William Shatner Praises Pillion on Podcast as Star Trek Fans Revisit First Contact and Nichelle Nichols.

William Shatner, the actor who played Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek, praised the film Pillion during a recent podcast appearance. The comment came during a wide-ranging conversation that also touched on his time in the franchise.

Shatner said he admired the film’s storytelling and performances. He did not provide a lengthy review but called it a strong piece of work.

The podcast episode was released in late June 2026. It quickly circulated among Star Trek fan communities, where listeners noted Shatner’s continued engagement with film and television.

Pillion is a drama film released in 2025. It has drawn attention on the festival circuit for its cast and direction. Shatner’s praise added a new layer of visibility for the project.

Fans Revisit First Contact

In the same week, Star Trek fans on social media and forums began a renewed discussion of Star Trek: First Contact. The 1996 film directed by Jonathan Frakes remains a fan favorite.

First Contact depicts the Borg traveling back in time to prevent humanity’s first warp flight. It features Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard and introduces the Borg Queen, played by Alice Krige.

Fans noted the film’s practical effects and its tense pacing. Several posts highlighted the scene where Picard confronts the Borg Queen. Others praised the film’s score by Jerry Goldsmith.

The renewed interest coincided with the film’s availability on streaming platforms. No official anniversary or re-release prompted the discussion, but fan-led watch parties were organized online.

Nichelle Nichols Remembered

Discussion also turned to Nichelle Nichols, who played Nyota Uhura in the original Star Trek series. Nichols died in July 2022 at the age of 89.

Fans shared clips of Nichols in the 1966 episode ‘The Man Trap’ and in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Many cited her portrayal of Uhura as a breakthrough for Black women on television.

Nichols was also known for her work with NASA. She helped recruit astronauts from underrepresented communities, including Mae Jemison and Guion Bluford.

In 2026, a documentary about Nichols titled ‘Nichelle Nichols: Beyond the Stars’ remains in production. No release date has been announced.

Fan posts included tributes to her advocacy and her performances. Some noted that Uhura’s kiss with Kirk in the 1968 episode ‘Plato’s Stepchildren’ was one of the first interracial kisses on American television.

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Shatner’s Ongoing Connection

Shatner, now 95, continues to appear at conventions and on podcasts. He has not acted in a Star Trek production since 1994’s Star Trek Generations, but he remains a central figure in the franchise’s public history.

During the podcast, Shatner also discussed his music career and his recent interest in horse riding. He did not announce any new Star Trek projects.

The podcast episode has been viewed more than 200,000 times on YouTube as of early July 2026. Clips of his Pillion comments were shared widely on X and Reddit.

Paramount has not commented on Shatner’s remarks. Representatives for Shatner and for the podcast did not respond to requests for comment.

Pillion continues to stream on multiple platforms. First Contact is available on Paramount+. Fan discussions about Nichols and First Contact remain active on social media.