Kirk to take over the Enterprise. The real-world reason for William Shatner replacing Jeffrey Hunter as Captain Kirk was due to network dissatisfaction with Star Trek's pilot, which led to recasting the Captain role.

How did William Shatner get the Star Trek role?

“I was in New York doing some work. They called me and said, 'Would you come and see the pilot? ' With the idea of me being the captain. And I watched the pilot [and thought], 'Oh my God, that's really good.

Why did Kirk take over from Pike?

Pike first appeared as the main character of the original unaired pilot episode for Star Trek: The Original Series, "The Cage", portrayed by Jeffrey Hunter. When this pilot was rejected, Hunter withdrew from the series, and the character of Pike was replaced with Kirk.

Was William Shatner the first choice for Star Trek?

Before William Shatner, Gene Roddenberry had a different actor in mind for the role of Captain James T. Kirk. Jack Lord was an actor that had already appeared extensively on television and film, including the 1962 James Bond film Dr.

When did Captain Kirk take command of the Enterprise?

Kirk became an instructor at Starfleet Academy before he joined the crew of the USS Farragut, where Kirk became the youngest First Officer in Starfleet in 2259. In 2265, Kirk was promoted to Captain and assumed command of the USS Enterprise at the remarkable age of 32.

Fans Never Noticed These Things About Star Trek

How did Kirk become Captain so fast?

Kirk became Starfleet's youngest starship captain after receiving command of the USS Enterprise for a five-year mission, three years of which are depicted in the original Star Trek series. Kirk's most significant relationships in the television series are with first officer Spock and chief medical officer Dr.

How old was Captain Picard when he became Captain of the Enterprise?

Jean-Luc Picard was (or will be) born on July 13, 2305. That means he is 59 years old when we first meet him in the first episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Who turned down Captain Kirk?

Kirk wasn't noted as dead until Generations. Money. Gene Roddenberry tried to get anyone he could from TOS to do a cameo in the TNG pilot. William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols, James Doohan, Walter Koenig and George Takei all turned him down.

Who else was considered for Spock?

Benjamin Spock. Despite having Nimoy immediately in mind for the part, Roddenberry was required to audition other actors for the part. Actors who read for the part included Victor Lundin, and both Rex Holman and Michael Dunn were considered.

Who was originally cast as Captain Kirk?

Captain James T. Kirk was originally played by William Shatner. Shatner played the first (and arguably most iconic) captain of the Enterprise for for all three seasons of "The Original Series" ("TOS") which aired from 1966 to 1969, before getting canceled.

Why was Kirk killed off?

In a 2019 interview reported by ComicBook.com, Shatner explained that Star Trek Generations' producer (likely Rick Berman) told him that they wanted to kill Kirk because they "think that The Next Generation will make more money at the box office." Shatner felt he had no choice in the matter because he was also told ...

What was Captain Kirk last words?

Shatner explained that the iconic character was curious, courageous, and filled with awe and wonder, leaving the actor to regret not hitting the right note when he uttered Kirk's last words, 'Oh my,' at the point of his demise.

Why did Kirk call him Bones?

In the 2009 Star Trek film reboot, when McCoy first meets Kirk, he complains that his ex-wife took all their shared assets following their divorce: "All I got left is my bones", implying this was the origin of the nickname.

Did George Takei like William Shatner?

The “Star Trek” alums have been part of a very public feud for over 50 years, and Takei seemingly put it to bed by alluding to Shatner as a “prima donna” on set. When asked by The Guardian if Takei got along with his fellow “Star Trek: The Original Series” stars, the actor answered, “Yes.

How old was Leonard Nimoy when Star Trek started?

Leonard Nimoy was born in 1931, and the Original Series Star Trek was begun in 1965 or 1966. So he was 34 or 35 at the time.

How many years did Star Trek run with William Shatner?

1966–1969: Star Trek on television

Shatner was cast as Captain James T. Kirk for the second pilot of Star Trek, titled "Where No Man Has Gone Before". He was then contracted to play Kirk for the remainder of the show, and he sat in the captain's chair of the USS Enterprise from 1966 to 1969.

Who turned down the role of Spock?

Surprisingly, though, there's evidence the role of Spock was originally offered to Oscar award-winning actor Martin Landau instead. In a 1986 interview with Starlog, Landau, who had since become associated with Gerry Anderson's Space: 1999, recalled being offered the role, only to turn it down.

Who did Spock mate with?

During The Search for Spock, Saavik (Robin Curtis) mated with Spock to keep him from dying during the Pon Farr he experienced while rapidly aging on the Genesis Planet. The film only implied that the two had been intimate, but there were plans for Saavik to be pregnant with Spock's baby in subsequent movies.

What is Spock's full name?

The beloved Vulcan's full name is officially S'Chn T'Gai Spock. The name actually comes from a popular fan work-turned novel for The Original Series in Barbara Hambly's Ishmael which was published in 1985.

Who is Captain Kirk's greatest enemy?

Kirk's greatest enemy was Khan, Picard's was Q (though he was more a nuisance) and Archer's was the Klingons in general. Kirk and Picard both dealt with the Klingons but Picard dealt more with the Romulans.

Who did Captain Kirk kiss?

In the episode of Star Trek: The Original Series titled "Plato's Stepchildren", season 3 episode 10, first broadcast November 22, 1968, Uhura (played by black actress Nichelle Nichols) and Captain Kirk (played by white actor William Shatner) kiss.

Who did Captain Kirk fall in love with?

From Marta to Dr. Taylor, Kirk had both romantic and platonic female friendships, each unique in their own way on the USS Enterprise. Kirk's charm saved the crew's life, but also led to tragic romances like with Miramanee, as he navigated love among the stars.

Who is Picard's wife?

Beverly Crusher. In this timeline, she is commanding the Olympic-class medical ship Pasteur. In the film Star Trek Generations, while in the Nexus, Picard is married to a woman named Elise Picard portrayed by Kim Braden.

Who is the oldest Starfleet Captain?

As far as age of the characters go, it would be Kirk as “the youngest man ever to become captain in Starfleet”, with Picard nominally being the oldest by screen appearance.