Star Trek 3 Could Reunite Two Legendary Original Series Characters
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If the amount of news that we’ve heard about Star Trek 3 in recent days days is any indication, movement on the third part in the rebooted franchise is beginning in earnest. Among other things, we’ve heard that the cameras could begin rolling within the next few months (one potential start date is February 15, 2015), that the script is finished, and that the action will pick up in the middle of the Enterprise’s five-year mission (finally). The latest bit we’ve heard is that Star Trek 3 could, if all parties are amicable to such an occurrence, reunite two characters from the original series.
Regardless of your feelings on the revamped
Badass Digest got their hands on a copy of the script (or saw it laying around somewhere) and they say there’s a scene that does just this. Should such a moment come to pass, this would be the fist time this incarnation of the characters appear on screen together since Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country in 1991. There is a lot that can change between now and when the cameras finally start rolling, and there’s no guarantee everyone will be on board.
Shatner’s Kirk was originally supposed to have a came on the 2009 film. At the end, when New Spock and Spock Prime talk, Prime was going to give New Spock a pendant that had a hologramatic birthday greeting from Kirk Prime. But it was cut, and Shatner was furious, going on rants all over the place, railing against the film and especially Abrams. He eventually apologized, complete with an underhanded compliment, but given that Abrams is not directing this film (though unofficial, it’s looking more and more like Roberto Orci will make his directorial debut with Star Trek 3), maybe he’ll be more open to this appearance.
Should this happen, it will be interesting to see how they manage to pull it off. Fans of the franchise will know that there is one rather large obstacle to overcome, Captain Kirk is dead. Shatner’s Kirk dies in Star Trek: Generations in 1994. You can see why that might be a small problem.
Still, you have to feel like, if the scene isn’t too forced, and if Shatner is willing, they’ll find a way around a pesky minor detail like death and human mortality. They certainly haven’t had a problem working around (or at least trying to circumvent) other continuity issues.
Star Trek 3 is reportedly aiming for a summer 2016 release date. The previous two entries into the new franchise have both appeared in May, so it’s possible that, if they finish in time, the third chapter could follow suit. Though it could be fun to wait until later, as 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of Star Trek, which debuted in September of 1966.
