William Shatner, who played Star Trek's iconic Captain James T. Kirk, on Sunday accused Hollywood executives of “erasing” his character.
In a series of tweets, Shatner accused these “smug strangers” of “erasing the past” because they “feel threatened by the character of Kirk.” (Related: 'My time is limited': William Shatner confronts his own mortality in candid interview)
In response to a Twitter user's question, “Will we ever see Captain Kirk again?” Shatner noted Paramount's promotional materials for the Star Trek series and Kirk's absence. “To answer that question, just look at the Paramount+ graphics,” Shatner tweeted.
To answer that question, just look at the Paramount+ graphics. 😉 https://t.co/B4Rc9iUJGZ pic.twitter.com/uJEqIL7QZ7
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) January 6, 2024
When another user asked if Hollywood companies had ever offered an explanation for such ads, Shatner tweeted another promotional poster that did not include Kirk. “It's not the first time that it's been going on for years. That a group of people who think they're 'enlightened' (or think they are) clearly feel threatened by the character of Kirk.” makes no difference to me. That’s a character from a 1960s TV show – no more,” the Stark Trek actor wrote.
It's not the first time it's been going on for years. It makes no difference to me that a group that considers themselves “enlightened” (or so they think) are clearly threatened by the character of Kirk. A character from a 1960s TV show. stop it. 😉🤣 https://t.co/0QLH8HBc2O pic.twitter.com/ZR3vevL0U9
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) January 8, 2024
“It doesn't bother me one bit. Is it a bunch of self-righteous strangers who think they're sending a message by erasing the past? Who will forget? It's everywhere. It's too indoctrinated. “No matter what they do, it will take generations to forget because they are so lost. Leave it alone,” Shatner also tweeted.
It doesn't bother me at all. A bunch of self-righteous strangers who think they're sending a message by erasing their past?
Who would forget? It's everywhere. It is so inculcated that it will take generations for anything they do to be forgotten. I’ll leave it as is 😑— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) January 8, 2024
Shatner played the role of Captain James T. Kirk of the USS Enterprise in the original television and film series from the 1960s to the 1990s.
