The call came while I was out, so I didn’t get the message until days later.
“Hi,” the young-sounding secretary said on my machine, “I have Rick Berman calling for Wil. Please return when you get the message.”
I knew.
I knew before she was even done with the message, but I tried to fool myself for a few minutes anyway.
I looked at the clock: 8 PM. They’d most likely be out, so I’d have to call tomorrow.
I told Anne that I had a message to call Rick’s office, and she knew right away also.
We’d thought about it for months, ever since I’d heard the rumors online. Of course, I tend to not put a whole lot of stock in what I read online…if I did I’d be overwhelmed with the sheer amount of hot teen bitches who want to get naked for me right now, and I’d be rolling in Nigerian money.
But it made sense, and I couldn’t fight what I knew in my heart to be true.
I returned the call late the next day from my car on my way home from work. I was driving along a narrow tree-lined street in Pasadena that I sometimes take when the traffic is heavy on the freeway.
Children played on bikes and jumped rope in the growing shadows of the July afternoon. The street was stained a beautiful orange by the setting sun.
“This is Wil Wheaton returning,” I told her.
She tells me to hold on, and then he’s on the phone.
“Hi kiddo. How are you?”
“I’m doing fine. You know I turn 30 on Monday?”
There is a pause.
“I can’t believe we’re all getting so old,” he says.
“I know. I emailed Tommy [his son] awhile ago, and he’s in college now. If that made me feel old, I can’t imagine what my turning 30 is doing to the rest of you guys.”
We chuckle. This is probably just small-talk, so it’s not as severe when he tells me, but it feels good regardless. Familiar, familial.
“Listen, Wil. I have bad news.”
Although I’ve suspected it for months, and I have really known it since I heard the message the night before, my stomach tightens, my arms grow cold.
“We’ve had to cut your scene from the movie.”
He pauses for breath, and that moment is frozen, while I assess my feelings.
I almost laugh out loud at what I discover: I feel puzzled.
I feel puzzled, because the emotions I expected: the sadness, the anger, the indignation…aren’t there.
I realize that he’s waiting for me.
“Why’d you have to cut it?”
This doesn’t make sense. I should be furious. I should be depressed. I shuould be hurt.
But I don’t feel badly, at all.
“Well, it doesn’t have anything to do with you,” he begins.
I laugh silently. It never does. When I don’t get a part, or a callback, or get cut from a movie, it never has anything to do with me. Like a sophmore romance. “It’s not you. It’s me. I’ve met Jimmy Kimmel’s cousin, and things just happened.”
There is an unexpected sincerity to what he tells me: the movie is long. The first cut was almost 3 hours. The scene didn’t contribute to the main story in any way, so it was the first one to go.
He tells me that they’ve cut 48 minutes from the movie.
I tell him that they’ve cut an entire episode out. We laugh.
There is another silence. He’s waiting for me to respond.
I drive past some kids playing in an inflatable pool in their front yard. On the other side of the street, neighbors talk across a chain link fence. An older man sits on his porch reading a paper.
“Well Rick,” I begin, “I completely understand. I’ve thought about this on and off for months, and I knew that if the movie was long, this scene, and maybe even this entire sequence, would have to go. It’s just not germaine to the spine of the story.”
He tells me that they had to consider cutting the entire beginning of the movie. He tells me that he has to call one of the other actors because they’ve suffered rather large cuts as well.
I stop at a 4-way stop sign and let a woman and her little daughter cross the street on their way into a park filled with families, playing baseball and soccer in the waning light.
I look them. The mother’s hand carefully holding her daughter’s.
I realize why I’m not upset, and I tell him.
“Well, Rick, it’s like this: I love Star Trek, and, ultimately, I want what’s best for Star Trek and the Trekkies. If the movie is too long, you’ve got to cut it, and this scene is the first place I’d start if I were you.
“The great thing is, I got to spend two wonderful days being on Star Trek again, working with the people I love, wearing the uniform that I missed, and I got to re-connect with you, the cast, and the fans. Nobody can take that away from me.”
“And, it really means a lot to me that you called me yourself. I can’t tell you how great that makes me feel,”
It’s true. He didn’t need to call me himself. Most producers wouldn’t.
“I’m so glad that you took the time to call me, and that I didn’t have to learn about this at the screening, or by reading it on the internet.”
He tells me again how sorry he is. He asks about my family, and if I’m working on anything. I tell him they’re great, that Ryan’s turning 13, and that I’ve been enjoying steady work as a writer since January.
We’re back to small talk again, bookending the news.
I ask him how the movie looks.
He tells me that they’re very happy with it. He thinks it’s going to be very successful.
I’m feel happy and proud.
I’ve heard stories from people that everyone had lots of trouble with the director. I ask him if that’s true.
He tells me that it was tough, because the director had his own vision. There were struggles, but ultimately they collaborated to make a great film.
I come to a stoplight, a bit out of place in this quiet residential neighborhood. A young married couple walks their golden retriever across the crosswalk.
We say our goodbyes, and he admonishes me to call him if I’m ever on the lot. He tells me that he’ll never forgive me if I don’t stop into his office when I’m there.
I tell him that will, and that I’ll see him at the screening.
He wishes me well, and we hang up the phone.
The light turns green and I sit there for a moment, reflecting on the conversation.
I think back to something I wrote in April while in a pit of despair: “I wonder if The Lesson is that, in order to succeed, I need to rely upon myself, trust myself, love myself, and not put my happiness and sadness into the hands of others.”
I meant everything that I said to him. It really doesn’t matter to me if I’m actually in the movie or not, and not in a bitter way at all.
I could focus on the disappointment, I suppose. I could feel sad.
Getting cut out of the movie certainly fits a pattern that’s emerged in the past two years or so.
But I choose not to. I choose instead to focus on the positives, the things I can control. I did have two wonderful days with people I love, and it was like I’d never left. I did get to reconnect with the fans and the franchise. Rick Berman, a person with whom I’ve not always had the best relationship, called me himself to tell me the news, and I felt like it weighed heavily on him to deliver it.
Nobody can take that away from me, and I’m not going to feel badly, at all.
Because I have a secret.
I have realized what’s important in my life since April, and they are at the end of my drive.
The dog-walking couple smile and wave to me.
The light changes.
Somewhere in Brooklyn, Wesley Crusher falls silent forever.
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Well, I had been considering not going or at least only going once (yes I knew it wasn’t anything to do with the storyline but still) but after reading this I feel better about it. It still would have been cool to see you in the movie but oh well, hopefully it will be in the directors cut. Personally I like longer movies if the story is going along or is interesting and is made well.
I just had a thought, since there is 150 comments by the time I write this you probably won’t read this, oh well.
Wil,
I just wanted to take the time to let you know how disappointing this news is. It really sucks that they have to cut a cameo from one of the ORIGINAL TNG cast from what’s probably the last TNG film, or the last TNG film with the entire cast. I was really looking forward to seeing Wes one last time to add a sense of closure to the TNG era. Hopefully Paramount with it’s “infinite wisdom” will add your cameo to the DVD release so the fans will not miss out on this.
when i started reading this, i was thinking, damn, i really liked wesley in star trek (why didn’t other people?) and i’d like to see the character again, i’d like to see wil in that movie. but when i finished it, i realized that maybe it’s better that way. and i kinda sat there at my computer thinking, what a beautiful piece this is. i know that you probably won’t ever read this, but this is some of the best writing that i’ve ever seen. it’s touching. anyway, i just thought i’d tell you that.
Sorry to be so sappy, everyone, but that post just made me cry a bit. It is so good to hear someone saying what most of us probably think at one time or another. ‘Cause it really doesn’t matter that Wil isn’t in the movie, or that so and so’s pilot is never put on the air for the fall season. It’s only t.v., not our real lives. Rock on, Wil. Enjoy what you have, enjoy what you have had. I hope I will do the same.
Well done. You , sir, should focus less on acting and delve further into the scribe’s life. Your telling of this situation was thorough, while remaining concise, and had that Stephen King-via-Rob Reiner quality that belies an overall supreme talent. I wish you the best– Wesley is dead, Long live Wil!
Yours,
Tim
NOOOO!!! WHHHHYYYY!!!
There is only one thing to do. We must picket the movie studios until they agree to allow the scenes back in. Well, everyone but me, that is, because I’m committing suicide over this terrible news. If the scene gets back into the movie, be sure to ressurect me through science.
My knee jerk reaction is to scream, “BOYCOTT!” But you know what? I’ve got this thing for Patrick Stewart, y’see, and I can’t wait for X-Men2 (when I get a double dose of goodness because of Ian McKellen… and yes, I am fully aware he’s gay… a girl can dream). I need a “tide me over” dose. And this Trek film may just be it, even though part of me wants to shove them aside after all these years and call them cheesy. I saw the trailer online I think it was. It looks like a SCIFI film, not a trek film. Very interesting.
So, who are you commiserating with, Wil? Who else got some deep cuts? Gates? Levar? Marina? They can’t very well cut Patrick or Jonathan too much. And everyone loves Data, so Brent is pretty safe I figure (Brent Spiner, the one saving grace of the fiasco what was “Dude, Where’s My Car”).
I haven’t even seen Austin Powers 3 yet.
..but we will get a full hour of data exploring his quest for belly button lint, and 3 hours of picard missing having hair. Just not right.
Hey Wil,
There’s just one thing I don’t understand, did Lard Ass, I mean “Berman” have to pay to get into this contest?
Let’s all forget about Berman and his cronies and make our own Trek movie. Star Trek 11:Wes Goes Nuts. The first 40 minutes we could have Wesley Crusher just kicking the crap out of the walls in the corridors. Then Wesley could um go into the holodeck and shoot Rick Berman holoimages with the safety protocols turned off…hehe hehehee. Then we would end the 3 hour movie with Wes screwing with the Turbolift computer. Halt! Resume! Halt…Resume! Deck 4 Deck 5, Deck 4… The computer would be going bonkers! Just Imagine! Is everyone with me on this project? Hello?
All kidding aside I’m definitely disappointed that Berman cut the scene. I know nothing about movie making, so I have no idea if this is a common thing to end up with a three hour movie. Sounds bizarre to me.
Wil, you should have just said, “Thats okay. Just save the scenes so that they can put them in the DVD director’s cut instead. :D”
lets Just say…i CANT BELIEVE they cut you out. I wonder what Gene would say about this.
That sucks, but in a good way.
I’m so sorry to hear about your scene being cut from the film, Wil. Wesley Crusher was the only reason I’d even tolerate episodes of “Star Trek” because you were a familiar face in a land of science-fiction gobbledy-gook that I never understood. 😉 Best wishes always. You have a lot of people in your corner.
All these “secrets”, and the “big news” you have…..spit it out my good man…..WHEN IS SHE DUE???
Wil, you are handling this with so much maturity. My only thought was..”BERMAN CAN BITE MY SHINY METAL A**”
Wil, you’ve done a nice job of telling this story. I particularly like the way you ended it.
As someone who didn’t always like Wesley, I must say I’m sad not to see him again in the film. At the very least, shouldn’t Wes be at the wedding? Anyway, hang in there. And feel proud about your contribution to Trek.
That blows.
Just blows.
Wil, your reaction was classic mature 30-year-old. Absolutely awesome! You da man!
You’ve raised more than $10,000 for breast cancer research. I think that kicks ass.
All my best to you, Wil.
Goodbye, Wesley. You will be missed.
whoa,
i have never been cut from a movie before, let alone a star trek movie. but now i feel like i have been. that was an icredibly intimate look into a few moments of your life. very well composed.
and you are turning thirty. that’s crazy, i’m turning 25 soon, and it’s like i remember watching you back in the day, and thinking, this kid has got it made. it’s nice to see these years later, you still have got it made.
-b
oh yeah and “spare us the cutter” ~ great tune man!
Damn, I was looking forward to seeing you in action once again.
Hey, I only buy special edition DVDs so they better be smart and put your scene in the deleted section.
You’re a real class act, Wil. Nowadays, I don’t get many opportunities to say that without sarcasm. 🙂
This kinda sux. I was so looking forward to seeing Wesley in this movie. I can never understand why people didn’t like this character. When TNG was on, he was my favorite character…i could easily identify with him due to my own age ( i’m only 20). Too bad. On the bright, side, you’ll be on the DVD!
Cameos???
We don’t need no stink’n cameos!
Sorry to hear about your being cut from the film.
I think you handled the situation very well. I would have liked to have seen the movie but since your not gonna be in it theres really no need to go. Think positive. Stay happy.
Donna
Aww, thats soo sad. I was really looking forward to seeing your character again in this one. Call Rick back and tell him that if they don’t put your scene in the Bonus Features on the DVD you’re going to be pissed, because I sure as hell will!
You are awwwright Wil. Cultivating lots of good karma… I wish nothing but the best for you and the family. If everyone had an attitude like that, what a nicer place the world would be. Props to you…
Sorry to hear about this cut. I’m sorry for you as an actor and having the scene on a “deleted” section on a DVD is really no consolation. I’m also sorry for again it show that the current powers behind Star Trek continue to miss the point. And continue to ignore the direction the fans want to see.
People like Star Trek for the hopeful, potential universe it created; the continuity of familar races, species and institutions and certainly the love and interaction of the various cast “families”. I think most fans would want to see a Wesley Crusher appearance even if just a cameo. Most of us would love to know what has happened to this character since he last left with the Traveler. I think most fans would want that long before they would want any aspect of the main plot of the movie. On other message lines, fans who DISLIKED the Wesley character have been saying “Yah, it would have been nice to see him now – especially as he is an adult.”
Personally I liked the Wesley character from the start. Being a father watching ST:TNG with my six year old son then the Wesley character provided a link that he, and thus me, enjoyed. I especially liked the young adult that Wesley quickly grew into. The conflict with Picard in Journey’s End is still a great example of someone standing up to Picard for a greater good. Has much more impact than Worf’s resignation in Redemption (when next episode he just waltzs in, picks up his communicator and acts like he never resigned in the first place.)
One of my favourite episodes, which normally does not appear on anyone’s top 50 episodes, is The Game. Again it shows Wesley resisting something that does not seem right.
While I would not want any of the main characters to not appear in the movie, personally I would rather see the Wesley Crusher character in the movie instead of some of the other characters. Cut Riker. Cut Troi. I know they wouldn’t cut Data but at least reduce his screen time if need be. A Crusher cameo would have been one of the small highlights that make a movie. When people talk of the TNG episode Parallels, usually after the wild bearded Riker’s appearance, most say the appearance of Wesley was one of the more memorable elements.
A lose for the actor, for the movie and for the fans.
bummer dude, i was hoping to see ya in the movie…. i guess ill have to wait for the dvd to see your part…. feel better dude =)
Spare us the details!!!
Further written proof of why I *heart* tv’s Wil Wheaton.
“Sometimes the test is not to find the answer, its to see how you react when you realize there is no answer.”
Wil, you need to call Berman back and make sure you get on the DVD, ’cause we’re all buying it just to see you in the deleted scenes section.
MH
Wil, you need to call Berman back and make sure you get on the DVD, ’cause we’re all buying it just to see you in the deleted scenes section.
MH
Wil, you need to call Berman back and make sure you get on the DVD, ’cause we’re all buying it just to see you in the deleted scenes section.
MH
Sorry to hear it, Wil. I truly respect your response. A lesser man would have used this space to rant.
You know, after reading Wil’s posts….they stir emotions and thoughts that sometimes I forget I have….it makes me want to preface every thought/action I have and put Wil on a pedastal by saying “What Would Wil Wheaton Do?”.
Thanks for sharing your innermost!
Damn, YOU the MAN!
The ONLY reason Berman is cutting Wesley’s role in the picture and other footage is so the MOVIE THEATERS can run/show the flic more time daily for larger profits! Long movies can’t be run as many times.
But Boogie Nights, Titanic, etc.. all were well over 3 hrs!
Don’t look for deleted scenes….Paramount usually releases lame first released dvd’s w/ trailers only! Later on you may get Wil’s scene’s on a future issue.
The only reason Berman runs the shots, is that Gene is dead and who else are they gonna hire to run the franchise with more experience?
The more Berman pleads he tries to follow Roddenberry’s path, the more I don’t believe him.
Keep your chin up Wil! It’s all about the dollar..they can fill more seats more times daily with a 2 hr or less film. YOU KNOW they won’t cut Whoopi out. Someone needs to tie Berman down and shove a pirahna toothed tribble up his ass and sew it shut!
Wil, it would’ve been great to see you in the movie, but its there loss, Wesley is the best charachter!
Mr. Wheaton,
I’m not much for posting letters on websites, but I had to make an exception in this case. As a writer and actor myself (though more in theatre than film), I know firsthand that this business can be a strange beast. I see people that become jaded by it all the time. The fact that you seem to come out of it with your integrity and good humor is a testament to what kind of professional you are (not to mention your writing on this site, which is refreshingly honest and objective). I wish you all the luck in the world, and I have no doubt that this is just a bump in the road in your successful career. Not to turn this into a love-fest; but you, sir, have CLASS. And I, for one, find your attitude inspiring. Thank you, and godbless.
Oh well. I was hoping for them showing wesely get blown to smithereens… then camera shows Data laughing his head off, then camera swings to Picard ‘NNNooooooo…’ then camera swings to Riker ‘Damn it Warf! I wanted to press the fire button!’
😀
hehe.. note the smiley!
Better luck next time kiddo 😉 … (if there is a next time? Maybe you can get a part in enterprise or something.)
WAIT A TICK! maybe they might add it in the DVD… you know! extra special footage! 🙂
Geez. 48 min is a lot to cut. We’d better see you in the DVD though! I was soo looking forward to seeing you in the theatre!
Damn, I was looking forward to seeing the movie with Wesley’s return. However keeping in the spirit of positive, I look forward to any future projects that will come your way, that you lend your talents too.
wil your rock, hopefully you’ll get in on the next one
av
Stupid too-long movie.
You’re damn right about that DVD footage, {insert any name from above here}.
Eh, I bet they made you wear something stupid. If not, well, then they’re being stupid.
Who knows, when a portion of the audience who said they’d show doesn’t due to lack of Wesley goodness, maybe they’ll realize the only option left to them…
Wesley Crusher, Borg Queen.
(copyright 200_, Spudnuts)
Wil, You have defined yourself so incredibly to family, friends and readers as a multi-dimensional person of character, compassion and conviction, to be cut from a Star Trek movie doesn’t even qualify as newsworthy.
And the many posts in response confirm this is an amazing community with a sense of values far more meaningful than any film. I’m really in awe. Best, Rob
You handled that with style and class only Wil (Gordy, Wes Crusher) Wheaton can do. Just remember when the DVD comes out you will be in the special features (the cut scenes). Wesley is very much alive and well in the Star Trek universe. Shatner should be the only one that should have been cut from Star Trek.
Wil,
I’m about the 190th person or so to say this, DVD Special Section: Deleted Scenes. We will get to see it and enjoy it. I was looking forward to seeing the whole family together again. Is it possible Rick Berman and Paramount might let you put your scene from the script on WWDN? They can’t shoot you for asking.
I also know the frustration at working on a film and either being cut out or way way down. I was lucky enough to be an extra on “12 Monkeys” in 1995 and despite being on the set for 4 days, My big scene with Brad Pitt was cut down to about 36 frames. Hope you get more work in front of the camera soon.
Take care
Bart
Dude, I just thought “Little” Wes here in Brooklyn would have some consoling words for you… and maybe you have some consoling words for him…
Me: Wes, did you hear the news?
Wes: …
Me: oh that’s right you fell silent forever. DAMN YOU WIL WHEATON DAMN YOU TO HELL!
Wes: Shut up Vincent, you’re a total kneebiter.
Me: !?