It’s no coincidence that the pitch-perfect performances Karl Urban has delivered over the years are the ones we’ve clamored to see more of, even if Hollywood chooses to do otherwise. Besides stepping into the crotch-kicking boots of Billy Butcher in “The Boys” and his (much to our frustration) solo outing laying down the law as “Dredd,” one of his best roles was one he went out of his way to land —walking onto the deck of the Enterprise in J.J. Abrams’ 2009 “Star Trek” reboot.
There was no doubt that the big-screen revival of “Star Trek” would enter a divisive atmosphere, making choices even director J.J. Abrams acknowledged he regretted in the years that followed. Nevertheless, the movies set in the Kelvin timeline exceeded expectations mainly thanks to the franchise’s pitch-perfect casting, including Urban.
In 2008, Urban talked to IGN about his role as the Enterprise’s chief medical officer and how it came to be. “Well, it was one that I actively pursued and was very fortunate enough to be offered,” he revealed. Thankfully, Urban didn’t need to do much homework after being a fan since childhood. “I didn’t actually even have to go out of my way to re-watch old episodes. I’ve just been watching them for over 20 years!” But like many other performances in Abrams’ “Star Trek,” the New Zealand-born Urban was aiming for his own version of the character rather than something fresh from the replicator.
Karl Urban wanted to keep the bones of Dr. Henry McCoy in Star Trek
After getting approval to visit the Enterprise medical bay as Dr. McCoy, the mission for Karl Urban was to create his own iteration of the character while respecting what came before. After the original television series, an animated show, and six “Star Trek” movies, DeForest Kelley was synonymous with the blue-shirt-wearing, dry-witted doctor who had been by the side of Kirk and Spock (then William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy) since 1966. Thankfully, after finally braving the role, Urban was happy to learn that director J.J. Abrams was fine with what the actor was bringing to the operating table.
Speaking to TrekMovie, Urban recalled the feedback he got that ensured he was heading in the right direction. “I remember JJ coming up to me one day and he says, “What you’re doing is wonderful, it’s not DeForest Kelley, but it’s something that is Bones, but it’s different, and keep on doing what you’re doing.'” For the star that would go on to face off against Homelander and Mega City One, it was a dream come true.
“As a long-term fan, I felt it was important to see some semblance of continuity to the wonderful work Mr. Kelley had done. And really, to me, it’s about the character’s attitudes.” It was this attitude that saw Urban stick the landing as Bones, and dammit Jim, he did it brilliantly.
