William Shatner expressed interest in reprising the role of Captain James T. Kirk for Quentin Tarantino’s covert Star Trek project.
Speaking with Express, Shatner shared his thoughts on the prospect of Tarantino helming a Star Trek film. “I think it’s glorious,” the actor proclaimed, adding how he met the director more than once.
Shatner described Tarantino’s films as “filled with juice,” believing that the Inglorious Basterds and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood director offers a “fresh look” at films about heroes. “He would have blood coming out of your nose,” Shatner added.
Upon being asked whether he would star in Tarantino’s Star Trek feature, Shatner replied “Absolutely, absolutely. He’s wonderful.” He also noted he’d be on board with a new Star Trek film “if it was something worthy.”
Shatner was cast as Captain James T. Kirk in 1966 for the second pilot of Star Trek: The Original Series, titled “Where No Man Has Gone Before.” His portrayal of Kirk spanned television, film, video games and animation, with his last physical performance of the character occurring in 1994 for Star Trek Generations. Shatner also frequents multiple conventions every year, including his current virtual appearances at GalaxyCon Live.
The Star Trek franchise found new legs in 2009 when J.J. Abrams helmed the live-action reboot with Chris Pine in the captain’s chair. Abrams went on to direct the sequel, Star Trek Into Darkness, in 2013, with F9 director Justin Lin stepping in to direct the third film, Star Trek Beyond, in 2016. A fourth Star Trek film is currently in the works with Abrams producing, and he will also have a hand in producing Tarantino’s project.
2019 was rife with rumors about Tarantino’s involvement in the franchise, labeling the ambitious new frontier as an R-rated Star Trek film. In December 2019, Simon Pegg confirmed that Tarantino’s interstellar project was “still in the mix” and alluded to talks of potential spinoffs. The project was later confirmed to be in production with a script penned by original Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and The Revenant writer Mark L. Smith.
Other reports suggested that Tarantino would focus on the classic Star Trek episode “A Piece of the Action” and harness the element of 1920’s Chicago gangs. Other rumors addressed the possibility that Tarantino would be involved in the project without actually directing.
Source: Express
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