Justified’s Timothy Olyphant Lost a Commanding Role in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek Franchise

Even losing a pivotal role in Star Trek can be “Justified.” Justified: Primeval star Timothy Olyphant’s resume is one of the most intriguing and eclectic ever assembled in Hollywood. The actor has gone from starring in one of the best horror sequels of all time, Scream 2, to working with Leonardo DiCaprio in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood. But Olyphant did reveal to Josh Horowitz that there was once a chance he might sit in Captain Kirk’s chair on the bridge of the U.S.S. Enterprise.

Olyphant said during an interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast:

“Here’s what I can tell you about Star Trek: I went in, and I auditioned for — I think like — not for Captain Kirk. But I remember reading with J.J. Abrams. And I loved — he’s just a lovely, lovely guy. And just a lovely audition process. And somewhere in there, he was like — maybe I was auditioning for Doc [Dr. Leonard McCoy] or something — ‘I already got a guy for Doc, so I don’t need you for that. But I don’t have a Kirk.'”

Karl Urban (The Boys, Thor: Ragnarok, Dredd) ultimately won the role of Dr. McCoy, and he played the part in all three installments of Abrams’ trilogy. However, as all Trekkies know, the part of Captain James T. Kirk was also destined for another performer.

Related: Timothy Olyphant’s 10 Best Performances, Ranked

Chris Pine Beat Out Olyphant for Kirk

Whether he’s starring in Deadwood or sharing the screen with Drew Barrymore in the Santa Clarita Diet, Timothy Olyphant’s mixture of talent and on-screen charisma allows him the ability to sell any role to the fans of his work. And while Olyphant did have the opportunity to read for a part in 2009’s Star Trek reboot/reimagining, Chris Pine was the actor destined to don Captain Kirk’s classic, gold uniform.

Olyphant discussed losing out on the role during the same podcast:

“Here’s what I’ll tell you: Somewhere along the line they’re like, ‘Uh, I got a guy [for Captain Kirk].’”

Olyphant laughed as he and host Josh Horowitz conversed via a video chat.

“I believe it was one of those things where it’s like he might have been prepared to hire me, but they wanted somebody younger. And [J.J. Abrams] was having a hard time finding somebody younger. And somewhere along the line, J.J. called and said, ‘I found a guy [who is] younger — who’s really good.'”

Olyphant also revealed that he has since met Chris Pine, and he couldn’t have been more complimentary about Abrams’ choice for Captain Kirk. “I love that guy,” Olyphant said. “He is a good dude.” So, while Olyphant’s career might not include warping into any battles with the Romulans or Benedict Cumberbatch’s version of Khan, things worked out just fine for the talented actor. In fact, he eventually showed up in a galaxy far, far away as a part of the Disney+ streaming series, The Mandalorian.