It’s been a pretty grim summer for sequels, but there have been a couple of highlights. Matt Damon returned in fine, punching form in “Jason Bourne,” while “Star Trek Beyond” turned around the ship on a franchise that arguably lost its footing a bit after the second installment, “Star Trek Into Darkness.” Taking over from J.J. Abrams, director Justin Lin kept the spectacle simple, delivering a movie that felt like a really good episode of the TV show, flaws and all (including yet another unmemorable villain). However, before cameras rolled, it seems like at least one cast memorable was considering handing in his badge.
Karl Urban, who plays the delightfully crusty doctor Bones, reveals to StarTrek.com that he wasn’t signed up for ‘Beyond,’ and had some genuine doubts about reprising his role a third time.
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“I certainly was hesitant about reprising the role of McCoy. I felt that I was in agreement with a vast number of fans and audience members and critics who, after watching ‘Into Darkness,’ felt that the character had become marginalized. And I was not keen to repeat that experience,” he explained. “I was out of contract. Because of the Olivia de Havilland law in America, I was no longer under obligation to do a third picture, and was, actually, in fact, negotiating to do another film when we were contacted and asked about reprising the role of McCoy. So I was somewhat ambivalent about it. And I really liked this other piece of material.”
So what turned him around? A call with the director, with Lin assuaging Urban’s fears that he’d be sidelined again.
“…he outlined the story and the vision that he had for the character. And I was immediately intrigued and also somewhat reassured that he was a long-term fan of ‘Star Trek,’ that he understood the weight and value of the character, and how the character interacts with Spock and Kirk. So that gave me a great deal of security, which enabled me to make the decision. And I’m so glad I did. I feel that the version of McCoy in ‘Star Trek Beyond’ is the most well-defined version of the character that I’ve had the benefit to play. So it’s all turned out for the best.”
No argument there, and we’ll see more of Bones in the already developing “Star Trek 4.”