Say it ain’t so. Star Wars and Star Trek fans have always had this kind of geek rivalry through the years. Most fans fall on one side or the other. Oh, there are those who have an appreciation for both, but all of them have their preference. Talk of combining the two, for many, makes one a heretic.  For me, I kind of find it funny. My friends know that I have always been a Star Wars fan from early on. They know about this Star Rivalry and always try to poke fun at my “emotions” with it. “Chewie, ahead full warp speed.” “How did it make you feel when Kirk boinked Leia?” And on and on… and meme after meme. Actually kind of funny.
kurk and leia
What isn’t funny is the current rumor going around that actor Simon Pegg (aka Scotty from the new Star Trek films) has a “super secret” cameo in the new Star Wars Episode VII film due in theaters in December 2015. Â Outrage regarding the crossover? I will let the uber nerds debate that. I guess I am more perturbed about the cameo itself, if the rumor is true.
Personally, I think it is overblown. Pegg himself on his Twitter account has been addressing the rumors, seemingly head on, and downplaying their validity. Of course, the rumor mill points out that Abrams and Pegg are good friends. It also points out that since the announcement, all the Ep VII cast members have followed each other on Twitter. Conspicuously, all of the cast are also following Pegg. At this point it is really anyone’s guess if he is or isn’t. And all the speculation really just feeds the frenzy for the film so Disney is all about letting the nerds debate and the buzz rage on.
JJ Abrams and Simon Pegg
My take, however, is that if it is true, I will be a little disappointed. Certainly it is not the worst thing in the world, but in my view it cheapens films when directors and producers put themselves and their buddies in their films. The original trilogy did just fine without cameos. The prequels, on the other hand. Oy vey. Cameos by everyone down to the key grip on the second unit… Lucas himself, his kids, Anthony Daniels, Ahmed Best, Warwick Davis, Ben Burt, Â E.T. (I am not joking), the Millenium Falcon, and on and on and on and on. Overall, this was just a symptom of a larger problem with the prequels. Lucas was no holds barred; no one there to put any restraints on him. No producer or studio saying, “what in god’s name are you doing?!” The prequels were akin to selling a night in the Lincoln Bedroom to the highest political donor.
I “think” JJ Abrams has more tact than that. I really do. But I wouldn’t bet my life on it. As with everything with these movies and all the whirlwind of change a coming, we’re just going to have to wait and see.
UPDATE: 6/15/14
New YouTube  interview surfacing with Simon Pegg. No admission that he is in the film, but he “seems” to know a lot about the production. You decide.
UPDATE: 6/23/14
Latest rumors have JJ’s buddy, Tom Cruise appearing in Episode VII. Roles now going out to the highest bidder? CLICK HERE to read about it.
Me too! Also, I’m a Pegg fan, specifically.
I totally agree with not getting cameo-happy because it cheapens the film. Some films are better served as tight continuities for people to tunnel into in order to forget the outside world, which means leaving such gags out.
The rest are Adam Sandler movies.
Well honestly I don’t know what to think of this I like them both