You read that headline right. According to an article I read, Wesley Snipes was on the short list in 1987 to play the role of Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation, the role that eventually went to LaVar Burton. Was Snipes really being considered? Not sure. Even the article questions the authenticity of the report. But it does make for an interesting 'what if.'
According to Snipes' IMDB page, he would have been very available in 1987, playing bit characters on shows like Miami Vice. He didn't get his big break playing Willie Mays Hayes in Major League until 1989.
His career took off after that, with titles like New Jack City (1991), White Men Can't Jump (1992) and Passenger 57 (1992) quickly making him a household name. If I had to pick a favorite Snipes movie, it would probably be Blade (1998), though I think I've liked every Snipes movie I've ever seen (though I haven't watched most of his films). He has really dropped off the planet since 2004's Blade: Trinity, but at one point during the 1990s, this guy was one of the biggest stars.
But imagine if he had been cast as Geordi La Forge and made his career on the starship Enterprise. He may have become rich and famous, but now he would be doing Star Trek conventions and voicing cartoons. Very interesting.
Showing posts with label star trek. Show all posts
Showing posts with label star trek. Show all posts
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Star Trek: The Next Really Good Movie
Star Trek movie review
Score: 9/10
I was asked the other day whether I am a Trekkie. It's not an easy answer. I don't go to conventions. I don't speak Klingon. My children are not named after characters or actors. And no phasers were involved in my wedding.
But I have watched most episodes of the original Stark Trek and all the subsequent movies. I was a big fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation (to my wife's chagrin I sometimes still stop on an old episode), and also watched Deep Space Nine. After that they lost me.
But after I saw the previews for this movie, I was really excited. And I wasn't disappointed. I hate to compare it directly with Wolverine, but it was a much better film. The effects were better, the story was better, and the acting was better. Hence the superior score to my Wolverine review.
What worked: Nearly everything. The casting was awesome. Each of the new characters captured the spirit of the old characters, without being a slave to a late 1960s TV show (and 80s movies). The story was very good, and the villain Nero (played superbly by Eric Bana) made for compelling entertainment. Most of all, it was just pure fun. I haven't enjoyed a movie this much since Iron Man.
What didn't work: I'm splitting hairs here, but introducing all the old characters did get a little clumsy toward the end. Glad they did it, but it was a difficult task, and the last 30 minutes were a little clunky because of it.
Who would want to see it: Star Trek fans, action movie fans, and anyone who likes a good 120 minute story. Who wouldn't: Maybe diehard Trekkies (they do take some interesting liberties, which I thought were really good), and also anyone who's annoyed by cheese. There is plenty of cheese in this film, but it was just my flavor. (Yes, I can also lay on the cheese.)
Closing credits: I can't wait to see this movie again. Awesome. This exceeded all my expectations, and Terminator and Transformers are unlikely to knock it off it's 2009 Summer throne.
Score: 9/10
I was asked the other day whether I am a Trekkie. It's not an easy answer. I don't go to conventions. I don't speak Klingon. My children are not named after characters or actors. And no phasers were involved in my wedding.
But I have watched most episodes of the original Stark Trek and all the subsequent movies. I was a big fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation (to my wife's chagrin I sometimes still stop on an old episode), and also watched Deep Space Nine. After that they lost me.
But after I saw the previews for this movie, I was really excited. And I wasn't disappointed. I hate to compare it directly with Wolverine, but it was a much better film. The effects were better, the story was better, and the acting was better. Hence the superior score to my Wolverine review.
What worked: Nearly everything. The casting was awesome. Each of the new characters captured the spirit of the old characters, without being a slave to a late 1960s TV show (and 80s movies). The story was very good, and the villain Nero (played superbly by Eric Bana) made for compelling entertainment. Most of all, it was just pure fun. I haven't enjoyed a movie this much since Iron Man.
What didn't work: I'm splitting hairs here, but introducing all the old characters did get a little clumsy toward the end. Glad they did it, but it was a difficult task, and the last 30 minutes were a little clunky because of it.
Who would want to see it: Star Trek fans, action movie fans, and anyone who likes a good 120 minute story. Who wouldn't: Maybe diehard Trekkies (they do take some interesting liberties, which I thought were really good), and also anyone who's annoyed by cheese. There is plenty of cheese in this film, but it was just my flavor. (Yes, I can also lay on the cheese.)
Closing credits: I can't wait to see this movie again. Awesome. This exceeded all my expectations, and Terminator and Transformers are unlikely to knock it off it's 2009 Summer throne.
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