Latest news with #TrekMovie
Metro
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
90s TV star so ‘embarrassed' by one episode he wanted it pulled from streaming
Every one of us has done something embarrassing in our careers. Take me for example, I once spent an entire day in the rain asking people how they felt about compulsory porn filters – not an article that's going to make it into my portfolio. That said, it's not just regular folks like you and me who have skeletons in our proverbial working closet. Believe it or not, some of the biggest and brightest celebs are mortified by some of their old work. It's well known that Sabrina Carpenter is embarrassed by Adventures in Babysitting, Sandra Bullock can't bear the fact that she was in Speed 2, and I don't know if Al Pacino is afraid to admit he's in Jack & Jill, but I know he should be That said, as far as I'm aware, not many celebs are so appalled by something they've made that they've said they want it pulled from streaming, although I do know one. Jonathan Frakes made his name in the iconic 90s sci–fi show Star Trek: The Next Generation, where he played Commander William Riker, the first officer on the Federation flagship the Enterprise-D. From 1987 to 1994, Riker and the crew of the Enterprise boldly went where no one had gone before, meeting new worlds and civilisations as they explored the unknown. This wonderful show is regarded by fans of the genre and TV historians as one of the greatest and most important series in history, and there are countless classic episodes, including Measure of a Man, Best of Both Worlds, and Darmo,k all of which regularly rank on lists of best TV episodes ever. Yet there's one episode you'll never see on any of these lists. Season one, episode four, 'Code of Honor' is one such episode. This frankly awful instalment sees the Enterprise visit the planet Ligon II, where one of the crew is abducted by the planet's leader. While the concept seems benign enough, someone somewhere along the way decided to change the script so the people of Ligon II went from a reptilian race to a parody of 1940s tribal Africa. Needless to say, as a result, the episode is incredibly uncomfortable to watch and was accused by viewers of being racist. In fact, the episode is so despised that it regularly ranks among the worst episodes of Star Trek ever made and has been called by some the single worst thing from the franchise. Jonathan Frakes clearly agrees. He famously called it 'embarrassing' and a 'racist piece of sh*t' during a STLV panel in 2011. However, it was during an interview with TrekMovie in 2020 where he was asked whether the episode was appropriate for streaming. 'I thought that they had taken it out of the rotation when they sold the show, ' Frakes replied. After the hosts explained that it was still available, he went on to say 'I was told or I was under the impression that it had rubbed so many people the wrong way that it was pulled.' 'I think they should take it out of the rotation. I think it is a great time to make that kind of – as small as it is – to make that kind of a statement would be fabulous.' More Trending When pressed on the matter, and whether that was a bit bold, Jonathan did agree it might be a tad overkill, but it was clear something needed to change. 'Maybe it should be included with an appropriate statement of reason. A proof of concept. This is not who we are,' he explained. 'This is not what we stand for. It's an embarrassment to the franchise, and Gene [Roddenberry] would want us to do this. Something like that.' Sadly, five years later, it doesn't look like Jonathan has got his wish, as the episode still appears on streaming without any statement or warnings about the content. All seven seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation are available to stream now on Netflix. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More »
The Independent
02-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
William Shatner shares brutally honest response to Star Trek question
William Shatner has left Star Trek fans in hysterics with his brutally honest reaction to a question about the franchise. Shatner, 93, made his debut in Gene Rodenberry's mega successful sci-fi franchise in 1966, playing Captain James Kirk, and was ultimately killed off in the 1994 film Star Trek Generations. The actor has long been vocal about the reason behind the decision to kill off the character and, in response to being asked on question: 'Why did you let them kill Kirk off in generations?' he shared a gif on social media depicting someone shooting a gun filled with dollars. Fna of Star Trek's praised the actor for his openness in the comments section, with one responding: 'He has a great sense of humour.' Another added: 'I can appreciate this level of simple honesty.' However, it's worth noting that Shatner is not alluding to the fact he himself made money from the decision, but the studio – as he was told by a producer: 'We're going to kill Kirk because we think that [it] will make more money at the box office.' In fact, Shatner was left unimpressed with the impetus behind the idea – but was told Kirk would be dying with or without his approval. Shatner previously told Trek Movie: 'I didn't think I had any choice in the matter. Paramount had decided that the ceiling that they could reach in our box office had been reached and they thought that by putting in The Next Generation cast, that they would reach a higher box office.' 👇🏻😑 — William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 1, 2025 'That decision had been made. It was either I was going to appear and die, or they were going to say he died. So, I chose the more practical of the two.' The film ended up making just $118m (£93.8m) 'I would have done something else,' Shatner told Crave Online in 2012. 'It was all against me. I wish that there had been more trumpets for the death of the character.' In the last week, Shatner has also claimed that he has 'been approached to resurrect Kirk' by Paramount, who own the rights to the franchise. He wrote on X/Twitter: 'Well, I don't know if you heard; I've been approached to resurrect Kirk. It's all still up in the air (or is it buried under some rocks? ). Whichever the case I'm waiting to hear what the folks at Paramount have to say.' His return would follow the revelation in the third season of spin-off Star Trek: Picard that Kirk's body is in stasis at the Daystrom Institute.
The Independent
01-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
William Shatner shares brutally honest response to Star Trek franchise question
William Shatner has left Star Trek fans in hysterics with his brutally honest reaction to a question about the franchise. Shatner, 93, made his debut in Gene Rodenberry's mega successful sci-fi franchise in 1966, playing Captain James Kirk, and was ultimately killed off in the 1994 film Star Trek Generations. The actor has long been vocal about the reason behind the decision to kill off the character and, in response to being asked on question: 'Why did you let them kill Kirk off in generations?' he shared a gif on social media depicting someone shooting a gun filled with dollars. Fna of Star Trek's praised the actor for his openness in the comments section, with one responding: 'He has a great sense of humour.' Another added: 'I can appreciate this level of simple honesty.' However, it's worth noting that Shatner is not alluding to the fact he himself made money from the decision, but the studio – as he was told by a producer: 'We're going to kill Kirk because we think that [it] will make more money at the box office.' In fact, Shatner was left unimpressed with the impetus behind the idea – but was told Kirk would be dying with or without his approval. Shatner previously told Trek Movie: 'I didn't think I had any choice in the matter. Paramount had decided that the ceiling that they could reach in our box office had been reached and they thought that by putting in The Next Generation cast, that they would reach a higher box office.' 👇🏻😑 — William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 1, 2025 'That decision had been made. It was either I was going to appear and die, or they were going to say he died. So, I chose the more practical of the two.' The film ended up making just $118m (£93.8m) 'I would have done something else,' Shatner told Crave Online in 2012. 'It was all against me. I wish that there had been more trumpets for the death of the character.' In the last week, Shatner has also claimed that he has 'been approached to resurrect Kirk' by Paramount, who own the rights to the franchise. He wrote on X/Twitter: 'Well, I don't know if you heard; I've been approached to resurrect Kirk. It's all still up in the air (or is it buried under some rocks? ). Whichever the case I'm waiting to hear what the folks at Paramount have to say.' His return would follow the revelation in the third season of spin-off Star Trek: Picard that Kirk's body is in stasis at the Daystrom Institute.
