Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 11, 1995 TAG: 9507110019
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: IAN SPELLING|
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
After all, Spock made ``The Voyage Home'' (1986) after his demise in ``The Wrath of Khan'' (1982).
And now Nimoy returns to ``The Outer Limits'' in a re-creation of the classic 1964 episode ``I, Robot.'' It will air July 23 on Showtime as part of the cable network's new ``Outer Limits'' series.
The hour-long program, directed by Nimoy's son Adam, is the only remake among the series' otherwise all-new 43 episodes. It concerns a robot named Adam Link who is charged with murder and tried as a human after accidentally killing his creator.
In the original show Nimoy played an acerbic reporter covering the case, but this time out he tackles Howard Da Silva's role: the curmudgeonly defense attorney, Thurman Cutler.
``Adam and I were discussing the fact that `Outer Limits' was being revived and that I'd done one,'' an upbeat Nimoy recalls during a phone conversation from his Los Angeles home. ``So we submitted the idea of our redoing `I, Robot.'
``That's how this developed. It was also my choice to play the attorney this time, instead of the reporter.''
Nimoy reports that he purposely avoided rewatching the original episode in order to bring a fresh approach to the remake. But he feels strongly that the story's message is more valid than ever.
``Should the robot be treated as a being, a human being?'' he asks. ``The argument my character makes is very interesting to me.
``He says the fact that this creature isn't composed of flesh and blood is an accident of birth. I have a wonderfully telling line: `The Constitution is purposely blind to such accidents.'
``It's a very timely and challenging argument.''
Nimoy sounds quite proud of his son, who cut his directing teeth on several ``Next Gen'' episodes. Adam put his background as a lawyer to good use in crafting ``I, Robot,'' Nimoy says.
``Adam was great and we had a great time. Whatever comments he gave me were very apt, helpful and to the point.
``He's paid his dues and this is a big step forward for him.''
Nimoy, 64, has been a very busy man of late. His science-fiction-oriented comic-book series, ``Primortals,'' is selling well, and he recently finished his second autobiography.
The sequel to ``I'm Not Spock'' is titled ``I Am Spock'' and will be available from Hyperion in October.
Nimoy's long-awaited virtual-reality-themed project, ``Deadly Games,'' which he developed as a weekly hour-long series for the United Paramount Network, debuts this fall.
James Calvert stars as a physicist toiling on a fusion experiment, who in his free time devises a computer game in which he casts himself as the hero, his ex-wife (Cynthia Gibb) as the heroine and those he dislikes as antagonists.
When the experiment and game accidentally merge, Calvert and Gibb are thrown together in an effort to bring matters under control. Christopher Lloyd, the villain in the Nimoy-directed ``Voyage Home,'' portrays Sebastian Jackal, the enigmatic game master.
``It's a contemporary comedy with science-fiction and action overtones,'' says Nimoy, who directed the premiere episode.
``It's in great shape and it'll be a lot of fun. I might direct more in the future, and Adam is directing our ninth show.''
Will Nimoy appear in an episode?
``That's a definite possibility,'' he answers slyly.
Returning to ``Trek,'' Nimoy reveals that he hasn't seen ``Generations'' (1994) but that he ``has absolutely every intention'' of doing so.
Might it be safe then to assume that, with the exceptions of his autobiography and occasional conventions appearances, ``Trek'' and Spock have been beamed to the past tense?
Nimoy chuckles.
``It would be safe to say they are taking a break at the moment.''
CON CALENDAR
July 21-23
Fanex 9 at the Sheraton North Towson in Baltimore, featuring Robert Quarry. (Call (301) 604-4166.)
TREK/SCI-FI ALERT
If you have Trek or science-fiction news or trivia to share - or if you have questions relating to ``Star Trek'' - write to Ian Spelling, in care of features department, The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010-2491. Be sure to enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you would like a reply.
by CNB