Ben Stiller will moderate a conversation with William Shatner at the Star Trek panel at New York Comic Con (NYCC) this Saturday. Variety learned that the 93-year-old actor, who played Captain James T.
Kirk, will appear as the franchise marks its 60th anniversary. The hour-long panel takes place on 10 October from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. ET on the Empire Stage at the Javits Center.
Stiller is a well-known collector, and his memorabilia includes the Gorn's head from the original series episode 'Arena.' He and Shatner have worked together before; Stiller appeared in 'The Truth Is in the Stars,' the documentary Shatner hosted, and Shatner had a cameo alongside Stiller in the comedy 'Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story.'
The second half of the panel will focus on the second season of 'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy,' moderated by Collider's Perri Nemiroff rather than Stiller. Series stars Holly Hunter, Sandro Rosta, Bella Shepard, Karim Diané, and Robert Picardo are due to attend, along with co-showrunners and executive producers Alex Kurtzman and Noga Landau.
The season will get a sneak preview. It is the show's last, after Paramount+ announced earlier this year that the series would end after two seasons.
Shatner's appearance carries added weight because he missed the franchise's 60th anniversary panel at San Diego Comic-Con in July, which was reported to be due to a prior engagement. He played Kirk across three seasons of the original series and two of the animated series, then in six films with the original cast, and appeared opposite Patrick Stewart in 'Star Trek: Generations.'
The future of the franchise beyond 'Starfleet Academy' and the upcoming fifth and final season of 'Strange New Worlds' is unclear. No new shows have been announced, though Paramount is said to be keen on developing a new Star Trek film.
New York Comic Con runs at the Javits Center from Thursday, 8 October, to Sunday, 11 October. The event remains one of the most anticipated gatherings for science fiction fans globally, drawing thousands of attendees to Manhattan each year to celebrate iconic pop culture milestones.
As the industry evolves, the focus on legacy characters like Captain Kirk remains a cornerstone of the convention's appeal. Fans are particularly eager to see the interaction between Stiller, a self-proclaimed superfan, and Shatner, whose portrayal of Kirk defined the genre for generations.
Security and logistics at the Javits Center have been bolstered to accommodate the expected crowds for this high-profile panel. Organizers have advised attendees to arrive early to ensure seating for the Star Trek retrospective.
This milestone celebration serves as a bridge between the classic era of television and the modern streaming landscape, highlighting the enduring impact of the Star Trek universe on contemporary entertainment.