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Does Spock fight in J.J. Abrams' Star Trek? Zachary Quinto speaks
Zachary Quinto, who takes over the role of Spock in J.J. Abrams' upcoming Star Trek, told reporters that he almost had a mano-a-mano fight scene in the movie before Abrams stepped in. (Spoilers ahead!)
"There was originally in the film a sequence that was, I think it was, like, Spock against like six people hand to hand," Quinto told reporters in a group interview last weekend in Los Angeles. "And so I spent a lot of time learning this particular form of martial arts, and ... then, literally two days before we were shooting it, J.J. was like, 'Yeah, we're not going to do that. We're not going to do that. It's going to be a gunfight.' And I was like, 'OK ... ' It's actually worked out better, though. J.J. is always with a mind toward balance. And I think he understood in the context of the film what it needed, and it didn't need that in that moment, and so it changed."
Sounds logical.
Quinto twinkled when asked if Spock would use his patented Vulcan nerve pinch. "You know, there might be some of that," he said coyly. "We'll see ..."
In any case, the duality of the half-human, half-Vulcan Spock remains an important component of the character, Quinto added. "I think any actor brings their baggage [to a role]; I think that's what we work with," he said. "We work with our own understandings and our own sort of points of reference, and so certainly [I did]. I mean, I think I bring to it a very clear understanding of being split between my heart and my head. That's something that I can relate to personally. And I think everything else was really informed by this incredible script that was written by Bob [Roberto Orci] and Alex [Kurtzman]. And as an actor, for me, all of the answers should be in the script. So I spent a lot of time really engaged in that and really understanding where this character was as we pick up with this iteration of the story."
Quinto had nothing but praise for Abrams. "The other thing that J.J.'s so remarkable at is not being precious about what he likes," the actor said. "But rather being focused on what's the best story. And that's a tremendously important characteristic for a director, especially a director as talented as him. Because if you start to get precious about things, then, you know, you muddy the storytelling. And when I saw this film, it was very clear to me the ways in which that didn't happen." Star Trek opens on May 8.
By Celesto at 7:51 AM ON 03/06/09
wow. now we re talking. every day new star trek news :). i just hope it's real star trek and not adjusted to just action and stuff.
By Facepalm at 8:03 AM ON 03/06/09
What about his trademark Vulcan skull splitter?
Oh right, I forgot, wrong series.
Pinch all you want, but that finger motion will forever be your #1 move. Charming every single time.
By Celesto at 8:51 AM ON 03/06/09
i m snoopy of scotty*s humor. james doherty R.I.P.!
By Walt at 9:09 AM ON 03/06/09
Celesto, James Doherty? Or James Doohan?
By skiptracer at 2:31 PM ON 03/06/09
s o m e t i m e s i t ' s o k t o s l o w d o w n
By Marty B. at 4:05 PM ON 03/06/09
I'm just waiting for the Spock vs. Sylar mashups once it's all out on DVD, maybe his character from 24 back when can be referee.
By Guardian of forever at 5:50 PM ON 03/06/09
isn't it interesting how we are getting tidbits every day now. Some for trek fans to rave some to get trek fans to fight. It's almost as a campaine was devised to get and keep people attentive. I Say this to ALL TREK FANS You are being played! This whole controvsery about the movie is just to create publicity for the film. JJ abrams is most likly home pleasuring himself over the fact that it has worked. and HE'LL Get Rich(er)
By jbs780 at 6:51 PM ON 03/06/09
"This whole controvsery about the movie is just to create publicity for the film. JJ abrams is most likly home pleasuring himself over the fact that it has worked. and HE'LL Get Rich(er)"
"OH PLEASE!" he said, rolling his eyes to the heavens, shaking his head in weary disbelief...
By Rob at 7:08 PM ON 03/06/09
Zachary who??
By ctmm at 9:18 PM ON 03/06/09
favorite volcan is Tpol
By ctmm at 9:24 PM ON 03/06/09
favorite and best vulcan isTpol
By ctmm at 9:27 PM ON 03/06/09
Favorite and best vulcan isTpol !!!
By thanatos at 1:05 PM ON 03/07/09
It's not going to be hand-to-hand because everybody knows Gene intended for Star Trek to be about BIG GUNS but the CGI Tech wasn't there in '66.
I don't know where the sad fans would be without Abrams to sling their burgers and fries.
By Betty at 12:21 AM ON 03/08/09
I will see this film for one reason, Chris Doohan
By Who at 1:40 AM ON 03/09/09
We have too many Trek fans! We need more Doctor Who fans! Doctor Who is a good show.
This movie will get a C+. Why? This movie's plot is already figured out, we know what is going to happen. The trailers have given away everything. Okay, that is not a good enough reason to give it a C+. The main reason is that the plot is so Hollywoodish-like. There isn't anything original here, except a small subplot or two.
But, to be on the fair side, I see it producing one fan lusted sequel, but nothing ever more becomes of it.
By SciFiFan at 9:50 AM ON 03/09/09
Betty,
Chris Doohan is the reason you're seeing this film? Who the hell is Chris Doohan?
By Vulcan John at 6:44 AM ON 03/10/09
Whatever happened to the concept that the writer's strike prevented them from changing things mid-stream like that?
By Son of a Maui Portagee at 9:26 PM ON 03/12/09
SciFiFan once queried:
"Who the hell is Chris Doohan?"
Son of James.
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Son of a Maui Portagee:
SciFiFan once queried: "Who the hell is Chris Doohan?" Son of James....More »