Star Trek fans are pretty pissed by the rumor that Ben Affleck, whose career hasn’t quite recovered from Gigli yet, may be in the running to play Captain Kirk in an upcoming Star Trek film directed by MI3’s JJ Abrams. The editorial we read about it said that it’s not such a bad idea.
Pay close attention to the caveat from “Southie”: “This isn’t gospel, this isn’t even confirmed….it’s merely speculation on our behalf, but some pretty SOLID speculation from some solid sources.”
And then he drops the bombshell:
…some others had heard that Ben has also been talking to Paramount about possibly playing a lead role in a new Star Trek film from J.J Abrams. Apparently Abrams is coming down to visit the set in a few weeks, to visit Michelle Monaghan, whom he directed in Mission : Impossible 3, so that might add some more fuel to the fire. If it comes off, he’s apparently playing the hero. Don’t know if that’s Captain Kirk or some other nameless male protagonist…but that’s the gist of it. So possible that Affleck’s going to go onto doing a new Jack Ryan, and possibly a “Trek”, after he finishes with this film.
It appears that most Star Trek fans are freaking out with the sentiment being summed up nicely by one commenter who wrote simply, “GOD HELP US ALL IF THIS COMES TO BE!”
I’m going to take the opposing point of view on this one, if Affleck is indeed going to play Captain Kirk. I think it’s a good choice. Listen, William Shatner ain’t De Niro, he’s a…let’s be kind…middle of the road actor who tends to overdo it on occasion. Affleck is a middle of the road actor who tends to overdo it on occasion. Seems like if they wanted to stay true to the franchise, trading in Shatner’s toupee for Affleck’s hair plugs would be a natural selection.
Affleck needs to get some kind of film role that isn’t complete crap if he’s going to get his career back on track. Two years ago he said he didn’t want to make any more action films, which is probably why he hasn’t made any decent films since. “Jersey Girl” was lukewarm glurge and “Surviving Christmas” was impossible to sit through. He doesn’t have the chops for serious drama, except when he’s typecast like in “Changing Lanes,” and he’s decent in comedy. He really shines in action movies, though, and he should embrace it and take the cash. He seems to enjoy spending it.
Affleck is shown above in a recent picture walking his daughter in a stroller, five month-old Violet. [via]
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