In 2013 Abrams ruled out Shatner return saying: ‘I said to him your character died in the movie and we are honoring that history and he just kept trying ways [to get in].’
However, the director has softened his stance towards Shatner in recent years admitting a strong pitch or storyline could pave the way for a return.
When asked if he would star opposite his character currently played by Chris Pine, he smiled: ‘Lord yes. What an interesting role that was and what it could be 50 years later: Captain Kirk is caught somewhere in the byways of the universe.’
He added: ‘Tarantino is a great director and I would love to work with him. [To appear] would be a wonderful thing. The fans have been so supportive.’
Just six weeks before his 87th birthday, Shatner says ‘nobody could have known about the legacy of that show.’
The veteran Canadian star insists he has no plans to ever retire from show business, adding that he ideally hopes to drop dead on stage.
He also cites his work and fans adulation as the reason for looking like a man years younger than his real age.
But he has no plans to rest on those laurels saying: ‘What am I going to retire from and to? Look, we are having a good time here and we give money to charities. Would I retire from that and sit at home and watch television?
‘No, I will die first – and that is probably what will happen.’
Shatner launched his one-man-show on Broadway in 2012. He later went on tour to perform the show about his life and donated a large portion of the proceeds to charity.
Actor William Shatner performs during his one-man show, ‘Shatner’s World: We Just Live In It’ (Getty Images)