re: Paramount Erasing James T. Kirk From Star Trek Franchise?

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Dude could not act

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Acting — like all art — certainly is a subjective taste. And perhaps this is generational difference of opinion.

Yet I dare say yours is an outlying view. Along with Leonard Nimoy’s Spock, Shatner’s portrayal of Kirk is widely recognized by many as one of the most memorable characters in the entire franchise:

Every Kirk actor in the ‘Star Trek’ universe, ranked One of the greatest Captains in 'Trek' history has been played by three actors across six decades – but who gave the definitive performance?

Different writers of the original Star Trek seemed to have different interpretations of Kirk. Some wrote him as impulsive and bullish, others wrote him as quiet and contemplative. Some wrote him as moody and serious, others jovial and relaxed. But Shatner was able to successfully keep the character feeling broadly consistent through all these plots thanks to the incredible charisma he brought to the role.

Though Shatner’s occasional perceived over-acting has become a joke among fans, his intensity and his unusual line deliveries were crucial in making the character so memorable and Star Trek such a success.

Shatner’s own sense of humor began to seep into the character, and Kirk became far more upbeat and jokey in the show’s second season, which is the way the character is often remembered.


Star Trek: Every Actor Who Played James T. Kirk, Ranked….

The original Captain Kirk was played by William Shatner in the 1966 TV series. Gene Roddenberry needed a new captain to helm the Enterprise after Jeffrey Hunter stepped down as Christopher Pike. This is when the character of James Kirk was born and played by Shatner for three years until the series was canceled. The show, however, was very popular among audiences and was brought back for an animated series and six movies, with Shatner still voicing the infamous captain.

Shatner's Kirk oozed swagger and was the definition of a hero that had a unique approach to the rule book than the stereotypical captains of the '90s. James Kirk is a space cowboy who makes it his mission to make a name for himself in the space frontier. Shatner was the perfect person to embody this with his charisma and machismo making him the best Captain Kirk the Star Trek universe will ever see.

Star Trek: All 5 Captain Kirk actors ranked from worst to best

William Shatner's name is almost inseparable from the Captain James T. Kirk character and it's easy to see why. His theatrical acting style made him a perfect fit for Star Trek and he truly embodied the character in Star Trek: The Original Series.

Although Shatner's Kirk has been teased for being overly dramatic, it's that fact alone that made the character so unforgettable and contributed to Star Trek's success. Shatner gave different character interpretations excellently, keeping Kirk's flavor consistent throughout his time with the role. His distinct portrayal continued into the Star Trek films with a more grounded and mature version of Kirk. His best film performance was arguably in Wrath of Khan, where he played a softer, older Kirk, who was also a bit less confident than his younger self.

Through extensive screen time in both TV and films, Shatner has indelibly etched himself into the character of James T. Kirk, with his version becoming the quintessential interpretation of the role.