Star Trek XI: Simon Pegg Is Scotty, John Cho is Sulu, Chris Pine Is ... Conflicted
Filed under: Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Casting, Deals, Noir, RumorMonger, Fandom, Newsstand
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Last Sunday, Cinematical was the first to tell you that Chris Pine was the odds-on favorite to take on the big role of psycho cop Junior Stemmons in Joe Carnahan's White Jazz. Carnahan has subsequently confirmed as much on his blog. The role is Pine's if he wants it, so why is he not signing on the dotted line? The reason, as I understand it, is that he's pretty much being forced to choose between a major, potentially star-making role in White Jazz or a very minor role as Captain Kirk in J.J. Abrams new Star Trek film. In today's Variety, we learn that Simon Pegg has landed the role of Scotty in that film and that Pine has been officially offered the captain's chair, but hasn't yet taken it. I can see how this would be a tough choice. Even though it's well known that the new Star Trek film is practically sans-Kirk, the prestige of getting to play Kirk could open all kinds of doors for this kid, and who knows -- White Jazz may not turn out as well as everyone hopes. He's between a rock and a hard place. In other Star Trek XI casting news, The Hollywood Reporter tells us that John Cho, of Harold and Kumar fame, has landed the role of Sulu.
In other White Jazz news, Smokin' Joe has put up some more awesome concept art on his blog. This time it's not quite as cool as the panoramic view of 1958 Los Angeles, but it does have a ring of high-class sleaze to it that's reminiscent of L.A. Confidential. The large piece of art has the story's anti-hero Dave Klein walking away, with head down, from some swank Hollywood home that looks like where Pierce Patchett would live. If Joe has any heart at all, he's going to let me onto the set of this movie!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-12-2007 @ 10:12AM
Cincinnati Mike said...
All I am hearing about Trek is what I am reading on Cinematical. The fact that this pic is "practically sans-Kirk" is news to me. Can somebody fill me in?
Thanx
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10-12-2007 @ 10:47AM
Wilder said...
You were not the first to report the Pine rumor, it was on Carnahan's blog. Someone mentioned Pine as a possibility on there.
Maybe that person was your so-called rumor mill....
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10-12-2007 @ 11:01AM
Ralph said...
I'm all for Cho as Sulu; good choice.
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10-12-2007 @ 11:05AM
Akbar Fazil said...
Simon Pegg? Don't get me wrong, I love him and all, but
Paul McGillion would have been a much better choice.
Interesting pick on Sulu.
Still can't say I am all that excited about this.
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10-12-2007 @ 11:12AM
Ras Thavas said...
Wow, this movie has morphed significantly from "Kirk and Spock at the academy" into I don't know what.
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10-12-2007 @ 11:32AM
Bob said...
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10-12-2007 @ 12:12PM
CMart said...
I think the "sans-Kirk" line is in reference to the fact that the studio has cast everyone except for Kirk, not that the movie plot itself is sans-Kirk, ans I think some people are reading it to be (I know I did for a second the first time I read it)
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10-12-2007 @ 12:40PM
Justin said...
For some reason I can see Pegg pulling off the role of Scotty, but Cho is known strictly for his comedic roles. Either no one will buy it, or he'll blaze a new path for himself for future roles. We shall see.
http://thefilmreviews.com
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10-12-2007 @ 12:53PM
Chris said...
I vote Kal Penn for Kirk. We could have Harold and Kumar go to Starfleet Academy. Or Shawn of the Klingons vs Harold and Kumar. It would be the Freddie vs. Jason of slacker comedy.
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10-12-2007 @ 8:54PM
laurie k said...
why is it so difficult for people to see Simon playing Scotty..he's a professionally trained actor for crying out loud...and has a lot more talent then simply being a funny man or a slacker..I say give him a chance and he will definitely surprise some of you.
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10-13-2007 @ 10:04AM
Michael said...
I am starting a campaign right now to have Nick Frost join Simon Pegg as Leonard "Bones" McCoy. It would be a shame to let that team be broken up.
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10-18-2007 @ 6:25AM
M.E. Williams said...
No, "sans-Kirk" means that there is not much Kirk in the movie. Note where elsewhere in the article, Ryan refers to it as a "very minor role."
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11-04-2007 @ 1:57AM
Karen said...
I heard that Chris Doohan, the son of James Doohan auditioned for the role of Pike.
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