New Feature-Length Doc Looks at Life of William Shatner

BANFF: Movie Central has teamed up with William Shatner’s production company Melis Productions and Ballinran Productions on a feature-length documentary on the life of Shatner, tentatively titled The Captains.

The doc will follow the life and career of Shatner, tracing back to his Montreal roots and his early career in Ontario, through to his life-changing role as Captain James T. Kirk. Production of the film is slated to begin next month, with broadcast scheduled for winter 2011. Shatner will direct the film, also serving as executive producer alongside David Zappone and Craig Thompson.

Movie Central also picked up the Canadian broadcast rights to the documentary William Shatner’s Gonzo Ballet, about the legendary Tony Award-winning choreographer Margo Sappington’s quest to create a ballet set to the music of Shatner’s album Has Been.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with the legendary William Shatner to produce a unique and never-before-seen view of his life," said Erica Benson, the VP of programming for Movie Central. "Both The Captains and the acquisition of the Canadian broadcast rights for Gonzo Ballet are going to be a great fit for both our pay TV network Movie Central and specialty network Sundance Channel (Canada)."