William Shatner in New York City in September 2018.Photo:Santiago Felipe/Getty
Santiago Felipe/Getty
William Shatnerdoesn’t like watching himself in anything he’s previously appeared in, much less talking about himself. But the actor will have to change his tune, at least temporarily, when his documentaryYou Can Call Me Billpremieres on March 22.
The biographical film about Shatner, 92, chronicles the actor’s decades-long journey. Participating in the project was “a little awkward,” Shatner told PEOPLE ahead of his appearance atMegaCon Orlandoon Friday and Saturday.
For Shatner, who had previously declined to participate in similar projects, it was important that he be authentic and forthcoming inYou Can Call Me Bill.
William Shatner with the crew of NS-18 in October 2021 shortly after his trip to space.ABACA/Shutterstock
“When you’re talking to the press, you can be a little devious on how you feel and what you’re doing and what you think and ‘Oh, yes, I love that person,’ or ‘I made a mistake,'” he admits. “But in doing a serious film that in the end, my children and my children’s children watch, I didn’t want to be facetious or marginal about any of the answers.”
“I gave what I hoped was the way I truly felt and the masks come off,” Shatner adds. “So there I am somewhat naked — a mixed metaphor, if you will. And so the film is more the truth and more about me than I can manage, or as much as I can manage, but it’s a little awkward. It’s like getting undressed.”
“I have never watchedStar Trek. There are many episodes I don’t know. There are some movies I don’t know,”he told PEOPLEin 2021. “I directed one of the movies — No. 5 — I had to watch that one. But it’s all painful, because I don’t like the way I look and what I do.”
William Shatner in ‘Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.'.Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock
Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock
One appearance Shatnerislooking forward to, however, is a10-day cruisein December departing from Buenos Aires, Argentina for Antarctica — a continent that represents one of the final frontiers for the actor. Shatner will join former astronautScott Kellyfor the voyage aboard the Seabourn Venture, a cutting-edge luxury liner built in July 2022 that only accommodates 260 guests.
“I’ve never been to the Antarctic. I’ve read a great deal about it. I’ve imagined it,” he explains. “If I don’t do this now, I probably will never be able to do it again, and the whole adventure of it appealed to me."
“Without me, it’s an adventure. With me, I hope I enhance the adventure,” Shatner adds. “But it’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing for me.”
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MegaCon Orlandoruns from Feb. 1 to 4 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. More information can be foundhere.
source: people.com
