William Shatner “Might Consider” Returning In ‘Star Trek’ As Captain Kirk – As Long As They De-Age Him

It’s been 30 years since William Shatner last took the screen as the celebrated Captain Kirk in a Star Trek film, but the 93-year-old actor says he could be convinced to come back to the franchise.

Speaking to The Canadian Press, Shatner revealed that he would reprise the role but only under a few conditions.

“It’s an intriguing idea,” Shatner said. “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.”

The actor suggested that he could return as a younger version of his character with the help of de-aging technology.

Shatner, who recently signed on to become the spokesperson of Otoy, a company that specializes in de-aging technology, said it “takes years off of your face, so that in a film you can look 10, 20, 30, 50 years younger than you are.”

This controversial technology was recently used in Harrison Ford‘s final performance in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

Shatner also had his own pitch for how deceased character could return to the franchise, considering Captain Kirk died in the 1994 film Star Trek Generations.

“A company that wants to freeze my body and my brain for the future might be a way of going about it,” Shatner suggested. “‘We’ve got Captain Kirk’s brain frozen here.’ There’s a scenario. ‘Let’s see if we can bring back a little bit of this, a little salt, a little pepper. Oh, look at that. Here comes Captain Kirk!’”

Paramount recently announced that a Star Trek 4 is in the works. Details are still under wraps regarding the new film, but the role of Captain Kirk will surely be played by Chris Pine, who took on the role in the 2009 reboot. Variety reports that Paramount Pictures hopes to have the original cast from the reboot involved, including Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldaña, Karl Urban, and more. The Flight Attendant series creator Steve Yockey recently signed on as screenwriter.

But there is still hope for Shatner’s return yet, as Paramount reportedly has at least two other Star Trek projects in development, one of which will be an origin story for the franchise.

Shatner made these remarks while promoting the new documentary about his life, titled You Can Call Me Bill. The documentary looks back on his life and career, complete with commentary from the actor himself.