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Who would have thought I’d ever get to interview Leonard Nimoy for a Star Trek movie. His last one was before The Next Generation took over. Even J.J. Abrams’ reboot is about the young Spock and Kirk and Enterprise crew, but thanks to his story, the original Spock plays a role. With Nimoy doing the rounds for Trek, I just couldn’t resist…
Crave Online: Mr. Nimoy, In original series episode #34… just kidding.
Leonard Nimoy: [Laughs] Wait a minute, I remember it well. I got it, go ahead.
Crave Online: I know that you had a chance to appear in Star Trek: Generations and that didn’t work out. Why was this the ideal chance to bridge the old Star Trek with the new Star Trek?
Leonard Nimoy: These people, the makers of this film, I think, re-awakened in me the passion I had when we made the original film and series. I was put back in touch with what I cared about, what I like about Star Trek and why I enjoyed being involved in Star Trek. So, it was an easy way to come on home.
Crave Online: So, the earlier opportunities did not spark that passion?
Leonard Nimoy: Yeah, it went off in a direction that I didn’t relate to very well. That’s the simplest way to put it. They said things and showed me things, and demonstrated the sensibility that I thought was very comfortable with and I think that shows in the movie. I like it. Did you like it?
Crave Online: Yes, like everyone else. Did you miss William Shatner? Did you want him to be in the movie with you?
Leonard Nimoy: Bill and I are very, very close friends, and we have been for a very, very long time. Did I miss him? I can’t honestly say that, that’s the right word to describe my feelings about this process and having him not being in the movie. I was aware that he wanted to be in the movie. I was aware, I think, that the filmmakers, J.J. Abrams, and the writers spent time with him to try to find a process where he could be involved. But, it didn’t work out, I don’t know exactly why. I wasn’t involved in those discussions and meetings. I didn’t see the material presented to him, if they did. I pointed out to him that we’re even now, because he acted in one of the Star Trek movies that I was not in, and he had to admit that that was true. And, we’re over it. I think it’s history. I think he genuinely wants the movie to be a success. He spent time with all of us last night at his charity event in Burbank. I admire him a lot. I think he’s done a great job with his career. He was a handsome leading man and became a very good character actor; very successful character actor. And, we have a great friendship and it continues to be a great friendship.
Crave Online: Did you give some tips about Spock to Zachary Quinto, since you’ve played this character for years?
Leonard Nimoy: I think that he made some choices that I thought were wonderful surprises to me, in playing the Spock that he played in this film. We did not talk about specifics, like, “Do this,” or “don’t do that.” We had very general conversations about the philosophy of the character, the psychology of the character, the philosophy of Star Trek, the fans’ reactions to various aspects of Star Trek. But, there were no specific instructions. There was no need for that, there was no call for that. But, watching him in the film, I’m very proud of what he did. I loved the idea that he is doing the character, that he did it so well. And I think we have book-ended the character. He has created a Spock that comes before the Spock that I portrayed in the series, and I’m playing a Spock that comes much, much later and much more resolved, and is, I think, much closer to who I actually am today. So, I think it works extremely well, and I admire his talent.
