Editing James T. Kirk (section)

===Franchise "reboot"===
[[File:Chris Pine by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|[[Chris Pine]] has portrayed an alternate reality version of Kirk in three ''Star Trek'' films since 2009.]]
In ''Star Trek'' (2009), [[screenwriter]]s [[Alex Kurtzman]] and [[Roberto Orci]] focused their story on Kirk and Spock in the movie's alternative timeline while attempting to preserve key character traits from the previous depictions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/01/13/kicking-off-2009-with-alex-kurtzman-and-roberto-orci-part-one-star-trek/ |title=Kicking Off 2009 with Writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci – Part One: Star Trek |date=January 13, 2009 |access-date=January 13, 2009 |publisher=FirstShowing.net |first=Alex |last=Billington |archive-date=January 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116231819/http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/01/13/kicking-off-2009-with-alex-kurtzman-and-roberto-orci-part-one-star-trek/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Kurtzman said casting someone whose portrayal of Kirk would show that the character "is being honored and protected" was "tricky", but that the "spirit of Kirk is very much alive and well" in Pine's depiction.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ugo.com/movies/exclusive-star-trek-photo/?cur=interview |publisher=[[UGO Networks]] |access-date=January 21, 2009 |first=Jordan |last=Hoffman |title=Interview |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207141950/http://www.ugo.com/movies/exclusive-star-trek-photo/?cur=interview |archive-date=December 7, 2008 }}</ref> Due to his belief that he could not take himself seriously as a leader, Pine recalled having difficulty with his audition, which required him "to bark {{'}}''Trek'' jargon'", but his charisma impressed [[film director|director]] [[J. J. Abrams]].<ref name="ewcover6">{{cite magazine|url=http://ew.com/article/2008/10/18/star-trek-movie-inside-scoop/|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|title='Star Trek' movie: Inside scoop!|access-date=March 15, 2022 |first=Jeff |last=Jensen |archive-date=February 4, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204075916/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20233502_6,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Pine's chemistry with [[Zachary Quinto]], playing Spock, led Abrams to offer Pine the role.<ref name="ewcover6" /> [[Jimmy Bennett]] played Kirk in scenes depicting the character's childhood.<ref name="empireonline">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?nid=21885 |title=A Younger Capt. Kirk Cast In Star Trek |date=January 30, 2008 |access-date=January 21, 2009 |magazine=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |first=Olly |last=Richards |archive-date=December 18, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111218213746/http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?nid=21885 |url-status=live }}</ref> The writers turned to material from the novel ''Best Destiny'' for inspiration as to Kirk's childhood.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2008/10/17/inspirations-whole-new-enterprise/ |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |first=Jeff |last=Jensen |title=Inspirations for a whole new ''Enterprise'' |date=October 17, 2008 |access-date=March 15, 2022 |archive-date=April 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427061434/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20234010,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In preparing to play Kirk, Pine decided to embrace the character's key traits&nbsp;– "charming, funny, leader of men"&nbsp;– rather than try to fit the "predigested image" of Shatner's portrayal.<ref name="chrispinevariety" /> Pine specifically did not try to mirror Shatner's cadence, believing that doing so would become "an impersonation".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/chris-pine-puts-his-own-spin-trek-s-kirk-wbna28527414 |publisher=[[Access Hollywood]] |access-date=January 13, 2009 |title=Chris Pine puts his own spin on 'Trek's' Kirk |date=January 6, 2009 |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104202724/https://www.today.com/popculture/chris-pine-puts-his-own-spin-trek-s-kirk-wbna28527414 |url-status=live }}</ref> Pine said he wanted his portrayal of Kirk to most resemble [[Harrison Ford]]'s [[Indiana Jones (character)|Indiana Jones]] or [[Han Solo]] characters, highlighting their humor and "accidental hero" traits.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/03/10/exclusive-trek-star-reveals-captain-kirk-inspiration|title=Exclusive: Trek Star Reveals Captain Kirk Inspiration |website=[[IGN]] |first=Kaleem |last=Aftab |access-date=March 15, 2022 |date=March 10, 2008 |archive-date=April 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411083226/http://movies.ign.com/articles/858/858172p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

A misunderstanding arose during the film's production about the possibility of Shatner making a [[cameo appearance]].<ref name="scifiwireabrams">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/jj_abrams_defends_his_star_trek_youll_love_it |title=J.J. Abrams defends his ''Star Trek'': You'll love it! |magazine=[[Syfy|Sci Fi Wire]] |access-date=March 30, 2021 |date=January 14, 2009 |first=Fred |last=Topel |archive-date=May 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510013740/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/jj_abrams_defends_his_star_trek_youll_love_it |url-status=live }}</ref> According to Abrams, the production team considered ways to resurrect Shatner's deceased Kirk character, but could not devise a way that was not "lame".<ref name="scifiwireabrams"/> However, Abrams believed Shatner misinterpreted language about trying to get "him" into the movie as a reference to Shatner, and not his character. Shatner released a [[YouTube]] video expressing disappointment at not being approached for a cameo.<ref name="scifiwireabrams"/> Although Shatner questioned the wisdom of not including him in the film, he predicted the movie would be "wonderful"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/shatner-star-trek-15453/ |title=Shatner: Star Trek Film Diss Is Not Logical |date=November 21, 2007 |access-date=March 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205070720/http://www.tvguide.com/news/Shatner-Star-Trek-15453.aspx |archive-date=February 5, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> and that he was "kidding" about Abrams not offering him a cameo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvblog.ugo.com/index.php/tvblog/more/william_shatner_interview/ |title=William Shatner Interview |date=December 1, 2008 |access-date=January 25, 2009 |publisher=[[UGO Networks]] |first=Jordan |last=Hoffman |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205082057/http://tvblog.ugo.com/index.php/tvblog/more/william_shatner_interview/ |archive-date=December 5, 2008 }}</ref>