“You can’t hide things like that”: William Shatner Got a Threatening Letter from Star Trek Creator After Actor Almost Made His Iconic Character a Villain

Captain Kirk is arguably the most heroic Starfleet captain to traverse the galaxy. But behind the scenes, William Shatner briefly toyed with a more villainous version of his iconic character, drawing the ire of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. Their clash illustrates the creative tensions that can arise when an actor sees their character differently than the powers that be.

William Shatner Bucks Gene Roddenberry’s Vision

In a 2020 memoir, William Shatner revealed he almost portrayed Kirk in a morally ambiguous light early on in Star Trek’s run. Kirk’s actions would grow progressively more dubious, culminating in fully “turning into a bad guy,” Shatner planned.

This starkly diverged from Roddenberry’s utopian view of Kirk as an exemplar of integrity. And in a brusque letter, Roddenberry warned Shatner he’d gone too far straying from the creator’s singular vision.

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Gene Roddenberry’s Fierce Rebuke

According to Shatner, Roddenberry wrote: “I created Captain Kirk, I am Captain Kirk, I’m saddened with your attempts to take the character in other directions.” He rejected Shatner’s subversive interpretation, concluding: “You can’t hide things like that from me.” reported by Slash Film 

Gene Roddenberry’s harsh tone shocked Shatner, who called the note “blistering and angry and bitter.” The actor blamed Roddenberry’s possessive attitude: “He was the owner of Star Trek, the god of Star Trek.”.

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Creative Tensions Inevitable with Visionary Characters

The conflict between Roddenberry and Shatner exemplifies inevitable tensions when iconic characters take on a life of their own. Actors often desire a creative license to put their own spin on a role. But creators cling tightly to their singular vision, resisting interpretations that diverge from their ideals.

This dilemma has recurred across entertainment history, from Sherlock Holmes novels to Batman films. In some cases, creators reluctantly accept alternate takes. But Roddenberry wasn’t ready to loosen the reins on his Star Trek kingdom.

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Leonard Nimoy Navigates Turbulence with Tact

Unlike Shatner, Leonard Nimoy avoided Roddenberry’s fury by treading more lightly. The man behind Spock gently pushed boundaries without fully breaking canon. For example, Nimoy subtly incorporated some of his own Jewish heritage into the ultra-rational Vulcan.

But Nimoy empathized with Roddenberry’s perspective, saying the creator “had a very strong conviction and was protective of what he was trying to do.” By respecting Roddenberry’s vision, Nimoy found a middle path.

Today, Star Trek enjoys more interpretive freedom, with various series and films putting fresh spins on Roddenberry’s world. But the legendary creator’s singular influence still courses through the final frontier he brought to life over 50 years ago.

Source: Slash Film