Shatner Wants To Boldly Go Back To 'Trek'

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William Shatner has made no secret of his displeasure with J.J. Abrams over the decision to revamp the 'Star Trek' franchise without the original Captain Kirk on board. In numerous interviews and a couple youtube videos, Shatner has freely questioned the director's casting choice - but lest you think he's all talk and no action, Shatner proves he's still pulling for a return to the Starship Enterprise, and he's happy to design the path.

"I know J.J. Abrams a little bit," Shatner tells OnMilwaukee.com. "What I would say to him... is why not write something for the Kirk character as he approaches death once again? But as he dies, with having lived a full life, what would that do? How would that work in an action movie?"

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Actor Robert Pattinson attends the "Twilight" Japan Premiere at Ebisu Garden Place on February 27, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. The film will open to the public on April 4 in Japan. "Twilight" Japan Premiere Tokyo, Japan February 27, 2009 Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage.com To license this image (56863573), contact WireImage.com

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Actors Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson attend the "Twilight" press conference at Ebisu Garden Place on February 27, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. The film will open to the public on April 4 in Japan. "Twilight" Press Conference Tokyo, Japan February 27, 2009 Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage.com To license this image (56863243), contact WireImage.com

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For what it's worth, Abrams has publicly claimed a desire to have Shatner involved in the new 'Star Trek' film, which opens nationwide Thursday evening. "We tried desperately to put him in the movie, but he was making it very clear that he wanted the movie to focus on him significantly, which, frankly, he deserves," Abrams told SciFi Scanner in September. "The story that we were telling required a certain adherence to the Trek canon and consistency of storytelling. ... His character died on screen. Maybe a smarter group of filmmakers could have figured out how to resolve that."

Shatner's Youtube response, above, was understated but decisive: "I'm just sorry that I'm not in your wonderful movie; I would have loved to have been. If you make another one, maybe you can think of a way to bring the character back to life. I brought him back to life in one of my books, very easily. "

Shatner's daughter, who also appears in the video, is confident the issue will be resolved in a a sequel down the road. "I feel hopeful about the future," she says.

Listen to Shatner discuss his 'Trek' aspirations here.

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2009-05-07 15:46:59

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