10.17.2007
The New James T. Kirk: Chris Pine


We have received word that Chris Pine has been confirmed to play the role of James T. Kirk in the new "Star Trekâ€￾ movie directed by J.J. Abrams.
As previously reported, Pine had been in talks for the coveted iconic role, but had a potential scheduling conflict. Today's confirmation ends speculation on whether the actor would choose "Star Trekâ€￾ over another film he was offered called "White Jazz,â€￾ to be directed by Joe Carnahan and starring George Clooney. Carnahan's own blog dropped strong hints that Pine chose "Trek" over his film, but the details of his signing on to the Trek movie have not been finalized until now.

The 27-year-old Pine is one of Hollywood's hottest young actors right now, gaining prominent attention as Lindsay Lohan's love interest in "Just My Luck" and as a neo-Nazi assassin in Carnahan's "Smokin' Aces." His father, Robert Pine, has played a couple of roles in Star Trek ("Liria," "Tavin") and performed with Michael Dorn on CHiPs.


Chris Pine
Portrays James T. Kirk
Episode: MOV 011 - Star Trek XI


Like his predecessor William Shatner, Christopher Whitelaw Pine was relatively unknown by the general public when he landed the role of James T. Kirk, but in Hollywood circles he was one of the hottest young actors in town. In fact, while he was in talks in 2007 to play science fiction's most iconic leader in the J.J. Abrams "Star Trek" film, he was faced with a conflict between that and a starring role opposite George Clooney in a film noir crime drama called "White Jazz." He chose Kirk, and now Chris Pine is one of the most prominent figures in the Star Trek universe.
Born August 26, 1980, in Los Angeles to a show business family, Pine got his first acting job at age 23 with an episode of ER, followed closely by The Guardian and CSI: Miami. He hit the silver screen in 2004 with "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement," in which he played one of several love interests to Anne Hathaway's character. He gained greater notice in 2006 as the male lead opposite Lindsay Lohan in the romantic comedy "Just My Luck," even though that film was a flop. But then he really earned street cred by chewing up the scenery as the neo-Nazi assassin "Darwin Tremor" in "Smokin' Aces." ("Aces" was directed was Joe Carnahan, who desperately wanted him for "White Jazz," but supported Pine's ultimate decision and wrote in his blog, "You don't get opportunities like that often and I told him as long as he could control as much of that process as possible and not get sucked into doing lesser sequels as a result of taking this gig, then good luck and God bless.")

On television, Pine has also appeared in American Dreams, Six Feet Under and the TV movie "Surrender Dorothy." On the big screen he starred in another romantic comedy called "Blind Dating," in which he played the sightless lead who falls for an Indian woman, and just prior to "Star Trek" he filmed the independent features "Bottle Shock," "Carriers" and "Small Town Saturday Night," each scheduled for release in 2008. Earlier in 2007 he also graced the stage in a play by Neil LaBute called "Fat Pig" at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.

Even before being cast as Kirk, Pine already had a connection to Star Trek through his father. Robert Pine played a Delta Quadrant politico named "Liria" in Voyager's "The Chute," and the emotional Vulcan leader "Tavin" in Enterprise's "Fusion." The elder Pine also co-starred in CHiPs alongside Michael Dorn.

In addition, Pine's grandmother was the late Anne Gwynne, who was known as one of the first "scream queens" in Hollywood horror films, as well as a popular pin-up girl during World War II.

Why exactly do you think I would post info about Trek 11, Wolfe? It's gonna be a flop as far as I care. Kenneth is the one posting info, not me. I'm the BOTF2 master, not the Trekmaster.

God what a ugly character for kirk, plus he looks the age kirk was when he first appeared which is just bloody rediculous considering academy they age around 17 to 20. And this guy looks about 28 or somit.

This film is getting worse and worse, and its bloody annoying the hell out of me that they are ruining the franchise.

I'm going to disagree Skeeter.

I don't think you can say its going to be a bad movie, and that they're going to ruin the franchise. Some movies that have looked terrible in pre-production turn out amazing, and I don't even think XI is looking bad this early on.

And I believe the academy is from 18-22 years old, longer if you go into a specialty. So that means he would be max 5 years older, and they can make characters look younger or older any way.

I will not make any decisions before the movie is released, and will keep a very open and positive mind about the film. If you think it'll suck, it'll probably suck. Same if you look at it opposite. I hope to stay in the middle, and look at it fairly.

I personally support its development, and doubt it'll "ruin the franchise"

If past Star Trek films are any indication it would likely be mediocre. I will decide about it when I have a film to judge. - Interest and hope but no prejudice.

Yes, I remember well how they paned Christopher Reeve when he was presented to the press as the new superman. He was 2 young and much 2 scrawny. They had to set him up with a gym and trainer before filming. The rest is history.