Chris Pine On ‘Star Trek’ Reboot: ‘It’s Definitely Not Going To Please Everyone’

Updated 4:56 PM EST, Tue, Jan 6, 2009

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J.J. Abrams is hoping to create a whole new galaxy of fans with his reboot of “Star Trek.” But, according to Chris Pine, who plays Capt. James T. Kirk in J.J’s re-imaging of the franchise, old school Trekkers should expect something different from this new final frontier adventure.

“I’m not well-versed in the Trek canon,” Chris admitted to The Wall Street Journal, “but we’re venturing into territory that’s only been covered in these paperback novels they sell. It’s definitely not going to please everyone.”

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But, J.J’s. Trek world could appeal to fans looking to see an edgier and grittier take on the franchise’s iconic characters, according to the actor.

“There’s a scene where my character is in a bar and he’s definitely inebriated and under the influence of his own arrogance. It’s him becoming the Kirk everyone knows,” Chris continued. “In my book that makes the journey a little more interesting. If he’s a clear-cut leader from the beginning, you don’t have anywhere to go.”

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Chris believes the new movie will give audiences a sense of hope – something he feels has been lacking in other “Dark” box office hits.

“Unlike other genre movies, ‘Star Trek’ has always represented an incredible amount of optimism. In the late ‘60s, in a time of unrest, it represented this utopian world. As opposed to ‘The Dark Knight,’ which I enjoyed, but was so bleak and didn’t speak kindly of humanity,” Chris said. “Kirk is so iconic because he’s the head of this fantastical utopian team. They aren’t superheroes, they’re men and women trying to achieve something good.”

Though Chris is brining his own spin to the character, he said he tried to retain many of the same qualities that made Capt. Kirk so famous – except for maybe that often-mocked Kirk cadence.

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“There’s a lot of humor, arrogance and decisiveness. I tried to bring in these qualities, but with this new element of a young man coming into his own — he’s a leader who doesn’t know he’s a leader yet,” Chris said of playing Kirk. “But the speech pattern? Absolutely not. In that territory it becomes an impersonation. I can only do my version of it.”

Chris’ version includes a volatile relationship with Spock, played by “Heroes” star Zachary Quinto.

“This version is very contentious, with Spock and Kirk not enjoying each other’s company at first,” he added. “The arc is that they find common ground through great conflict.”

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