Shatner to Star in Next Star Trek Film

[Tuckerfan]

I’m guessing they’re going to call it Star Trek: Kirk and Spock: The Early Days

William Shatner revealed to SCI FI Wire that the upcoming 11th Star Trek movie will indeed, as rumored, deal with the early years of Capt. James T. Kirk and Spock—and that he will definitely appear in the movie if director J.J. Abrams can find a place to use him. Shatner, who originated the role of Kirk in the original Trek series and several subsequent films, said in an interview that he was invited to meet with Abrams (Mission: Impossible III), who is also co-writing the movie.

I think I’m going to pass.

Interestingly enough, the fan film site New Voyages has managed to snag several of the original series writers for future episodes and both Walter Keonig and George Takei as well.

[cmkeller]

It’s such a bitch being invited to the same parties as that braggart Sylvester Stallone, isn’t it?

[Terrifel]

Interesting. Presumably the prequel will take the form of an extended flashback as Kirk’s life passes before his eyes during his death scene from Generations:

“Can’t… believe it… after all… these… years… killed by a bridge… hope they just tell people… ‘he died on the bridge…’ better epitaph for a starship captain than… ‘he fell off a scenic overlook…’ colon feels ruptured… some kind of protruding rock formation… wedged up my ass… pain even worse than “crossing the galactic equator” hazing ceremony… during my first Academy cruise…”

doodley-doodley-doodley

[Dr.Rieux]

At least he’s not directing it.

[Thudlow_Boink]

@Tuckerfan

I’m guessing they’re going to call it Star Trek: Kirk and Spock: The Early Days

Will it star Eric Christian Olsen and Derek Richardson?

[Operation_Ripper]

WTH is wrong with just doing a series that takes place post ST:TNG? We already had the retro-ST with Enterprise, sweet jeebus. I want new, kewl stuff! Not old-timey “grapplers,” etc. Jiminy Cricket!

[randwill]

I think it will be hard to accept other actors as the young Kirk and Spock. After all, the Kirk and Spock in the original series are young. Kirk is said to be the youngest starship captain in the federation.

But if this is the direction they go in, Kirk’s father would be the obvious role for Shatner, right?

[Number]

@Thudlow Boink

Will it star Eric Christian Olsen and Derek Richardson?

No, William Katt and Tom Berenger.

[Mehitabel]

At least he’s not directing it.

Yep–every time I see a ST film I light candles to the saints that Shatner never, ever got to direct one. Can you imagine?

I think Kirk was supposed to be 34 when ST:TOS started (Shatner and Nimoy were both 37 IRL). I could easily accept another actor as young Kirk and all, but I too don’t particularly want to see it, since it’s been done so much in fanfic.

[Diceman]

Looks like they’re squeezing the last few dollars out of the Trek franchise before they toss it onto the shelf. Shame.

[Muffin]

@Mehitabel

Yep–every time I see a ST film I light candles to the saints that Shatner never, ever got to direct one. Can you imagine?

Funny how in the ST universe there is no V. They count I, II, III, IV, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, etc.

[bouv]

@Operation Ripper

WTH is wrong with just doing a series that takes place post ST:TNG?

Seriously. I want some cool time-crises movie that takes place in the 29th century (well, before they start time traveling,) with the timeships and such introduced in Voyager. Captain Braxton was such an interesting character (all three versions of him,) and it would be a shame not to use him (and the oh-so-awesome character actor Bruce McGill,) again.

[Tuckerfan]

@Operation Ripper

WTH is wrong with just doing a series that takes place post ST:TNG? We already had the retro-ST with Enterprise, sweet jeebus. I want new, kewl stuff! Not old-timey “grapplers,” etc. Jiminy Cricket!

You mean like this?

The Zero Room team felt that the time was right for a new approach to Trek. The setting is the year 2528 and the Federation is a different place after suffering through a devastating war with the Romulans 60 years earlier. The war was sparked off after a surprise attack of dozens of ‘Omega particle’ detonations throughout the Federation creating vast areas which become impassible to warp travel and essentially cut off almost half the Federation from the rest. During the war the Klingon homeworld was occupied by the Romulans, all of Andoria was destroyed and the Vulcans, who were negotiating reunification with the Romulans, pulled out of the Federation. The setting may seem bleak and not very Trek-like, but that is where the show’s hero Captain Alexander Chase comes in. Relegated to border patrol, Chase is determined to bring the Federation (and a ship called Enterprise) back to the glory days of seeking out new life and new civilizations.

[Annie]

I thought that Chase chap looked familiar.

[BrainGlutton]

Star Trek: The Degeneration.

[Tuckerfan]

Rumor has it that James McAvoy is going to play Scotty.

In other Star Trek XI news IESB.net The Movie Reporter recently caught up with actor James McAvoy and asked him if any of the rumors that he may be playing a younger version of “Scotty” were true. When asked if he has yet been approached for the part, he basically took the “5th” and joked around about it. Here is the gist of what he had to say in the interview:

[ASAKMOTSD]

…and then Kirk wakes up in his quarters, turns on the light, and Bethany says "Denny, go back to sleep…

[Hypno-Toad]

In the next flick, Kirk will help people book passages on starships for the lowest prices possible. Hotel reservations, too.

[Bryan_Ekers]

“T.J.! Did you manage to jump on the saucer section?”