New ‘Star Trek’ bypasses Shatner

The original Capt. Kirk is disheartened he won’t get to boldly go anywhere with his old pal Spock in the new “Star Trek” movie.

While Leonard Nimoy is reprising his role as the pointy-eared Vulcan in next year’s science-fiction flick, William Shat- ner is not on board as Kirk.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Shatner said in an interview, saying it seemed an unwise business decision “not to make use of the popularity I have to ensure the movie has good box office.”

Director J.J. Abrams announced last summer that Nimoy would reprise the role he originated opposite Shatner in the 1960s television show and played again in six big-screen adventures. Abrams said Shatner probably would have a part in the film, which is due in theaters in December 2008. But while Shatner said he had a couple of meetings with Abrams, nothing came of it.

“I’ve got a lot to do,” said Shatner, 76, whose current work includes the TV show “Boston Legal,” narration for the Christmas spoof “Stalking Santa” due Nov. 6 on DVD, and the prequel “Star Trek: Academy -- Collision Course,” a novel chronicling Kirk and Spock’s first meeting. Still, he admitted, “having been in on the creation of it, I was hoping to be in on the re-creation.”