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SALT LAKE CITY — J.J. Abrams is now officially in charge of arguably the two biggest sci-fi franchises of all time.
Abrams rebooted the "Star Trek" franchise in 2009 and a sequel to that film "Star Trek Into Darkness" is due in theaters later this year. On top of that, it was recently announced that Abrams will helm "Star Wars: Episode VII."
Many fans were ecstatic that the man who brought the U.S.S Enterprise back to life was about to get his hands on the Millennium Falcon. But there is one man who isn't too happy about Abrams taking over both franchises, William Shatner.
That's right, the original Capt. Kirk thinks Abrams has made a huge mistake.
"He's being a pig," Shatner said to Movie Fanatic. "He's collecting the two franchises and holding them close to the vest. He's probably the most talented director of that ilk that we have, but he's gone too far this time."
When Abrams was working on "Star Trek" a bit of an online spat started between him and Shatner. Abrams did an interview with AMC and mentioned he wanted Shatner in the film.
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"We had actually written a scene with him in it," Abrams told AMC in an interview in 2008. "The bigger thing was that he was very vocal that he didn't want to do a cameo. We tried desperately to put him in the movie, but he was making it very clear that he wanted the movie to focus on him significantly, which, frankly, he deserves."
In reply Shatner released a YouTube video stating no one ever approached him to do a cameo, but Shatner says he wouldn't have done it anyway. That started an online feud that went on for a while, but Shatner says it was all in good fun.
Shatner says he considers Abrams a friend, but that he's made a mistake by taking on both franchises and not putting him in either of them.
"I think of him as a buddy of mine; I've taken him out for sushi," Shatner said to Movie Fanatic during his interview for the upcoming "Escape From Planet Earth." "I think it's time for J.J. and I to have another sushi and let me put him straight on two of the largest franchises, and not employing me in either one of them I think is just foolhardy."
I don't really know what to make of that last comment, but I'm not sure the "Star Wars" universe is ready for something as intense as Shatner.
Do you agree with Shatner's comments or is he being a bit dramatic? Are you excited for Abrams to take over "Star Wars" or do you think it's a mistake? Let us know on the comment boards, Facebook or send an email.
