Actor William Shatner, best known as Captain James T. Kirk in the original 1966 “Star Trek” TV series, has expressed doubt that Paramount will bring back his character for new iterations of the sci-fi franchise because they might “feel threatened” by his portrayal of the iconic role.
In response to fan questions about whether he'd ever consider donning the yellow shirt for another voyage on the Enterprise, Mr. Shatner said the studio’s producers are “erasing the past” of the franchise.
“All you have to do is look at the Paramount+ graphics to answer that question,” he said.
He shared two promotional images as examples of his point, showing that Paramount had indeed omitted his version of Captain Kirk from its advertising campaigns for the popular franchise. Many lead characters and series favorites were featured in the promotional material, such as Captain Jean-Luc Picard portrayed by Sir Patrick Stewart, Captain Kathryn Janeway portrayed by Kate Mulgrew, and Captain Benjamin Sisko portrayed by Avery Brooks.
‘Erasing the Past’
Mr. Shatner claimed his character had long been a target of an agenda, providing no further details as to why he thinks his version of Kirk might be controversial enough to delete from the franchise. Actor Paul Wesley has taken over the Captain Kirk character for the recent series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, showing the sci-fi hero in his younger days. However, fans have noted the portrayal seems to be deliberately avoiding copying Mr. Shatner, for whatever reason.“It’s not the first time it’s been going on for years,” Mr. Shatner said in a post showing another promotional image without his portrayal of Kirk.
“It makes no difference to me that a group who think they are enlightened, or whatever they think they are, obviously feels threatened by the Kirk character. It’s a character from a 1960’s TV show—get over it.”
The 92-year-old actor said he isn’t bothered by the snub from Paramount and even praised the recent announcement of Mr. Stewart returning to his role of Picard for another movie. In Mr. Shatner’s view, it will take many years before people forget his performance as Captain Kirk.
“It doesn’t bother me in the least. A bunch of self-righteous strangers thinking they are sending a message by erasing the past? Who is going to forget? It’s everywhere,” Mr. Shatner said.
“It’s so indoctrinated that it will take many generations to be forgotten no matter what they do. Let it be,” he added.
Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry, began with the 1966 TV series and has since become a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, expanding into 13 films, at least 12 different TV series, video games, novels, and comic books. CBS Studios, which is now owned by Paramount, controls the television rights to Star Trek, while Paramount controls the film rights.
The Epoch Times has contacted Paramount for comment.
