Casting Couch #4 - James T. Kirk
If you ask me, we are going to find out just exactly who is playing the famous role of Captain James T. Kirk very soon indeed. However, at the Con panel, director J.J. Abrams asked jokingly asked for some suggestions for the role of Kirk so we should oblige really shouldn't we? Actually that's not quite how Casting Couch works. Here, we take a look at the names who have been mentioned the most with the role and we come to a conclusion on who would be best or indeed least suited for it. So what's needed then for the role? I would say a strong actor who is young, charismatic and can play charm and is someone who you would believe is the captain of a ship. I'm quite certain the role will go to an unknown (which makes this feature a little difficult as we don't know the names of unknowns do we?) and someone in their 20's, but still these are the most rumored for the role of Kirk as of today...
Matt Damon, 36
Resume for film - The Bourne Series
Damon is the guy most linked with the role and was for a long time expected to be cast no matter what but despite only being one year old than William Shatner when he first played Kirk, he is probably around 8 years too old for the role that Abrams wants to fill. He has the charm, the strength as an actor to make you believe he's a Starfleet captain and has the chops for the role but the casting of Zachary Quinto shows they are likely to venture for the 26-32 age group.. and probably for unknowns.
Robbie Williams, 33
Resume for film - Charismatic singer/performer
One evil British newspaper this week claimed that Robbie Williams was 'close' to signing on for the role of Captain Kirk and that 'he jumped at the chance' of filling William Shatner's shoes. Williams, a famous charismatic British pop singer who failed to make a name for himself in the U.S. despite many tours and attempts, has no acting experience what-so-ever but at one time was heavily linked with the role of James Bond. He has charm and like I said charisma and he certainly has the cheesiest Smirk since Shatner but this has to be a joke and with only being 3 years younger than Damon... you really have to wonder why they would go with him. If your in the U.K, your going to have a hard time believing Robbie Williams as a Starfleet Captain.
Jamie Bamber, 34
Resume for film - Battlestar Galatica
A guy shot me an E-Mail a couple of weeks ago saying Bamber was the one to watch for this role but without any sources or even a name, I found it difficult to take the guy seriously. Bamber is a British actor who is apparently great in the Sci-Fi show Battlestar Galatica where he is said to pull off an American accent with ease. I can't say I've seen the show myself but I do know the actor from the couple of Hornblower episodes he has done (which he was great in) and I think he has a great look for the role. He has those eyes where you can see some deeper going on in his mind but of course with him being in a sci-fi show already, that would dampen his chances. At 34, he also is probably too old.
Ryan Reynolds, 30
Resume for film - Smokin' Aces
Reynolds was stunning in Smokin' Aces and would seem to be a good age for the role. He can play authoritative quite well and has a history of charm from the romantic comedies he has starred in and is of course good looking... which helps for this type of role. He is recognizable but I wouldn't go as far as saying famous and would seem to be at the prime stage of his career where a role in a big franchise is viable.
Resume for film - The Departed
DiCaprio would seem an outsider's choice and he is the only name on this list which I have added myself as he hasn't been spoken about before. At 32 he is at a great age for the role but of course he is one of the most famous actors in Hollywood, so the question of whether you would see Kirk or DiCaprio on screen would come up. He is a superb actor. His resume boasts great performance after great performance and his last four roles have been absolutely stunning. He obviously has the charm and has the intensity and charisma for the part and at the end of the day I could believe him as a Starfleet Captain. Would he stick around for a franchise? Questionable. Although the casting of him would surely bring in the 'non-Trek' audience... who may actually like what they have avoided for so many years.
