STAR TREK IS BACK

In honor of its 40th anniversary, Star Trek: The Motion Picture— starring William Shatner, now 88, and the late Leonard Nimoy— will get a nationwide re-release in select theaters for two days only, Sept. 15 and Sept. 18, for the first time since its original 1979 release. Here are some fun facts about the iconic film.

1. In addition to Shatner and Nimoy, the cast from the original series all returned, including DeForest Kelley (who died in 1999), George Takei, 82, Nichelle Nichols, 86, Walter Koenig, 82, and James Doohan (who died in 2005).

2. Actress Persis Khambatta, a former Miss India who shaved her head bald to play Enterprise Lieutenant Ilia, considered taking out insurance in case her hair didn’t grow back.

3. Minerva Terrace in Yellowstone National Park doubled as the planet Vulcan.

4. The movie’s trailer was narrated by Orson Welles.

5. Shatner went on a severe crash diet to get in shape for his role back in the Star Trek spotlight after a decade-long absence.