Five questions with ...

William Shatner

William Shatner's latest pet project is a documentary he directed about himself. Actually, The Captains is about more than that. It's about every Star Trek actor who sat in the captain's chair. Shatner, aka James T. Kirk of the U.S.S. Enterprise, sits down with each of his successors in the franchise, from Patrick Stewart to Chris Pine, to talk about the blessings and burdens of being the captain.

The consensus? On the plus side, there's the adoration of millions of fans; on the minus side, relationships with spouses and children often soured irreparably during their Star Trek years. The Captains, released last week on DVD, is simultaneously self-indulgent and magnetic entertainment. In short, it's classic Shatner.

1 What compelled you to make an interview-driven film focusing on the various captains?

I surprised myself when I started doing a talk show [ Shatner's Raw Nerve on Biography channel]. I discovered that I'm good at connecting with the people I'm interviewing. I'm good at getting them to talk about substantial things. I don't ask the same tired questions. 'What was it like to kiss so-and-so on-screen?' I hated being asked that stuff and I hate asking it. I aim for something more. So I embraced the opportunity to talk to these actors about this one notable thing we have in common.

2 What are your favorite moments from the film?

There are many. When Patrick Stewart [Jean-Luc Picard of Star Trek: The Next Generation] admitted he loves acting more than his own family -- that was a beautiful, honest, courageous thing to say. When Kate Mulgrew [Kathryn Janeway of Star Trek: Voyager], our only female captain, discussed how the demands of the job took priority over her role as a single mother and how her children resent it to this day. But the most entertaining and daring moment was with Avery Brooks [Benjamin Sisko of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine] in what was essentially a singing interview.

3 Are you surprised when people such as airline pilots, astronauts and NASA scientists tell you they were inspired by Star Trek?

It's unbelievable. But it never gets old. And it's not just pilots and engineers. Jason Alexander, who everyone knows as George from Seinfeld, told me I inspired him to become an actor. But my god, that's a responsibility. Once enough people say, 'You've affected my life,' you realize that you've got to be an exemplary person, because there are people looking to you for direction.

4 The Captains isn't the only thing you've got cooking. What else is there?

I have a new book called Shatner Rules. I made an album called Seeking Major Tom with 20 of the greatest modern musicians who ever lived. I've got Brad Paisley, Sheryl Crow and Lyle Lovett singing with me. I'm making a documentary called Fan Addicts, in which I ask, 'Who are the people coming to science-fiction conventions and why are they coming?' And I've got a one-man show touring across Canada. If it's a success, I'll bring it to the United States.

5 For a guy who recently turned 80, you're not letting the grass grow underneath your feet, are you?

Let's just say I'm trying to cut the grass as I go.

-- David Martindale, Special to the Star-Telegram