Movies - TV
Jonathan Frakes Explains What Went Wrong With Star Trek: Nemesis
By JACOB HALL
If Trekkies were to ask actor and director Jonathan Frakes about “Star Trek: Nemesis,” he’d be able to offer them a few explanations on why the film flopped.
Frakes questioned how the characters were handled, saying, “There was not enough of the family. It was a little too much of Shinzon and not enough of Picard and Data.”
The “Trek” veteran also pointed to the film’s editing. “The front end of the movie with the wedding of Riker and Troi, and which was so charming, just got cut to bits,” he said.
Frakes added, “We originally had [...] Whoopi [Goldberg] and Wil Wheaton and all of these Easter eggs [...] and Brent [Spiner] sang. It was a big deal that got cut up to nothing.”
Frakes said, “It didn't help that [director] Stuart Baird was trying to reinvent the wheel. [...] I remember calling him and saying, ‘If there's anything I can do to help you.’”
Frakes also told Baird, “We're a very strong team and we know how to do this and we’re really happy to help make the best movie you can.’”
However, Baird ignored Frakes. The actor shared, “He didn't pick up either of those offers. In retrospect, it seems like arrogance. Why wouldn't you accept that kind of offer?”