They'll probably just quietly write him out of the next movie like they did in TOS.
Writing In A New Chekov
- Thread starter Dryson
- Start date
Chekov was never written out of TOS. His last appearance in the TV series was Turnabout Intruder, and he was in all six TOS movies, plus Generations.
Right. I assume someone on this thread suggested that they mention Chekov having been transferred to USS Reliant as the chief of security/tactical officer.
I think Kirk will mention early in the next film that Chekov has left the Enterprise to explore space beyond the Rim.
Chekov was missing from Filmation's TAS. Replaced by the alien Mr Arex as navigator. At first, Majel Barrett was to have voiced Uhura, Chapel and M'Ress. James Doohan was to have voiced Sulu, Scott and Arex. Leonard Nimoy insisted that Nichelle Nichols and George Takei be hired by TAS, but there was no money left for Walter Koenig. DC Fontana compensated him by offering him a writing gig instead, "The Infinite Vulcan".
It was intended that Chekov be a redshirt Chief of Security in "Star Trek: Phase II" (his costume was even made, and eventually sold in the It's a Wrap! eBay auctions), and he maintained this position (in beige) in ST:TMP.
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^^True, but not being in TAS is very different from "being written out of TOS."
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Hear, hear. Why remind anyone of The Motionless Picture when you can use Lt. Moreau and remind people of one of TOS' finest hours?! Even if a fourth movie wasn't a Mirror story, adding her to the cast could build excitement for a possible Mirror story in a fifth movie.
There are some interesting women but if their niche is already filled they only have staying power as a love interest. Otherwise they end up being the equivalent of a guest star. We already have Spock, so what can Moreau add going foward?
I think this is why Chapel was swept aside. Why pay a recurring actress to hand out hyposprays when Uhura already has Spock?
If you have a gap at navigation, use a navigator. It's why I don't understand why they didn't use Rand. The yeoman role has a presence on the bridge but is mobile, there's a gap for a female presence in security, and if push comes to shove, she has a history in both transporters and communications. I can see how she can be used over again. I struggle with many of the others.
As a research biologist, I can see a niche for Chapel outside sick bay but it nibbles on McCoy's patch. If that is a niche for Moreau, I'd still rather it was Chapel.
As a guest star though, why not?
Well, there's no reason Lt. Moreau couldn't be a navigator in this timeline. Heck, maybe due to the Kelvin event, a different sperm made it, and she's therefore genetically speaking the sister of the Moreau Prime.
In any case, I stand by my primary recommendation for a new female character altogether. Maybe an Indian, a Latina or a Middle Easterner. Or a Russian if they want to keep the Russian accent element. But Ilia? Oh, hell no.
Actually, something I've been mulling over recently, is it possible in the Abrams movies, the writers just don't know what a navigator is and why there has to be a separate person from the helmsman to cover this role? In Trek XI, even though Chekov is the navigator, none of his input in the movie in the movie really reflects this role, aside from possibly the warp bounce or whatever off Titan. And then in STID Chekov gets transferred to engineering and the replacement navigator is not a speaking part in the movie. So, if anything, assuming they do decide to just write Chekov out with a transfer to Reliant or whatever, I don't actually expect a replacement for him.
Tom Paris did both jobs. He was always sliding his chair back and forth from one side of the console to the other (but then Tom Paris did a LOT of jobs).
In the 24th century, helm and navigation were combined into one station, as seen on other 24th century ships such as the Enterprises D and E and the Defiant.
I think some fans, myself among them, equate showing the character some respect with honouring the original actor and their contribution. I know Peter Graves was really offended with what they did to his character Jim Phelps in the Mission Impossible movie. I was rather offended when, just after Majel's death, Chapel was booted out of the franchise in a disrespectful way. It was unnecessary.
Although I advocate replacing Chekov with a woman at navigation, I would advocate that alongside giving Yelchin's character a dignified and respectful exit by way of promotion off camera.
Chief DiFalco is about the level of replacement I expect. Someone to deliver a few lines of dialogue. I agree we don't really NEED more principle players. Aisha Hinds' character could have been titled Ilia in the last movie and I would have been just as happy. They might even ask her back I suppose (not as Ilia one assumes).
I think on the one hand, a desire to keep characters in reserve discourages them from name-dropping. However, recasting following cameos doesn't need to be a disaster. We had three Kitty Prydes before Ellen Page elevated her from cameo to main character. Fans loved to see Kitty and Ellen was worth the wait.
I started reading, then skipped pages 3-8 here...but my thought... agree that Chekov be promoted & transferred somewhere, with it being mentioned.
I'd also like to see a scene where Kirk & others are looking at a memorial of fallen Starfleet Officers, and and Anton Yelchin's name is listed along with Nimoy, Doohan & Kelley (and perhaps someone else, as the remaining crew are 70's &80s!)
For the replacement, I'd like to see a woman...but also an alien. Perhaps a female version of Arex?
I'd also like to see a scene where Kirk & others are looking at a memorial of fallen Starfleet Officers, and and Anton Yelchin's name is listed along with Nimoy, Doohan & Kelley (and perhaps someone else, as the remaining crew are 70's &80s!)
For the replacement, I'd like to see a woman...but also an alien. Perhaps a female version of Arex?
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