Shatner Open to Kirk Return, Says No Story Pitched
William Shatner says he'd return as Captain Kirk only for a meaningful story, adding no such idea has ever been presented to him.
William Shatner says he would consider returning as Captain James T. Kirk, but only for a story he finds meaningful and interesting. In a statement posted to his X account on September 25, the actor added that no such idea has ever been presented to him.
Shatner last played Kirk on screen in 1994's Star Trek Generations, the film that paired him with Patrick Stewart's Jean-Luc Picard. Since then, his Kirk appearances have been limited to video games, including Star Trek: Tactical Assault.
Strange New Worlds Team Kept Trying
Over at Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, co-showrunner Henry Alonso Myers said the team tried every season to bring Shatner in. Myers said they pitched an animated episode involving Shatner that would have been connected to the classic episode "City on the Edge of Forever."
That pitch never came together. Strange New Worlds' fifth season has already been filmed and will be the series' last, closing off one possible route back to the role.
ScreenRant reported on Shatner's comments and the showrunners' efforts.
Quick answers
Will William Shatner return as Captain Kirk?
He says he would consider it only for a meaningful and interesting story, and that no such idea has ever been presented to him.
When did Shatner last play Kirk on screen?
In 1994's Star Trek Generations. He has since voiced Kirk in video games, including Star Trek: Tactical Assault.
Did Strange New Worlds try to cast Shatner?
Co-showrunner Henry Alonso Myers said the team tried every season, including pitching an animated episode tied to "City on the Edge of Forever."