Writer's Strike: I guess this settles the shatner issue

[Commander_Mills]

Hey everybody!

with Orci's comments about the script being ready, polished and shootable as is before the looming writer's strike, I guess it's no longer possible to work shatner into the picture? They can't still be "looking for a way to work him in". It would be risky as hell. There have been some last minute stunts pulled before in hollywood, but this would be madness. So either Shatner's not in the movie, or he's been in all along and we've been given this fake controversy to drum up interest... but the bottom line is a final decision on Shatner's presence in the movie was taken weeks if not months ago... thoughts?

 

[theARE]

My understanding of the rules of the strike is that you can go back to an earlier draft if you want. If an earlier draft included Shatner, then he still could be in it.

Personally I don't think he should be, but I don't think that the strike alone is enough to prove the status of his involvement either way.

 

[sturmde]

The strike only forbids members of the Guild from writing.

Directors, producers, etc. may still write and revise scenes as needed.

Recall back to the 2nd season of TNG, when this was done by the production staff... taking old Phase II scripts to create The Child, and other scripts... and making a clip show, Shades of Crap.

So, if you don't have a WGA card, you may still write.

Now's the chance to get those script submissions ready for all your favorite network shows.

 

[Professor Moriarty]

sturmde said:
The strike only forbids members of the Guild from writing.

Directors, producers, etc. may still write and revise scenes as needed.

Abrams is a Guild member and has already said he will honor the strike, so no.

 

[PKTrekGirl]

If they want Shatner in the picture, he'll be in the picture, one way or another.

 

[number6]

How does this settle anything regarding Shatner?

None of us have seen the script or know the plot of this film.

For all we know Shatner was worked into the script long ago.

I think the whole "Shatner isn't in it" thing is a publicity stunt. No one goes on and on about how they aren't in a film and are taken seriously.

 

[VanCardboardbox]

Number666 said:

I think the whole "Shatner isn't in it" thing is a publicity stunt. No one goes on and on about how they aren't in a film and are taken seriously.

Unless, of course, the film is titled "Star Trek" and the actor in question is William Shatner.

I'm sure it's no stunt. I love the guy but would prefer that he not be worked into the film just for the sake of having him appear. On the contrary, a Spock-centric Trek story is very appealing, and the news that Nimoy was impressed with the existing script (i.e. one in which there is no role for WS, particularly as Jim Kirk) leaves me hoping no one is going to re-tool it in order to bring Bill in.

 

[johnconner]

^^^^Well, count me in among those who think a Spock-centric story sounds rather bland and cold without Kirk and McCoy to balance.

Assuming, of course, that the older characters are more substantial than just a quick plot device.

But yeah, I think the Shatner thing's been settled for a while. To not have a plan at this point would be foolish.

Not that Hollywood can't be foolish, mind you.

 

[Akiraprise]

Number666 said:
How does this settle anything regarding Shatner?

None of us have seen the script or know the plot of this film.

For all we know Shatner was worked into the script long ago.

I think the whole "Shatner isn't in it" thing is a publicity stunt. No one goes on and on about how they aren't in a film and are taken seriously.

Amen.
The strike settles nothing since I believe he's already in the script.

 

[Therin of Andor]

johnconner said:
^^^^Well, count me in among those who think a Spock-centric story sounds rather bland and cold without Kirk and McCoy to balance.

I'm sure Young Spock will find his dilemmas nicely balanced by the opinions and actions of Young Kirk and Youngish McCoy.

Assuming, of course, that the older characters are more substantial than just a quick plot device.

Since Old McCoy (Kelley) is listed as MIA, there'll be an imbalance for Old Spock (Nimoy) whether Old Kirk (Shatner) is present in the movie or not.

 

[Blip]

Meh, I'm still hoping he's not in it. Unless of course it's as a marketing cameo, where they plot his portly shadow against a backgound building while Young Kirk looks pensively at his own feet... (remember the Star Wars TPM poster? )

Akiraprise, was Janeway apologising to Voyager's audience when she said those lines?

 

[Akiraprise]

Blip said:

Akiraprise, was Janeway apologising to Voyager's audience when she said those lines?

I always thought it was a little FU to TPTB at the time from the writers.
Here they had this awesome premise for a show and were afraid to really do anything with it.

 

[Franklin]

Akiraprise said:

Number666 said:
How does this settle anything regarding Shatner?

None of us have seen the script or know the plot of this film.

For all we know Shatner was worked into the script long ago.

I think the whole "Shatner isn't in it" thing is a publicity stunt. No one goes on and on about how they aren't in a film and are taken seriously.

Amen.
The strike settles nothing since I believe he's already in the script.

And, if he's not already written in, we've had it on good authority on this board that the script is thick and verbose. They could take lines from the other actors to give to him and no one would miss them. Plenty to go around.
See? Good thing they had a big script.