Even before Star Trek was released early last summer, there were rumors about William Shatner’s supposed involvement. First, he was signed on, then he wasn’t, then J.J. Abrams came out and said he offered the part but Shatner wasn’t interested then Shatner denied such matters. The truth is, we have no clue what really happened, but what we do know now is that a part existed.
TrekMovie.com seems to have gotten their hands on the script for the scene would have had Shatner back in his Kirk pants. One of the problems that J.J. Abrams expressed in bringing Shatner on board was the character’s death, and the scene definitely deals with that in an elegant manner by forgoing an appearance in present time and instead showing a private message Kirk sent to Spock years before.
The scene would have been come at the tail end of the movie and would’ve had Shatner in hologram and voice-over form rather than in tangible form. To be honest, it’s pretty damn good. It brought a little tear to my eye, and it would’ve been a pretty powerful way to end the film. However, you can’t dwell on what never was, and the movie turned out great without this scene. Still, it’s hard not to wonder.
Check out the beginning of the scene below and click through to TrekMovie.com to see it in its entirety.
ALTERNATE SCENE BSPOCK PRIMEThen I ask that you do yourself a favor… put away logic, and do what feels right. The world you’ve inherited lives in the shadow of incalculable devastation… but there’s no reason you must face it alone.And from around his neck, he removes the PENDANT that until now, we’ve only caught glimpses of. Places it on the table beside his younger self. The feeling in his eyes is profound…SPOCK PRIME (CONT’D)This was a gift to me. Representing… a dream. One we were unable to fulfill. (softly) The way you can now.And moves to the door. Stops. Offers the VULCAN SALUTE:SPOCK PRIME (CONT’D)As my customary farewell would appear oddly self serving, I will simply say… good luck.Their eyes hold. Spock turns, disappearing into the corridor. Young Spock stares at the empty doorway a beat, his mind a jumble of thoughts. Looks to the pendant… and realizes it’s a HOLO-EMITTER. After considering a beat, he hits an activation button and a MOVING HOLOGRAPHIC MESSAGE materializes before him:CAPTAIN JAMES T. KIRK. WILLIAM SHATNER. As always, brash, wry, confident — and SINGING:KIRK/ SHATNERHappy birthday to you, happy birthday to you…(stops, grins)I know I know, it’s illogical to celebrate something you had nothing to do with, but I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you on your appointment to the ambassadorship so I thought I’d seize the occasion… Bravo, Spock — they tell me your first mission may take you away for awhile, so I’ll be the first to wish you luck… and to say… (beat, emotional) I miss you, old friend.… and we’re PUSHING IN on Young Spock, taking in the image of Kirk’s future self, the message, but above all — the clear, unquestionable friendship these two men had…INT. CORRIDOR – CONTINUOUSAs Spock Prime walks off down the corridor, he passes right by a man conferring with a nurse — the man pauses, turns… it’s SAREK. Suddenly overcome by a feeling that the stranger who’s just passed him is… oddly familiar.KIRK/SHATNER (V.O.)I suppose I’d always imagined us… outgrowing Starfleet together. Watching life swing us into our Emeritus years…INT. STARBASE ONE – HANGAR – ETERNAL NIGHTMUSIC BUILDING — glass walls reveal THE ENTERPRISE at dock, UTILITY CRAFTS floating around it, repairing. Standing at attention in rows, THE ENTERPRISE CREW — over four hundred of them wearing DRESS UNIFORMS — TRACK DOWN the faces, all proud:KIRK/SHATNER (V.O.)I look around at the new cadets now and can’t help thinking… has it really been so long? Wasn’t it only yesterday we stepped onto the Enterprise as boys? That I had to prove to the crew I deserved command… and their respect? ...more
