TV’s The Insider suggests that Matt Damon may play the young James T. Kirk in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek prequel, and that Damon’s casting has William Shatner’s approval. Now, I think Damon would make a fine young Kirk, though not young enough if the intent is (as rumored) to make a movie about Kirk, Spock, and McCoy’s days at Starfleet Academy. In fact, I’m hard-pressed to think of any late teens/early 20s actors I’d rush to cast in those roles. (Though Adam Brody certainly has the geek credentials to play Spock.) But I will say this: The Office’s Rainn Wilson has got to play a Klingon.
Who else would you beam aboard Star Trek: Muppet Babies?
Comments (1-30) of 34 Add your comment
Kevin Weisman so needs to be the Scotty-like engineer. I miss my Marshall
Ben Affleck has to be Christopher Pike and Jake G has to be Checkov
Is there any way to get Joss Whedon to write the next Trek movie? Can we make sure that Jonathan Frakes is in No WAY involved? As for Kirk, I’d rather watch Wil Wheaton play a young James T. Kirk than sit through another MATT DAMON movie.
Anyway, this next one will be an odd numbered Trek movie, which means it’s going to suck. That Shatner has given it his tacit approval only guarantees it will be bad. He approved and got a token part in Trek 7, and which was just AWFUL. I love Star Trek, but the idea’s gotten a little tired after 10 movies. Even Lucas knew to quit after making 6 Star Wars flicks.
Now, a Galactica or Andromeda movie would be cool…
Casting? No one Hollywood.
Cast unknowns.
Ben Affleck, Matt Damon or the likes will ruin any potential it might have had.
This has worst of the year potential written all over it. But if anyone can make it work is J.J.
Let’s see.
As spock I would like to see Cillian Murphy, he’s so good, and yet pretty…(wow did I say that) He’s a great actor… that’s a pretty logical choice.
McKoy:i like the Kevin Weisman idea… he is cool… but may be a bit older…
I’m not sold on Matt Damon, he can certainly act the part… but, well, that may be the problem… he can certainly act that part.
How about, and this is going to sound crazy… not making a movie about the old star trek… I loved DS9, and Voyager… and even the Next Generation cast… find a way to use those… really, i’m a generation that is based on the new star trek. The old star treck, that’s not really what I as a precious in my 20’s target marketee, want to see… let the old die, let’s bring in something new.
Wil Wheaton. The irony would be delicious.
As a Trekkie or Trekker (I’m not really clear on which I am, but I’m a fan), I don’t think “young Kirk and Spock” is a good idea. Matt Damon is as old as Shatner was when he first played Kirk, so that doesn’t really work. Maybe a computer-animated movie would be a good idea if they want to do the young thing. Didn’t Kirk and Spock meet on the Enterprise, though?
I think this movie has a ton of potential. It’s really the only way they could take the franchise.
It’ll sort of be like a Batman Begins for Star Trek.
I’m apprehensive about all of this. Shouldn’t Trek die for another 20 years before it has a triumphant return–on T.V.? I applaud J.J. Abrams for trying to reinvent the series. I hope it works out. No Ben Affleck in this please!
This version of the movie, a young kirk and spock story, will not happen…it is a red herring….
According to IMDB.com, Matt Damon has finished three movies, is filming the Lance Armstrong story, and has Oceans’s 13 and the next Bourne movie to go.
If he ever does the Star Trek movie, the boys at the academy will look like the teenagers in Grease.
What about Adrien Brody for Spock?
Topher Grace for Kirk?
Or just scrap the whole garbage idea!?
Spock should be played by Wes Bentley from “American Beauty.”
Patton Oswalt as Bones McCoy.
Eddie Izzard as Scottie.
As Pavel Chekhov: Yakhov Shmirnov. “In Soviet Union, THEY beam SCOTTY up!”
Chris Farley as Scotty.
is nothing sacred anymore?
This is SUCH a bad idea! Anyone remember “Enterprise,” the last Star Trek dog that wouldn’t hunt? No one wants to see what happened BEFORE the original Star Trek. The whole Star Trek idea is based on the future. You hear me, Paramount folks: THE FUTURE.
Just leave well enough alone
Put Ben Affleck in a red shirt
matt damon is so far from young they should just as well cast someone brad pitts age (42) because that’s how old matt looks. his gray hair, those crows feet, he has aged horribly bad since “good will hunting” what a shame.
You want someone a bit older than the rest for McCoy. Weisman wouldn’t be bad, but it’s not inspired casting. (Neither is Damon for Kirk– too old for Starfleet Academy.) Gil Bellows would be my pick. Maybe Jaimz Woolvett.
For Kirk, you want someone who seems young enough to just be out of high school with a big ego. I think Shawn Ashmore would be MUCH better filling in as Kirk than Damon… and I really like Damon’s acting, myself. He’s just a bit too long in the tooth.
Scott Wolf as Captain Pike.
Casey Affleck as Spock wouldn’t be too bad, actually. But brother Ben… I think if took emotion out of Ben, you wouldn’t like what was left. (And he’d look awfully dumb in those ears.) With Casey, you kind of look at a lack of emotion as something brewing beneath the surface.
I would recommend looking for ‘a young James Nesbitt’ for Scotty, instead of a young Doohan.
They’d never get her for this unless she turned out to be a closet trekkie, but it still makes me grin: Kerry Washington as Lieutenant Uhura. Actually, Uhura would be too young to figure in the story. Forget Chekov, Chapel, Rand or Sulu, they’d be kids around this time (and certainly not at Star Fleet). Just don’t forget a cameo with Sam Rockwell as a young “redshirt” ensign.
James Franco as Kirk and, definately, Adrien Brody as Spock. The rest don’t matter.
Now I agree that Matt Damon is too old to play a college student, but Yvette – since when is 35 (Matt Damon’s current age) “far from young”? Hey, give us poor 35-year-olds a break…we’re not exactly ready for assisted living just yet.
But, we’re (I’m 37) not exactly fresh out of college either. Isn’t Damon older than Shatner was when Kirk began the 5-year mission?
They never get the ages right. Sean Connery is only 12 years older than Harison Ford, but still played his dad.
Thinking some more, I’d like to see Michael Ironside as an instructor, and a “baby faced” actor like Joaquin Phoenix or Casper Van Dien. If they are going to use an actor in his 30’s, he should at least look young.
Enrique Murciano as Spock; Ben Affleck(?) as Kirk; chemistry between the two is important…
They should go the “relative unknown” route and cast a young actor with the right look and spirit. For Kirk, I’d like to see Mike Erwin who played Colin on Everwood. He has a great sparkle and authority. If not him, Greg Smith from Everwood would also be an interesting choice.
I love Matt but I do not think he has the sexual chemistry to carry the role. I know, how about Reece Witherspoon’s spouse. He’s young and he has the acting chops to pull off the role. Something I assumed wasn’t very important when they hired Shatner..
Will Wheaton FTW! LOL That would be ironic and funny. I’m a big Star Trek fan, but I’m not really looking forward to a Star Trek: 90210 or a The O.C. on the S.T. But I will definately go see it if Will got the Kirk nod. hehehe makes me grin just thinking about it.
martha, when i said matt was far from young i didn’t mean his age. i know plenty of men in their late thirties that look great. with matt he looks ten years older that what he is (35), that’s all. he has aged horribly bad.
I doubt Matt Danmon would be in a movie so OBVIOUSLY doomed…I’m sure everyone’s excited to see Star Trek: Harry Potter….because, really, that’s what this sounds like.