LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Timothy Olyphant recently reflected on his failed audition of Captain Kirk in the recent 'Star Trek' films to Chris Pine while appearing on the 'Happy Sad Confused' podcast in an episode published Thursday, August 10.
The 'Deadwood' star praised the filmmaker of 'Star Trek' franchise, JJ Adams for a flawless audition process even though the director ultimately decided to go with a “younger” Chris Pine in the lead role of Captain Kirk.
Why did Olyphant lose the role to Chris Pine?
“Here’s what I can tell you about Star Trek. I went in and auditioned not for Captain Kirk, but I remember reading with [director] J.J. Abrams, and he’s just a lovely, lovely guy. And just a lovely audition process,” Olyphant said on the episode, recorded before the SAG-AFTRA strike.
“Somewhere in there, I was auditioning for Doc, he’s like, ‘I already got a guy for Doc, so I don’t need you for that, but I don’t have a Kirk.'” However, the 55-year-old said that it seemed they wanted “somebody younger” for the role as the audition process went on. “Somewhere along the line they’re like, ‘I’ve got a guy,’” continued the Justified star.
“I believe it was one of those things where it’s like he [Abrams] might have been prepared to hire me, but they wanted somebody younger, and he [Abrams] was having a hard time finding somebody younger. And somewhere along the line, J.J. called and said, ‘I found a guy, younger, who’s really good,’” he added with a laugh.
Is there any feud between Olyphant and Pine?
Olyphant cleared the air, clarifying that there is no heat or tension between him and Pine and he has since met the Dungeons & Dragons star. “I have since then met Chris Pine and I am a huge fan of him, both on- and offscreen,” he said. “I love that guy. He’s a good dude.”
He continued to host Josh Horowitz, “This sounds very show business-y, but I had the honor — we’re going to say honor — to go to the Golden Globes one year…and I spent most of the evening at the bar with Chris Pine. Just really really adored him. What a good guy. And I really like his work. He’s one of those guys who makes it look simple and easy.”
“Auditioning sucks and the fact that I remember the audition process fondly says a lot about JJ Abrams and what a wonderful man that guy is,” added Olyphant. Pine acted as Captain Kirk in three Star Trek movies: 2009’s 'Star Trek', 2013’s Star Trek: Into Darkness and 2016’s Star Trek Beyond.
Pine is frustrated about not knowing about the future of the film franchise
Pine said it was “frustrating” not knowing about the future of the film franchise back in March this year. The Star Trek series was reported to have another instalment in the works last year. "I don't know anything," Pine told Esquire. "In Star Trek land, the actors are usually the last people to find out anything. I know costume designers that have read scripts before the actors."
He continued, "I would say it's frustrating. It doesn't really foster the greatest sense of partnership, but it's how it's always been. I love the character. I love the people. I love the franchise. But to try to change the system in which things are created –– I just can't do it. I don't have the energy."
