hopefully someday Takei might be able to separate Shatner the man from Shatner the actor, by all accounts, they seem to be different people in their approach to their fellow man.

EDIT: Middy, I particularly like your idea to make Sulu the one who would have suggested the two vs three dimensional thinking. Would have made perfect sense for the character.

 

[ManaByte]

Shatner and Doohan didn't bury the hatchet until right before Doohan died.

 

[Broccoli]

I almost am betting that the whole Takei/Shatner feud, at least in the last few recent years, is completely false and a more-or-less elaborate publicity stunt.

And there's two sides to every story.

Actually, there are three sides to every story. Person A's side; Person B's side; and the truth.

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

I almost am betting that the whole Takei/Shatner feud, at least in the last few recent years, is completely false and a more-or-less elaborate publicity stunt.

And there's two sides to every story.

Actually, there are three sides to every story. Person A's side; Person B's side; and the truth.

Kosh?

 

[ManaByte]

Takei was enjoying the Shatner roast a little too much for it to be a publicity stunt.

 

[Broccoli]

I almost am betting that the whole Takei/Shatner feud, at least in the last few recent years, is completely false and a more-or-less elaborate publicity stunt.

And there's two sides to every story.

Actually, there are three sides to every story. Person A's side; Person B's side; and the truth.

Kosh?

?

I got it of the side of a box of "Mike's Hard Lemonade"

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

I almost am betting that the whole Takei/Shatner feud, at least in the last few recent years, is completely false and a more-or-less elaborate publicity stunt.



Actually, there are three sides to every story. Person A's side; Person B's side; and the truth.

Kosh?

?

I got it of the side of a box of "Mike's Hard Lemonade"

Maybe the Vorlons manufacture that. "Understanding is a three-edged sword" and all.