Chris Pine Meets The Real Captain Kirk

Star Trek’s original Captain Kirk William Shatner has given his approval to Chris Pine’s performance of the famous space traveler in the new $150 million blockbuster.

The two actors finally met for the first time at a charity equestrian event in Los Angeles over the weekend. And Pine - who is about to become a breakout star in JJ Abrams re-invention of the space saga - admits he was a ‘little scared’ of meeting the original Captain James T. Kirk.

When JJ Abrams picked the 28-year-old actor for the dream role, Pine wrote a letter to Shatner expressing his ‘honor’ at getting the famous role.

“He did write back to me which was really nice but of course I was nervous and scared of meeting in person because he is such an iconic figure and I really wanted to do a great job,” Pine said. “But when we actually met he was a wonderful man and very warm towards me and supportive of the new film. I spent along time watching him in the original Star Trek and I tried really hard to get across his humor but I would also study the way he moved around the deck of The Enterprise because he was a very physical actor too. There will never be another Captain Kirk like William Shatner but I think he appreciated they way I was trying to convey the role."

Before the new blockbuster started filming the Internet was buzzing with stories that Shatner did not see eye to eye with Abrams' vision for the prequel.

And although the original Spock – Leonard Nimoy – was offered a cameo in the new film, an appearance by Shatner wasn’t forthcoming.

But director JJ Abrams – who also attended Shatner’s charity event at the weekend – was quick to pour cold water on any long-running feud with the veteran actor.

He said: “Sure I heard those rumors but any exchanges were just in fun. He is a really funny and warm man and when we met-up it was all smiles and it was great to see Chris and him finally meet in person.” (Photo: WENN)