William Shatner is the actor who is best known for his portrayal of James T. Kirk, the captain of the starship USS Enterprise in the Star Trek franchise movies. Apart from starring in countless movies and TV shows, he is popularly known for the uniqueness that he brings to his every movie role and was highly appreciated for his workplace efforts, especially in his Star Trek days.
However, William Shatner has accused his co-star Leonard Nimoy of playing a cunning trick to cement his legacy in the franchise. Even though the two of them were very close friends, they had a very complicated relationship and would even quarrel over things. Although his accusation was not verified, Shatner’s accusations may be motivated by his personal feelings towards Nimoy.
William Shatner Accused Legend Leonard Nimoy for Being a Cunning Trickster
William Shatner accused his late Star Trek co-star Leonard Nimoy of pulling a clever ruse to ensure his place in the series. Nimoy, who played Spock, allegedly fought hard to have his character killed off in the 1982 movie Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, according to Shatner. Nimoy reportedly thought that murdering Spock would make the character more recognizable and unforgettable.
William Shatner opposed the concept of murdering Spock, but the producers finally overruled him. He asserted that Nimoy’s choice to have Spock killed was made out of self-interest and a desire to enhance his legacy. The actor shared many things while attending an interview with USA Today, and he even claimed that,
“I believe it was all planned. I now believe Nimoy and Harve cooked this up. I suddenly realized that I, as well as many other people, had been taken in by the death of Spock. Leonard was so marvelous at working the territory that he got a directing job out of it.
I was thinking my good friend Nimoy is in essence saying goodbye to the whole part. No one told me they were thinking otherwise. But I would have enjoyed being in on it. I get the secrecy. But it’s all great.”
Star Trek fans were divided by Shatner’s remarks, with some supporting him and others praising Nimoy’s choice. It’s also important to remember that Nimoy faced criticism for his choice to have Spock murdered in the Star Trek movie. The decision infuriated many fans, and some even vowed to boycott the movie. Nevertheless, the movie ended up being a critical and financial hit and is currently regarded as one of the finest franchise movies ever created.
Star Trek: The Multi-Billion Dollar Franchise
Star Trek is a multi-billion dollar franchise that has spanned over 5 decades. There are 13 motion pictures, a television series, video games, novels, comics, and a broad variety of merchandise included. The first Star Trek television series, which was terminated after three seasons, launched the Star Trek franchise. The first franchise movie, Star Trek: The Motion Picture, was later released as a result of the show’s popularity. It was a hit and even inspired several sequels.
Being one of the all-time most well-known and important science fiction franchises, it attracted a huge fan base. With its upbeat outlook on the future and varied group of characters, it has inspired eras of fans. The franchise is among the most lucrative in the world thanks to its popularity across a range of media. Although the franchise has been reported to generate over $10 billion in revenue, the franchise is estimated to be worth billions of dollars more.
Source: USA Today
