It seems the ‘Shatner not in the new Star Trek movie’ story has worked its way into the mainstream media. The AP talked to The Shat today and he let it be known that he is not pleased that he has not been asked:

"I couldn’t believe it. I’m not in the movie at all. Leonard [Nimoy], God bless his heart, is in, but not me. I thought, what a decision to make, since it obviously is a decision not to make use of the popularity I have to ensure the movie has good box office. It didn’t seem to be a wise business decision."


Shatner of course is not hard up for work, with a spot on Boston Legal, a new book out (Collision Course) and narration on the upcoming Christmas Spoof “Stalking Santa” due on DVD on Nov. 6. “I’ve got a lot to do,” says the original Captain Kirk. However his disappointment at not being in the new Trek film seems genuine, saying:

"Having been in on the creation of it, I was hoping to be in on the re-creation."

Of course there is still a ray of hope. As noted before, co-writer Roberto Orci stated that they still may decide to put Mr. Shatner into the film and that the decision may come after shooting starts in early November (the film will be in production all the way to March). Of course Shatner’s critiques of the film makers are likely not doing him any favors, and may become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

J.J., please end this
The above statements and Shatner’s other recent statements regarding the film should really put to rest any lingering doubts that his lack of involvement is some form of publicity stunt. News reported here or at ShatnerVision works its way around the ‘geekopshere,’ but AP articles end up in newspapers around the world and likely on TV as well (CNN, E!, etc). This seeming tension between Abrams and Shatner is not the kind of thing that Paramount publicity want. The AP article also discusses how at this summer’s Comic-Con J.J. Abrams left many in the media with the impression that Shatner would end up in the film. AP states that J.J. Abrams said Shatner would ‘probably’ end up in the film, but for the record Abrams didn’t actually say that. He said “We are desperately trying to find a way to put him in this movie.” However most reports took that as a ‘yes,’ which is why TrekMovie.com is on record recommending that Abrams himself make the final and definitive statement regarding Shatner…and hopefully do it sometime soon.

http://trekmovie.com/2007/10/26/shatner-no...wise/#more-1164

Well said . I would love to see Bill included in the film .

I haven't heard of any of Shatner's "critiques of the film makers". Has anyone else?

No I haven't Every time Shatner mentions the film he expresses disappointment at not being included

I don't think NOT having Shatner in it will effect the outcome much. I'm assuming it would just be a small cameo and I'm assuming Nimoy is in it just to make a cameo that leads into a flashback. Having Shatner with Nimoy would bring a little nostagia, but wouldn't really add to the story.

How many times is he going to tell us he's "done" with Star Trek? :lol:

Nimoy wrote "I'm not Spock" :p

Gotta love Shatner but he is a bit up his own arse sometimes. i know they want him in the film but they have said before they cant just put him in there for no reason, and they want to make a reason to have him good enough to due credit to the film, not just for the sake of it.


id LOVE to see him in the new film, and he is right its a shame he cant be in the re-creation at the moment. but not all hope is lost and i believe if they are going to have him, it should be for the right reasons.

i understand why he is upset though.

He's just having a winge .

Mind you , so are half the fans you see posting on blogs and forums all over the place .

Here's a brief quote list in no particular order ,

"they'd better not fuck wit hthe look of the enterprise , it should look less advanced than it did in the tv show "

- yeah right , lets make a movie in 2008 with effects from 1953 !!!

"they have to adhere to established trek cannon"

-then since captain Kirk is dead is dead ( intentional stutter :p) , it happened on screen 3 movies ago so it's considered cannon , he logically cannot be in the film played by William Shatner

"but the shat has to be in the film whaaa whaaaa whaaaa "

Bunch of crybabies

I'm still hoping its goign to be something a bit more original than and extended flashback, cus thats just really traditionally a boring way of writing.

I am hoping that its a long story ark of a film which ends up having young spock doing or being involved in something which means that years later his older self had to solve it or something, that makes for a much more interesting and well written story.

LOL, there's no pleasing some fans. Someone will always find something to piss and moan about. :sarcastic:

I like that idea. So the adventure ends for the young crew...but it's not 100% resolved. Then like 200 years later, old Spock finally resolves it.

exactly, because he is the only one who can live long enough to see its resolution... i think that will make for a much more dramatic story and then it will by-pass all the problems they have with flash back... also that way Nemoy might have a good role rather than just "ah, i remember the days when"

I have mixed feelings about this. I wanted Shatner in the next film.
But Nimoy was interviewed on NPR the other day and when he was asked about Shatner not being in the next film, his reply was "Don't forget, he died three movies ago." which leads me to believe that Spock will be reminiscing about Kirk after hearing about his death.