Star Trek fans brace yourselves… the original Capt. Kirk won’t be taking flight on the starship Enterprise this time round.
In news that was as shocking to Trekkies as it was to “Kirk,” producers of the new “Star Trek” movie recently announced that actor William Shatner will not appear in the upcoming production.
“I couldn’t believe it. I’m not in the movie at all.” Shatner told news reporters a few days ago.
“I thought, what a decision to make, since it obviously is a decision not to make use of the popularity I have to ensure the movie has good box office. It didn’t seem to be a wise business decision.”
The 76-year-old actor who portrayed Capt. James Kirk on the original 1960s “Star Trek” TV series and in six subsequent big screen adventures reportedly met with the new movie’s director J.J. Abrams, but nothing came of it.
Instead, Abrams asked Leonard Nimoy to reprise his role as the pointy-eared Vulcan, Spock in the new science-fiction flick that is set to debut next year. According to producers, the movie’s plot is being kept under wraps, but is said to recount an early adventure for the Enterprise’s crew.
Shatner told reporters that he is happy Nimoy will be boldly go somewhere with the new cast members, which include Chris Pines as the young Kirk and Zachary Quinto as the young Spock. But is disappointed that he won’t be aboard to share in the adventure.
“Having been in on the creation of it, I was hoping to be in on the re-creation,” Shatner told reporters.
Perhaps, Abrams just couldn’t find a way to fit Shatner into the plot. After all, Kirk, did die at the end of 1994’s “Star Trek: Generations.” Of course, dying on the silver screen isn’t exactly like kicking the bucket in real life. For example, Spock was killed off in 1982’s “Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan” then resurrected in 1984’s “Star Trek: The Search for Spock.” What’s more, Nimoy went on to co-star in three more “Star Trek” films, two episodes of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and now Abrams’ new movie.
And it’s not as though Shatner needs the gig. The actor who stars on the TV show “Boston Legal” has also been hired to narrate the Christmas spoof “Stalking Santa” due on DVD later this year. And he’s also working on the prequel “Star Trek: Academy – Collision Course,” a novel chronicling Kirk and Spock’s first meeting.
So don’t feel sorry for Shatner… he’s a very rich (I mean busy) man.