ROTTEN TOMATOES: Shatner Upset Over Star Trek Exclusion Comments

Shatner Upset Over Star Trek Exclusion

by Alex Vo | October 27, 2007

Summary

It appears the friendly rivalry between William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy is going to extend beyond Priceline commercials. While Nimoy is reprising his role as Spock in the Star Trek reboot, Shatner has not been invited back to play Captain Kirk and he's feeling the sting of being the odd man out. Back to Article

(1-38 of 38 posts) | Reply

Bardego writes:
on Oct 27 2007 06:50 PM

That sucks. Oh well, at least he can still fall back on Danny Crane. Nimoy pretty much has nothing else.

(Reply to this)

thereign writes:
on Oct 27 2007 07:26 PM

Actually, Nimoy has his very successful photography to fall back on, along with enough money to never have to work again unless he chooses to. Unlike Shatner, he didn't go through 3 or 4 divorces and have to keep working just to pay off all his alimony.

(Reply to this)

Drunken Mastermind writes:
on Oct 27 2007 07:46 PM

wow,that sucks that the guy who made the show famous isn't in the movie.

(Reply to this)

alohajoe1007 writes:
on Oct 27 2007 07:54 PM

I too think this sucks. Wanna bet they didn't hire him because of his weight?

(Reply to this)

See-Jay writes:
on Oct 27 2007 08:01 PM

In reply to this comment (#1228357)
That's exactly what I was thinking.

(Reply to this)

Now it's dark writes:
on Oct 27 2007 08:03 PM

I agree with Shatner. As a life long Trekker, I will boycott this film.

(Reply to this)

JackHorner1979 writes:
on Oct 27 2007 08:07 PM

I don't get these fools. They complain most there lives about being type cast and always approached to do nothing more than Star Trek follow ups and the second they get their wish and are excluded from Star Trek, they cry and whine.

(Reply to this)

lameboy writes:
on Oct 27 2007 08:23 PM

its even worse jack, so not only are they now typecast, they don't even get the benefit of being typecast and being put in a movie!

(Reply to this)

~Spirit-of~ writes:
on Oct 27 2007 08:31 PM

I can't assume to know the plot, but perhaps the Nimoy section(s) of the film take place somewhere near the end of Spock's life, long after Kirk and the crew have passed on.

Shoehorning Shatner into the movie just because he's whining about it, isn't going to make the movie better. I think I'd rather give JJ a pat on the back for having a vision and story, and not compromising it for the sake of one actor's over inflated ego.

(Reply to this)

Daniel Aaron writes:
on Oct 27 2007 09:30 PM

mabey they can give him a cameo in star fleet command who knows im just wondering if abrams can pull it off MI 3 was lame

(Reply to this)

Bardego writes:
on Oct 28 2007 12:25 AM

In reply to this comment (#1228293)
thereign: True, Nimoy is probably more financially secure than Shatner. But in terms of fame and recognition, what can Leonard claim fame to other than Spock?

(Reply to this)

TheAnswerMVP2001 writes:
on Oct 28 2007 01:07 AM

This film is going to be total crap anyways, I'm really surprised Nimoy wanted anything to do with it...well I guess he has nothing else to do. At least Shatner has built himself a career after Star Trek. Frankly I think Shatner is better off, this film is going to be so horrible, I'd hate to see him be a part of it, it's a total disgrace to the series. I'd rather watch a film with the crew from the Enterprise series than watch a bunch of teenagers try to recreate science fiction history. Once again shame on you Abrams, I'd rather see Trek left alone than be resurrected this way!

(Reply to this)

Segkee writes:
on Oct 28 2007 01:28 AM

Actually, never heard of Shatner worried about being type-cast. Didn't he write a series of sci-fi books to go along with his convention visits?

(Reply to this)

Scroozle writes:
on Oct 28 2007 04:22 AM

Kirk is dead in Generations. Obviously the parts with Nimoy in it take place after Generations.

It's logical.

*rimshot*

(Reply to this)

jasperoosterveld writes:
on Oct 28 2007 05:25 AM

So after Generation everybody died except spock? Why wasent he in that movie?

(Reply to this)

RottenRob writes:
on Oct 28 2007 08:25 AM

In reply to this comment (#1228446)
Amen. Seems stupid to me to stick him in just because.

(Reply to this)

Conehead2187 writes:
on Oct 28 2007 08:29 AM

Well, with the way the plot unfolded in Generations, it doesn't seem possible that (Shatner's) Kirk could have a role of any kind...unless they went into the Nexus, which would just be kind of lame. And you didn't see Nimoy complaining about not being included in that movie, either.

(Reply to this)

lostharvestmovie writes:
on Oct 28 2007 08:42 AM

tek wars, right? and tj hooker! the guy is a creative genius!

(Reply to this)

scarh791 writes:
on Oct 28 2007 08:58 AM

It actually is pretty unfair to Shatner. Nimoy isn't playing Spock, he just has a cameo with a wink and a nod. Why give one to him and not to Shatner when that one would get the biggest "up, there he is" chuckle from the audience?

(Reply to this)

donovan675 writes:
on Oct 28 2007 09:40 AM

I don't know what Shatner is complaining about. If I'm not mistaken, Nimoy was not asked to be in Star Trek Generations and Shatner was. Don't remember Nimoy bitching about that. Furthermore, Kirk died in Star Trek Generations. Not sure of the timeline of the new film or if Nimoy is actually reprising his iconic role but Kirk being dead might be a pretty good reason for Shatner's abscence. I guess they could create a fat *** Kirk clone as a subplot but really, how bad would that suck. It...was...fun.

(Reply to this)

Snarebeast writes:
on Oct 28 2007 11:07 AM

In reply to this comment (#1229529)
Actually I guess Nimoy is playing Spock.

Anyway, the only reason I would see this movie is because Simon Pegg is in it and he's awesome. I hate Star Trek.

(Reply to this)

High School With Money writes:
on Oct 28 2007 11:28 AM

I think Shatner still has love for [i]Trek [/i]considering how many books he's written for it, including a series involving a Kirk who survives the climax of [i]Generations.[/i] Maybe he can get an independent version of one of these approved and made if he wants in so bad.

(Reply to this)

TheAnswerMVP2001 writes:
on Oct 28 2007 01:35 PM

Trying to compare Generations to this film is pointless, you can't. The whole purpose of Generations was the handing off of the baton from the original series Captain to the TNG Captain, Kirk to Picard. Spock wasn't needed in the film and I think Scotty was the only other original cast member in that one too (very shortly). This film is an attempt to basically remake Star Trek, so yea it is kinda is a kick in the stomach to not include the man that made the series a success, he should at least get a cameo role as someone, doesn't even have to play Kirk. This just proves to me that Abrams really doesn't care about the franchise's history, he's just attempting to make Star Trek his way and I honestly wouldn't be surprise if he turns a once loved entertaining series and murders it, just like Will Smith and Barry Sonnenfeld murdered Wild Wild West, luckily Robert Conrad was smart enough to stay out of that.

(Reply to this)

jstrmereel writes:
on Oct 28 2007 01:37 PM

Isn't this a movie about the younger days of the original crew? Shatner needs to stop bitching IMO.

(Reply to this)

randal1013 writes:
on Oct 28 2007 01:39 PM

do we really need another star trek movie?

(Reply to this)

TheAnswerMVP2001 writes:
on Oct 28 2007 01:48 PM

In reply to this comment (#1230436)
I'm up for another Trek film, just not a prequel, prequels are always crap. I would have loved another TNG film, or even a totally new crew, but Star Fleet Academy film with a young Kirk is just ridiculous.

(Reply to this)

Conehead2187 writes:
on Oct 28 2007 05:16 PM

In reply to this comment (#1230432)
Not pandering to the ego of a narcissistic actor counts as not caring about the franchise's history?

Yet you make an exception for Generations, simply because you didn't feel it was necessary to include the other characters? Maybe Abrams thought it wasn't necessary to include Shatner in this film since any screen time he got would be merely superfluous.

It would be like Mark Hamill complaining about not being included in the Star Wars prequels (not that he would have).

(Reply to this)

Odo19 writes:
on Oct 28 2007 06:08 PM

Answer man what the hell are you talking about this film is NOT a STar Trek academy film, and what teenagers are you talking about 4 out of the 7 people csst are over 30 years old. The only one who is a teenager is the one playing chekov, which he is supposed to be anyway. Hell, Simon Pegg and John Cho are both older than Takei and Dohan when they began playing the roles in the 60's. Next time you might want to check your facts.

(Reply to this)

theunrulyone writes:
on Oct 29 2007 04:26 AM

It is kind of lame that we will have a Shatner-less trek movie based on the original series. However, what is worse is that Chris Pine will be playing kirk. That dude sucks, and there is no way he will be able to play the cavalier ladies' man that kirk is.

(Reply to this)

nav123 writes:
on Oct 29 2007 06:12 AM

This is a reboot which means everything is fair game, they can pretend generations never even happened.
I think Shatner is in this movie they're just trying to create hype and when he does show up with his cameo itll give them that awww factor.

(Reply to this)

TombstoneLawDog writes:
on Oct 29 2007 06:36 AM

Shatner sounds like a whiney B#TCH. Rock on, Abrams, for having the balls not to pander to his once-great talent, now become grossly-over-inflated as#/ego.

(Reply to this)

Fangmeier69 writes:
on Oct 29 2007 08:49 AM

Would Shatner like some cheese to go with that whine?

His character died in ST:Generations, and is still dead. Nimoy/Spock has the extended Vulcan lifespan, which is why he was still around past the time of the Next Generation.
Why he is in the film, I can only guess has to do with the plot of Spock reminiscing about his younger days with the crew, and thinks about their first mission.

(Reply to this)

Fangmeier69 writes:
on Oct 29 2007 08:50 AM

Would Shatner like some cheese to go with that whine?

His character died in ST:Generations, and is still dead. Nimoy/Spock has the extended Vulcan lifespan, which is why he was still around past the time of the Next Generation.
Why he is in the film, I can only guess has to do with the plot of Spock reminiscing about his younger days with the crew, and thinks about their first mission.

(Reply to this)

Eldorado writes:
on Oct 29 2007 08:59 AM

I agree on that storyline.. likely around his final days, remembering back possibly to the time he first met Kirk, his life changed completely and learned what it meant to be human...

He's old as hell, how else would he be included except to have him near the end of his life in an opening scene to introduce the story that is to be told?

Having him NOT be Spock, as some other high ranking officer dude as wink wink is gay.. can't do that in Trek with someone as iconic as him

(Reply to this)

southwick writes:
on Oct 29 2007 09:00 AM

Is it bad that I can't even read things he says without hearing his voice?

(Reply to this)

mbrocchi writes:
on Oct 29 2007 09:28 AM

Wow... I think this is the first time I have genuinely felt frustrated after reading comments left by readers.. Everybody just chill out and wait till the movie comes out, and have faith in Abrams. I think no one can deny, if Trek is going to continue, it requires an injection of 'new blood'. I have to say I was actually alittle dissapointed that Nimoy is making an appearance in the new movie. I would of thought this is a good a time as any to make a clean break from original cast, but again I am holding out and having faith in Abrams as a Director / Film maker. So far, I am more happy than dissapointed with what he has done.

(Reply to this)

Loserman writes:
on Oct 29 2007 10:01 AM

Has anyone considered Nimoy may be playing Spock's father in this conception? (And likewise, was Shatner being asked to play a character not-Kirk?) You know, I watched the original series and the movies based on the original cast; saw two of the NG movies (yawn), never the other shows and none of the Voyager or whatever. I don't accept the notion, posted by some here, that the original show's success was based solely upon Shatner's portrayal of Kirk...ultimately, it was the stories and character dynamics that pulled me in. Saying Shatner alone was the anchor to its success is silly...otherwise Star Trek V would be considered a masterpiece instead of the horribly funny POS it is.

(Reply to this)

Stanley QBrick writes:
on Nov 02 2007 05:14 AM

We never know what'll happen.
JJ migh still invite Shatner in, after all his and Nimoy cameos are rather small and can be filmed at any time.

If Shatner is indeed shut out then is either cause Spock will outlive the entire cast and the movie will end in Vulcan, with sunset and all (ala Search for Spock).

Either way I'm still seeing this movie, after all Nimoy's Spock has always being my fav character in movie history, followed by Chaplin and Vader.

(Reply to this)

Related Links

Star Trek

Related Articles

Most Discussed

Latest News

Latest Interviews

Latest Features

Sponsored Links