William Shatner, the iconic actor who portrayed James T. Kirk in “Star Trek: The Original Series” and several subsequent films, recently shared his thoughts on how the franchise has evolved. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Shatner expressed his belief that Gene Roddenberry, the original creator of “Star Trek,” would disapprove of the direction the newer series have taken, particularly in terms of adhering to his strict rules.
Shatner explained that Roddenberry’s background in the military and law enforcement heavily influenced his vision for the show. “He was in the military, and he was a policeman. So there was this militaristic vision of ‘You don’t make out with a fellow soldier.’ There are strict rules and you abide by the rules. Around that, [the writers] had to write the drama. But within that was the discipline of ‘This is the way a ship works.’ Well, as Star Trek progressed, that ethos has been forgotten [in more recent shows]. I sometimes laugh and talk about the fact that I think Gene is twirling in his grave. ‘No, no, you can’t make out with the lady soldier!’” Shatner said.
When asked to clarify if he meant that Roddenberry would disapprove of onscreen romances between crewmates in the later shows, Shatner confirmed, “Yes, exactly. I haven’t watched the other Star Treks very much, but what I’ve seen with glimpses of the Next Generation is yes, the difficulty in the beginning, between management, was all about Gene’s rules and obeying or not obeying those rules.”
Shatner also reflected on his own role in the franchise’s evolution, particularly regarding “Star Trek V: The Final Frontier,” which he directed. The film was considered a disappointment at the time, although it has garnered a fan base over the years. Shatner admitted that he wished he had the backing and courage to fully realize his vision for the movie. “My concept was, ‘Star Trek goes in search of God,’ and management said, ‘Well, who’s God? We’ll alienate the nonbeliever, so, no, we can’t do God.’ And then somebody said, ‘What about an alien who thinks they’re God?’ Then it was a series of my inabilities to deal with the management and the budget. I failed. In my mind, I failed horribly.”
He continued, “When I’m asked, ‘What do you regret the most?,’ I regret not being equipped emotionally to deal with a large motion picture. So in the absence of my power, the power vacuum filled with people that didn’t make the decisions I would’ve made.”
Shatner also shared a specific example of the practical challenges he faced during the production of “Star Trek V.” He wanted to include a scene with granite rock creatures exploding out of a mountain, but the special effects team quoted a cost of $250,000 per suit, with a total of 10 suits needed. “You’ve got a $30 million budget. You sure you want to spend [it on that]? Those are the practical decisions. Well, wait a minute, what about one suit? And I’ll photograph it everywhere [to look like 10].”
Shatner has made similar comments about Roddenberry’s potential disapproval in the past. During a Q&A session at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2022, he was asked if he believed any of the new “Star Trek” series were better than “The Original Series.” Shatner responded, “None of them. I got to know [creator] Gene Roddenberry in three years fairly well. He’d be turning in his grave at some of this stuff.”
Shatner’s comments have sparked discussions among fans and critics alike about the direction of the “Star Trek” franchise and whether it has strayed too far from Roddenberry’s original vision. While some appreciate the modern iterations for their fresh perspectives and inclusivity, others, like Shatner, feel that the core principles that made “Star Trek” unique have been compromised.
As the franchise continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how future series and films will balance honoring Roddenberry’s legacy with exploring new creative directions. For now, Shatner’s insights offer a thought-provoking perspective on the ongoing debate about what “Star Trek” should be in today’s world.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter, Wikimedia Commons
