Matt Damon as Captain Kirk?
In a recent interview new Star Trek movie helsman J.J. Abrams make it clear that his original idea was to cast a known A-lister for the role of Captain Kirk. Abrams indicates he in fact offered the role of Kirk to Matt Damon. The two discussed the possibility but Damon eventually decided to pass and Abrams went in the direction of hiring lesser known actors to fill out the cast.
It remains interesting to think about what the new Star Trek movie might have been like had Paramount and Abrams scored Matt Damon. I think it could have been exciting however I believe that Abrams lucked out when Damon turned him down. Star Trek is such an iconic franchise and Kirk is truly a golden character.
I think it might be best to let Chris Pine make Kirk his own and have audiences embrace him in that role. With Matt Damon, who brings some audience expectations with him, the character would have been more pigeon-holed into a Matt Damon-type. With Pine, the character has a chance to truly establish himself.
I think as Trek fans, we lucked out when Damon passed.