Summary
An iconicStar Trekactor still wants to reprise their beloved role. However, they seemingly want to do so with minimal effort on their part.
TheStar Trekfranchise has had many film and television entries since creator Gene Roddenberry’s original series debuted in the late ’60s. Of course,the originalStar Trekseriesremains franchise’s the best chapter in the eyes of many fans. At the center of the original show was William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk, a role he reprised in multiple films and series that followed. Shatner made his final official on-screen appearance as Captain Kirk in the 1994 feature filmStar Trek: Generations, in which the character was killed off.
Shatner has expressed interest in reprising his role asCaptain Kirk in a newStar Trekproject, but he’s laid out some conditions such as not wanting his return to be a “stunt” or a mere cameo. During an interview withColliderat the 2025 Saturn Awards, Shatner reaffirmed his willingness to return as Captain Kirk. However, he seemingly indicated that he wants to do so with minimal effort on his part, suggesting technology has advanced enough to facilitate hisStar Trekreturn.
Well, the science of special effects is progressing to such a degree andI want to be part of it.So, although I don’t want to do it again, being part of this advanced technology is wondrous.
While it is unclear how Shatner envisions the technology being used to bring Captain Kirk back toStar Trek, recent Hollywood projects have proven a few options could work. WhileMarvel Studios is amid its Multiverse Saga,Star Trekhas used the concept before, perhaps most notably to reboot the franchise for J.J. Abrams' feature films. Those movies exist in an alternate timeline that allowed for the iconic roles from the original series to be recast. Chris Pine played James T. Kirk in those films, butStar Trek: The Original Seriesstar Leonard Nimoy reprised his role as “Prime” Spock, who was stranded in the new timeline. While Shatner never appeared in Abrams’Star Trekmovies, a similar use of time travel and/or an alternate universe could be used to bring him back.
Of course, with Shatner saying, “I don’t want to do it again,” he may want to leave Kirk’s return up toStar Trek’s special effects wizards. In recent years, productions have used stand-in performers to film scenes and later digitally replace their faces using archival footage of the character they’re meant to portray. This was notably done inThe MandalorianSeason 2 for Luke Skywalker’s appearanceand inIndiana Jones and the Dial Destiny’s flashback scene featuring a de-aged Harrison Ford. So, similar technology could be used to bring back a younger Captain Kirk.
While Shatner may want to return, Paramount could have different feelings. Still, most fans would probably be excited to see the original Kirk again. But like Shatner’s conditions for returning, the response would likely depend on how such a return is handled.
TheStar Trekfranchise is available on Paramount Plus.
Star Trek
Star Trek is a space exploration franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The series has spanned shows like The Original Series, The Next Generation, and Voyager. More recently, developer Scopely came out with Star Trek Fleet Command, a mobile title where you get to be captain of your own ship.
