The feud between William Shatner and George Takei is much simpler than you realize
By Chad Porto
Star Trek: The Original Series was the show that started it all. For nearly 60 years the entire foundation of Star Trek has existed because of this show, and its subsequent films. The show and cast are as beloved, and held in such high reverence that they're almost saintly in the eyes of some. Yet, that doesn't mean the cast has held one another to such a standard.
Two of the three remaining cast members of the show, downright dislike each other. Maybe even hate. However, that may be too heavy of a word to describe the bitter issues that surround William Shatner and George Takei. The duo played two more pivotal characters in the franchise, with Shanter portraying James T. Kirk, and Takei playing Hikaru Sulu.
Over the years, Shatner and Takei have been pillars of not just Star Trek, but larger franchise and science fiction entities. Takei made waves by being the first Star Trek actor to come out publically as gay, while Shatner became the first Star Trek actor to go to space (though many years apart).
Yet, the two men downright dislike one another. Like two cats fighting over the one sun-beam in the house. But why? While some believe that the feud must be looked at through a far-reaching, deep dive, the answer is much easier to understand.
Egos.
Both men butted heads over contrite and needless issues, with neither man willing to really stand down and walk back what was said. Shatner was hard to work with, so Takei took public and not-so-public jabs at him over the years.
It's led to a point where the 93-year-old Shatner and the 87-year-old Takei just refuse to make nice. Apparently, they have been on different levels of this feud since the late 1960s, with Shatner getting an invite to Takei's 2008 wedding to Takei's husband, Brad Altman.
Whatever the issue is between these two, it is not that serious. Though petty squabbles can know no bounds. Sadly, these two legends are at each other's throats routinely, but we're hoping that can change before it's too late.