Shatner Says He's Not In 'Star Trek XI' ... Really

"I don't know where they are getting their information from," Shatner said. "I have not been offered, or even suggested ... the word has not come down. And a cameo? I can't imagine why I would do a cameo."

Filming is set to begin next month on "Star Trek XI," and Shatner -- who is making a name for himself in the 21st century as the Emmy award-winning star of "Boston Legal" on ABC -- says he is disappointed that Abrams and the writer couldn't find a way to work Shatner's version of Kirk into the story.

"It is a strange construction since it's open to certain people's will on how to construct the story." When his daugher Lisabeth asked if his character's death in "Star Trek Generations" maybe played a role in him not being offered a part, Shatner reminded her that anything is possible in science-fiction.

"What would inhibit them?" Shatner asked. "It's a story problem, but not in science-fiction. If you can get DNA from a dinosaur -- which we are apparently ready to do -- and resurrect that ... and they've been dead 160 million years. I've only been dead for 10."

Shatner's longtime friend Leonard Nimoy has a "substantial" role in the film, resurrecting his character of Spock and handing the baton off to a new actor to take on the role, Zachary Quinto of "Heroes." Actor Chris Pine is reportedly finalizing a deal that will make him Capt. Kirk, but he won't have the original version of his character to guide him along.

"Star Trek XI" is expected to open Dec. 25, 2008.

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