William Shatner Vents Over Being Excluded From "Star Trek" Film

Extra" caught up with William Shatner last night at a signing for his book, Star Trek Academy - Collision Course. He opened up about the fact that he was not asked to make a cameo in the upcoming Star Trek film saying, "How could you not put one of the founding figures into a movie that was being resurrected? That doesn't make good business sense to me!"

Leonard Nimoy and several past cast members have been offered cameos in the JJ Abrams directed film, which will tell the story of a young Kirk and Spock. Shatner told "Extra" that he would have been great for the film commenting, "I've become even more popular than I was playing Captain Kirk. I'm good box office and I get publicity.... But, they are going in a different direction and it'll be a wonderful film."

Shatner also revealed that the WGA strike has not yet halted production on his hit show, Boston Legal. Shatner says, "We've got two scripts. We will go to the Christmas break, then we come back for a week or so in January."

More with William Shatner Wendesday, November 21 on "Extra."

Comments

[Jeffin90019]

Maybe Shatner's reputation for being a vain, difficult and demanding diva caught up with him. The last thing the director wants is some grand-standing blowhard who can't stop talking about himself and keeps trying to make himself the center of the scene. Shatner's behavior explains why he was rejected.

[NotaBeliever]

Shatner gets better and better. I like him more on Boston Legal than I've liked him on *anything*. He may be in fit shape to play a muchly retired Admiral Kirk, but smoking a cigar and drinking brandy on the balcony outside his office is a much more fitting place for him these days ... with or without the mad cow.

[WilliePilgrim]

He should be installed as "Ambassador without Portfolio" to the Federation in advance of its eventual realization on SF's Presidio.

[MajorKong]

I never really liked Shatner until he realized that he really was a ham and decided to go with it.

[realitytrumpsbull]

I read that some people don't like Shatner for
this or that reason, probably because he's
famous and they're not, but I don't see where
they get off trying to 'punk' Captain Kirk.
My vote for whoever cares is to put Shatner
in it. It's probably the end of Star Trek
anyway, may as well have everybody that
still wants to participate to be in it...
I'd rather see another Star Trek movie than
more garbage about the middle east...

[Harrier]

Shatner simply wants the money. Maybe Shatner should call John Glenn and have some coffee together.

[ilovedessert]

HE IS NOW SO TUBBY, THAT THE STAR SHIP ENTERPRISE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE OFF. SERIOUSLY, HE WANTED TO MUCH $, HE WANTED SCRIPT APPROVAL AND A LEADING ROLE.

HE WAS SUPPOSED OT HAVE A CAMEO ROLE WITH THE REST OF THE MOVIE BEING A FLASHBACK TO HIS YOUTH. NO WONDER ALL OF THE ACTORS FOR THE ORH=GIAL SHOW HATE HIM, H IS SO ARRAGANT.

[CammyV]

He's so pompous and obnoxious, maybe that's why he was excluded. Probably a prima donna, too.

[taoist]

How about bringing back Mr. Scott? I wonder about this one.

[TJS]

How about a compromise? Put Shatner in the movie, but only if he leaves his bad wig at home!

[Gary47]

Complaining about exclusion from a new Star Trek flick? Really? For the rest of us, that makes for a good day.

[aliceleng]

I have seen a man on a Muslim matrimonial site www.muslimonly.com looks like him, I am not sure if it was him? Oh, my god!

[jesuswazasocialist]

The character Captain Kirk is not dead, he was brought back to life by the Romilans in an paperback that followed the NEXUS movie.

[Meah]

What's the deal? Are the enemies of the Federation tied to the Bush administration. Ya just can't trust those Klingon trolls, can you? The smirking Sith prefers the role of the captain. It's all political, Bill. Don't worry, the Federation will triumph! You will return in another boring Star Trek with your photon torpedos at the ready!

[watchingthings]

You made the bed....now they won't let you sleep in it. You didn't bow to the bigwigs, now they give you trouble