William Shatner, who played Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek, reveals that he has not seen most of the episodes he filmed. Shatner first played Kirk during Star Trek's initial run from 1966 to 1969. The series introduced Gene Roddenberry's sci-fi world and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise as they explored the galaxy. Shatner appeared alongside fellow actors Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, James Doohan, and DeForest Kelley in what would ultimately serve as the basis for an ever-expanding I.P.
Shatner would revisit the character in the years to come, first reprising the role as the voice of Captain Kirk in 1973's Star Trek: The Animated Series. Star Trek then transitioned to films, with Shatner reprising the role in live-action with 1979's Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Shatner returned in 1982 for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, which many still hail as the best of the series. After that, he would play the character in five more Star Trek sequels, ending with 1994's Star Trek: Generations, which killed off Captain Kirk in a fashion most fans found unsatisfying. Over the years, Shatner has also voiced the character numerous times for Star Trek video game adaptations, but he hasn't played the character in live-action since.
In a recent interview with The Keene Sentinel, Shatner talks about questions he often receives from the audience about Star Trek. He admits that the audience "remembers far more than I do," as they have likely seen the episodes more recently. However, Shatner adds that there's a good chance he may never have seen the episode at all "because I don't like to look at myself on-screen." With Shatner's aversion to seeing his performances, he says, "Of the 70-something hours I did (as Captain Kirk) I may have seen half or less." Check out Shatner's comments below:
"It’s been so long—(the audience) remembers far more than I do. Many of them have seen episodes all these years old just recently that I may not have seen at all because I don’t like to look at myself on-screen. Of the 70-something hours I did (as Captain Kirk) I may have seen half or less."
Large sci-fi communities stemming from shows like Star Trek can offer up passionate fanbases. Shatner regularly interacts with those fans as a guest at various conventions, where he is often asked a multitude of questions pertaining to Star Trek. Given how long ago he filmed the series and his penchant for avoiding himself on screen, Shatner not remembering most of what his character did is understandable. However, that likely won't dissuade rabid fans from trying to get the answers they want.
Shatner also isn't the only actor who doesn't like watching themselves on screen. Adam Driver, who has appeared in three Star Wars films, is notorious for not wanting to see his performances, and even Meryl Streep, one of the most renowned actors of all time, says she only watches her movies once. Oscar-winner Joaquin Phoenix has also admitted that he has only seen two films from his lengthy resume, Her and The Master. So while Shatner may get more in-depth questions from Star Trek fans, he's not alone when it comes to actors avoiding their own work.
Source: The Keene Sentinel