William Shatner confirms he was contacted regarding Star Trek 3 part

Just last week, William Shatner and Roberto Orci did a piss poor job of refuting the rumors that Shatner and Leonard Nimoy would be reprising their roles in STAR TREK 3. While they didn't confirm or deny the rumor (usually meaning it is true), they clearly gave the suggestion that it was just a rumor. Until Shatner shared the truth.

At a recent Wizard World Comic Con, Shatner explained that he was contact by J.J. Abrams from the set of STAR WARS: EPISODE VII in London, on behalf of Roberto Orci.

“I’m calling because the director of STAR TREK 3, the next movie, has had an idea where you might be involved, so I’m calling to find out whether you would be interested.” Shatner said he told Abrams, “It depends on what you do with the character, but I would be delighted.”

Shatner then goes on to explain that once the rumor hit the Internet, he was surprised to hear the news that there was an idea for how he and Spock will appear on screen fifty years older with no explanation, especially after Kirk died in STAR TREK: GENERATIONS. Shatner was told by Abrams to tell no one about the role and it looks like he has now spilled the beans. Whether this will impact his appearance in the film is unknown, but the fan reaction seems very positive.

Remember that STAR TREK 3 is being eyed to debut in 2016 which would mark the 50th anniversary of the original series. I think that marketing dynamite is too good to pass up. Hopefully the cameo would not be shoe-horned in and would work naturally in the plot.