And William Bell Is....

[Vitriol]

LEONARD FRICKEN' NIMOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/40698

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/04/exclusive-fring.html

Look at J.J. Abrams using his fancy sci-fi connections. After collaborating on his upcoming Star Trek reboot, Abrams has signed Leonard Nimoy to join the cast of his Fox baby, Fringe.
The 78-year-old Trek icon will play William Bell, Walter Bishop's former lab partner-turned-millionaire founder of Massive Dynamic.
"It was a delight to work with Mr. Nimoy on Star Trek," J.J. tells me. "The idea that he will play the mysterious, much-referenced William Bell is a thrill. I know I sound like a goofy fan boy, but I can't help it: Leonard is an icon of the genre and such a wonderful actor. To have him come on board Fringe is a mind-blowing honor."
The character is slated to debut in next month's season finale and then return in the fall for an extended arc.
Reaction? Is your inner fanboy on the verge of exploding? Already salivating at the prospect of Nimoy geeking out with John Noble? Stunt value aside, do you think Nimoy is right for the part? Sound off below!

[Leia Amos]

If I had fancy connections I would use 'em too! Yay Spock, Sr frakkin on FRINGE! :D

[Vitriol]

This is probably the coolest thing I've ever heard. Ever.

[Brian]

Indeed. Though I suppose the "Nina Sharp is really Dr. William Bell" crackpot theory has effectively been shot full of holes. Dammit, I was kinda liking that one too.

Regardless, this is infinitely cooler.

[Brian]

I just read some more about this from Ausiello. Apparently they really, really wanted Nimoy on the show.

Question: Leonard Nimoy as William Bell on Fringe? In a word, awesome. How long will he be around for? --Jeremy

Ausiello: He'll appear in one scene in the May 12 finale and then return next season for three more episodes. I hear the character's arc was significantly cut back to accommodate Nimoy, who was only interested in doing a handful of episodes. The moral of this story: A little Leonard Nimoy is better than no Leonard Nimoy.

(Source (http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/04/ask-ausiello--1.html))

[Dew]

Cuse and Lindelof did similar with JF. They went after him specifically and never casted anyone else. I am psyched to see LN again. :hyper:

[ZIA]

OMG! He's one of the coolest people on the planet. I'm so excited.

[Mapinguari]

Excellent bit of casting. I love it.

[Brian]

Leonard Nimoy offers inside details about his role on 'Fringe' (http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/05/leonard-nimoy-o.html)

Fringe fans are bracing for a Spock: Leonard Nimoy will guest-star in the May 12 finale of J.J. Abrams' Fox drama as...William Bell. That's right -- we will finally meet the mysterious founder of Massive Dynamic. (He'll return next season for at least two episodes.) Here's what Nimoy, who also stars in Abrams' big-screen update of Star Trek, revealed about his TV guest gig.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: You worked with J.J. on Trek. Is that how this role came about?

LEONARD NIMOY: Yeah, he called me and said: "We have this character that's been referred to but never seen." He gave me some backstory on the guy and sent me some episodes to look at. I think the show's extremely well done. And there's enough intrigue about the guy to make it interesting.

There is a lot of intrigue surrounding William Bell. What can you tell us about him?

I can tell you that he's very intriguing.... [Laughs] He has a great sense of his place in the scheme of things. Profoundly successful, very smart.... What's going to be explored is the story of his relationship with [former lab partner Walter Bishop], what he wants with [special agent Olivia Dunham], what he is intending to do with all this money and power that he has, what are his idiosyncrasies. I think we managed to get some interesting touches into the brief scene with Anna [Torv, who plays Olivia]. We're going to have some fun with this guy. I think we're going to ring somebody's bell.... It's a blank canvas, and maybe a misleading blank canvas. Maybe there have been some clues about him that are misleading, and I think that's part of the fun of the show.

Are you open to doing more than three episodes?

Yes, I am, depending on how much fun we have. It's got to be fun for me these days, otherwise why bother? I had a terrific time doing what we already did, and I like [cocreators Abrams, Roberto Orci, and Alex Kurtzman] a lot. I like the possibility of this character. I'm excited for the first time in a long time.

Is the plan now to move from J.J. Abrams project to J.J. Abrams project?

Well, let me put it this way: When he calls, I definitely take the call.

What do you enjoy about working with him?

He's so creative and energetic and loving. He's a multi-tasking brilliant guy. You know, I worked for his father [producer Gerry Abrams] maybe 30 years ago on a TV movie [A Woman Called Golda].

So now you can say you've worked with multiple Abrams.

Talk about generations, right?

[ZIA]

I love these awesome Nimoy interviews we've been getting. He has such a great personality. :)