William Shatner isn't ready to give up on playing James Tiberius Kirk just yet.

Ever since the rebooted Star Trek film franchise was announced there has been talk about William Shatner making a cameo appearance or even reprising the role that made him famous... not counting that time he spent working for the LCPD.

William Shatner as every Star Trek fan should know first appeared as James T Kirk, Captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise on September 8, 1966 in "The Man Trap" which confusingly wasn't the first episode of Star Trek. The original Star Trek episode, the original pilot, "The Cage" featured Jeffrey Hunter as Captain Christopher Pike, Kirk's predecessor. After the pilot wasn't picked up a second pilot was created "Where No Man Has Gone Before" this time featuring William Shatner as the iconic Captain Kirk.

Even before the reboot movies Shatner had found a way to defy the ultimate no-win scenario and cheat death itself in 'The Return' a Star Trek novel penned by none other than the man himself in which Kirk is resurrected following the events of Generations and creating what is lovingly referred to as fans as the 'Shatnerverse'.

Despite there being no part for Shatner in the reboots so far, an omission Shatner blames on JJ Abrams' lack of imagination, it seems that the veteran actor is still ready to return to the bridge of the Enterprise.

Talking to Scott Feinberg (The Hollywood Reporter) on the most recent Awards Chatter podcast the 84 year old claimed that he was still willing to return to the role if a suitable opportunity presented itself.

You can listen to the podcast HERE.

With the losses of James Doohan, DeForest Kelley and most recently Leonard Nimoy there aren't many of the original cast left but Starfleet's finest isn't deterred, as Star Trek approaches it's 50th anniversary William Shatner is planning to be here for the 100th birthday of Star Trek "What I would like them to say 50 years from now is, 'I can't believe he's still alive!'"

What do you think about the possibility of Shatner returning as Kirk? Does he need to come out of retirement to show Chris Pine how it's done or should he settle down on Risa and leave saving the galaxy to the next generation and focus on his music career?

Writer Bio Christopher is on an ongoing mission to seek out new life in the hopes it is less annoying than most of Earth's population. It isn't going well.

Written by Chris Halsey
Edited By Chris Halsey - chris.halsey@ufplanets.com