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Walter Koenig Reprises His Role as Chekov

hords writes "Walter Koenig returns to the role of Lt. Pavel Chekov in an upcoming episode of Star Trek: New Voyages, a fan made series mentioned earlier on Slashdot. He will be re-imagining the role that made him famous. 'The folks from New Voyages approached and we started kicking around ideas for a Chekov story,' said Koenig. 'It occurred to me that what we were coming up with was what every actor dreams of: a second chance to get it right...it is almost beyond comprehension that this is happening so late in my life! Talk about belated reward!...I didn't believe I could ever again be this excited about performing a part...I guess it isn't so trite after all: perhaps, all good things do come to those who wait.' Amazingly enough they even got D.C. Fontana to write the episode!"

7 of 199 comments (clear)

  1. Re:not dead yet? by ilyaaohell · · Score: 5, Informative

    William Shatner has been getting consistent work for many years now. He's had supporting roles in several very successful films, from Dodgeball to Miss Congeniality. He has won last year's Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor and is currently nominated for another Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor for his role in Boston Legal, a television show with bigger viewership than the original Star Trek ever got.

    Any questions?

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  2. Re:They missed out one role I really enjoyed.. by tillemetry · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I disagree. Bester messed up Garibaldi pretty good, and seemed to take a little too much joy in it. The sadistic streak made the character believable. If you followed B5, and looked at Bester, Chekov didn't even cross your mind. I thought it was great.

    Always thought the tip of the hat to Alfred Bester (whose book The Demolished Man laid out a lot of the "telepath lore") was a brillant move by the writers. Okay, they stole, but they gave the author credit at the same time. It was great.

  3. Re: Legal Ramifications of ST:TNV by some+guy+I+know · · Score: 5, Informative
    what are the legal ramifications of this?
    According to IMDB, none, as long as they don't make a profit.

    Relevant section:
    Trivia: Although this is a "non-official" Star Trek incarnation, Paramount Pictures which owns the name and the rights to Star Trek agreed to allow the producers of New Voyages to make these episodes on the condition that no profit was to be garnered from the show.
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  4. Wil Wheaton, please read this post..... by tloh · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Dear Wil,

    Since discovering you as a blogger and an author, I've begun to know you as more than just Wesley Crusher. First up, despite the cheese dick writers at TNG who had no clue how to develope your character, I've always apploaded the role you portrayed. In the real world where mediocrity often rule over those who dared to dream or excel, Wesley Crusher was one of the few shining examples where the geek spirit was truly celebrated. For me, personally, you made it okay to be smart. After reading "Just a Geek", I think that aspect of Wesley Crusher is something you can truly identify with. The compeling story in your book about your own internal relationship with a controvertial fictional persona you helped create as an actor fleshed both of you out in a way Trek and Hollywood never could.

    In the context of this /. post, I wonder if you have ever considered wrestling control of the character Wesley Crusher from those who have helped make your early life difficult. Have you ever considered using your own judgement to tell a story about this young man from an idealized future in a way that *you* see fit? The guy you like to call "William Fucking Shatner" has penned a number of books about Kirk. I think John De Lance has also written a novel about Q. You are an accomplished writter now, with two successful books to your credit and a number of magazine columns. What's to stop you from picking up a pen (or keyboard/laptop) and re-imagining Wesley Crusher in a way that isn't limited by political correctness, TV ratings, or studio beurocracy? In "Just a Geek", you seemed to have made peace with the tomultuous legacy Wesley have left you. But you still seemed some what regretful of the fact your left-on-the-cutting-room-floor cameo would be the last time you would bring Wesley to life. If you can pull it off, I think I wouldn't be the only one to find a Wesley Crusher novel told by the man who gave him life to be very worth reading. Please think about it.

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  5. Re:not dead yet? by VJ42 · · Score: 5, Funny

    That's not meant to be funny; William Shatner really is doing All Bran adverts here in the UK.

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  6. Re:Always thought he was underappreciated... by dabigpaybackski · · Score: 5, Interesting
    He did an interview on Coast to Coast AM a few weeks ago, during which he gave his assessment of the old Star Trek cast. What I found most illustrative was his admonishment to "read between the lines" as he read through the roster, conspicuously omitting the name of William Shatner. When the host, George Noory, rather ham-handedly asked for Koenig's opinion of Shatner, Koenig gently reminded him again to "read between the lines."

    Sounds like there's some bad blood there.

    --
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  7. Re:Always thought he was underappreciated... by Mike+McCune · · Score: 5, Informative
    >Sounds like there's some bad blood there.

    Read Warped Factors if you want a good account of why Koenig hated Shatner.

    William Shatner managed to make enemies of most of the cast of TOS. While he was friends with Nimoy and Kelly, the rest of the cast hated Shatner. James Doohan refused to speak to Shatner even to the last days of his life.

    BTW - Koenig really is Russian. His grandparents were Russian Jews from Vilna, Lithuania.

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