William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy To Have Integral Roles In ‘Star Trek 3’

Leonard Nimoy has been an essential part of the Star Trek reboot as Spock Prime, but so far there has been no place for the original Captain Kirk in the Star Trek alternate timeline. That might change with Star Trek 3, which is rumored to contain a scene with both the original Captain Kirk and Spock Prime. If the reports are true, it will be the first time Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner have been on the big screen together since 1991.

William Shatner has been openly vocal about new Star Trek films, and director J.J. Abrams. Unlike with Leonard Nimoy, there have been problems.

In the first remake in 2009, Abrams tried to get a cameo appearance for Shatner, but it was ultimately cut out of the film. Abrams explained,

“The bigger thing was that he was very vocal that he didn’t want to do a cameo. We tried desperately to put him in the movie, but he was making it very clear that he wanted the movie to focus on him significantly, which, frankly, he deserves.”

Ultimately, though, the movie had to take a different direction. For his part, Shatner has been far less diplomatic about his feelings for Abrams, especially after getting the Star Wars deal.

“He’s being a pig,” according to Shatner, “he’s collecting the two franchises and holding them close to his vest. He’s probably the most talented director of that ilk that we have but he’s gone too far this time.”

But Star Trek 3 is different. First of all, Abrams is no longer the director (so he’s no longer a pig). Also, Leonard Nimoy and Shatner’s scene is reportedly significant to the plot, making it more likely to survive final cuts and satisfy William. With all the pieces in place, the only thing that can spoil the deal is Captain Kirk himself.

Can Roberto Orci successfully work with the prickly William Shatner?

It’s not like anyone is fighting against a Captain Kirk appearance, but it still can’t be accomplished. I suppose the problem appears to be that a cameo is by definition a small role, and Shatner is just too big for something like that.

If everything goes well, Leonard Nimoy and Shatner reuniting on the big screen will be a big treat for fans of the original, and the new films might need some fanfare from old fans. As previously reported by The Inquisitr, independent filmmakers have taken matters into their own hands and created their own Star Trek film for a fraction of the budget.

It’s up to Leonard Nimoy and Shatner to stomp out the competition.

[Image Credit: NBC Television/Wikimedia Commons]