Why William Shatner chose to make a documentary now

“You Can Call Me Bill” is the upcoming documentary about William Shatner and a life filled with amazing adventures and discoveries.

It’s a documentary about the ninety-one years William Shatner, the iconic star of Star Trek, has lived and the incredible career he’s had. But why make it now? Why not at eighty? Or ninety? What made the man who will always be known as the original Captain James T. Kirk decide to treat the world to an inside look at his life now?

Shatner answered the question in a video interview with Variety’s Brett Lang, and it’s something no Star Trek fan is really going to want to hear.

"“I’ve turned down a lot of offers to do documentaries before. But I don’t have long to live. Whether I keel over as I’m speaking to you or 10 years from now, my time is limited, so that’s very much a factor. I’ve got grandchildren. This documentary is a way of reaching out after I die.”"

William Shatner says there is no legacy after a person dies.

In a hard look at reality, Shatner said that people ask about a legacy, but there aren’t any as no one remembers anyone. He brought up Danny Kaye and Cary Grant, asking who remembers them. He added that they were great stars, but they’re gone, and no one cares now. But what does live on, according to Shatner, are good deeds. And that is yet another reason why he’s done this documentary.

The documentary’s funding goal was reached in less than a week, thanks to the actors’ dedicated fans, and within four days, the project had raised $789, 655 from 1,338 investors who now own an equity stake in the documentary.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the project reached its crowdfunding goal so quickly. While William Shatner is thinking about mortality, his fans continually think about the joy and entertainment he’s brought to their lives. And they always want to know more about the legend who ignited a franchise. But they don’t want to think about the one day that is on Shatner’s mind. We prefer to think actors like William Shatner will live forever.