Category - Star Trek
47 Years Later, One 'Star Trek' Icon Could Revisit His Wildest Moment
In 1978, at the 5th Annual Saturn Awards, William Shatner did something fantastic and unique as only William Shatner can. With a cigarette in hand, he delivered, a strange, halting, talk-thru version of Elton John's iconic song "Rocket Man." To be clear, this isn't on par with Dua Lipa's "Cold Heart" reboot from 2021, but it is truly an incredible moment of humor and very specific Shatner self-awareness. And now, there's a good chance, that he might do it again.
Because, after 47 years, William Shatner will be honored by the upcoming 52nd Saturn Awards, which are set to take place on February 2, 2025, at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City hotel. Shatner will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Obviously, this award encompasses Shatner's incredible career, which is largely founded on his immortal role as Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969), and seven feature films running from 1979 to 1994.
The Saturn Awards are presented by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, and will give out major awards for films of the year, including in the categories of Best Science Fiction Film, Best Horror Film, Best Film Makeup, and so on. But, in recent years, the Saturns have been known for their big, retrospective awards, which, this year, in addition to the Lifetime Achievement Award for Shatner, will also include the George Pal Memorial Award for the cast and crew of Back to the Future, honoring the 40th anniversary of that beloved film. (George Pal, it should be noted directed the film The Time Machine, back in 1960.)
Among the awards shows, the Saturn Awards are known as one of the more fun events in Hollywood, in which luminaries like James Cameron mix with up-and-coming sci-fi actors and writers. Clearly, people have been having a blast at this awards show for a very long time, and you need look no further than William Shatner's "Rocket Man" in 1978 for proof. So, as he takes the Saturn stage once again, will Shatner revisit "Rocket Man?" Or perhaps another song from his repertoire? At 93, Shatner clearly still has it. And if he belts out "Rocket Man" again, you can bet it will be as amazing as it is hilarious.
The 52nd Saturn Awards, hosted by Joel McHale, will be streamed at 7 pm EST, February 2, on Electric Now and the Roku App for free. The ceremony will include virtual, in-person donation drives to support recovery efforts for the California wildfires.
Related: William Shatner's Life Advice