Well, we're back in one piece from the final frontier... It was a hectic and highly enjoyable experience and we're eternally grateful to Paramount Pictures for sending us over to cover our first London premiere *twirls*. Here's a synopsis of who we got to talk to, the conditions under which my questions were blurted and what was careening through the mind at the time (Video footage of our chats with John Cho, Eric Bana, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Jonathan Ross and, er, Lorraine Kelly (really had to curb the urge to mumble something about "growlers") can now be seen on EI TV, along with some sneaky peeks from the film).
Firstly, let's set the scene. As Entertainment.ie was making its debut, we were somewhat down the pecking order (i.e. right at the end of the press line). In other words, when the cast finally got to us, time was of the essence as the premiere had to start. Thankfully we were well looked after and got to have a quick banter with the greater majority. And when we say "quick" that means we had a maximum of two questions each or had to bunch in with other interviewers. Under such pressure, it's hilarious what tumbles from your mouth. I'm hoping pertinence and finesse comes with practice.
John Cho (Sulu): He was the first of the cast to come our way. You might recognise Cho as Harold from the Harold and Kumar films; Henry's friend Kenny from Ugly Betty; and the man who made the term M.I.L.F. a global turn of phrase. We asked him what it was like bringing the original pilot of the Starship Enterprise, gorgeous George Takei, out on a dinner date. What the brain was thinking at the time: "I'm nervous, I'm nervous, CRAP, Eric Bana's two feet away, I'm nervous" etc. Blue carpet interviews now on EI TV.
Eric Bana (Nero): What else would you talk to Incredible Hulk about except make up?! Bana plays an angry Romulan intent on revenge and is barely recognisable under all the tatts. I had a Clive Owen moment and yammered the utterly obvious at him, what I really wanted to ask him was if Mark Brandon Read did in fact suggest he cut off his own ears to get into character for Chopper but, alas, he was whipped away (first by Jeremy Clarkson and then by his PR rep). What the brain was thinking at the time: "Mmmm, he looks a lot better than he did in the World premiere photos last week… has he had a spray tan?) Blue carpet interviews now on EI TV.
Karl Urban (Dr "Bones" McCoy): Urban was yet another delightful surprise in the flesh. You might recognise him as the bloke who played a number of characters in Xena Warrior Princess (including Cupid and Julius Caesar). What the brain was thinking at the time: "You're quite attractive. Lucky Lucy Lawless." Blue carpet interviews now on EI TV.
Zoe Saldana (Uhura): Being the only female in the cast, she was in great demand, therefore we had a communal interview with the crew beside us from Stardoll. The interviewer was a 13-year-old girl who'd won a competition to ask the stars questions at the premiere... As she'd already been asked "what was it like working with so many hot men", we managed to ask Zoe what it was like to meet with the original Lt. Uhura, Nichelle Nichols (but we really wanted to find out what her onscreen kiss with a certain someone was like. We shan't divulge who it's with but we're severely jealous). What the brain was thinking at the time: "How can someone be that pretty. I want her dress. Did she do that eyeliner herself?" Blue carpet interviews now on EI TV.
Zachary Quinto (Spock): Best known for his role as Syler in Heroes and Adam in 24, he's going to be one huge star after this film. We talked about his heritage, his Irish brogue (which I should've asked him to give us a proper blast of), and his eyebrows. I also managed to fit in a question left by Beth. What the brain was thinking at the time: "You're stunning, you're STUNNING, you're stunning, you're stunning…" Blue carpet interviews now on EI TV.
Chris Pine (James T. Kirk): Previously appeared in Smokin' Aces, The Princess Diaries and Just My Luck with Lindsay Lohan… His resume is set to look a lot more impressive after his brilliant turn in this here movie; it's hard not to fall for someone who looks like they're having the most fun feasible. Last night, however, he looked like he was going to keel over. What the brain was thinking at the time: "Oh sh*t, I've got the mic tucked under my armpit... Man, he looks WRECKED. He's had enough questions for one day. Maybe he needs a hug..." Blue carpet interviews now on EI TV.
Unfortunately we didn't get to talk to Simon Pegg and his kilt, or director J.J. Abram. The former, along with his hairy Sporran, was the first to arrive on the blue carpet and the last to leave but he, quite rightly, spent most of his time chatting to the fans who'd been queuing to see him from 10am. Jeffrey Jacob only talked to a few press and then pegged it.
With so many cast members to interview we had to prioritise, therefore the likes of Richard Hammond (who, judging by these snaps, was inebriated), Donal McIntyre, and Bob The Builder all wandered up the red carpet undetected by all the press. One of the only people we spotted was Pegg's partner in crimr Nick Frost. We tried to get a word with him (primarily about Spaced and it's fabled return in some guise) but he declined to speak to any press and even succeeded in dodging the photographers. A feat easily made considering he was hiding behind the floppiest set of hair curtains I've seen on anyone over the age of 15 (speaking of 15 - that was the approximate age I reverted to for most of yesterday, which was both unnerving and liberating).
Someone we did grab was Jonathan Ross, in his leather jacket skewered with Ramones badges. He was one of the last to arrive and seemed very open to speaking to Irish people, so we hollered at him. He then spittled on our muffler. One of the highlights of our adventure.
Star Trek opens here on May 8th. If you don't enjoy this film, you're officially dead inside.