Shatner verdict again

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Complaining once again about not being cast in JJ Abrams' Star Trek remake, William Shatner has said "how could you not put one of the founding figures into a movie that's being resurrected?"

Once again, the answer: In Rob Burnett's Free Enterprise ('98), Shatner traded in the legend of the stalwart Cpt. Kirk for the persona of an amusingly deranged septugenarian actor. That was nine years ago, and the wackjob routine -- a career rejuvenator -- has fed into Shatner's acting (it's obviously in his Boston Legal character) and pretty much taken over. His cameo time in Abrams' Star Trek would be primarily regarded as a hoot.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on November 22, 2007 at 11:02 AM

comment #1

RoyBatty says ...

Considering that me and 5 other people saw FREE ENTERPRISE (directed by the writer-bashing RMB), you're going way out on a limb by claiming it had much impact whatsoever.

The prosaic truth seems to be that Shatner fails to understand that CHARACTER most identified with series now is Spock and not Kirk. Even more fundamental is that the story seems to revolve around an elderly Spock reminiscencing back to when the crew first met each other.

Posted by RoyBatty at November 22, 2007 11:55 AM

comment #2

Mgmax, le Corbeau says ...

Adam West said the same thing when Tim Burton was making Batman.

Posted by Mgmax, le Corbeau at November 22, 2007 11:58 AM

comment #3

jeffmcm says ...

Just remember that Adam West wanted to be 'Uncle Batman' which would have been ludicrous. Kirk being in there would be fine, I'm guessing (a) that Shatner asked for too much money, and (b) that J.J. Abrams and his new idea are going to suck.

Posted by jeffmcm at November 22, 2007 12:07 PM

comment #4

Balthazar says ...

You'd have to waste 5 minutes or more of screen time just re-explaining the ending to Star Trek: Generations.

Posted by Balthazar at November 22, 2007 12:20 PM

comment #5

gr81lives says ...

Shatner's ego is hurt. They finally don't need him in a Star Trek movie

Posted by gr81lives at November 22, 2007 12:33 PM

comment #6

Luke Y. Thompson says ...

Actually, Shatner first "traded in the legend of the stalwart Cpt. Kirk for the persona of an amusingly deranged...actor" back in the '60s, when he recorded "The Transformed Man," which included his insane "dramatic" readings of Shakespeare, the Beatles, and Bob Dylan.

It was out of print for a long time, but once Gen-X started discovering it again thanks to the Internet, that led directly to Free Enterprise.

Posted by Luke Y. Thompson at November 22, 2007 1:05 PM

comment #7

Balthazar says ...

And don't forget Shatner's "Rocket Man," which might be the greatest youtube clip EVER.

Posted by Balthazar at November 22, 2007 1:35 PM

comment #8

christian says ...

Like he's not going to be in this!

Posted by christian at November 22, 2007 2:01 PM

comment #9

christian says ...

And here's Chris Elliot's ahead of the curve tribute:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=56g2gNdWxxw

Posted by christian at November 22, 2007 2:04 PM

comment #10

Rich S. says ...

Shatner's second career can be directly traced to the "Get a Life" sketch on SNL. He went from being a crotchety old guy who took himself way too seriously to being the clown prince of geek fandom. It's served him very well.

Incidentally, in the latest EW, they chose Shatner/Kirk rather than Spock as one of TV's 50 greatest icons. That kind of surprised me too (although I think they factored in T.J. Hooker and Boston Legal too).

Posted by Rich S. at November 22, 2007 4:45 PM

comment #11

Ogami Itto says ...

He's also been hamming it up in those Priceline.com commercials for several years now.

Posted by Ogami Itto at November 22, 2007 6:13 PM

comment #12

Terry McCarty says ...

LYT wrote:
It was out of print for a long time, but once Gen-X started discovering it again thanks to the Internet, that led directly to Free Enterprise.

Actually, the rediscovery began in 1988 when Rhino Records included Shatner's covers of "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" and "Mr. Tambourine Man" on the celebs-sing-rock GOLDEN THROATS album.

Posted by Terry McCarty at November 22, 2007 10:38 PM

comment #13

Matthew Lucas says ...

Another issue is that a Kirk appearance doesn't fit the story. If the story is indeed about an elderly Spock reminscing or going back in time to their Starfleet Academy days, then old Kirk appearing wouldn't make sense, since he died in the 7th movie.

Posted by Matthew Lucas at November 22, 2007 11:36 PM

comment #14

DarthCorleone says ...

Matthew Lucas & Balthazar >> Thank you. I see it as having nothing to do with Shatner's persona. Kirk is dead according to Star Trek canon. It makes no sense to have him in this film.

Posted by DarthCorleone at November 23, 2007 10:34 AM

comment #15