EPIX Lines Up William Shatner Programming Event

NEW YORK: This summer, EPIX is launching the original documentary The Captains, focused on the Star Trek franchise, as the centerpiece to its Shatnerpalooza programming event, which will feature a marathon of William Shatner’s movie and TV projects.

Shatnerpalooza will air across EPIX’s linear channel, SVOD service, EpixHD.com and other Internet-connected platforms. The event kicks off July 21 with a 48-hour marathon of Shatner’s work. Also part of the event is William Shatner’s Gonzo Ballet, a film that looks at the staging of choreographer Margo Sappington’s ballet set to the soundtrack of William Shatner’s spoken word album, with music by Ben Folds, Has Been. Henry Rollins also contributes to the album and is featured in the documentary.

The event will culminate in the world premiere of The Captains, an EPIX original documentary produced and directed by Shatner. The film provides a look at the Star Trek franchise through the experiences of each actor who has played a Starfleet captain, including Patrick Stewart, Kate Mulgrew, Scott Bakula, Avery Brooks, Chris Pine and Shatner himself.

"From film and TV icon to hipster hero, William Shatner is a man of many talents," said Mark Greenberg, EPIX’s president and CEO. "We are proud to celebrate him as actor, producer, director and cultural phenomenon and to bring his contributions to fans on EPIX and EpixHD.com."