While most men his age are quietly enjoying their retirement, William Shatner is still exploring new worlds. The iconic actor has kept himself busy with a calendar filled with convention appearances, guest speaker gigs, and of course, film and television roles. While it's been decades since his portrayal of Captain James T. Kirk on Star Trek made him a household name, William Shatner isn’t slowing down.

Popverse recently had a chance to chat with the iconic actor about his plans. During our conversation, Shatner revealed what it would take for him to return to Star Trek, and what Lucasfilm could do to convince him to join the Star Wars universe. What’s on William Shatner’s mind? Let’s dive in…

Popverse: William, what is the most misunderstood thing about Kirk and Star Trek in general?

William Shatner: That all he wanted to do was make out with pretty girls. Whereas in fact, he was exploring the universe.

Having rewatched the original series a few years ago, I would agree with that. There was far more exploring than there was romance. The romance was just kind of the icing on the cake.

And he explored the cake!

What advice do you wish you could give the younger version of yourself?

I would say, "Hey Bill, you've got so much to do in the years to come. Don't fret right now about anything. Have a good time. It's all going to work out."

In the cartoon series Futurama, there’s an entire religion built around the tenants of Star Trek and the Prime Directive. In your book Boldly Go you shared your thoughts on religion and spirituality, but what would you say to someone ascribing to the beliefs of the Prime Directive and what Starfleet is as a way to live their life?

As I understand it, the Prime Directive is not to interfere. If the Prime Directive is understood to be don't interfere, then if the starship didn't interfere, you wouldn't have a story.

It seems murder mysteries are hot right now with things like Knives Out and Kenneth Branagh’s Poirot movies. You’ve been in numerous legal dramas and co-starred in a Nero Wolfe adaptation. Would you be interested in doing a murder mystery – either as the investigator, a suspect, or the person murdered?

I did a legal series called Boston Legal for five years. And I did a cop series called T.J. Hooker. Doing all those murder mysteries, I don't have a special attraction. But I must admit, I love a good murder mystery, whether it's a book or a film. I love to read them and see them, and being in them is fun too. So yes, I would love to.

Who does the best impression of you?

Kevin Pollak. He is a stand-up comedian who did imitations of me for a long time. One day he turned up, and I cast him in a half-hour film I was directing. We went to lunch, and we both started doing imitations of me. He was better than I was at me. It was surreal.

You did several Broadway shows in the ‘50s and returned for your one-man show. Would you be interested in doing more on Broadway, either joining a current production or being part of the launch of something new (or a revival)?

Eight shows a week is more than I could take. No, I've done my Broadway stints. I loved it, I enjoyed every moment of it. The one-man show was highly successful. I wrote it, and I ended up essentially directing it, and performing it, and I went on tour with it. I think I did around 50 cities. So that's good. I'm doing interesting work now on a number of things. For example, I'm going to Indiana University on April 8, which is when the eclipse will hit Bloomington, Indiana. I'll do 15 minutes in front of 100,000 people in the football stadium, just prior to the eclipse. It's very theatrical and part of my training and my legacy of being in front of a lot of people.

What’s the biggest mistake fans make when they meet you?

They think I know what I'm doing, but on the other hand they don't know what they're doing. I don't think any of us know what we're doing in the world sometimes.

Could you ever see yourself returning as Kirk on one of the current Star Trek shows (Lower Decks and Strange New Worlds)?

I never watch them. I think if they made a film a Star Trek, and somehow made me and what I did meaningful, then I would consider it.

What would it take to get you to join the Star Wars universe?

If they wrote an interesting character, I would consider it.

The political system is a mess…would you ever consider running for public office?

No, I'd be going in the opposite direction. I'd be running from office!