How Nicholas Meyer Outmanoeuvred William Shatner on Set

When Nicholas Meyer stepped in to direct Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, he brought with him a rather unusual qualification: he’d never actually watched an episode of the series. This outsider’s perspective, however, proved to be a blessing in disguise, especially when it came to working with William Shatner, who by then had become rather set in his ways as James T. Kirk. Meyer’s challenge was to coax something new from an actor who, after years in the role, had grown somewhat inflexible and, by all accounts, a touch defensive about his performance.

Shatner’s Guarded Approach and Meyer’s Tactics

During a panel hosted by Marc Zicree, Meyer recounted his strategy for handling Shatner’s resistance to change. Rather than confronting the actor head-on, Meyer opted for a subtler route. He explained,

How to stop him from doing that was getting him to be bored with what he was doing. And when he was bored he let down his guard, and other things came to the fore because he wasn’t posturing.

This method, as unorthodox as it sounds, paid off handsomely. The resulting performance is still widely regarded as one of the highlights of the Star Trek cinematic run, with Shatner’s Kirk resonating with audiences in a way that felt both familiar and unexpectedly fresh.

Shatner’s Early Career and Hollywood Ascent

Shatner’s reputation for hard graft was well established long before he donned the Starfleet uniform. He’d already made an impression on the likes of Christopher Plummer and had a string of credits to his name before heading to Los Angeles. Once there, he proved himself game for just about anything, taking on roles in everything from The Brothers Karamazov to Judgment at Nuremberg. He wasn’t just a fixture in film; television audiences saw him pop up in The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, The Fugitive, and Route 66, among others.

Yet, after landing the part of Kirk in Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek, Shatner’s career took a different turn. He settled into the role, and for a time, seemed content to coast on the success of the franchise. By the time Wrath of Khan came around, this comfort had translated into a certain rigidity, making Meyer’s intervention all the more crucial.

Meyer’s Unconventional Direction and the Film’s Legacy

Wrath of Khan marked a turning point for the Star Trek films, breathing new life into the series after a rather tepid first outing. Meyer, who famously quipped,

I’ve never watched Star Trek. I don’t even know what that is. It’s a guy with pointy ears, yeah?

approached the project with a refreshing objectivity. He focused on what made a compelling story, rather than adhering to established lore. The film, released in 1982, saw Kirk face off against his old adversary Khan Noonien Singh, with the Genesis Device at the heart of the conflict. The cast, including Leonard Nimoy, Ricardo Montalbán, DeForest Kelley, and others, delivered performances that have stood the test of time.

With a runtime of 113 minutes and a box office haul approaching $97 million worldwide, Wrath of Khan set a new standard for the franchise. Its themes—mortality, obsession, sacrifice—struck a chord with viewers, and the film’s critical reception remains strong, with an IMDb rating of 7.7 and an 87% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Enduring Influence and Audience Response

The impact of Meyer’s direction is still felt today. By sidestepping the expected and drawing out a more nuanced performance from Shatner, he helped redefine what Star Trek could be on the big screen. The film’s exploration of loss and revenge, particularly through Kirk’s confrontation with his own past and Spock’s ultimate sacrifice, continues to resonate with fans old and new.

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan remains available for streaming, inviting fresh audiences to experience the film that changed the course of the franchise. Meyer’s deft handling of both cast and material ensured that Star Trek would not only endure but thrive in the years to come.