William Shatner is open to the possibility of a Star Trek return with de-aging technology

William Shatner will always be known as Captain James T. Kirk. Though he only spent three seasons of Star Trek: The Original Series and seven movies, including Star Trek: Generations as the beloved captain/admiral, he set the bar high for future actors who would take over the role. And though there has been much talk over the years about the possibility of Shatner returning to the part, nothing has come of it. Shatner, though, gave a startling statement in an interview with Canadian Press [via Variety] that could be a gamechanger in current and future Trek series.

The 93-year-old actor is the new spokesperson for Otoy, which specializes in the use of de-aging technology, and he isn't oppposed to that being utilized to bring his character back to life on the Trek screen. But, of course, there are other caveats for Shatner...like there has to be a genuine reason the character is needed, not just for a cameo.

"“It’s an intriguing idea. It’s almost impossible. But if was a great role and so well-written and if there were a reason to be there not just to make a cameo appearance, but if there were a genuine reason for the character appearing, I might consider it.”"

- William Shatner

Shatner's comment about it being "almost impossible" obviously refers to his age, but in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, 80-year-old Harrison Ford was de-aged to look more like Jones from Raiders of the Lost Ark. And we've seen the de-aging technology used in Star Trek already with John de Lancie briefly being seen as a younger Q when he appeared in the second season of Star Trek: Picard as well as Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, and Brent Spiner all in Picard as well.

Though there has been some negative reactions to the use of de-aging, especially when it came to Stewart's Picard, the technology is improving, and were Shatner to return, he would, more than likely, have a say in what his character looked like. I can't imagine a scene moving forward if he wasn't happy with the way Captain Kirk appeared onscreen.

So now that Shatner would consider returning to the part, the producers need to find a spot for him, with a really good story, perhaps even something in the new Starfleet Academy as a hologram. It couldn't be a cameo, but there are plenty of creative minds who can come up with some reason to bring Captain Kirk back.