Monday, November 19, 2007

Ben Cross is Sarek

According to Ben Cross' website he has been cast in the role of Sarek, the father of Spock, for Star Trek XI. At least based on his filmography. The role was originated by Mark Lenard in the Original Series, Next Generation and the movies. Cross joins Winona Ryder as the parents of Spock played by Leonard Nimoy and Zachary Quinto.

Cross' is one of those faces you remember from multiple movies but can't exactly place which ones. I now remember him from "First Knight" playing the main villain. He has the looks to make him seem like the father of Spock but I don't know if he as the subtle acting skill the role would require. Sarek is a character that fully engages in suppressing his emotions yet they leak through very subtly when his family is involved. Its done mostly with tone, very tiny expressions and body language rather then over the top acting Cross has done before (but to be fair the roles required it). If he can bring it down a few notches (and don't see why not) then he may be able to make the role his own.

The above pic is Original Series pic of Mark Lenard as Sarek and Ben Cross from First Knight (i think) taken from Trekmovie.com. (source)

3 comments:

  1. I don't care about the subject of this article; I WANT TO GET THE WORD OUT THAT ENGLISH ACTOR MAX BEESLEY (Hotel Babylon) IS A PERFECT YOUNG KIRK, COMPLETE WITH THE SAME LIP-PURSUING GESTURES!!!!!!!!!

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  2. Before talking about what this guy can't do, you really need to go rent "Chariots of Fire". That will give you a better idea of what his skills are then some over the top villain.

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  3. Following on from what Anonymous (from 12/05/07) said, if you want to see Ben Cross in a subtle performance then check out his latest movie "When Nietzsche Wept".

    Ben Cross is one of my favorite actors. It'll be good to see him in a cult role, and I think he's well cast for the role of Sarek. He can totally pull it off!

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