William Shatner joins “Space: 1999” documentary from Minnesota Filmmaker

William Shatner, best known for his appearance as Captain Kirk in ‘Star Trek: The Original Series’ has joined filmmaker Jeffrey Morris to help him create a new documentary film. 

The documentary, titled ‘The Eagle Obsession’ will focus on Morris’ lifelong fixation with science fiction. 

As a child, Morris was inspired by several shows to be an astronaut, including the 1970s British series ‘Space 1999’, by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson.

The series ran for two seasons from 1975 to 1977 and stars Martin Landau as Commander John Koenig and his crew. 

They must find a way to survive when they’re thrown into deep space.

Speaking to CBS News, Morris said “I was like 7 years old when I saw the show, first time was back in 1975, and it really hit me. 

“You know, the show was set 25 years in the future, so being 1999 I did the math and I’m like, ‘OK, I’m going to grow up to live in the world that’s in that show, something like that.’ The idea of living on the moon, traveling into space, that sort of thing,’”  

Morris went onto explain that the core focus of his project is the Eagle Transporter, the main spacecraft used in the show. 

“Me and like all of my friends, we were all super into this little sci-fi spaceship.”

As he’s exploring this story, Morris has gathered interviews from several astronauts and Shatner, who inspired many people to look to the stars through his portrayal of Captain Kirk.

“I am talking to William Shatner next week and talking with Captain Kirk himself, and that’s exciting,” Morris said. “So excited to have a chance to meet my childhood heroes and tell the story and not just me, but millions of people around the world have dreamt of the future we haven’t seen yet.”

The full interview with Morris can be read on CBS News.

Morris hopes to raise $100,000 to show the documentary on the big screen, and wants to debut the finished film at the Toronto Film Festival in 2025, which is the 50th anniversary of ‘Space 1999’.

While making this documentary, Morris has used a virtual sound stage in Minneapolis, featuring and LED screen to recreate one of the planet environments of ‘Space: 1999’.

He’s also worked with students at Blaine’s University Avenue Elementary, an aerospace magnet school to help them design and build their own versions of the Eagle Transporter