Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Matt Damon is easily one of the biggest and most bankable stars in Hollywood today. With his multifaceted skill as an actor and an award-winning writer, Damon, along with his close friend Ben Affleck, has had the golden touch with everything that they have attempted. As far as commercial blockbusters go,The Martianactor has been a regular feature in many films that have set the box office on fire.
With an impressive pedigree like Damon has, it is difficult to imagine that the star could have been rejected from any role. But this was, in fact, the case with J.J. Abrams’Star Trekreboot. Damon, who was reported to have been considered for the famous part of Captain Kirk, did not get the role owing to his age at the time.
Also Read:Matt Damon Took Things Too Far, Lived Like a Police Officer and Raided Criminal’s House in Real Life For a Movie That Won 4 Oscars
Here’s Why Matt Damon Did Not Land TheStar TrekRole
In 2009, director and producer J J Abrams took up the ambitious project of reviving the cultStar Trekfranchise and take it in a new direction. One of the iconic characters who defined the narrative was Captain Kirk, played originally by William Shatner, who became a sensation after his performance in the film. Naturally, Abrams was looking for someone to fill Shatner’s big shoes and one of the names considered wasMatt Damon. TheGood Will Huntingstar though, clarified that he, in fact, did not get the role owing to his age at the time.
“I finally called J.J. Abrams because I was like, ‘Dude, what is going on?’ He was like, ‘You’re way too f***ing old! You’re like 15 years too old to play Captain Kirk in this movie’. It’s basically when James T. Kirk gets out of the academy, so they’re gonna need a 25-year-old guy. I’m 36,”
Ultimately, Damon gave way as expected, for a younger actor,Chris Pine, who went on to make a big name for himself after his impressive performance as Captain Kirk. The Oscar winner though, was interestingly considered for another role in the film which he rejected.
Also Read:“I’m sure he could fool my wife”: Matthew McConaughey Made Matt Damon Cry on the Set of ‘Interstellar’
Matt Damon Refused The Role Of Captain Kirk’s Father
While Oscar-winner Matt Damon would have done justice to the role of Captain Kirk in J J Abrams’Star Trekreboot, the part was not to be for him owing to his age. But Abrams, who cast Chris Pine eventually, clarified that he was in fact interested in roping in theOcean’s Elevenstar for a key cameo which the celebrity eventually rejected.
“I went to Damon for the role of Kirk’s father, and he declined in the most gracious and understandable and logical of reasons”
As fate would have it, this small but significant cameo of George Kirk ultimately went to Marvel star Chris Hemsworth which turned out to be a breakthrough role for him before gaining superstardom through his character of Thor.
Also Read:Christopher Nolan Was Worried About Insulting Matt Damon, Went To Great Lengths To Avoid Meeting Emily Blunt First
Source:IGN
Sharanya Sankar
Senior Writer
Articles Published :1230
Sharanya Sankar, Writer for FandomwireHaving completed her Masters degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Sharanya has a solid foundation in writing which is also one of her passions. She has worked previously with Book My show for a couple of years where she gained experience reviewing films and writing feature articles. Sharanya’s articles on film and pop culture have also been published on Film Companion, a popular film-based website. Apart from movies and pop culture, her interests include music and sports. She has contributed over 650 articles to Fandomwire so far.
