William Shatner Goes On Foul-Mouthed Tirade In Ryan Reynolds Produced Video And It’s Wonderful

By Christopher Isaac | Updated

No matter how old William Shatner gets, he will no doubt always be best known as Captain Kirk from Star Trek. As the captain of the starship Enterprise, Shatner was a leader who instilled confidence with his calm, logical demeanor. So it is quite the hilarious contrast to see William Shatner’s foul-mouthed tirade in an ad produced by Ryan Reynolds condemning open net salmon farming practices.

See the YouTube video for yourself for a good laugh and important message.

The YouTube video is part of a campaign from Pacific Wild lambasting the depletion of Canada’s fish population through the practice of open net farms. The Ryan Reynolds-produced video features an assortment of Canadians sharing some strong words opposing the practice, with the 93-year-old William Shatner leading the profanity-laden criticism. Shatner starts off by declaring that he wants to live up to the polite nature Canadians are known for, but he says this is an issue that he simply cannot continue being Canadian about.

The ad feels seeped in the kind of colorful language Ryan Reynolds has become known for as Deadpool, but William Shatner is the perfect emissary to deliver the message for maximum comedic effect.

“You know, for almost a century, I’ve been a kind, decent Canadian,” said Shatner in the video. “But when I see what open net salmon farming is doing to the environment and wildlife, I just can’t be Canadian about it any longer. So repeat after me: f*** off open net pen salmon farms!” The ad feels seeped in the kind of colorful language Ryan Reynolds has become known for as Deadpool, but William Shatner is the perfect emissary to deliver the message for maximum comedic effect.

William Shatner as Captain Kirk in Star Trek: The Original Series

The remainder of the ad features Canadians far and wide sharing some of their own strongly worded thoughts about open net pen salmon farms and the harm that they do. It even features other celebrities, like hockey player Kirk McLean. However, in true Ryan Reynolds fashion, this also leads to a bit of William Shatner reprimanding McLean for not being crass and insulting enough, so McLean gives it another try with a few more expletives thrown in.

Other Canadian residents who shared their thoughts include a black bear who roars its disapproval with subtitles underneath making it clear that the bear too is actually cursing in bear language.

“Sorry,” said McLean. “Your f***ing unnatural practices f***ing suck!” William Shatner is much more pleased with this response, and the absurdity of the Ryan Reynolds ad only increases from there.

Other Canadian residents who shared their thoughts include a black bear who roars its disapproval with subtitles underneath making it clear that the bear too is actually cursing in bear language. A mother with her baby also joins in on the tirade…and then the baby does as well by holding up a middle finger.

Ryan Reynolds is very effective at using humor to create a memorable ad that would otherwise have likely flown under the radar without the involvement of people like William Shatner.

William Shatner and Ryan Reynolds use the vehicle of comedy to help raise awareness about this environmental political issue.

As for the serious message behind the campaign, it is directed at the fact that currently open net pen salmon farms are going to be allowed to continue in Canada until 2029. This is despite the fact that there is a lot of evidence and criticism about the damage this can do to both animals and the environment.

Opponents of the nets say that they can even spread lice and disease to the fish. William Shatner and Ryan Reynolds use the vehicle of comedy to help raise awareness about this environmental political issue.

While Ryan Reynolds does not appear in the ad, William Shatner’s choice of insults certainly conveys the same kind of creativity that the Deadpool actor has become known for. The ad ends by encouraging people to visit FOff.ca to tell their representatives that extending open net salmon farming another five years is “bull****.”