What if... William Shatner had done a fan film?

[Danlav05]

Nichols, Koenig and Takei all did some. Tim Russ has been back several times as Tuvok alongside some of his co-stars.

Nimoy did the JJ movies but the only major star of that series who didn't return was William Shatner as Kirk. Now I know there's been rumours of a return since Enterprise but nothing's happened nbas a sketch with Seth MacFarlane.

But what if he did Phase II or something? He was rumoured to be in Enterprise either as Mirror Kirk ("Emperor Tiberius") or Chef, plucked out of time to represent Kirk in an important moment in history. For the movies he would have either have been a hologram cameo or an older PineKirk.

I'd imagine a Phase II Kirk to be an echo in the Nexus, seeing his past life in an 'It's A Wonderful Life'-stylre scenario, maybe with a vision of his younger self as the guide. I have no idea how else he could have returned (bar this) unless he played another character:

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I think it would never have happened, and now it cannot happen due to the guidelines, but just imagine...

 

[alensatemybuick1]

I thought he did; it was called "Free Enterprise".

 

[BoredShipCapt'n]

Just a general comment that the ellipsis in the thread title manages to remind me simultaneously of the Marvel Comics "What If" series and of Shatner himself.

 

[YJAGG]

I thought he did; it was called "Free Enterprise".

Saw what you want about Axanar, but Free Enterprise was a cute geek does well movie

 

[alensatemybuick1]

I don't ever say anything about it. In fact I don't even think about it. It's like Ric's response in "Casablanca" when Joel Cairo says "you hate me, don't you?!":

"I suppose if I gave you any thought I would."

 

[KennyB]

I don't think The Shat does anything for scale.......from what I remember the CASH was always where any negotiation of a Kirk come back stalled. I mean it is sci-fi they can always bring him back, but fan film or professional Shatner wants to be paid WELL. The others actually love the property I think and will appear for minimal amounts.

 

[Tenacity]

but fan film or professional Shatner wants to be paid WELL.

Other than Shatner there have been quite a few Trek actors who've never appeared in a fan film.

 

[Thowra]

This is not answering the OP, but that 9 minute clip was much better than some of the later Star Trek I've seen! I'd watch that.

 

[Philip Guyott]

Not a fan film, but he did do a parody.

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[OtherGene]

If William Shatner did a fan film one thing I'm quite certain of is that it would feature a lot of William Shatner.

And who wouldn't want to watch that?

 

[Phoenix219]

This is not answering the OP, but that 9 minute clip was much better than some of the later Star Trek I've seen! I'd watch that.

Yeah, that was awesome. No clue where some of the voiceover work came from... audio books maybe? Parts of it honestly brought a tear to my eye and gave me a rush that Trek hasn't given me in years. Seeing them all back together on the "A" in the 24th century was great, and a holographic doctor to get retired old man McCoy back on the ship is inspired. I would totally watch this.

 

[Phoenix219]

Not a fan film, but he did do a parody.

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Things like this make me mad and sad, because Shatner hasn't aged that badly, and totally could have been doing Trek TV shows for much of the last few decades. Killing Kirk in Generations was pointless.

 

[Spot261]

I thought he did; it was called "Free Enterprise".

The sequel "Free Enterprise: The Wrath of Shatner" is apparently in pre production

 

[KennyB]

The sequel "Free Enterprise: The Wrath of Shatner" is apparently in pre production

RMB has been saying that since 2011.......

 

[OtherGene]

The sequel "Free Enterprise: The Wrath of Shatner" is apparently in pre production

I'm sure he'd have a good chance of crowdfunding it.

Depending on his business associates, of course.

 

[Captain Atkin]

The others actually love the property I think and will appear for minimal amounts.

I don't think it's fair to suggest that Shatner wouldn't appear in a fan film because he lacks "love" for the property. He was the star of the show, and as such, his agent would expect millions for an appearance in a Trek film or TV show. Same goes with Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes and Brent Spinner. If Nimoy were still alive, it's safe to say he wouldn't appear in a fan film either.

 

[Bernside]

I'm sure he'd have a good chance of crowdfunding it

They tried: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1100578565/the-free-enterprise-tv-series-pilot

 

[Danlav05]

If Nimoy were still alive, it's safe to say he wouldn't appear in a fan film either.

At least we got Nimoy back for Star Trek 09 and Into Darkness. And that first one in particular meant a lot to him in terms of character and story, hence why he did it

For Shatner, yes, the issue seems to be money, apparantly why he didn't appear on Enterprise. He won't settle for a 'cameo' apparantly either. And I can't see Stewart or Spiner agreeing to an independent Trek, Frakes maybe would have done it?

 

[KennyB]

I don't think it's fair to suggest that Shatner wouldn't appear in a fan film because he lacks "love" for the property. He was the star of the show, and as such, his agent would expect millions for an appearance in a Trek film or TV show. Same goes with Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes and Brent Spinner. If Nimoy were still alive, it's safe to say he wouldn't appear in a fan film either.

My opinion.........There were several chances to Bring Back Kirk, they always seemed to get bogged down by the money he was asking for.

 

[OtherGene]

My opinion.........There were several chances to Bring Back Kirk, they always seemed to get bogged down by the money he was asking for.

And I don't begrudge Shatner holding out for the money he wanted. There will may be some that suggest he's greedy but that's often putting ourselves in his shoes ($1M for a couple of days work? I'd do it) which doesn't necessarily work. Shatner would be well aware of the money that would be generated for CBS/Paramount by his appearance in one of their productions (think beyond the initial broadcast, think repeats, Blu-rays and future formats for decades to come). It's a vast amount of money.

But I do also believe he hasn't had a script put in front of him that he thought was any good. They really painted themselves into a corner by killing Kirk in Generations in the manner that they did as there really was little wiggle room to conjure up a plausible return. And, of course, as time has gone by and things have progressed it's become ever more fanciful.