William Shatner Seeks Control of ‘Star Trek’ Franchise Amid ‘Starfleet Academy’ Controversy
William Shatner, the iconic star of Star Trek: The Original Series, recently engaged in a debate surrounding the franchise’s future. This comes amid the release of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy and comments from White House aide Stephen Miller.
Shatner and the Starfleet Academy Controversy
In a recent series of tweets, Shatner responded to a clip from Star Trek: Starfleet Academy that had drawn criticism from Miller. The aide deemed the clip “tragic” without elaborating on his reasoning. Shatner humorously speculated that Miller’s issue stemmed from a character wearing glasses, an aspect he found absurd for a futuristic setting.
Familiarity with Eyewear in Star Trek
Notably, Shatner’s character, Captain James T. Kirk, also wore glasses in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. This was due to a storyline detail regarding his allergy to corrective medication. Other well-known characters, including Jean-Luc Picard, have similarly donned glasses in various Star Trek installments.
Shatner’s Historical Role in the Franchise
William Shatner has a long-standing connection to Star Trek, having starred in three seasons and seven films. He also took the helm behind the scenes for Star Trek V: The Final Frontier in 1989. This film followed the successful Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home but received criticism from fans and critics alike. It achieved a disappointing score of 22% on Rotten Tomatoes and raised concerns over the franchise’s cinematic viability.
The Reception of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
In contrast, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy has garnered positive reviews, boasting an 87% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics, including Samantha Coley from Collider, praised the series, calling it “the best Star Trek series of the modern era.”
Key Details of Starfleet Academy
| Release Date | Network | Showrunner(s) | Directors | Writers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 15, 2026 | Paramount+ | Alex Kurtzman, Noga Landau | Alex Kurtzman | Gaia Violo, Gene Roddenberry |
The first two episodes of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy are currently available on Paramount+, with new episodes set to debut weekly. For more insights and updates, visit Filmogaz.com.
