1 of 28

No

Write now Article Tools

William Shatner is an icon and will always be remembered for his pivotal role as the strong but well- intentioned Captain Kirk of the Star Trek TV series and the movies that followed. He portrayed Captain Kirk with a wonderful smarminess that no other actor could possibly ever capture again.

But, he is 77 years old now. If he had been the real Captain Kirk in real life he probably would be retired by now and living on a retirement planet in the celestial universe. No doubt about it, William Shatner gave a real life force that made the role of Captain Kirk what it is today, but he's almost 80 now. The role of Captain Kirk needs some major life force kicked into hyper drive at this time.

With a new Star Trek movie coming out in 2009, what movie makers should do is officially retire Captain Kirk in the movie, and give him a role as an adviser or a mentor to a new captain. The movie makers could name a new Captain to the ship Enterprise and have Captain Kirk, who would now be know as Retired General Kirk, or ruler of all time, space and being, and have him help out when a major crisis happens.

The latest incarnation of "Star Trek" will have a very young Captain Kirk at the helm. An American actor who has starred in several recent movies, Chris Pine will take on the role of the gallant Captain Kirk. A mere child, Chris Pine, will replace William Shatner's role of Kirk. Pine wasn't even born yet when the first Star Trek movie came out in 1979. Chris Pine is only 28 years old. He is too young to sit in the Captain's chair and calmly instruct his crew when danger approaches.

The creators of this latest incarnation of Star Trek, were looking at other actors to take on the role of Kirk such as Australian actor, Eric Bana. Bana starred in the movies, "Troy" and "Lucky You" with Drew Barrymore.

The new Captain Kirk is very young compared to our beloved leader, and it just doesn't seem right to let a mere child take the helm of the Enterprise. But, alas William Shatner is at the age of many retirees and I guess we will have to get used to a newer, younger model taking on the role.

You have to admit William Shatner would be too old to reprise his successful role as the Captain of the Enterprise. You can just see him now in his cabin being woken up by a crew-member because he is needed for an emergency due to those nasty Klingons starting a new battle. He would have to fix his hair and put his dentures in his mouth and try to go to the bathroom. By the time he would get to the deck to handle the problem, the Enterprise would be in the hands of the enemy.

Okay fine bring on a new captain of the Enterprise but could we have someone who was at least born while the television show, "Star Trek", (the original series) was on TV. Australian actor, Eric Bana is almost 40 now and he would be a much better fit. Okay, maybe not. Too many women working on the ship wouldn't be able to get any work done with Bana at the helm. The new Star Trek movie will have Eric Bana playing Nero.

Change the role of Captain Kirk to an older retired General; bring him back to help out in a dire emergency. But, please put in his place a Captain that's a little older, and has more experience. The new Captain Kirk is much too young, unless the creators of this latest Star Trek adventure have gone back in time when the Captain first became the leader of the Enterprise.

Learn more about this author, Kate Johns.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Should William Shatner return as Captain Kirk in the new Star Trek movie??
We want to hear your view. Write now!