Star Trek: Strange New Worlds ‘ was nominated for six Saturn Awards, with actor Paul Wesley taking home the show’s only trophy for his guest appearance as James T. Kirk in season two. Trek Movie had a chance to talk to Paul about his evolution (before and after winning the award). his performance as James T. Kirk, his return in season 3, and whether he’s ready to step into the captain’s chair to star in his own Star Trek show.
Season 1 started with one episode and Season 2 started with 3 episodes. Did you feel like the first time was necessary to get used to it? Was it weird that it wasn’t the “real” Kirk even the second time around?
Well, to be honest, what I liked about the first episode was that it wasn’t the real Kirk. So I thought, “Okay, let’s get our footing and see what’s going on here.” Because this is Kirk, who exists in an alternate reality. And I think once we calmed down a little bit, we were able to approach Season 2 in a completely different way and maybe learn from those mistakes. And I love that Kirk is evolving and Kirk is always evolving and he’s evolving because he’s growing.He’s not the Kirk we know. original series. So I can do things that actors probably wouldn’t be able to do if they were in the same era. So I’m really grateful that I was able to gradually grow into the character.
Although Kirk is such an iconic character, there are also clichés of Kirk in popular culture. In Season 3, your portrayal went in a different direction, leaning more into how smart he is, like playing chess and things like that. Was that something you researched about the character?
Yeah.There is a wonderful book called Autobiography of James T. Kirk In the article I read, Kirk is actually becoming more human in many ways.And I’m not saying he wasn’t humanized original series, but there was something about him, he was very evolved. And it was a very episodic show. And the Kirk of Season 1, Episode 4 was very similar to the Kirk of Season 2, Episode 3. of Autobiography of James T. Kirk And what I loved about going through canon and Memory Alpha and studying all of that was that Kirk was really like a bookworm. He was a very serious person at times. He had a lot of charisma and stuff, but I think I wanted to explore those layers and do something different. I wanted to do something that probably doesn’t automatically come to mind when people think of James T. Kirk.
Will he appear again in season 3?
yes.
Are there more or fewer episodes than season 2?
I’m not allowed to say it outright.
Will there be any fun Kirk/Scotty moments since he’s there too?
We don’t have time yet, but Scotty is there.
Celia Rose Gooding as Uhura and Paul Wesley as James T. Kirk in Lost in Translation (Paramount+)
Your recurring role could be considered the longest running backdoor pilot for your own show. Let’s say a few years after Pike. [showrunner] henry [Alonso Meyers] Or even someone who’s like, “It’s time for you to take over.” Would you like to try starring as a series regular?
First of all, I would like to be a regular lead in a series 100%. thousand percent.But I think Star Trek: Strange New Worldspre [Kirk’s] Enterprise is very attractive. Very well made. It’s a big hit. Anson Mount is great. I don’t think that show is going anywhere, I don’t want that show to go anywhere anytime soon. I think it’s something, but no one knows. Perhaps it will happen, but I don’t think it will definitely happen in the next moment.I think there’s a long way to go to explore here. strange new world I’m really happy to be able to participate in it.
As they say, the pike has a hard out, so to speak…
[Laughs] That’s true. He has a hard out. But who knows? I don’t know when that will be, you know what I mean? But yes, as everyone knows, he has hard outs. [Laughs]
And if that happens, are you ready to step into the big chair?
I’m ready but also very happy to be where I am now exploring Kirk A strange new world.
Paul Wesley and the Saturn Award for Best Guest Performance (Saturn Award)
A quick chat with Paul in the press room after winning the Saturn Prize
Congratulations on winning the prize. Were you expecting this?
[Laughs] No, first of all, I did not expect to be nominated, and certainly not to win. It may have been a clerical error, but I don’t know. Yes, I’m really surprised and honored.
Is this your first Saturn? Did you win? Vampire diary?
No, I’ve won a People’s Choice Award and a Teen Choice Award, but I’ve never won a Saturn Award. I hate to say it, but this one is definitely cooler.
I know you did it. vampire diary As is customary, I’m currently doing a Star Trek scam…
Yeah, I actually did it, Bill. [Shatner] My friends and I went to Creation Entertainment in Las Vegas, and the audience was completely different and it was really cool. It’s completely different and definitely more adult and they speak to you from a very kind of intellectual place. And they really want to share ideas and opinions with you. It’s not, for lack of a better word, fanboy or fangirl. It’s not about, “Hey, let’s talk about this character,” it’s about explaining why this character is so important to me, to you, and to everyone. It’s a completely different energy.
William Shatner, Paul Wesley and Dan Gianotte at STLV 2023 (Photo: Jon Spencer/TrekMovie.com)
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