In a recent interview with Driven Magazine, Leonard Nimoy expressed that filming Star Trek XI reignited a passion for Trek. 

He also discussed Shatner's role, or lack there of, in Star Trek XI and what it was like to work with Zachary Quinto. “Doing the new movie re-awakened in me the passion I had when we made the Original Series and the films,” Original Spock explains. “I was put back in touch with what I cared about; what I like about Star Trek and why I enjoyed being involved in it. So, it was an easy way to come home.”

The reasons why William Shatner didn’t co-star alongside him in the new Star Trek movie and if he missed him…

“Bill and I are very, very close friends, and we have been for a very, very long time. Did I miss him? I can’t honestly say that’s the right word to describe my feelings about this process and have him not be in the movie. I was aware that he wanted to be in the movie. I was aware, I think, that the filmmakers, J.J. Abrams, and the writers spent time with him to try to find a process where he could be involved. But it didn’t work out, I don’t know exactly why … I pointed out to him that we are totally even now, because he acted in one of the Star Trek movies that I was not in, and he had to admit that that was true.”

Working with Zachary Quinto, who plays a young Spock in the new film…

“Zachary made some choices that I thought were wonderful surprises to me, playing the Spock that he played in this film.We did not talk about specifics, like, ‘Do this,’ or ‘Don’t do that.’ We had very general conversations about the philosophy of the character, the psychology of the character, the philosophy of Star Trek, the fans’ reactions to various aspects of Star Trek. But, there were no specific instructions; there was no need for that, there was no call for that. But watching him in the film, I was very proud of what he did. I loved the idea that he is doing the character, that he did it so well. And I think we have book-ended the character; he has created a Spock that comes before the Spock that I portrayed in the series, and I’m playing a Spock that comes much, much later and much more resolved, and is, I think, much closer to who I actually am today. I think it works extremely well, and I admire his talent.”

The extent of his collaboration with J.J. Abrams and the screenwriters on his role in the Star Trek prequel…

“I had no input on writing the character or the script — none. My first meeting with Mr. Abrams and (screenwriters) Orci and Kurtzman was about, ‘Would I be interested, based on their feelings about Star Trek and their feelings about the Spock character, and I was interested enough that I would read the script and be ready.’ I read the script and I agreed to do the film. As I mentioned, I thought Zachary’s choices in his performance often surprised me, in a very positive way. I often thought, ‘I would never have thought to do that! That’s a wonderful idea.’ I was, frankly, extremely jealous of his scenes with Zoe Saldana (as Uhura), and I think it’s totally unfair that I never got to do that kind of stuff. [Laughs] I will never forgive the writers and the director for having put me in this position: that I have to be watching them instead of participating. Let me take the opportunity to say this: everyone involved with making the new film is very, very talented and intelligent, especially the actors. They found their own way to bring that talent and intelligence to this movie, and I think it shows. If Chris Pine (Kirk) could do anything other than joining Starfleet after Bruce Greenwood (Pike) told him what his life should be about, I would be shocked. I mean, the guy just had to what Bruce Greenwood told him to! When Karl Urban (Dr. McCoy) introduced himself as Leonard McCoy and shook hands with Chris Pine, I burst into tears. That performance was so moving, so touching, so powerful — I think DeForest Kelly (the original McCoy, R.I.P.) would be smiling, and maybe in tears as well. And those two, I think, were wonderful together and this is such a passionate performance by Zoe, that I was so pleased to be a part of this movie, with all these good people.” (source Driven Magazine)

Read the full article here.

Image credit Trekcore.com