PLUME: While you have the horn – any other rumors you’d like to dispel that just irk the hell out of you?
SPINER: I don’t know… there is this sort of bizarre thing that goes on, though, of wanting the movies to be good and also wanting them to be bad. You know what I mean? Self-fulfilled prophecy, “This movie’s going to be terrible.” And believe me, it’s really not. I think it’s the best action film that’s come out this year.
PLUME: I’m hoping.
SPINER: Oh, it is. It really is. And Shinzon is a fabulous villain, as good as we’ve ever had. The kid’s terrific in the part. The scenes with Patrick and Tom Hardy are wonderful. What’s good about this movie is not only is it a huge action ride – because the last hour is hold onto your seats, because it never stops, it just keeps going, and it’s exhausting, and it’s action – but at the same time, it’s also a really emotional film.
PLUME: Would you do another?
SPINER: I would probably do another, it’s just… the truth of that is …
PLUME: Of course, I’m sure it gets to be more of a logistical nightmare each time one of these is mounted.
SPINER: It’s difficult. I think we can do another, but it’s really not about whether I want to or anybody else wants to – except for the studio, because it finally comes down to “Will Nemesis be financially successful,” and if it is, we’ll probably do another. If it’s not, we won’t.
PLUME: Did the marketing campaign surprise you?
SPINER: You mean, “Generation’s Final Voyage Begins”? I thought it was genius. I thought it was absolutely brilliant. Because it was, as I said, utterly ambiguous – it was both the finale and a beginning at the same time.
PLUME: There are also other rumors floating around – would you be adverse to reprising your role in another television series?
SPINER: What’s the rumor?
PLUME: There’s supposed to be this brand-new Trek series, that’s supposed to launch halfway through Enterprise, and is supposed to be voyages of a different starship in the Next Generation universe, populated with some of the Next Gen characters and so on.
SPINER: Wouldn’t you think I’d have heard about that?
PLUME: I would think so, but it’s nice when you can put all of this stuff to rest.
SPINER: That’s the first that I’ve heard about it.
PLUME: Because all of this stuff just self-perpetuates itself.
SPINER: What do I get to play in that one?
PLUME: At this point, you could probably cast your own role.
SPINER: Maybe! No, I have not heard anything about that, nor do I think anyone at Paramount Studios has heard anything about that.
PLUME: There’s a lot of talk – once it’s been transitioned onto a big screen, could you see yourself bringing the character back down to TV?
SPINER: It’s not a huge desire of mine. I just don’t see the point. I really enjoy the group I work with, and the fact that we’re doing features and it’s a three to four month proposition as opposed to a ten month proposition, and also the fact that I did 178 episodes and 4 movies – so it’s not like something I’m just dying to do.
PLUME: If you were to be pigeon-holed for the rest of your career in one aspect – either doing films, a regular TV series, or theater – what would be your preference?
SPINER: I could do it the rest of my life? You mean, I’ll be successful?
PLUME: Yes, we’ll add that factor in.
SPINER: Okay, well that sounds good. I guess… I guess film is the preference, because of it’s limited nature. You’ve got a window in which you know it’s going to end, and then something else is going to begin. It’s fun to do different stuff. That’s part of the joy of being an actor.
PLUME: The variety?
SPINER: Yeah. But I’d like to think I’m going to be able to continue doing all three, in some capacity.
PLUME: Would you say that you’re satisfied with where your career is at this point?
SPINER: I don’t think anyone is. I think, no, I wouldn’t say that.
PLUME: But it’s better than driving cabs in the dead of winter.
SPINER: Yeah, it’s better than a stick in the eye. It’s been perfectly nice, and at the end of the day I’ll probably look back and go, “Yeah, that was a nice ride and I managed to accomplish a few of the things I wanted to do, but certainly not everything.”
PLUME: Is there any one project that you’ve wanted to get off the ground for years and never been able to?
SPINER: Well, I had a series idea that I pitched, and I tried to get it going and I could not get it going. It was just – I think it was ahead of the curve, frankly. It had to do with playing a character who had been an icon on a TV series who was now uncastable and flat broke, but famous at the same time. So it was kind of about the double edge of celebrity.
PLUME: Now, why haven’t you re-pitched that?
SPINER: Because last time I pitched it was last pilot season.
PLUME: Maybe it’s all the wrong venues…
SPINER: You know what, it was all about celebrity, and the response we got from everyone was, “We’re not interested in anything about celebrity.” And of course now …
PLUME: Then The Osbournes hit …
SPINER: Yeah, exactly.
PLUME: So this season will be the one where it gets it.
SPINER: Yeah, maybe.
PLUME: Is it a role that you’d like to play in the series, or are you happy just being the creator?
SPINER: Well, in this case, I was going to be that guy – but I would be just as happy writing and producing it.
PLUME: I can’t wait to see it.
SPINER: Yeah, it really was funny – we had many episodes planned, and it was good.
PLUME: Well, the pendulum swings the other way.
SPINER: Oh, it’s a really good idea – someone else will do it, though. We pitched it…it’s bound to happen.
PLUME: No, no. See, but now it’s in print – now it’s documented.
SPINER: Exactly. Thank god for you, Kenneth.
PLUME: Anything else you can think of to mention – any projects coming up you want to plug?
SPINER: No… actually, right now, I’m feeling like James Mason in A Star is Born – remember that scene at the Oscar’s where he got up and said, “I need a job.” That’s sort of my motto right now – but I’m saying that with a laugh in my voice.
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