Paul McGillion Auditions for Scotty
Friday September 28, 2007
Paul McGillion, a regular on the first three seasons of Stargate Atlantis as medical officer Carson Beckett, has auditioned for the role of Montgomery Scott in the upcoming Star Trek movie, according to TrekMovie.
"Obviously, it would be a great honor to follow in James Doohan's footsteps," McGillion told TrekMovie.
News that the actor, who was born in Paisley, Scotland and raised in Canada, was up for the role of Scotty was met initially with widely positive fan reaction, especially once it became known that Chris Doohan, the son of original "Scotty" actor James Doohan and a previous self-promoted contender for the part in the movie, had enthusiastically endorsed McGillion for the role. (Fans are also having fun with the fact that both James Doohan and McGillion are from British Columbia. Isn't everyone on TV from BC these days?)
"I know that the chances that I would be the next Scotty are slim to none," Doohan posted on TrekMovie. "That being said, I think Paul McGillion is a GREAT choice for the role of Scotty. He has a great accent and I think that he actually looks like my father. He would be a much better Scotty then McAvoy." (James McAvoy, a well-known Scottish actor who played the faun Mr. Tumnus in the first Narnia movie, had been rumored for Scotty despite denials by McAvoy's publicists.)
McGillion seems like a perfect choice for Scotty, not only because he is able to do an excellent Scottish accent and he's the right physical type, but just as importantly because he's able to convey the same sorts of humanity and passion for his craft that made Scotty so popular in the first place.
"Obviously, it would be a great honor to follow in James Doohan's footsteps," McGillion told TrekMovie.
News that the actor, who was born in Paisley, Scotland and raised in Canada, was up for the role of Scotty was met initially with widely positive fan reaction, especially once it became known that Chris Doohan, the son of original "Scotty" actor James Doohan and a previous self-promoted contender for the part in the movie, had enthusiastically endorsed McGillion for the role. (Fans are also having fun with the fact that both James Doohan and McGillion are from British Columbia. Isn't everyone on TV from BC these days?)
"I know that the chances that I would be the next Scotty are slim to none," Doohan posted on TrekMovie. "That being said, I think Paul McGillion is a GREAT choice for the role of Scotty. He has a great accent and I think that he actually looks like my father. He would be a much better Scotty then McAvoy." (James McAvoy, a well-known Scottish actor who played the faun Mr. Tumnus in the first Narnia movie, had been rumored for Scotty despite denials by McAvoy's publicists.)
McGillion seems like a perfect choice for Scotty, not only because he is able to do an excellent Scottish accent and he's the right physical type, but just as importantly because he's able to convey the same sorts of humanity and passion for his craft that made Scotty so popular in the first place.
Comments
If they get McGillion as Scotty, I’m there with cash in hand at the theater, otherwise, the Trek movie hasn’t interested me all that much until this news broke.
I’m with Elyse. I only had a mild interest in the Star Trek movie before this. Get Paul and I am there.
I’ll want to see the movie no matter what. I’ve been a trekkie practically since birth, but as I also love Stargate, this would be an added bonus!
Paul’s PERFECT for the role of Scotty. He’s got the talent, the accent from his REAL Scottish roots, the physicality, and a huge Scifi fanbase to boot. And Jimmy Doohan was beloved by fans for being a great guy, exactly the same can be said about Paul! He’d do the role and the memory of Jimmy Doohan proud!
Seems like a no brainer casting to me, SO CAST HIM ALREADY!
I so agree with everybody. I’ve been a Trekkie (or Trekker if you prefer)for years and “Paul McGillion” is physically and emotionally “PERFECT” for the role. Wake up J.J. Abrams! CAST MCGILLION!!!
I think Paul would be a wonderful asset to the movie. I don’t even pretend to know how to cast a crew for a movie but I do know that Paul even reminds me of James Doohan. I can’t imagine anyone else playing the part.
If Paul plays Scotty I’ll be at the theatre waiting to see him. If he doesn’t, I’ll wait for the movie to come out on cable. I like him that much.