Star Trek XI Casting

[james_t]

I do hope they include something about Captain Pike, even if it's just a "cameo" appearance. If nothing else, it will be a nice little inside joke for Trekkies/Trekkers.

Got your wish. Pike has been cast:

http://trekweb.com/articles/2007/11/...nbspPike.shtml

[LuciusBeebe]

That is perfect.

I'm still ticked at the Bones casting.

[jennyk]

Sweet! I'm glad they're going to develop more of a story for Pike, it seems.

LuciusBeebe, I'm definitely confused on the Bones casting. The rest seem OK, but that was probably the only one that really left me scratching my head.

And, I'm going to admit, my nerdy side still hopes that somehow they're going to get Shatner in the movie. I know that they said they weren't, and he said they weren't (and was quite angry about it). I still can't help but hold a tiny little flame of hope that it's all a publicity stunt and Shatner's going to shock fans by showing up in the movie without anyone knowing that he's in it. Of course, in the Internet Age, it would leak and ruin it, so I know it's not going to happen. But still.

[jennyk]

Winona Ryder has reportedly been cast to play Spock's mother, Amanda.

The BBC is also reporting that Ryder will play "Spock's Vulcan mother." Except, Spock's mother is a human. They also misspelled Leonard Nimoy's last name. Lame.

Anyway, hmmmm. I'm not so sure on that casting, either. I wonder exactly how large her role will be - is the movie going to focus on Spock getting to the Academy? His parents weren't too happy about him going, if I remember right from the show. I'm going to be so interested to see how this turns out in a little over a year from now.

[james_t]

Homemade videos of the teaser trailer are now up (Trekkies who went to see Cloverfield, no doubt.)

http://trekweb.com/articles/2008/01/...e-Online.shtml

I think a less-flickery official version is supposed to be online next week.

[james_t]

The real version of the trailer is now up:

http://www.paramount.com/startrek/

[tandjflo]

Spock's "casa" on MTV Cribs...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBXal1GAA4A

[jennyk]

I know the trailer is just a teaser and gives practically NO information about the movie (it's pretty much just guys welding), but, wow, when it says "Space...the final frontier" and pans up to the Enterprise and the beginning of the music plays...I'll admit it. I spazzed.

[james_t]

Entertainment Weekly has an interview with Chris Pine, the new James T. Kirk, in which he says "I think the biggest mistake I could ever do would be to try and re-create what [William] Shatner did."

I would agree. Let's leave the scenery unchewed.

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,2000...172914,00.html

[jennyk]

Entertainment Weekly has an interview with Chris Pine, the new James T. Kirk, in which he says "I think the biggest mistake I could ever do would be to try and re-create what [William] Shatner did."

I would agree. Let's leave the scenery unchewed.

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,2000...172914,00.html

Ahhh, there's no replacement for William Shatner, that's for sure! Whether that is a compliment to Shatner or not, well, that's another question entirely.

I'm interested to see how Chris Pine does. Captain Kirk is a pretty iconic character. I think it will be a bit like watching Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi. He was good, but paled in comparison to the late, great Alec Guiness. Ditto for Zachary Quinto as Spock, and maybe more so. If Kirk is pretty iconic, Spock is REALLY iconic. And I hope that the whole new cast can recreate the chemistry of the original cast. Somehow, I doubt that Karl Urban and Zachary Quinto are going to be able to quite play off each other as well as Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley did.

Ahhh, now I'm getting nostalgic. Might have to go pop in an episode of the original series while I'm making dinner tonight.

[matt_s]

6am M-F on TV LAND - Ok, so I guess you could record it.

Spock was definitely the Iconic figure, but I still think that the one that most people identify with was Scotty and I don't think anybody could do him justice. But I'm looking forward to Pegg trying.

Also, for Karl Urban, did anybody beside me watch Comanche Moon on CBS (loved the books, but they just didn't do them justice on TV) - what did you think of his performance there? It's definitely a different side of him.

[matt_s]

Spock's "casa" on MTV Cribs...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBXal1GAA4A

So I go to YouTube to watch the video, and in the related video spot I found this and it had me rolling...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luVjkTEIoJc

[james_t]

Variety says "Trek XI" has been pushed back to May 2009. Bummer.

http://www.variety.com/VR1117980912.html

[LuciusBeebe]

Better to take their time and get it right, yeah?

[james_t]

Better to take their time and get it right, yeah?

No. I'm American. I have a microwave, instant credit, instant information, and instant breakfast if I want it. I live in a society that panders to my instant gratification. I want my movie NOW!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOdWxf1tRmI

[LuciusBeebe]

I bet they didn't push any deadlines making Dude Where's My Car.

[jennyk]

Variety says "Trek XI" has been pushed back to May 2009. Bummer.

http://www.variety.com/VR1117980912.html

Nooooooooooooo!!!

I suppose it might be a good thing - as Lucius said, take time to get it right - but I was SO looking forward to watching it on Christmas!

[james_t]

New trailer's up, though if you saw "Quantum of Solace" this weekend (I didn't) you already got to see it:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/startrek/

A couple thoughts, recognizing that trailers can be vastly different from movies:

1) I don't think this is going to be one of those cerebral Star Trek films like Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Looks more like lots of butt-kicking space battles.

2) Maybe I'm just old school (or just old) but it seems weird to me to have an updated starship with all sorts of modern looking panels and controls but still have the Starfleet uniforms from the 1960s. Either leave the ship the same (with the gumdrop buttons) or update the uniforms just a bit.

3) One short clip in a trailer, and I already don't like the accent of the guy playing Scotty.

[evilkumquat]

3) One short clip in a trailer, and I already don't like the accent of the guy playing Scotty.

PHILISTINE!

Simon Pegg WILL be the best thing in the movie!

[jennyk]

New trailer's up, though if you saw "Quantum of Solace" this weekend (I didn't) you already got to see it:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/startrek/

A couple thoughts, recognizing that trailers can be vastly different from movies:

1) I don't think this is going to be one of those cerebral Star Trek films like Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Looks more like lots of butt-kicking space battles.

2) Maybe I'm just old school (or just old) but it seems weird to me to have an updated starship with all sorts of modern looking panels and controls but still have the Starfleet uniforms from the 1960s. Either leave the ship the same (with the gumdrop buttons) or update the uniforms just a bit.

3) One short clip in a trailer, and I already don't like the accent of the guy playing Scotty.

It wasn't attached to "Quantum of Solace" when I saw it on Sunday! A HUGE disappointment - I was really looking forward to it.

Thank goodness for the Internet, though. I still got to watch it!

I agree with you on the modernity of the ship, James. If we're going old school, let's really go old school! It looks as though they've fallen into the same trap as "Star Wars: Episodes 1-3," where everything looks way too shiny and new. Everything needs some grit and dirt so that it has some sense of history.

I really like the idea of having a little more backstory with the characters. But, it also looks like it's not going to get TOO bogged down with insignificant details - there looks to be a lot of battles and fun adventures, too.

I'm getting kind of excited about the movie again, after the major letdown of finding out that it's not being released until next year!