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10/14/08

J.J. Abrams states he never spoke with Shatner

In an MTV interview with director J.J. Abrams concerning Shatner and the new Star Trek movie, Abrams had this to say:

"I think what happened was, I said we made many efforts or something to get him in the movie. I think he or his people interpreted that as we reached out and tried to get him in. I meant internally," Abrams explained. "I didn't wanna present him with something we didn't believe in. So we were trying to make this thing work, and it didn't happen.

"I didn't [personally] write anything [for Shatner]. Alex [Kurtzman] and Bob [Orci], who wrote a spectacular script for us, we all wanted to make it work," Abrams continued. "The scene they wrote, which was good, it honestly felt like 'contrivance to insert William Shatner into our movie.' It just felt very much like what it was."

Full article is HERE.

9/18/08

William Shatner states he was not asked about role, but wouldn't have wanted a cameo

William Shatner appeared on his new video blog to state the following in regards to Abrams recent comments regarding having a cameo role for Shatner in the new Star Trek film:

"JJ, nobody every came to me and said ‘we have a cameo.’ Maybe you wrote it, but it never presented itself to me. But the truth is I wouldn’t have wanted to do a cameo, because you would have clipped that out. It doesn’t fit. You said in your statement you were having trouble fitting it in anyway. But nobody ever asked me, and I am just sorry that I am not in your wonderful movie and I would have loved to have been in it."

As we have stated before, the cameo would have been irrelevant anyway, because it appears that the cameo they had in mind wouldn't have reversed Kirk's death in Star Trek: Generations.

More details can be found at Trekmovie.com HERE.

9/8/08

Abrams states he had a scene for Shatner in the new movie

In an interview with AMC, JJ Abrams, director of the new Star Trek movie, claims that they had a scene prepared for Shatner:

ABRAMS: "We actually had written a scene with him in it that was a flashback kind of thing, but the truth is, it didn’t quite feel right. The bigger thing was that he was very vocal that he didn’t want to do a cameo. We tried desperately to put him in the movie, but he was making it very clear that he wanted the movie to focus on him significantly, which, frankly, he deserves. The truth is, the story that we were telling required a certain adherence to the Trek canon and consistency of storytelling. It’s funny — a lot of the people who were proclaiming that he must be in this movie were the same people saying it must adhere to canon. Well, his character died on screen. Maybe a smarter group of filmmakers could have figured out how to resolve that."

Star Trek co-writer Roberto Orci posted a follow-up comment on Trekmovie.com:

ORCI: "Alex [Kurtzman] and I did indeed come up with a sequence for Shatner that we wrote before the strike, although technically it wasn’t a flashback."

So it appears, flashback or not, that Kirk's death issue wasn't going to be resolved anyway. It seems that even if the scene had made it, it was going to be a temporary alternate Kirk. We'll find out in 9 months.

The article at Trekmovie.com can be found HERE.

6/17/08

Writer and Executive Producer Roberto Orci discusses Shatner.

Well, after many months, there's finally something new regarding Shatner and the new Star Trek film.

In the latest issue of Star Trek Magazine, the new Star Trek movie writers and executive producers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman were interviewed.

During the interview, Orci was asked if Shatner could be worked into the film. Orci stated he didn’t think it was likely, but "never say never."

When asked about meetings with Shatner regarding the film, Orci stated the following:

Orci: "We went through the same process that we went through with Nimoy: We pitched him what we were thinking early on before we wrote it, and got his blessing as well, which was amazing. We talked in the meeting about the fact that Star Trek had killed Kirk and that was going to be a big stumbling block to an organic introduction of the character, but we would do our best. Subsequently he said he would require a slightly larger part than maybe this movie could sustain so we've kept him in the back of our minds, and now with another year to go, who knows?"

Shortly after the article went online, Mr. Orci wrote the following in a comment section on a Trek movie site:

"By the way, when I said that Mr. Shatner subsequently said he wanted a larger role, I was referring to his public statement that he did not do cameos. Nothing more."

Keep in mind: This interview was made in March.

More from the article is HERE.

1/20/08

USA Today interviews Shatner, Abrams regarding Star Trek XI

In USA Today's Celeb Watch, during interviews with Shatner and JJ Abrams regarding the new Star Trek movie, Shatner and Abrams had this to say:

Shatner: "I think they're coming toward the end... they've got another three weeks to hire me...No, I don't think you'll be seeing me, unfortunately. I don't know the reason why."

Abrams: "The only reason Mr. Shatner is not in the movie and Mr. Nimoy is, is that his character died on screen. It was very difficult, and now impossible with the writers strike, it is very difficult to find a way to put him in that didn't feel like we were putting him in just because we were huge fans of his."

The full USA Today article, which mentions BringBackKirk.com, can be found HERE.

1/5/08

Nimoy States Shatner is not in new Star Trek film.

On The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson, Nimoy stated that William Shatner was not in the new Star Trek movie. And it was because his character “was killed off like four movies ago.” When Ferguson noted that he was killed off and brought back, Nimoy replied “I was resurrected immediately, he has been moldering for quite a while.”

More can be found at Trekmovie.com HERE.

12/21/07

Executive Producer Lindelof talks of Shatner and the new Star Trek movie.

In an interview with Hollywood.com, Damon Lindelof, executive producer of the new Star Trek movie, had this to say regarding whether William Shatner will be appearing in the film:

"There are still ongoing talks. We're pretty much exactly where we were with Comic Con ... Look, the reality is Trek was up and running and in existence and iconic before we came so we've been basically invited to the party that these guys have been throwing for the last 40 years, so obviously it would be HUGE if Mr. Shatner wanted to be any part of the franchise. It's a challenge for us, though, because they killed Kirk off ... But hey, it's Trek, anything's possible, right?"

Full article is HERE.

12/19/07

Trekmovie.com states Orci was misquoted by Moviehole

Excerpts from an article by Anthony Pascale at Trekmovie.com:

Over the last few months there have been a lot of stories regarding whether William Shatner will or will not be in the new Star Trek movie. Periodically a report crops up that claims to have the definitive answer one way or another. The latest is a new report at Moviehole claiming ‘final confirmation’ from co-writer and executive producer Roberto Orci that Shatner will not be in the film. However, it appears they have jumped the gun.

Last week at the Paramount WGA Trek event Mr. Orci told TrekMovie.com that nothing has changed on the Shatner front and a decision either way was still possible. The same notion that it was still possible was in his Sci-Fi Magazine interview. In that interview Orci noted that a role for Shatner was still possible but difficult due to Kirk’s death at the end of Generations. Today Orci tells TrekMovie.com that he didn’t tell Moviehole anything different and that there is no change.

Full article is HERE.

12/19/07

Moviehole states Shatner will not be in new Star Trek movie

In an interview with Moviehole.net, Robert Orci, one of the writer/producers of the new Star Trek film, stated:

"Shatner, sadly, killed off Kirk, so it kinda ties our hands."

Full article is HERE.

12/13/07

Orci talks of the struggles of a Shatner cameo in new Star Trek movie

Excerpt from Sci Fi Magazine , in an interview with the new Star Trek movie's writer/producer, Robert Orci:

Orci: "There's two things. One, from our point of view we are still hoping to find a way [to put Shatner in the movie]. Secondly, one of the difficulties that was brought up and discussed with Shatner, when we all met him and pitched him ideas, is that Trek fans are sticklers for their canon. Unfortunately, Shatner's Captain Kirk was killed in Star Trek VII, so the difficulty there is not just ignoring that or explaining it away in an unsatisfactory way merely to get him back in. That is the struggle - the rigors of canon and not phoning it in just to have a cameo. From my point of view, it's a very long shoot, and things can change. It's just whether we can figure it out."

Full interview HERE.

10/19/07

William Shatner claims: No cameo in new Star Trek movie

In his most recent Shatnervision video, William Shatner denies recent rumors from sources such as Hollywood.com that he has been offered a cameo in the newest Star Trek film.

You can see this video HERE!

10/16/07

Ain't It Cool News claims Shatner is in Star Trek XI

From Trekweb:

AICN editor Hercules is claiming to have inside knowledge that William Shatner is in J.J. Abrams upcoming Star Trek prequel movie.

Herc, in a brief post at AICN Readers Talkback message board, told everyone not to believe the hype about Shatner not being in movie.

"By the way." Herc wrote "All publicity about Shatner not playing Old Kirk in the movie is lie. Word to your mother."

In another post, he replied to a skeptical user "I know a whole f#@*& lot about this movie that you do not. Wake up, Trekkie!!!!"

AICN was the first site to post the story about the plotline of the movie involving Romulans and time travel, so we can presume the site seems to have inside sources regarding the Star Trek film.

This information is preliminary, of course, and entirely rumor.

The original report is here.

Special thanks to GustavoLeao!

10/8/07

Star Trek XI executive producer Robert Orci talks about Shatner

Anthony Pascale at TrekMovie.com had an exclusive interview with Star Trek co-writer and executive producer Roberto Orci. Here is a relevant excerpt:

TrekMovie.com: Speaking of captains I have one more casting question which is burning in the minds of many Trekkies…what about Shatner?

Roberto Orci: What J.J. said at Comic-Con [story] is still true. We are actively perusing looking for a way to make a part that is worthy of him and that is not pandering to either his role in Star Trek or to the fans.

Full interview is at TrekMovie.com, HERE.

8/14/07

Producer: Paramount Trying To Convince Shatner?

Excerpt from an article by Anthony Pascale at TrekMovie.com:

Since TrekMovie.com first announced Paramount (and MI3) veteran Stratton Leopold was going to be the unit production manager and one of the executive producers for the new Star Trek we have not heard anything from him. He did join the usual Abrams mafia (Orci, Kurtzman, Burke, and Lindelof) on stage at Comic-Con, but he didn’t say a word. Leopold is more of a behind the scenes kind of guy keeping the trains running on time, but he did give his local paper the (The Savannah Morning News) an interview where he dropped an interesting tidbit about Shatner:

Leonard Nimoy will be back as Spock, said Leopold, and studio executives still hope to convince William Shatner to suit up as Captain Kirk one more time.

Keep in mind, this is not a direct quote from Leopold.

Full article with opinions, speculations, and photos at TrekMovie.com HERE.

7/26/07

Abrams States He Still Wants Shatner in Star Trek XI

Excerpts from Anthony Pascale at Trekmovie.com:

Trek panel has just ended…here are the highlights:

Abrams stated: ""We're desperately trying to figure out how to fit Shatner, and it needs to be worthy of him and the movie. So we're on that."

Also, video can be found HERE!

7/23/07

Video: Shatner comments on Star Trek XI.

From GustavoLeao at Trekweb:

In his latest Shatnervision video interview, Star Trek star William Shatner responds to the comments and tabloid reports that he is "furious" at the Star Trek XI producers about not being in the movie. (story)

Shatner revealed that he has ‘known for a while' that he will not be in J.J. Abrams upcoming Star Trek XI movie, and that he in fact called Abrams after the recent rumors were published in the tabloids to tell him he wasn't upset. But Shatner did admit to being ‘disappointed' about not being in the movie.

The full article and video link is a Trekweb.com HERE!

7/22/07

Shatner and Nimoy at New Jersey's Creation Con

Excerpts from Anthony Pascale at Trekmovie.com:

William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy appeared today at a Creation’s New Jersey Star Trek convention. TrekMovie.com received a con report from Ky-Malairn who reports that Nimoy was pestered for details regarding his participation in thenew film, but would only repeat: "As of this time I don’t have a deal to be in the new Star Trek movie."

Nimoy seems to be playing with the ‘legalsm’ of not having a final deal, but as reported earlier it looks likely he has a part in the movie (but things can always change).

[...]

When Shatner appeared he told the audience not to believe Nimoy about the new movie because "he knows everything!." He repeated his story (reported earlier) about how he was not in the new film, but that Nimoy was. He joked with the crowd about not being able to understand why Paramount wanted Nimoy but not him since he was "so popular now." Shatner made it clear he is not in the movie: "I wish I were in it, but I’m not in it…what can I tell you?"

When Nimoy came back on stage Shatner pulled a chair up for him so that he could be questioned about the movie. Shatner (comically) yelled at Nimoy when questioning him about the film, "What’s the plot!?  Who does what to who!?  I want to know what happens goddamnit! and why arent I in it!?"

UPDATE: Nimoy Told Abrams Shatner should be in it
Doug (aka Frontier - Admin of The Omega Sector) sends in an update. During their joint session Shatner and Nimoy had the following exchange:

Shatner: "Did you tell him [Abrams] you thought I should be in it?"
Nimoy: "Yes, I did. I told Abrams I think it would be much better with you in it."
Shatner: "Good!"

See the full story with YouTube clips at Trekmovie.com HERE.

7/9/07

Shatner says: Nimoy is in Star Trek XI, but I am not.

Excerpts from Anthony Pascale at Trekmovie.com:

In his latest videoblog on Shatnervision, William Shatner discusses the recent rumors about tension between himself and Leonard Nimoy over roles in the new ‘Star Trek’ movie. The Shat makes a joke about the tensions, but also says that Nimoy has a part and he does not.

Transcript (of relevant bit):

Shatner: There is a Star Trek movie and I called Leonard. I said "have you heard" and he said "yes I have," I said "what do you mean?" and he said "I have read the script." I said "Is it a good script?" and he said "ya." I said "am I in it?" and then there was a pause, he said "no" and then he began to laugh. I went through the…I grabbed him by the throat. He’s in it and I’m not in it!

The rest of the article is HERE.

Looks like we may have our answer as to whether Shatner will be in Star Trek XI. Paramount hasn't given an official comment on this yet. Stay tuned!

6/28/07

Star Trek XI screenwriters want Shatner and Nimoy in the film

From Trekweb:

MTV posted an exclusive interview with Star Trek XI screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman. Here are few excerpts from the article. [...]

There is the possibility of a return from legendary TOS stars William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, who the writers say they "had a meeting with, just to express our admiration and promise that we would treat ['Trek'] with reverence."

But according to rumors, Shatner is reportedly upset that only Nimoy will get a cameo.

"We were very surprised about that," Kurtzman said.

"We're certainly hoping to include him in the shoot," Orci added. "Because we have nothing but reverence and awe for the man."

See more excerpts HERE.



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