Movies - TV
William Shatner Forced Star Trek To Change An Episode Due To A Tall Co-Star
By VALERIE ETTENHOFER
Many “Star Trek” anecdotes about William Shatner circulate, from delightful tales to chaotic set moments. Some are chronicled in the book "These Are The Voyages: Season One."
In the book, Win De Lugo, an actor who worked with Shatner in the "Star Trek" episode "Court Martial," expressed dissatisfaction with Shatner's conspicuous yelling of "Cut!"
De Lugo, playing a Starfleet officer named Timothy, was called to the set unprepared to film a scene in the Officer's Lounge, where the director was giving instructions.
“[Director] Marc Daniels says, ‘Win, you stand here. Now, all the guys in the red shirts are your crew,’” De Lugo explained. “‘You're the same as Kirk; a commander of a Starship.’”
The actor continued, “It was clear that my character is trying to intimidate Kirk... Shatner comes in and we do a rehearsal, and I was surprised how small he is compared to me.”
But after Shatner yelled out, "Cut!", he grabbed Marc Daniels and pulled him over, whispering to him. Whatever the actor said inspired Daniels to call for a break.
Upon returning from the break, De Lugo was instructed to sit instead of stand. Shatner had seemingly requested that the director somehow make De Lugo appear shorter.