STAR TREK: PHASE II Recasts Kirk

[doubleohfive]

Phase II producer James Cawley is stepping out of the role he's played for 8 years and seven episodes and handing it over to another actor:

Cawley tells TrekMovie that he has made the decision he wants the cast to all be trained and experienced actors, including the role of Kirk which he has played for the last eight year. While Cawley has a successful performance career as an Elvis impersonator, he is not a professional actor. So he decided to focus on being the executive producer and earlier this year he began a search to find a new Kirk. The actor he chose was Brian Gross

Link

For all the bally-hoo-ing about acting in fan productions (not just P2, but all of them) I have to admit, I'm kind of sorry to see Cawley leaving the role. I had gotten used to his portrayal of Kirk. I don't know anything about this other guy, but it looks like he's done some fairly mainstream stuff so far and certainly, "Bread and Savagery" will be all the more interesting to see in 2013!

 

[USS Intrepid]

Well I'm sad to see him go.

 

[doubleohfive]

As am I. For all my own personal reservations and critiques over the years, the enormous impact James has had behind the scenes and as Kirk is undeniable. I'm sure P2 will continue on producing high quality fan films, but the nostalgic side of me will miss Cawley's Kirk.

 

[starburst]

It must have been a hard decision to make to recast himself, after all who grew up watching TOS and didnt want to be Kirk! (either to play the role or be the Captain of the Enterprise)

At least this way he gets to concentrate on his job or Producing, it takes a brave person to be able to put aside ego and pride and say "hey there may be someone better suited to do this than me, lets find them!".

 

[Pingfah]

That's a shame, he was really improving with every episode, and he brought a certain flare to the role.

Still, I also think the show could really benefit from having experienced pros in every role.

 

[Barbreader]

I am both surprised and not surprised. James Cawley's No. 1 priority has always been to produce the best Trek he can. That he would sacrifice himself to that goal is not a surprise at all. Now, we'll see if this is going to be an improvement or not.

 

[Tom Hendricks]

I think both choices were good ones. While I had no problem with James performances, it was a good decision to cast someone else in the role. The actor he chose, excellent choice. While this won't get me to watch P2, I may check out the new actor once an episode hits.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

I'm sure this was carefully considered on James's part. Looks like a good pick.

 

[Iamnotspock]

Brian Gross's showreel is here, if anyone's interested. Looks like a good choice.

 

[PattyW]

Here is the official Press Release, for anyone interested:

Star Trek: Phase II Announces First Detail of Planned “ReLaunch” This Summer.

Senior Executive Producer James Cawley is thrilled to announce today that Brian Gross will be taking on the role of Captain James T. Kirk for Star Trek: Phase II. Starting with the twelfth episode, “Bread and Savagery”, currently filming in upstate New York, Gross will star as the iconic and most beloved captain in all of space as the award winning series continues to film and release new episodes, comprising the fourth and fifth season of Star Trek: The Original Series.

A talented and very experienced young actor, Gross has been in a number of feature films, including Red Tails, Knifepoint, and Big Mama’s House 2; and has a dizzying long list of guest starring and recurring roles on network TV shows including NCIS: Los Angeles, CSI: New York, Psych, NCIS, Las Vegas, Bones, Joey, JAG, Saving Grace, and Cold Case.

With Cawley’s career as the #1 Elvis impersonator in the United States swinging into full gear, he made the difficult decision that a re-cast was necessary to continue production of Star Trek: Phase II episodes. “I love performing,” said Cawley, “and at this point doing the work that pays the bills on this amazing adventure obviously prevents me from acting as the lead in this hobby.” With a change imminent on the horizon, the Senior Executive Producer decided it was the perfect opportunity to “ramp up” the production several notches. “Bringing in a solid, professional actor to play James Kirk will challenge us all to move things to the next level – and beyond,” he said.

The boundlessly energetic Cawley will remain Senior Executive Producer of the series, as well as continuing to perform the myriad of tasks he’s known for: set construction, props, costumer, costume designer, special effects makeup artist – to name a few.

The addition of Brian Gross as the new star of Star Trek: Phase II is only one of several planned changes to “re-launch” the series this year, which will be revealed over the course of the next several months. Fans can expect previously filmed episodes - including “Kitumba”, “The Protracted Man”, and “Mind-Sifter” – to be released when finished, while Brian will portray Kirk forward on the series that has already won numerous awards, including The TV Guide Award for Best Webisodes (beating out “Battlestar Gallactica”), two Golden Icon Awards (Best Web Series and Best Lead Actor on a Webseries), as well as both a Hugo and Nebula nomination.



http://s1002.photobucket.com/albums/af141/andriech22/?action=view&current=Kirk.jpg

 

[jamesmc]

Actually a BETTER one is this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sykvqa7sW14

 

[Barbreader]

I'm looking at those clips and thinking... this guy wants to break out of being a regular guest actor, and what if he does? What if his stint as a leading man at Phase II gets him a lead on a regular series? Doesn't that mean we wind up with a Kirk merry-go-round?

Of course, it might also mean going forward that James will get his chance to pick other break-out actors and feature them, eventually perhaps getting a chance to create a pro show for TV... and we lose Phase II altogether. But then, that would be a good way to lose Phase II.

Just thinking as I type...

 

[Wingsley]

Gross will have to do something different with his voice to convincingly portray Kirk. That NCIS clip reveals him to be way too high-pitched.

 

[Mike 1732]

The decision James Cawley made to step aside and recast Kirk only adds to the tremendous respect I have for him and what he's done with PII. It's clearly from complete and honest self-assessment, something you seldom see from anyone at, or near, the top of any organization. Politicians should take note.
I'll miss seeing him as Kirk, but am glad he will still be involved with PII.

 

[Admiral2]

As am I. For all my own personal reservations and critiques over the years, the enormous impact James has had behind the scenes and as Kirk is undeniable. I'm sure P2 will continue on producing high quality fan films, but the nostalgic side of me will miss Cawley's Kirk.

Ditto. i genuinely like the guy, and professional actor or not I think he's done a great job as kirk over the years.

 

[Shane Houston]

Well I'm sad to see him go.

Yeah me too. Am I wrong for not wanting to watch this Star Trek continues series because I feel like it's trying to steal P2's thunder? I just think that I personally have come to love the work done on P2, it's made one of the best episodes ever and I have no desire to watch that other show.

 

[Harvey]

I'm looking at those clips and thinking... this guy wants to break out of being a regular guest actor, and what if he does? What if his stint as a leading man at Phase II gets him a lead on a regular series? Doesn't that mean we wind up with a Kirk merry-go-round?

It's doubtful that this sort of thing would result in a leading role on a professional television series, but it will surely be a nice bit on his reel, and may lead to other work. And, if we end up with a Kirk merry-go-round, it won't be any different than the other roles in the regular cast, which (correct me if I'm wrong) have all been played by at least two actors.

 

[Captain Atkin]

Well, this is surprising and unexpected news. I've always enjoyed Cawley as Kirk. I do hope that he continues acting in the series in another role. Plenty of Klingon Captains in the Galaxy to choose from!

 

[Chris3123]

Wow. He was the last one I'd ever expect to be replaced. But seems he found a good replacement. And at least he's sticking with his behind-the-scenes duties.

If you are reading this, James, I wish to thank you for your 8 years of service on the bridge of the Enterprise. It won't be the same without you in front of the camera.

 

[Captain Randy Hall]

Surprising and saddening. So is "Bones" the only original actor still in the series?