William Shatner Has a Question for 'Star Wars' Fans

William Shatner, of Star Trek fame, took to X on Star Wars Day to ask fans of the franchise, “Who’s your Daddy?”

May the 4th is a day celebrated by Star Wars fans worldwide as Star Wars Day, but this year, William Shatner, who played Captain Kirk in the Star Trek franchise, decided to have a little good-natured fun with them by posting on X to remind them that Star Trek came first.

Shatner posted a meme with the caption, “I just want to make things clear… Who’s your Daddy @starwars? Me! XO!! Daddy Bill.” The meme is an image of Shatner with the caption, “Remember Star Wars fans…Without the Federation; you wouldn’t be here! We are your father! May the Fourth be with you…Love Starfleet!”

Fans of both franchises joined in the fun in the replies, with some agreeing, like Sarah Burris, who replied, “Amen Bill!! And may you live long and prosper.”

The Star Wars Reporter X account had a little fun, ribbing Shatner back, saying, “Happy Star Wars Day!” with an image of Kirk being lifted in a chokehold by Darth Vader.

Not to be outdone, Colonial Rebel, Pheardom reminded everyone that the sci-fi movie Forbidden Planet came before both franchises and said, “This is true, but Leslie Nielsen is all of your Daddies!”, accompanied by a picture of Nielsen from the 1956 movie.

The Star Trek franchise was created by Gene Roddenberry and started in 1966 with Star Trek (The Original Series). The franchise has, so far, spawned 13 films and 12 television series, which total 940 episodes over 49 seasons. Star Wars was created by George Lucas and began with the 1977 movie Star Wars (retroactively subtitled Episode IV: A New Hope). The series, so far, has 11 movies and 20 television series, which total 671 episodes over 47 seasons.