Editing James T. Kirk (section)

==Development==
===Conception and television===
[[File:William Shatner Photo Op GalaxyCon Richmond 2020.jpg|thumb|Shatner portrayed Kirk in ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series]]'' and the first seven [[List of Star Trek films|films]].]]
[[Jeffrey Hunter]] played the commanding officer of the USS ''Enterprise'', Captain [[Christopher Pike (Star Trek)|Christopher Pike]], in the rejected ''Star Trek'' [[television pilot]] "[[The Cage (Star Trek: The Original Series)|The Cage]]".<ref name="Encyc" /> In developing a new pilot episode, called "[[Where No Man Has Gone Before]]", series creator [[Gene Roddenberry]] changed the captain's name to "James Kirk" after rejecting other options like Hannibal, Timber, Flagg and Raintree.<ref name="uptillnow120">{{cite book|title=Up Till Now: The Autobiography|first=William|last=Shatner|author-link=William Shatner|pages=[https://archive.org/details/uptillnowautobio00shat/page/120 120]|year=2008|publisher=Macmillan|isbn=978-0-312-37265-1|url=https://archive.org/details/uptillnowautobio00shat/page/120}}</ref> The episode title may have been inspired by Captain [[James Cook]], whose journal entry "ambition leads me ... farther than any other man has been before me" inspired the episode title,<ref>{{cite book|first=Martin|last=Dugard|author-link=Martin Dugard (author)|title=Farther Than Any Man : The Rise and Fall of Captain James Cook|isbn=978-0-7434-0068-8|date=May 22, 2001|publisher=[[Atria (publisher)|Atria]]}}</ref> and became the series catch-phrase in the opening voice-over. The character is in part based on [[C. S. Forester]]'s [[Horatio Hornblower]] hero,<ref>{{cite video|date=September 28, 1991|title=Star Trek: 25th Anniversary Special|publisher=[[Paramount Pictures]]}}</ref> and [[NBC]] wanted the show to emphasize the captain's "rugged individualism".<ref>{{cite book|title=Living with Star Trek: American Culture and the Star Trek Universe|first=Lincoln|last=Geraghty|isbn=978-1-84511-265-3|year=2007|publisher=I.B.Tauris}}</ref> Roddenberry had previously used the middle name of Tiberius for the leading character in his earlier television series, ''[[The Lieutenant]]'', which was to feature several actors who would later go on to be part of the production of ''Star Trek''.

[[Jack Lord]] was [[Desilu Productions]]' original choice to play Kirk, but his demand for fifty-percent ownership of the show led to him not being hired.<ref name="startrekmemories">{{cite book|first=William|last=Shatner|author-link=William Shatner|title=Star Trek Memories|author2=Chris Kreski|isbn=978-0-06-109235-0|date=May 27, 1994|publisher=[[Harper (publisher)|Harper]]|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780061092350}}</ref> The second pilot episode was successful, and "[[Where No Man Has Gone Before]]" was broadcast as the third episode of ''Star Trek'' on September 22, 1966.

William Shatner tried to imbue the character with qualities of "awe and wonder" absent from "The Cage".<ref name="uptillnow120" /> He also drew upon his experiences as a [[William Shakespeare|Shakespearean]] actor to invigorate the character, whose dialogue at times is laden with jargon.<ref name="startrekmemories" /> Not only did Shatner take inspiration from Roddenberry's suggestion of Hornblower, but also from [[Alexander the Great]]&nbsp;– "the athlete and the intellectual of his time"&nbsp;– whom Shatner had played for an unsold television pilot two years earlier. In addition, the actor based Kirk partly on himself because "the fatigue factor [after weeks of daily filming] is such that you try to be as honest about yourself as possible".<ref name="dillard9">{{cite book|last=Dillard|first=J.M.|author-link=Jeanne Kalogridis|title=Star Trek: "Where No Man Has Gone Before" — A History in Pictures|publisher=[[Pocket Books]]|year=1994|isbn=0-671-51149-1|pages=9}}</ref> A comedy veteran, Shatner suggested making the show's characters as comfortable working in space as they would be at sea, thus having Kirk be a humorous "good-pal-the-captain, who in time of need would snap to and become the warrior".<ref name="dillard26">{{cite book|last=Dillard|first=J.M.|title=Star Trek: "Where No Man Has Gone Before" — A History in Pictures|publisher=[[Pocket Books]]|year=1994|isbn=0-671-51149-1|pages=26}}</ref> Changing the character to be "a man with very human emotions" also allowed for the development of the Spock character.<ref name="uptillnow120" /> Shatner wrote that "Kirk was a man who marveled and greatly appreciated the endless surprises presented to him by the universe ... He didn't take things for granted and, more than anything else, respected life in every one of its weird weekly adventure forms".<ref name="uptillnow120" />

===Films===
Shatner did not expect ''Star Trek'' to be successful,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/magazine/05Shatner-t.html |title=The Many Iterations of William Shatner |page=5 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=September 3, 2010 |access-date=September 19, 2010 |first=Pat |last=Jordan |archive-date=February 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209165021/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/05/magazine/05Shatner-t.html?pagewanted=5&_r=4 |url-status=live }}</ref> so when it was cancelled in 1969, he assumed it would be the end of his association with the franchise.<ref name="uptillnow">{{cite book |title=Up Till Now: The Autobiography |first=William |last=Shatner |year=2008 |publisher=Macmillan |isbn=978-0-312-37265-1 |url=https://archive.org/details/uptillnowautobio00shat }}</ref> Following ''Star Trek's'' popularity after its cancelation, Shatner went on to voice Kirk in the animated ''Star Trek'' series,<ref name="chrono">{{cite book |title=Star Trek Chronology: The History of the Future |publisher=Pocket Books |year=1996 |isbn=0-671-53610-9 |first1=Michael |last1=Okuda |first2=Denise |last2=Okuda}}</ref> star in the first seven ''Star Trek'' films,<ref name="Encyc" /> and provide voice acting for several games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2006/08/14/william-shatner-returns-one-more-time-as-captain-kirk/ |title=William Shatner Returns One More Time As Captain Kirk |date=August 14, 2006 |access-date=January 20, 2009 |publisher=CityNews (Toronto) |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411122413/http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_2722.aspx |archive-date=April 11, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.adventureclassicgaming.com/index.php/site/reviews/91/ |title=Star Trek: 25th Anniversary |date=December 23, 1998 |access-date=January 20, 2009 |publisher=Adventure Classic Gaming |first=Joseph |last=Ornelas |archive-date=November 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131119170852/http://www.adventureclassicgaming.com/index.php/site/reviews/91/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]]'' [[film director|director]] and writer [[Nicholas Meyer]], who had never seen an episode of ''Star Trek'' before he was assigned to direct,<ref name="dillard96">{{cite book |last=Dillard |first=J.M. |title=Star Trek: "Where No Man Has Gone Before" — A History in Pictures |publisher=[[Pocket Books]] |year=1994 |isbn=0-671-51149-1 |page=96}}</ref> conceived a "''Hornblower'' in outer space" atmosphere, unaware that those books had been an influence on the show.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rioux |first=Terry Lee |year=2005 |title=From Sawdust to Stardust: The Biography of DeForest Kelley |publisher=[[Pocket Books]] |isbn=0-7434-5762-5 |page=243}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Spotlight: Meyer Speaks Proudly of "Khan" |work=StarTrek.com |date=August 6, 2002 |url=http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/125294.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031217140719/http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/125294.html |archive-date=December 17, 2003 |url-status=dead |access-date=2020-11-09}}</ref> Meyer also emphasized parallels to [[Sherlock Holmes]], in that both characters waste away in the absence of stimuli: new cases for Holmes; starship adventures for Kirk.<ref name="meyer"/>

Meyer's ''The Wrath of Khan'' script focuses on Kirk's age, with McCoy giving him a pair of glasses as a birthday present. The script states that Kirk is 49, but Shatner was unsure about being specific about Kirk's age<ref name="meyer">{{cite video |people=[[Nicholas Meyer|Meyer, Nicholas]] |date=August 6, 2002 |title=Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, The Directors Edition: Audio commentary |publisher=[[Paramount Pictures]] |medium=DVD; Disc 1/2}}</ref> because he was hesitant to portray a middle-aged version of himself.<ref name="twok commentary">{{cite video |people=''Star Trek'' cast and crew |date=August 6, 2002 |title=Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, The Directors Edition: Special Features |publisher=[[Paramount Pictures]] |medium=DVD; Disc 2/2}}</ref> Shatner changed his mind when producer [[Harve Bennett]] convinced Shatner that he could age gracefully like [[Spencer Tracy]].<ref name="twok commentary"/> Spock's sacrifice at the end of the film allows for Kirk's spiritual rebirth; after commenting earlier that he feels old and worn out, Kirk states in the final scene that he feels "young."<ref>{{cite journal |last=Roth |first=Lane |year=1987 |title=Death and Rebirth in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan |journal=[[Extrapolation (journal)|Extrapolation]] |volume=1 |issue=28 |page=7}}</ref> Additionally, Spock's self-sacrificing solution to the no-win ''[[Kobayashi Maru]]'' scenario, which Kirk had cheated his way through, forces Kirk to confront death and to grow as a character.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Roth |first=Lane |year=1987 |title=Death and Rebirth in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan |journal=[[Extrapolation (journal)|Extrapolation]] |volume=1 |issue=28 |page=10}}</ref>

Both Shatner and test audiences were dissatisfied that Kirk was fatally shot in the back in the original ending of the film ''[[Star Trek Generations]]''.<ref name="tngcompanion">{{cite book |title=Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion |publisher=[[Pocket Books]] |date=January 7, 2003 |last=Nemeck |first=Larry |isbn=978-0-7434-5798-9}}</ref> An addendum inserted while Shatner's ''[[Star Trek Movie Memories]]'' [[memoir]] was being printed expresses his enthusiasm at being called back to film a rewritten ending.<ref>{{cite book |title=[[Star Trek Movie Memories]] |first1=William |last1=Shatner |first2=Chris |last2=Kreski |isbn=978-0-00-638416-8 |publisher=[[HarperCollins]] |date=November 28, 1994 |author-link2=Chris Kreski}}</ref> Despite the rewrite, ''Generations'' co-writer [[Ronald D. Moore]] said that Kirk's death, which was intended to "resonate throughout the Star Trek franchise",<ref name="galacticinsights">{{Cite web|url=http://scifipulse.net/Interviews/SciFiPulse_RDMInterviewAug2006.html |title=Ron Moore Shares Some Galactic Insights |access-date=January 13, 2009 |date=August 8, 2006 |first=Ian M. |last=Cullen |publisher=Sci Fi Pulse |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080825013107/http://scifipulse.net/Interviews/SciFiPulse_RDMInterviewAug2006.html |archive-date=August 25, 2008 }}</ref> failed to "pay off the themes [of death and mortality] in the way we wanted".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://trekmovie.com/2008/06/24/exclusive-interview-ron-moore-talks-movies-past-and-future |title=Exclusive Interview: Ron Moore Talks Movies (Past and Future) |date=June 24, 2008 |access-date=January 22, 2009 |publisher=Trekmovie.com |first=Anthony |last=Pascale |archive-date=November 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118043946/https://trekmovie.com/2008/06/24/exclusive-interview-ron-moore-talks-movies-past-and-future/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Malcolm McDowell]], whose character kills Kirk, was dissatisfied with both versions of Kirk's death: he believed Kirk should have been killed "in a big way".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://startrek.com/article/malcolm-mcdowell-killed-kirkundefined-but-hated-it-part-i |title=Malcolm McDowell Killed Kirk... But Hated It, Part I |date=June 1, 2011 |access-date=June 3, 2011 |work=StarTrek.com |publisher=[[CBS]] |archive-date=June 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604111819/http://startrek.com/article/malcolm-mcdowell-killed-kirkundefined-but-hated-it-part-i |url-status=live }}</ref> McDowell claims to have received death threats after ''Generations'' was released.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://startrek.com/article/malcolm-mcdowell-killed-kirkundefined-but-hated-it-part-ii |title=Malcolm McDowell Killed Kirk... But Hated It, Part II |date=June 2, 2011 |access-date=June 3, 2011 |work=StarTrek.com |publisher=[[CBS]] |archive-date=June 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605201201/http://startrek.com/article/malcolm-mcdowell-killed-kirkundefined-but-hated-it-part-ii |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Franchise "reboot"===
[[File:Chris Pine by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|[[Chris Pine]] has portrayed an alternate reality version of Kirk in three ''Star Trek'' films since 2009.]]
In ''Star Trek'' (2009), [[screenwriter]]s [[Alex Kurtzman]] and [[Roberto Orci]] focused their story on Kirk and Spock in the movie's alternative timeline while attempting to preserve key character traits from the previous depictions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/01/13/kicking-off-2009-with-alex-kurtzman-and-roberto-orci-part-one-star-trek/ |title=Kicking Off 2009 with Writers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci – Part One: Star Trek |date=January 13, 2009 |access-date=January 13, 2009 |publisher=FirstShowing.net |first=Alex |last=Billington |archive-date=January 16, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116231819/http://www.firstshowing.net/2009/01/13/kicking-off-2009-with-alex-kurtzman-and-roberto-orci-part-one-star-trek/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Kurtzman said casting someone whose portrayal of Kirk would show that the character "is being honored and protected" was "tricky", but that the "spirit of Kirk is very much alive and well" in Pine's depiction.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ugo.com/movies/exclusive-star-trek-photo/?cur=interview |publisher=[[UGO Networks]] |access-date=January 21, 2009 |first=Jordan |last=Hoffman |title=Interview |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207141950/http://www.ugo.com/movies/exclusive-star-trek-photo/?cur=interview |archive-date=December 7, 2008 }}</ref> Due to his belief that he could not take himself seriously as a leader, Pine recalled having difficulty with his audition, which required him "to bark {{'}}''Trek'' jargon'", but his charisma impressed [[film director|director]] [[J. J. Abrams]].<ref name="ewcover6">{{cite magazine|url=http://ew.com/article/2008/10/18/star-trek-movie-inside-scoop/|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|title='Star Trek' movie: Inside scoop!|access-date=March 15, 2022 |first=Jeff |last=Jensen |archive-date=February 4, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204075916/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20233502_6,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Pine's chemistry with [[Zachary Quinto]], playing Spock, led Abrams to offer Pine the role.<ref name="ewcover6" /> [[Jimmy Bennett]] played Kirk in scenes depicting the character's childhood.<ref name="empireonline">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?nid=21885 |title=A Younger Capt. Kirk Cast In Star Trek |date=January 30, 2008 |access-date=January 21, 2009 |magazine=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |first=Olly |last=Richards |archive-date=December 18, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111218213746/http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?nid=21885 |url-status=live }}</ref> The writers turned to material from the novel ''Best Destiny'' for inspiration as to Kirk's childhood.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2008/10/17/inspirations-whole-new-enterprise/ |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |first=Jeff |last=Jensen |title=Inspirations for a whole new ''Enterprise'' |date=October 17, 2008 |access-date=March 15, 2022 |archive-date=April 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427061434/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20234010,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In preparing to play Kirk, Pine decided to embrace the character's key traits&nbsp;– "charming, funny, leader of men"&nbsp;– rather than try to fit the "predigested image" of Shatner's portrayal.<ref name="chrispinevariety" /> Pine specifically did not try to mirror Shatner's cadence, believing that doing so would become "an impersonation".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/chris-pine-puts-his-own-spin-trek-s-kirk-wbna28527414 |publisher=[[Access Hollywood]] |access-date=January 13, 2009 |title=Chris Pine puts his own spin on 'Trek's' Kirk |date=January 6, 2009 |archive-date=November 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104202724/https://www.today.com/popculture/chris-pine-puts-his-own-spin-trek-s-kirk-wbna28527414 |url-status=live }}</ref> Pine said he wanted his portrayal of Kirk to most resemble [[Harrison Ford]]'s [[Indiana Jones (character)|Indiana Jones]] or [[Han Solo]] characters, highlighting their humor and "accidental hero" traits.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/03/10/exclusive-trek-star-reveals-captain-kirk-inspiration|title=Exclusive: Trek Star Reveals Captain Kirk Inspiration |website=[[IGN]] |first=Kaleem |last=Aftab |access-date=March 15, 2022 |date=March 10, 2008 |archive-date=April 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411083226/http://movies.ign.com/articles/858/858172p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

A misunderstanding arose during the film's production about the possibility of Shatner making a [[cameo appearance]].<ref name="scifiwireabrams">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/jj_abrams_defends_his_star_trek_youll_love_it |title=J.J. Abrams defends his ''Star Trek'': You'll love it! |magazine=[[Syfy|Sci Fi Wire]] |access-date=March 30, 2021 |date=January 14, 2009 |first=Fred |last=Topel |archive-date=May 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510013740/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/jj_abrams_defends_his_star_trek_youll_love_it |url-status=live }}</ref> According to Abrams, the production team considered ways to resurrect Shatner's deceased Kirk character, but could not devise a way that was not "lame".<ref name="scifiwireabrams"/> However, Abrams believed Shatner misinterpreted language about trying to get "him" into the movie as a reference to Shatner, and not his character. Shatner released a [[YouTube]] video expressing disappointment at not being approached for a cameo.<ref name="scifiwireabrams"/> Although Shatner questioned the wisdom of not including him in the film, he predicted the movie would be "wonderful"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/shatner-star-trek-15453/ |title=Shatner: Star Trek Film Diss Is Not Logical |date=November 21, 2007 |access-date=March 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205070720/http://www.tvguide.com/news/Shatner-Star-Trek-15453.aspx |archive-date=February 5, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> and that he was "kidding" about Abrams not offering him a cameo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvblog.ugo.com/index.php/tvblog/more/william_shatner_interview/ |title=William Shatner Interview |date=December 1, 2008 |access-date=January 25, 2009 |publisher=[[UGO Networks]] |first=Jordan |last=Hoffman |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205082057/http://tvblog.ugo.com/index.php/tvblog/more/william_shatner_interview/ |archive-date=December 5, 2008 }}</ref>

=== ''Star Trek: Strange New Worlds'' ===
[[File:Paul Wesley by Gage Skidmore 4.jpg|thumb|[[Paul Wesley]] has portrayed Kirk in ''Star Trek: Strange New Worlds'' since 2022]]
Kirk also appears in ''[[Star Trek: Strange New Worlds]]'', which is set six years before the events of [[Star Trek: The Original Series|the original series]]. He first appears in the final episode of Season 1, portrayed by [[Paul Wesley]], and appeared as a recurring guest in Season 2. In this series, the ''[[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701)|Enterprise]]'' has another captain, Kirk's predecessor [[Christopher Pike (Star Trek)|Christopher Pike]], who first appeared in "[[The Cage (Star Trek: The Original Series)|The Cage]]".