Here's a pretty safe bet: William Shatner has not pre-ordered tickets to see "Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens" on opening night.
The 84-year-old actor, who originated the role of Captain Kirk, has long been a vocal "Star Trek" partisan in the sci-fi series' rivalry with "Star Wars." And his feelings on the subject apparently haven't softened with time -- nor by the fact that "Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens" is directed by J.J. Abrams, who also directed the two most recent "Star Trek" movies.
Shatner, a prolific and much-followed Twitter user, has been Tweeting up a storm about the new movie for months, mocking it on almost every front. When the first trailer came out last November, Shatner posted a series of memes illustrating "What Bill learned from the 'Star Wars' trailer." For example:
He wasn't even a fan of the adorable BB-8!
And last week, when the new trailer and poster came out, Shatner had a field day. He posted pictures highlighting some pretty close forebears to design elements in the poster, such as Poe Dameron's flight suit ...
... and Captain Phasma's helmet:
Ultimately, though, it all comes back to the "Star Wars"-"Star Trek" comparison. And Shatner makes his feelings on that particular issue very clear.
That tweet doesn't clarify where that leaves Abrams -- can he or can't he?
That's actually an issue that Shatner has addressed off Twitter: Shatner thinks he can. Soon after Abrams was announced as the director of "The Force Awakens," he joked that Abrams was being a "pig" by taking on both of these two gigantic franchises -- but added, moments later, that "he’s probably the most talented director of that ilk we have." Still not enough to change Shatner's mind, apparently, but it's a start.
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