Peter Weller on Star Trek, Getting His Ph.D., and Defending J.J. Abrams

vulture.com ^ | 5-2-13 | Bilge Ebiri

[Bender2]

Peter Weller on Star Trek, Getting His Ph.D., and Defending J.J. Abrams

by Bilge Ebiri

If you saw Star Trek Into Darkness this weekend and couldn't quite place Peter Weller, the actor playing Starfleet Admiral Marcus, allow us to refresh your memory: Weller starred in two of the biggest cult films of the eighties, Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai and RoboCop, as well as in David Cronenberg’s adaptation of William S. Burroughs's The Naked Lunch. He's also had supporting parts on 24, Dexter, Fringe, and House. And if that weren’t enough, the man is currently finishing up a Ph.D. in art history. He talked to us recently about his stint on Star Trek, his diverse career, and his professor's problem with J.J. Abrams.

-snip-

Why would your character Admiral Marcus go and revive a madman like Khan, even to use as an ally in a secret war? When you prepare for a part like this, do you think those questions through in your mind?

Absolutely. Think: In the sixties, during the Cold War, most of the United States supported the making of plutonium weapons — and that’s waking up the past, that’s waking up nuclear energy and storing it, which is devastating.

[Bender2]

Back in the mid-1960s, old Pete and I went to North Texas State University as it was called back then. I was a Broadcast-Film Major, Pete Theater Arts.

We were only passing acquaintances but I heard him speak enough to see he was one of those 60s service brats who were quenched in the full blood of liberal BS.

And now like then, he is still stuck on stupid.

[Bender2]

Re: In the sixties, during the Cold War, most of the United States supported the making of plutonium weapons — and that’s waking up the past, that’s waking up nuclear energy and storing it, which is devastating.

Can any statement show more stupidity than this one?

I am sure if I read more of his interview, I could find some, but--

Gadzooks! Pete is still the same ill-informed idiot... he was 47 years ago.

[GeronL]

storing energy is devastating?

lolol

That is hilarious

[nickcarraway]

I remember all the pop songs from the 60s that were about how fun plutonium weapons were.

[SoCal Pubbie]

Too bad. I LOVE Buckaroo Banzai!

[dr_lew]

You bet!

“I said is someone out there crying in the darkness?”

[GraceG]

In the sixties, during the Cold War, most of the United States supported the making of plutonium weapons — and that’s waking up the past, that’s waking up nuclear energy and storing it, which is devastating.

Powered by Plutonium....

What an ignorant dumbass

[Vince Ferrer]

I still like RoboCop. And Peter was the reason I like RoboCop, so there must be something good about him.

[wardaddy]

Just remember no matter where you go........

[mountn man]

looks like Kurtwood Smith

[Little Pig]

There’s nothing wrong with liking actors for their acting ability. Weller performed some very interesting characters that were integral to the renaissance of sci-fi in the 80s: Robocop, M-M-M-Max headroom, and (depending on who you ask) Buckaroo Banzai all impacted movies and/or sci-fi.

[Little Pig]

Whoops, mixed up Weller with Matt Frewer who played Max Headroom. My bad.

[Bender2]

Re: I still like RoboCop. And Peter was the reason I like RoboCop, so there must be something good about him.

Never said old Pete wasn't a good actor.... but even Hitler was good to his dog--

Until that day in the bunker he used him a guinea pig... for a cyanide pill.

I had to use... Blonde--

Eva wouldn't... swallow!

[Vince Ferrer]

I saw this new Star Trek this weekend. It has been only less than 36 hours, but as early as 12 hours since I saw the film, it had deteriorated in my mind into a incoherent bunch of short clips of people, with some yelling and explosions, the “why” of which has become a faded mystery now. The film is like cotton candy in my brain.

[Bender2]

One of the problems with rebooting anything for today's crop of ill-informed, 12-to-14-year old, bread & butter 5 to 6 times going movie attendees is that they have such a short attention span... you need to have many short bursts of over the top action or comic stick to keep them from simply eating the popcorn and forgetting they are in a movie theater.

[GeronL]

Maybe Youtube should open theaters that just play random videos from their site 24-7 and see how many youngsters notice.

[Bender2]

Re: looks like... Kurtwood Smith

No, I am... Kurtwood Smith!

[Bender2]

Re: looks like... Kurtwood Smith

No, I am... Kurtwood Smith!

[Bender2]

Gazooks! What was in that last drink? I'm... seeing double!

[mountn man]