William Shatner Presents ‘Star Wars’, Latest ‘Star Trek’ Show During Live Appearance at Comic-Con

William Shatner ended the first night of San Diego Comic-Con in style, with plenty of name-calling and a review of his career history.

In an hour-long conversation with Emmy’s Kevin Smith, the 91-year-old discussed aging, space travel (real and fictional) and its place in the pop culture consciousness.

Shatner’s age was a running gag throughout the panel, with the actor joking that he could die at any point during the panel. “None of us really want this, sir, but it’s going to be amazing at Comic-Con,” joked Smith. “People said, ‘He died like a legend.’

at 91 years old, @WilliamShatner He jokes that he could die right here in his own time. #SDCC2022 panel #shatneronishatner pic.twitter.com/mpEFbhb6AC

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) July 21, 2022

Throughout the Shatner on Shatner panel, presented by fan-focused company Legion M, the icon vacillated between what he called “serious” and “fun” themes. He devoted time to the importance and power of fandom in his career and specifically a grave roadthat introduced the world to James T. Kirk, its most enduring character, 56 years ago.

When asked to address fans of this other major sci-fi franchise, Shatner quipped, “Damn.” War of the Galaxy… But not Mark Hamill.

“We love Mark Hamill,” agreed Smith.

When a fan asked if there was anything new a grave road Shatner responded to the series he felt was competing with him: “None of them.”

“I should know Ryan Fish Gene Roddenberry very well in three years,” Shatner said, “I would be turning over your grave for that.

At another point, he made it difficult for a fan to wear a mask because the actor couldn’t understand the man’s question. (Mask wear was strictly enforced at this year’s Comic-Con, the first since the coronavirus shut down the convention in three years.) “Not only did I not understand what he was talking about, I also couldn’t understand who he was. ” talking,” Shatner said, after several attempts to ask a crowd to remove him. .

Shatner also took the opportunity to talk about his trip to space in real life. He emphasized how important it was to be immersed in every minute: “I went and promised that with every second that passed in space, I would not play in weightlessness, but would look out the window and try to impress.” Shatner on Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin trip last year.

.@WilliamShatner He spoke about the experience of traveling to space #shatneronishatner panel in #SDCC2022 pic.twitter.com/cFRyoEci2s

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) July 22, 2022

However, Shatner said our planet is where we really should be. When asked by a fan which planet he would like to visit, Shatner simply said, “It’s the only depraved planet we have.”

At the end of the panel, Legion M showed an emotional clip from his upcoming documentary Shatner, in which the actor talks about finding his beloved dog dead when he was just 10 years old. He described how the experience opened his mind to the fragility of life, changed his perspective and taught him to appreciate fleeting moments with nature, family and planet Earth.

.@WilliamShatner s @QueKevinSmith had an official “curse” at the time #shatneronishatner panel in #SDCC2022 pic.twitter.com/hlzIvXeqKX

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) July 22, 2022

The panel ended with Shatner making good on his promise. From the start, Shatner said that he and Smith would be involved in a “curse”. “You’re a doppelganger,” Shatner said.

“Well, double shit on you,” Kevin Smith replied, referring to the lines. Star Trek IV: Journey Home (1986).

“What a despicable statement,” Shatner replied. “Now you’re like my mother,” Smith said. “I’m sorry about your mom,” Shatner said, ending the panel as soon as the mic dropped.