Hollywood star William Shatner hopes to boldly go where no Star Trek actor has gone before – return from the dead in the next big screen version of the sci-fi hit.
In an exclusive interview with DailyMailTV, the 86-year-old actor revealed a virtual reality production company has shown him how he can return to the screen as a younger Captain James T Kirk from the 60s TV era.
And while his version of the character has been laid to rest for more than 20 years now, Shatner says he is onboard for being beamed up for the fourth modern day film, which is likely to be written by Quentin Tarantino.
In the sci-fi film’s modern reboot, the captain of the USS Enterprise is played by actor Chris Pine.
Late actor Leonard Nimoy, who starred as the original Spock alongside Shatner, was also included in the previous three flicks, but older Kirk was not.
Die-hard fans know that Kirk was killed in the 1994 Generations movie, but Shatner has found a way that ‘opens the door’ to the possibility of him coming back.
William Shatner entertained the idea of bringing his iconic Star Trek character Captain Kirk back to life through virtual reality
Shatner became an icon with his role as captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise Captain James T Kirk (left) in the original series in the 1960s
‘I recently connected with a virtual reality company Ziva and they have virtual-realized me in 240 cameras all around shooting me,’ he told DailyMailTV.
‘So they can now produce my body and my face in any way, shape, or form – including what I was like 50 years ago.
Shatner is referring to Vancouver, Canada-based production firm Ziva Dynamics which he says has the technology to transform him into a youthful Captain Kirk.
He feels a comeback in the role, which made him a global star, would be roundly welcomed by fans.
However, Shatner noted that Star Trek film director J.J. Abrams has ‘never indicated’ bringing him back for the franchise, but the actor believes he can entertain the idea since he’s discovered a way to revert to his youth.
‘I don’t know how you would do that 50 years later and how would you rationalize my present appearance, as compared to what I was like 50 years ago,’ Shatner said.
In 2013 Abrams ruled out Shatner return saying: ‘I said to him your character died in the movie and we are honoring that history and he just kept trying ways [‘to get in].’
However the director has softened his stance towards Shatner in recent years admitting a strong pitch or storyline could pave the way for a return.
Die-hard Star Trek fans know that Kirk was killed in the 1994 Generations movie, but Shatner has found a way that ‘opens the door’ to the possibility of him coming back
The famed series was rebooted as a modern-day film franchise in 2009 as Star Trek, Star Trek into the Darkness, and Star Trek Beyond
Actor Chris Pine (left) plays the modern-day Captain Kirk and Zachary Quinto plays Spock
As executive producer of Star Wars films, he has included CGI of past characters to aid the storylines.
His technology twist and Nimoy’s passing may finally allow a return.
When asked if he would star opposite his character currently played by Chris Pine, he smiled: ‘Lord yes. What an interesting role that was and what it could be 50 years later: Captain Kirk is caught somewhere in the byways of the universe.’
He added: ‘Tarantino is a great director and I would love to work with him. [To appear] would be a wonderful thing. The fans have been so supportive.’
Just six weeks before his 87th birthday, Shatner says ‘nobody could have known about the legacy of that show.’
The veteran Canadian star insists he has no plans to ever retire from show business, adding that he ideally hopes to drop dead on stage.
He also cites his work and fan adulation as the reason for looking like a man years younger than his real age.
But he has no plans to rest on those laurels saying: ‘What am I going to retire from and to? Look, we are having a good time here and we give money to charities. Would I retire from that and sit at home and watch television?
‘No, I will die first – and that is probably what will happen.’
Shatner launched his one-man-show on Broadway in 2012. He later went on tour to perform the show about his life and donated a large portion of the proceeds to charity.
Virtual-reality technology could transform William Shatner back into a youthful Captain Kirk, he says
Grinning as he was asked whether he understands Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards’s desire to die while playing his hits, Shatner reacted: ‘Yes. In the one-man-show I refer to Dick Shawn, a great comic who dropped dead of a heart attack on stage, and people thought he had done a prank call and they continued to laugh.
‘And my line there is, that is the way I want to go…not tonight.’
He also reflected on the retirement announcement of friend Neil Diamond, who revealed he was leaving live work on doctors’ advice because of Parkinsons disease.
Shatner added: ‘I am really sad about Neil. I was there at the Hollywood Bowl when he recorded The Hot August Night. I am very sad to hear he won’t tour anymore, because of a condition.
Late actor Leonard Nimoy, who starred as the original Dr Spock alongside Shatner, was also included in the previous three flicks, but older Kirk was not
‘I understand that, I tour a lot myself with a one-man-show, and this year I am going out in something else.
‘And touring is debilitating; by the time you get to the airplane, hotel the venue…the performance is nothing compared to getting to the performance.
‘On the other hand it is the way to reach a live audience. When I opened on Broadway in a one-man-show and they stood up and applauded me at the end, it brought me to tears. There was an empathy between the audience and myself.
‘Here in Los Angeles there was a 3,500-seat playhouse which I filled, and they stood up and applauded when I entered the stage. I had no idea they would do that.
‘It is so moving. It is like mother love. And people go to all extents to get mother love – and that is what we do as performers.
‘That invigorates me and that is why I am on the road when I am not working or filming.’
Philanthropist Shatner spoke as he hosted his annual gifting ceremony and charity breakfast at the Six Restaurant in Studio City.
He handed checks to nearly 20 charities raised through last year’s Priceline.com Hollywood Charity Horse Sho, sponsored by Wells Fargo.
Much of the funds will go to children with special needs and veterans.
Millions have clamored for the return of Kirk – even though technically he passed away on the 1994 Star Trek Generations.
J.J. Abrams and Paramount Pictures is milling over a script, which would see the return of young Kirk played Chris Pine and Spock, played by Zachary Quinto.
Oscar winner Tarantino has penned a script outline, but Abrams has created a ‘writers room’ to build the project.
Although Tarantino pitched an idea for the script, it is unlikely he will direct the film, which will be a sequel to last year’s Star Trek Beyond.
Insiders say that the director has too much work on his schedule with the upcoming Charles Manson biopic being prepped for summer 2019.