Actor William Shatner is best known for portraying Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek: The Original Series. Gene Roddenberry created the sci-fi series and its popularity led to several spin-offs over the past few decades. The franchise experienced a resurgence with 2017’s Star Trek: Discovery.
The series spawned several new spin-offs, some of which also revisited characters such as Kirk and Spock, with new actors essaying younger versions. However, Shatner wasn’t pleased with the multiple spin-offs the franchise has produced in recent years. Here is what Shatner had to say about them and how Roddenberry would’ve felt according to the actor.
William Shatner disapproved of new Star Trek spin-off shows
William Shatner rose to prominence with his role as Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek: The Original Series. The series spawned a multi-media franchise, with Gene Roddenberry serving as its godfather. However, Roddenberry passed away in 1991 and the franchise slowed down in the early 2000s.
The franchise had a soft relaunch in 2017, with a slate of new projects arriving on television and streaming. In recent years, shows such as Discovery, Strange New Worlds, and Picard have built upon the legacy of Roddenberry’s shows. During a Comic-Con appearance, Shatner was asked about his thoughts on the new shows.
I got to know [creator] Gene Roddenberry in three years fairly well. He’d be turning in his grave at some of this stuff.
Shatner made the above statement (via The Hollywood Reporter) when asked whether any of the new shows held a candle to the original series.
Although Roddenberry’s creation was always meant as a progressive look at society, it wasn’t without its flaws. However, Shatner likely felt that the original series was far superior in terms of storytelling, which is why the actor disapproved of the new slate of Star Trek shows.
William Shatner willing to reprise his iconic Star Trek role once more
Despite having an extremely negative reaction to the new Star Trek shows, Shatner admitted in an interview that he had been approached to reprise his iconic role as James T. Kirk in one of the newer installments.
Earlier this year, Shatner appeared at the Fan Expo Vancouver where he had a conversation with The Direct. During the chat, Shatner was asked about potentially reprising the role as he approaches 94 years of age.
I have been asked to come back as Kirk so many times. If Kirk is going to come back, it has to mean something. It has to be the show. But I was so impressed by this writer, so I said let’s talk after I’m done in Vancouver.
Shatner made the above comment, adding that he was waiting for a pitch to arrive before making his decision to reprise the role.
The Boston Legal actor last played the role of Captain Kirk in 1994’s Star Trek Generations, the final installment in the original Star Trek motion picture series. As a result, if Shatner’s proposed return materializes, he will return to the iconic franchise after almost three decades.
Star Trek shows and movies are streaming on Paramount+.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
