Walter Koenig On Chekov

Having a chance to play Chekov as a deeper character helps veteran actor to pass the baton.

As reported at Soul of Star Trek, Walter Koenig has been keeping busy. InAlienable, the Renegade Studios film in which Koenig is starring, opens on the fifteenth, as reported in this article. On Christmas Day, an updated version of last year's Star Trek: New Voyages film To Serve All My Days will be available on the web, with a new ending. Also, part one of Star Trek: Of Gods and Men in which Koenig plays Chekov, will release online on December 22.

When asked how he felt about someone else taking over the role of Chekov in Star Trek XI, Koenig said "The young man playing Chekov is nineteen years old. I don't have proprietary feelings about somebody playing Chekov at the age of nineteen, that would be preposterous. If they cast somebody at the age of seventy-one playing Chekov and didn't cast me, I might feel differently. I wish him well."

Playing Chekov again in Star Trek: New Voyages has been helpful in passing the baton to others playing the role. "It maybe makes me a little more comfortable," admits Koenig. "I certainly am happier for the opportunity to play Chekov again, particularly in 'To Serve All My Days'. When New Voyages approached me and asked if I'd be interested, I told them only if I could tell a story that would bring me some closure as an actor playing that role. This story is all introspection, it's all about what Chekov felt about his life, what had gone before, and what he was facing. So I felt really, really good about having that opportunity."

There is more to Walter Koenig than acting. He is trying to bring conditions in Burma to the notice of the public again. "I know that after the initial broadening of the world’s consciousness seems to have receded again," he said. "And that's the problem, particularly in this country. If it isn't about Paris Hilton, it really isn't news that the media feels is worthwhile covering. My objective in going there was not only to make the world more aware but to bring some pressure through the UN Security Council to pass a resolution condemning the behavior of the military government as a threat to the peace...Hopefully it will receive the awareness that Darfur has received."

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